As summer comes to an end, it’s time to think about transitioning to fall occasion dresses for the new season. Whether you have an autumn wedding to attend on the horizon or you’re simply looking for some fresh ideas for date night, swapping in a few key items can help you stay effortlessly on trend in the months ahead.
While I’ve spent hours (if not weeks) poring over the fall fashion trends you’ll be seeing at all your favorite retailers, sometimes my choice paralysis can get the better of me. Luckily, at Boden, I was able to find all three of my key categories—meaning it’s extra simple to streamline shopping for the big events ahead. To break it down, I chose a few favorite fall formal dresses, along with my take on seasonal accessories I’d pair them with when the time comes. Whether you pick out a favorite from each or find styles you love to mix and match, you’ll be glad you got a head start ahead of the notoriously party-heavy second half of the year. As an added bonus, the brand is also offering special coupons this month that you can use on your new finds. Now that the hard part is out of the way, let’s focus on the celebrating.
The fall occasion dresses
For 2025 I’ve had my eye on the season’s buzziest fashion trend: boho dresses that I can easily dress up or down depending on the fall shoes and jewelry I choose to style them with. When it comes to dresses, I’m partial to midi-length styles because of their versatility. As someone who may be hopping from a coffee meeting to the office to a dressy dinner with friends, I love that this in-between hemline can lend itself to each activity on my to-do list without requiring much fuss. Plus, since it tends to get blustery as temperatures cool, I love that not only can I layer tights underneath these options, but if a rogue wind twirls my way, I don’t have to worry about my hem flying up unceremoniously. This year I’m looking for rich fall colors and prints like polka dots, abstract florals, and plays on paisley to take my style to the next level.
Boden Sofia Trim Jersey Midi Dress
Boden Lorelei Broderie Jersey Dress
Boden Beatrice Cotton Midi Dress
Boden Natalia Jersey Tea Dress
Boden Mae Linen Blend Shirt Dress
Boden Carolina Smocked Midi Dress
2. The shoes to pair them with
It’s a pet peeve of mine to leave the house in a pair of heels and within 20 minutes realize I’m going to suffer from achy feet and blisters. My solution is a pair of low heels or dressy flats, which can still look fancy while offering the function of something more practical. As a New York resident, 10,000-step days are a common occurrence, even in fancy shoes, so they have to be able to handle stairs, subways, and sidewalks. If fall boots are more your thing, I’d suggest going for the same thing—a kitten heel or a block heel for maximum comfort.
Boden Iris Heel Snaffle Point Loafer
Boden Iris Heel Snaffle Point Loafer
Boden Ailsa Block Heel Slingbacks
Boden Ailsa Block Heel Slingbacks
3. The jewelry to top it off
I’ve had my eye on fun, bold jewelry like chunky necklaces and statement earrings as a low-lift but maximum-impact way to pivot an outfit and add an instant oomph. The woven chain necklace and hammered motif earrings are two of my favorite pieces to stash in a purse and pull out when you’re ready to swap from casual to dressy mode. While I consider chunky gold jewelry to be a timeless styling choice, you can also go for something a bit trendier, like a pendant necklace, for a fresh styling choice.
