I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but mentally, summer is over for me. (Hold your gasps.) Yes, I’m physically basking in the scorching yet iconic New York City summer, but fall fashion secretly has my full attention. We can blame the stunning ready-to-wear pieces that captured my heart months ago on the runways or my need for a cool breeze on these hot summer days, but I’ve been excited about a season change for weeks now.
My favorite brands are on board and ready to give the people what they want: bold layers, new trends, and timeless staples. Emporio Armani is already making a huge splash with sophisticated styles, tailored suiting, and elegant dresses. If you took a snapshot of my brain between now and the rest of 2023, you’d see images of digital creator Chanel Mckinsie and fashion consultant Michal Kurtis sporting some fall-inspired looks from Emporio Armani. I have no thoughts other than these chic outfits that you’re about to see below.
When I’m in search of outfit inspo that feels chic and out of the box, I immediately type Kurtis’s handle into my Instagram search bar. The combination of her signature wit and incredible shopping advice is simply unmatched, and we have a two-and-a-half-year stint in Berlin and a move to Tribeca to thank for that. It’s hard to explain Kurtis’s style in one phrase, but she usually incorporates “an uptown/downtown element.” Even if I can’t pin down her style in three words, I can relish in her multidimensional approach to fashion. “Just like the clothes of the season, I’m multilayered, and I prefer my outfits the same,” she says. This Armani suit is all the evidence I need to support that. “I’m a blazer and coat girl. I feel most powerful in sharp tailoring,” she tells me. “I love the woman I become in structured shoulders and double-breasted silhouettes.”
“I’m a fiend for tailoring. This Armani power suit has an ease I wanted to lean into with the unseriousness of a ribbed, white tank,” Kurtis says. The juxtaposition between the polished, tailored trouser and this simple, white undershirt adds an effortless element to the look while the oversize blazer maintains its structure. It’s an elite combo, if you ask me. And we can’t forget the pop of red slung across her shoulder, which checks the fashion and functionality boxes. “If I’m wearing pants, there’s a 100% chance they’re a wide shape, so I’m all for the front pleats. There’s something about a pinstripe that adds a pinch of authority. Don’t I look like a boss?” The answer is 100 times yes.
When I’m scrolling through my Instagram feed, I can never predict which vibe Mckinsie will be tapping into, but I already know I’m going to screenshot and save it for inspo. Her style is playful, unpredictable, and ever-changing, which makes her online presence so fun. Moving to NYC has added more thoughtfulness and character to Mckinsie’s daily outfits. “It’s not just a shirt and pants and some shoes—it’s a whole look,” she says. Emporio Armani is known for its beautifully crafted, timeless pieces, and this ensemble is a prime example.
This black-and-white ensemble has a ’90s-minimalist and preppy vibe to it (both trends will be everywhere come fall) thanks to the tailored shorts and collared button-down shirt.“My favorite element of this look that immediately stands out is the shirt’s extended flared sleeves,” she says. Think of your favorite white button-down blouse, and take it up a notch with bow detailing and wide sleeves. While “this look did not take much styling or effort as it stands out in its own right,” the structured shoulder bag with sleek gold accents ties the look together. You can catch Mckinsie sporting this look on museum dates or at dinner parties in the city. The pairing of closet staples makes it incredibly easy to layer for those colder fall days. And according to Mckinsie, “It’s definitely a look you’ll never get bored of.”
I don’t have any black-tie affairs on my calendar in the near future, but I’ll do anything to ensure that this stunning velvet dress Kurtis is sporting through the streets of SoHo finds its way into my closet. “Some pieces are better left as is, un-styled, and to the point,” Kurtis says of the dress. This piece screams main-character energy, but Kurtis “would be most excited to wear it with a pair of flat, barely-there sandals.” Unexpected styling tips like that one are endless with Kurtis, and I’m so here for it. “The drama of the dress juxtaposed with ‘je ne sais quoi’ footwear is effortlessly cool,” she says (and she’s most definitely not wrong).
Although Kurtis prefers to leave this gown mostly un-styled, we can’t forget the removable rosette appliqué at the neckline, which can also be clipped onto a choker for an alternative statement-making moment. “I play with trends but pick and choose which ones get a ride. I’m loving rosettes on everything,” she says. The rosette paired with the rope straps makes this timeless piece feel a bit more 2023, and I can’t get enough. According to Kurtis, “This piece deserves a spotlight-worthy moment with her princess-like silhouette and luxe, plush velvet. I’m just the messenger—it’s the dress that truly delivers.”
Mckinsie considers herself a fall girl through and through, so this tweed jacket moment felt just right. “I knew I wanted to add an element of color, so this pink tweed blazer was my favorite,” she says. Opting to stray from neutrals and “challenge the traditional color scheme of fall,” Mckinsie considers this an ideal look for breakfast or lunch in the city, and I couldn’t agree more. “The structure presents maturity whereas the skinny jeans keep it youthful and refreshing.” Leave it to her to put a playful spin on every look, making each a style to re-create this fall.
