Posted in Fashion

The Defining Fall Trend in Los Angeles Womenswear

Author Tessa Lane Estimated read time 9 min read
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It may still feel like midsummer in Los Angeles—those late-season heat waves and Santa Ana winds are no joke—but fall style is absolutely showing up on the sidewalks from Sunset to Abbott Kinney. One fabric I keep spotting over and over is eyelet (aka broderie anglaise). It’s airy, it’s feminine, and—when you pick the right color and silhouette—it’s far more fall-friendly than you might think. I walked into an event the other night and realized half the room was in an eyelet top, dress, or skirt; I even caught myself wearing a sweater with peekaboo eyelet sleeves. Coincidence? Maybe. But then a friend mentioned she’d queued a couple of eyelet pieces in her next clothing rental, and it clicked: eyelet is everywhere again.

If you’re wondering whether this is just a spring fling that overstayed its welcome, a quick look at search interest suggests a broader cycle: “eyelet dress” typically peaks in spring and bumps again as we move into late summer and early fall in the U.S. (see Google Trends data) here. And in warm-climate cities like L.A., it makes even more sense. Downtown Los Angeles’ climate normals show warm average highs well into September and beyond, so breathable layers carry you farther than heavy knits NOAA/NCEI. Add in periodic Santa Ana episodes (which can spike temps and drop humidity) and you’ve got a recipe for lightweight fabrics through fall NWS Los Angeles.

What Exactly Is Eyelet (Broderie Anglaise)?

Eyelet is a form of openwork embroidery—small, deliberate holes edged with stitching—traditionally done on cotton or linen. It rose to popularity in the 19th century, often associated with delicate white dresses and underpinnings, and it has cycled in and out of fashion ever since. For a deeper dive into its history and craft, see the encyclopedic overview of broderie anglaise at Britannica, museum objects at The Met’s collection search here, and conservation notes that often accompany 19th-century garments in European museum catalogs like the V&A V&A Textiles & Fashion.

Why Eyelet Works for Transitional Weather

The short version: airflow, fiber, and styling. The openwork itself lets heat escape, and many modern eyelet pieces are made from cotton—the gold standard for moisture-wicking comfort in warm conditions when you’re not doing high-intensity activity. Textile engineers point out that breathability is a combination of fabric construction, fiber type, and finish; loosely woven cottons and perforated structures tend to allow more air exchange than tight synthetics NC State Wilson College of Textiles. Eyelet also layers smoothly, which matters when mornings are crisp and afternoons jump back into the 80s.

Color pushes the look into fall. Darker shades—think oxblood, navy, chocolate, forest green—read seasonally appropriate even when the fabric is light. Trim placements and mixed-media combos help too: a faux-leather jacket with eyelet panels, or a twill skirt with an eyelet hem, gives you that “opposites attract” balance of sweet and sturdy that just works. If you want a quick sanity check on whether we’re seeing the same thing, there’s been a late-summer bump in related queries nationally; zoom into the Trends interface to compare “eyelet blouse” vs. “lace blouse” over the past 12 months Google Trends.

How to Style Eyelet Right Now

Think tension and texture. A few formulas I keep coming back to (and, tbh, I dont overthink them):

  • Sweet + tough: Pair an eyelet top with rigid denim or a leather (or faux) moto. The contrast keeps it modern.
  • Monochrome with depth: Build a single-color look in chocolate or navy using an eyelet blouse, then ground with suede loafers.
  • Layered for all-day temps: An eyelet tank under an unlined blazer or utility jacket lets you peel layers as the sun cranks up.
  • Office-friendly: Choose lined eyelet with smaller holes and sharper tailoring (collars, darts, proper cuffs) to keep it polished.
  • Evening switch: Swap sneakers for a block-heel or ballet flat and add a structured bag. Done.

How to Shop Quality Eyelet (A Quick Checklist)

  • Fiber content: Favor natural fibers (100% cotton, organic cotton, or linen) for breathability; blends with a touch of elastane are fine for comfort but can trap more heat. See the basics of fiber performance from NC State here.
  • Stitch density and reinforcement: Look for clean, tight stitching around each eyelet. Loose stitches can unravel with wear.
  • Lining strategy: For skirts and dresses, partial linings that stop above the eyelet hem preserve the design without adding bulk. Pants benefit from integrated modesty panels.
  • Seam finish: French seams or well-overlocked seams reduce fray, especially important with perforated fabric.
  • Colorfastness: Dark dyes on cotton can crock; rub a white tissue on the inside seam to see if dye transfers before committing.
  • Care label clarity: Delicate cycle, mesh bag, and cool iron cues are common; if the maker provides specific care guidance, that’s a good sign they thought it through. Practical laundering guidance: Consumer Reports, Good Housekeeping.

Sustainability Notes (If You Care About What You Wear)

Because eyelet is often cotton, you’ve got meaningful choices. Look for third-party standards like GOTS for organic cotton Global Organic Textile Standard and STANDARD 100 by OEKO‑TEX for chemical safety OEKO‑TEX. Textile Exchange maintains helpful overviews of preferred fibers and certifications Textile Exchange. Renting occasionally, choosing secondhand, and caring for what you buy can extend garment life and reduce footprint; the Ellen MacArthur Foundation breaks down why longevity matters here.

10 Eyelet Pieces Worth Considering for Fall

No affiliate links—just ideas and starting points. Prices move around, so consider these ballpark and check availability.

  • An all-day tank: A lightweight eyelet or eyelet-trim tank in cotton keeps things breathable under blazers. Search at Madewell’s eyelet selection as a starting point madewell.com.
  • Mixed-media jacket: A faux-leather jacket with eyelet insets or trim hits that feminine-meets-edgy note. See Anthropologie’s current faux leather lineup and filter for details anthropologie.com.
  • Relaxed eyelet blouse: Boxy or slightly oversized shapes feel modern and layer well. Everlane’s tops section is a good place to find clean lines with subtle texture everlane.com.
  • Eyelet sneakers: Classic canvas sneakers with eyelet embroidery are an easy swap from plain white. Keds frequently releases seasonal eyelet versions keds.com.
  • A richer-hued dress: Oxblood, navy, or bottle green eyelet midis read fall without feeling heavy. Tuckernuck often carries saturated eyelet dresses with sleeves for shoulder seasons tnuck.com.
  • White (or cream) maxi skirt: A lined cotton eyelet maxi with an elastic waist can transition with a chunky loafer and sweater-vest on top. Check Reformation and similar brands for updated cuts thereformation.com.
  • Eyelet-trim fleece or sweatshirt: A cozy layer with broderie details is surprisingly versatile for beach walks and coffee runs once temps dip at night. Try searching “eyelet sweatshirt” across retailers.
  • Modern ballet flats: If you prefer flats, look for structured pairs with a touch of cushioning; ballet flats are widely back in rotation this year Vogue. Eyelet or cutwork versions add texture.
  • Romantic blouse with puff sleeve: For dreamier vibes, brands like Dôen frequently offer organic cotton eyelet with considered details (puff sleeves, tie fronts) shopdoen.com.
  • Lined eyelet pants: Wide-leg or tailored eyelet trousers with partial lining solve the see-through problem while keeping airflow. Abercrombie & Fitch’s pants section is a pragmatic place to start abercrombie.com.

Fit Notes and Real-Life Wearability

Because eyelet has holes by design, coverage and underlayers matter. Opt for pieces with partial or full linings where you want opacity (bodice and seat), and embrace unlined hems/sleeves where a little skin is part of the charm. If you’re fuller busted, a V-neck or open collar reduces the “sweetness,” and if you prefer more structure, look for darts, princess seams, and heavier cottons. On shoes: canvas eyelet sneakers handle weekend mileage well, but for long city days I’d pick a supportive insole or a flat with a small stacked heel for comfort—your future self will thank you.

Care: Make It Last (So You Wear It More)

  • Wash on delicate in cold water inside a mesh bag to protect the embroidery; close zippers and avoid abrasive items in the same load. Practical how-to: Good Housekeeping.
  • Reshape and air-dry flat or on a padded hanger to prevent stretching at the eyelets.
  • Press with a warm iron on the reverse side; use a press cloth to avoid shine on darker cottons.
  • Spot-treat makeup or sunscreen transfer promptly; Consumer Reports has stain-treatment basics that actually work here.

A 30-Second Outfit Builder

  • Weekday: Navy eyelet blouse + straight-leg dark denim + loafers + tote.
  • Date night: Burgundy eyelet midi + leather jacket + block-heel mules.
  • Weekender: Eyelet tank + oversized utility shirt (open) + pull-on trousers + canvas sneakers.
  • Office-light: Lined eyelet shirt dress + thin belt + low heels + structured bag.

Eyelet isn’t “new,” and that’s part of the appeal—it slides into a real closet and plays well with what you already have. It’s also more durable than ultra-fine lace in day-to-day use, so you wont feel like you have to baby it. If you buy thoughtfully (good stitching, helpful lining, the right color), you’ll wear it a ton. Definitelly more than just spring.

Sources and Further Reading

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