The Secret to Looking Expensive This Fall? It's a Matter of Texture.

For years, I’ve wondered: what is it about autumn that makes me fall back in love with fashion? It’s as if, from May to August, I find myself in a sort of half-dazed slumber. Perhaps it’s the micro-trends that litter my FYP, or the fact that, no matter the temperature, I’m always left feeling entirely too hot and frustratingly sweaty (by day’s end, my blowout is most certainly a curly heap atop my head). Needless to say, summer fashion tires me out. More often than not, what I’m wearing feels like an afterthought—a consequence of the brutal humidity and scorching sun.

By late August, I’m exhausted and depleted of all energy. And just as I’m ready to tap out, to commit to a life of visible bra straps and messy hair, autumn arrives with promise. Every autumn, it’s as if I’m reborn—suddenly I’m scouring local boutiques, curating various Pinterest boards, and committing to plans simply because I already have an outfit in mind that I know will be perfect.

My resurgence in personal style has piqued my interest for years, because clearly I’m not the only one who feels this way. Online, the videos titled “Autumn Must-Have Essentials” and weekly lookbooks are endless. Women I pass on the street look like they’ve just stepped out of a cab in SoHo and are heading to work as the creative director of some luxury fashion house on 123 Main St., USA.

It’s as if the autumn breeze ushers in a new era of inspiration: the desire to take risks, to play around, to style vintage pieces with new fabrics, cuts, and colors. Which begs the question: why? What is it about the new season that ignites such passion and excitement when styling a look? Is it the newfound ability to layer pieces? Or is it that our color palette shifts from soft pinks and blues to richer brown-toned neutrals and more sophisticated blacks and navies? Both are convincing theories, but I’ve come to a different conclusion: autumn gives us the freedom to experiment with texture. And when done correctly, the pairing of different fabrics and finishes creates a look that feels both fabulous and undeniably luxe.

Autumn rewards tradition and heritage. Being trendy isn’t necessarily what people are after—they want pieces that are well-made and reliable; pieces they can return to year after year. Nothing looks and feels more expensive than beautiful texture. You can imitate the look of a fabric, but getting the weight, drape, and finish right is another matter. Because after all, isn’t that what we’re all after? The feeling of the perfect fabric—the perfect texture—coming together to create the perfect look? You don’t need to read the label to appreciate the way a beautifully made garment falls against your body and complements your frame.

And texture? That's the currency.

So with that, I thought I’d walk you through five of my favorite textures—ones that are sure to make even the most basic pair of jeans feel elevated and expensive, and that I’ll happily return to every autumn to come.

SUEDE — The Art of Understated Softness.

Maybe it’s the French girl in me, but I don’t believe in saving the best for last—which is why I’m starting this list off with a bang.

Soft, rich, and quietly luxurious—I’ve never met a suede piece I didn’t want to immediately add to my cart. Suede in shades like camel, tobacco, chocolate, or olive instantly adds depth to any autumn look. Whether it’s a dress, a pair of boots or a handbag, the effect is always the same: polished and collected, with just the right amount of classic cool-girl edge you didn’t know you needed until it was yours.

The Subtle Suede We're Loving →

FAUX FUR — The Art of Effortless Comfort.

Faux fur isn’t subtle, and she’s not coy—she’s bold and brave. The options for styling faux fur is endless. Over an LBD paired with sheer maroon tights? Yes! A little faux shearling on a jacket collar? Absolutely! A faux fur vest? Don’t even get me started.

There is absolutely nothing more luxurious than the feeling of being engulfed in a beautifully made faux fur jacket—plus, it adds a fun layer of drama to any outfit.

The Faux Fur We're Loving →

LEATHER — The Art of Subtle Edge.

I couldn’t write a blog post about texture without mentioning the effortlessly chic foundational piece of a well-dressed woman’s closet: leather. If you’re experimenting with texture but don’t quite know where to start, this is the place.

Perfect for all seasons, leather adds edge, polish, and contrast. And the best part? You don’t need to commit to a head-to-toe leather look (you aren’t Sandy, and this isn’t Grease). Whether it’s a skirt, jacket, belt, shoes, or even a dress, the options are endless. Sometimes, all it takes is a leather belt to make an otherwise simple outfit feel more intentional.

The Leather Looks We're Loving →

HERRINGBONE & PLAID WOOL — The Art of Modern Heritage.

I may have lied before—or perhaps I didn’t (I’m incredibly torn)—but I may love plaid and herringbone more than suede. The jury is still out on this. I guess it depends on my mood on any given day. But what is more heritage, more traditional, more autumn than a herringbone jacket or plaid trousers? I’ll wait…

These are the fabrics that give autumn dressing its classic heritage feel. A sharply tailored herringbone blazer or plaid anything adds visual interest without demanding much styling. All you really need is a simple knit and a pair of loafers, and the outfit practically makes itself.

The Modern Heritage Moments We're Loving →

LACE — The Art of Delicate Contrast.

I’m ending this list on a more feminine note. Just as every woman needs an LBD, I’d argue that every wardrobe deserves at least one beautiful lace piece.

Lace brings in a softer, more romantic texture—and when styled correctly, it reads incredibly chic for fall. It adds subtle contrast to heavier autumn fabrics like wool, suede, or denim. A lace blouse under a leather jacket, a sheer lace top paired with waxed denim, or even a red silk-and-lace skirt makes any look feel both expensive and entirely feminine.

The Lovely Lace Looks We're Loving →

In Closing...

After months of wearing whatever will keep me cool, it feels like a reward to style pieces simply because I enjoy—no, love—the way they pair together. Nothing makes me feel more put together than a suede jacket, more sophisticated than a tailored wool blazer, or softer than a lace dress. Who I am on any given autumn day depends entirely on the texture I find myself reaching for in my closet that morning. Some days I’m Kate Middleton in wool, and others I’m Alexa Chung in lace. It just depends on the day. And I suppose that’s the real luxury of falling in love with fall.

Until next time,

The Crawford Confidential