Fall Trends You're About To See Everywhere

Alright boys, we're back. Time to talk about trends for the best season of the year. Fall. Or autumn, if you're British. I always like to take a look at what GQ are saying because they're supposed to be the experts, and they always brag about being accurate, so let's test them. I'll go through each of their predictions in detail and let you know my thoughts. Do I agree or disagree? But also, I'm going to add in a few of my own predictions and recommendations at the end, some of which are very different to GQ's. And if I talk about any specific pieces, I'll do my best to link them down in the description box below. Let's go. The first thing they think is going to be really big this fall is something they're calling going out tops. And we're wasting no time here getting straight into the controversial stuff. Sequins, festive looks, see-through vests, tops that make you really stand out. If you think it looks a bit feminine, I think that's exactly the point they're trying to make. They say women have been doing this forever, and this fall, men are going to start doing the same. I'll be honest, I'm struggling with this one, guys. While I have no problems wearing clothes from the women's section, for me, this is just a bit too feminine. I can definitely get on board with guys wearing louder and more expressive things on top, things that can make a simple pair of jeans look dressy. And we know guys do love to peacock, so I'm sure we'll see some more flashy than others. But I think GQ are living in a fantasy world here if they think this is actually going to be trendy this fall. The next one is something I actually don't think we've ever talked about on this channel. Messenger bags. Apparently canvas tote bags are out, and these are in. GQ say they're surprised how little we see these, given how manly and sophisticated they look. And honestly, I agree. There's a lot to like about these bags. They're definitely more convenient and comfortable to carry around than a tote, given that they can be worn across the body, and all of your stuff is easily accessible at your waist. And they're much more stylish than those god-awful tiny cross-body bags that guys have been wearing over the past few years. You could go for something really rugged, like the Bluedeshof business bag, or something a bit more fashion-forward and unique, like the Rick Owens Gemini bag. Either way, they look classy, and they're going to be practical. So yeah, I agree on this one. The next thing GQ are predicting to be trendy this fall are colourful leathers. Boots, jackets, even trousers, all made up of loud leathers. They say that last year was about quiet and timeless pieces, and this year is about punchy one-offs. I'm going to come out straight away and say I don't think this is going to happen. And if it does, I would strongly advise against getting involved. Most leather pieces, especially jackets, are going to be a small investment if you want a decent one. And you should always aim for decent leather, by the way. Never cheap out on it, if possible. Therefore, if you're dropping a wad on some expensive leather, I think it's a bad idea to go for some garish colour that will probably only look good for one season. Because by this time next year, it'll probably be out of style, and you won't want to wear it again. What a waste. So, while I agree and love to hear about leather jackets and boots being on trend, I would stick to your simple brown and black leathers. One thing that will absolutely always be on trend are good socks. For something so important that you wear all day, every day, you should be investing in the best ones. And that's where today's video sponsor, Bombus, can help you out. I've got three pairs here, all equally beautiful and well-made, but actually very different from each other. The first is basically the most luxury sock I've ever tried. The Merino wool and cashmere blend in grey. These are thick, plush, cosy, and extremely warm. Perfect for fall. The second is one of their newest additions, the slouchy rib sock, made of a premium Supima cotton blend. They give the perfect casual slouchy look without falling down your ankles. The third pair is the ultra strong Merino wool blend. They have triple the durability of their other socks, and the Merino wool is going to thermoregulate your feet for those long walks or hikes. All Bombus socks have a honeycomb arch support for a snug, comfortable fit, seamless toe construction for no rubbing or irritation, and a cushioned footbed without bulk. Besides being incredibly comfortable and great quality, Bombus go way beyond that with their philosophy and customer service. Since they launched in 2013, they've donated one item for every pair of socks sold. That's over 200 million items donated to those in need. Plus they have a 100% happiness guarantee, offering free exchanges and returns for any reason. The ones I've shown today are easy to integrate into my outfits because of their classic ribbed design. But they also have loads of other kinds of socks, as well as clothing and underwear. Feel good and do good with Bombus, knowing that your purchase is doing some real good. Check them out at the link in the description or scan the QR code on screen now, and use the code JAMESLUNG at checkout for 20% off your first purchase. Thank you again to Bombas for sponsoring today's video. Next up, GQ are talking about clerical capes. If you're as confused as I was, don't worry, it's actually quite simple. They're essentially talking about trench coats, but specifically ones with large storm flaps around the shoulders. Storm flaps or storm shields are an extra piece of fabric that are designed to shed rain and block wind. You do often see them on trench coats, but not always. It looks like some brands like Prada and Dries Van Noten might be releasing them as separate individual pieces, and I could actually see this catching on. Similar to the detachable hood scarf we saw a lot last year, which unsurprisingly probably caught mainstream popularity from Sydney wearing it in the bear. Personally, I'd prefer a built-in storm flap on a trench coat, like a vintage Burberry. It just looks more cohesive, solid and classic. But either way, I like this trend. It's practical for the rainy weather and it's a unique shape. The next thing apparently are big windbreakers. Large 80s or 90s style jackets with puffy arms, wide chests, shorter lengths and cinched in waists. I can for sure see this one happening, in no small part because of the success of Marty Supreme last year and how much buzz there was around the clothing designs, including windbreakers. I do feel like I've seen a lot of people wearing them already this year actually. It's one of those pieces that has been rediscovered and suddenly seems to go well with everything, from smart to casual. The great thing is you don't even need to buy new. There's countless vintage options to choose from and they're going to get you the most authentic fit. Adidas, Nike, Diodora, Capa, even luxury brands like Dior. This is a great way to add a bit of that fun retro design to your wardrobe while keeping it practical and not having to spend a load of money. The next one is right up my street. Belt accessories. Key holders, wallet chains, carabiners, even sunglasses holders. It's funny because in my mind these got really popular two or three years ago and now they've finally found themselves on the runway, so it's like a reverse trend. But I'm all for it. My belt loop buddy from Good Art Hollywood is one of my most worn pieces. It's a simple brass key holder that I put on every single time I leave the house. It's just so much nicer than having pointy keys in your pocket. You definitely don't need an expensive one like this though. It's a bit over the top. A simple carabiner is all you really need. Wallet chains are also super practical, keeping your stuff safe. And it's just a nice little outfit detail, especially if you like a bit of an edgier look. The next thing really represents a full circle moment in fashion for me. It's parkas. When I started my channel over 10 years ago, these were all the rage, particularly fishtail parkas. And while they never went away, the hype for them definitely died down. And now GQ think they might be back this fall. And they could be right. Parkas are long, insulated, weatherproof coats, typically with fur-lined hoods, so it would absolutely make sense for them in fall. But people have much preferred overcoats as their go-to warm pieces in recent times, so the interest in parkas kind of fell away. If you want one, you can't go wrong with something from North Face. You know it's going to do the job and look good. But Frismworks do some nice looking ones, or even Uniqlo if you're on a budget. Don't rule out vintage ones either. I like this one, and it could be fun to pair a casual parka with smarter clothes for that intentional clash of styles. Alright, the next thing GQ are predicting for this fall is velvet suiting. Suiting is a bit outside my comfort zone, so I don't have very strong opinions here as to whether it will be big or not. What I will say is that I love how it looks, especially a velvet jacket dressed down slightly. If you're someone who goes out to nicer events a lot, I can see this being a great change from regular suiting. It looks both sophisticated and comfortable. Similar to parkas, this is something that I've kind of seen go full circle in menswear. 10 or so years ago, everyone, including myself, was going mad for velour. Basically, a cheap imitation of velvet. Velour hoodies, jackets, pants. I wonder if this new velvet trend could translate into velour hype again. I'm not sure. Let's see what happens. Okay, this is the last of GQ's predictions before we get onto my own. And it's the weirdest of them all, but I actually kind of agree with it. They picked up on the fact that a lot of the models on the runways this year had DIY looking bleached blonde hair, so they think it could catch on as a trend. And I actually think they're correct. I've even considered it myself. Ever since I watched The Sound of Metal, I've always wanted to copy Riz's hair. Something about the patchwork bleached blonde hair against darker skin tones looks so cool to me. But I don't know if I could pull it off. Plus, I do work a normal 9-5, so I'm not sure how well it would go down. However, if you can get away with it, I'd say go for it. Okay, so while I actually agree with many of GQ's takes this year, some of them are a little too literal to what they see on the runway, and so I don't think that will translate into real life. So I thought I'd use this opportunity at the end to add in some of my own predictions of other things I think we'll see this fall. I think straight cut pants are back in as the go-to, and we'll see a lot more people wearing them this fall and beyond. I'm also predicting we'll see a lot of boot cut jeans as well. Baggy isn't going anywhere, but it's definitely not as hyped as it was last year. Many people who were all over the baggy pants are now reverting back to slimmer and straighter cuts, and it's not a surprise. As I've said a few times in this video, fashion is very much cyclical, and we see things go in and out of style over the years. The good news about straight cut and boot cut is that they're without a doubt the most classic and timeless silhouettes you can get. So I'd say feel free to go and buy some expensive Japanese rare selvedge ones and wear them over and over again, or of course just buy some more affordable ones if you prefer. Either way, they're never going to go out of style. Tailoring isn't my strong point, but I've definitely noticed a lot more casual tailoring in menswear, and I think GQ picked up on some of that in their predictions as well. But more specifically, we're seeing way more casual use of the shirt and tie combo, which can be really fun to do. Especially when you start getting into vintage silk ties, which you can get for a bargain. Dressing it all down with some jeans, maybe some sneakers and a relaxed jacket, it's just a very stylish and grown-up look that you can wear every day, without feeling like you're going into a work meeting. Another thing I was really surprised to not see mentioned in GQ's predictions is work wear and military wear, which seems to be making another massive resurgence. Specifically French chore coats, M51 or M43 army jackets, and cargo pants. None of these have ever gone out of style, they're classic pieces, but I feel like I'm seeing these absolutely everywhere at the moment leading into fall, and no surprises, I love them. Particularly the more relaxed versions that have a bit of fading and distressing to them. I already have a beautiful vintage French chore coat and an M43 jacket that I love, now I'm tempted to get some cargos. Orslo and Beams Plus have some nice ones, but if you have any better suggestions, please do let me know. So there's all the trends for fall 2026, according to GQ and myself. As is the same most years, we're pretty much looking at what's being recycled from previous years. Things just come and go, come and go. It's actually really rare to see something completely new and unique. I do like a lot of this year's stuff though, what do you guys think? Let us know down in the comments below. But anyway, as always, thank you very much for watching, and I'll see you next time. Ta-ra.