Shelley Alvarado, a former sales associate and keyholder manager at a Louis Vuitton location in Topanga, California, said customers would often come into the store and ask if any items were on sale.

"I think that people assumed that there would be sales, and there wasn't a sales section at all. Louis Vuitton never went on sale," Alvarado told BI.

According to Louis Vuitton's website, that is still the case. The brand does not offer discounts on its products.

Eddison Brown, a former Louis Vuitton client advisor in Los Angeles, said he would encounter customers who waited too long to purchase special collaborations and limited-edition drops, ultimately missing their chance.

"If you want something that's a limited drop, you have to be adamant about purchasing that right away because it'll be gone before you know," Brown told BI.

He also recommended building a relationship with a client advisor. These are employees who develop one-to-one relationships with customers, and can be a resource for information about upcoming products.

Given the high price of luxury bags, it can be tempting to choose the less-expensive option. However, Dominique Danielle, a former Louis Vuitton employee in the Philadelphia area, said that sometimes meant customers ended up with a bag that didn't actually fit their needs.

"Customers would default to a less expensive option or bag without considering whether it actually fits their lifestyle," Danielle told BI.

Some customers, she said, later returned bags after realizing they couldn't fit everything they needed to inside. She recommended being open to an associate's advice rather than assuming a different size suggestion was an attempt to upsell them.

A Louis Vuitton purse isn't necessarily supposed to look the same years after you buy it. For instance, Danielle explained that the untreated cowhide trim on bags like the Neverfull and Speedy naturally darkens with use.

"The idea of it is to get darker and show the wear and show just the journey of the bag," Danielle told BI.

Brown also said that aging can add character to a bag, especially when it's passed down through generations.

The former employees all told BI that a high price tag doesn't mean customers should skip proper care and maintenance.

"Making this investment doesn't eliminate the need for care. It actually requires more of it because you have something that's precious and delicate and expensive," Danielle told BI.

Danielle emphasized the importance of storing these luxury items in their dust bags when not in use. Brown also recommended being mindful of exposing bags to rain or severe weather.

All three former employees said customers sometimes seemed intimidated by the luxury environment or worried about how associates perceived them based on their appearance.

"I think that they assumed that the salespeople were judging them right when they walked into the store, which wasn't the case at all," Alvarado said.

To help shoppers feel more comfortable in the environment, Brown encouraged them to browse and ask associates any questions they had about any item.

Fashion is leaning away from dropped shoulders and oversized, bulky shapes in heavy-textured sweaters, said David Zyla, stylist and author of "Color Your Style."

Instead, the stylist recommends reaching for structured sweaters that bring the volume higher up on the body through more defined shoulder details.

This might look like styles with "built-in shoulder pads and strong horizontal boat-neck seaming or balloon sleeves," Zyla told BI.

According to Fred Kim, a New York-based stylist, wearing baggy clothing from head to toe is fading in popularity. There's no need to rid your closet of relaxed pieces entirely, though.

Instead, the stylist recommends being more intentional about where you add volume.

"I think a modern approach would be just kind of getting rid of the oversized items and just keeping it a little more refined, or choose one area to create volume," Kim said.

For instance, he recommends pairing a fitted T-shirt with a relaxed trouser or a straight-leg jean with a looser-fitting jacket.

Wardrobe stylist Rachel Varney said booties that dip down too low on the ankle are starting to feel outdated.

"I just think that maybe it's better to keep our ankles covered for the fall," Varney told BI.

She also said booties with a side zipper can create an especially awkward gap between the shoe and the pants, which can create a less-flattering silhouette.

Instead, the stylist recommends opting for boots that come up higher on the ankle.

Tight bodycon silhouettes, plunging necklines, and cutout designs are stepping aside as softer, more romantic styles start to trend, Zyla said.

"This version of sexy this season is all about movement," the stylist told BI. Think vintage-inspired dresses with dropped waists and rich details like embroidery, beading, fringe, tulle, and velvet.

Moto jackets have been around for a while, Zyla said, and it might be time to replace them with something more modern.

The stylist suggested tailored, shrunken, and cropped fitted jackets as updated alternatives.

Funnel-neck jackets are an especially notable style this season, he said, appearing on everything from utility bombers to cropped silhouettes.

"Beyond the regal chic connotation of the tall, stiff collar, it's also a super-practical solve in keeping the neck warm," Zyla told BI.

Several of the stylists BI spoke with agreed that quiet luxury — which focuses on understated, minimalist fashions — is on its way out this autumn. Kim said the more neutral, uniform looks can feel a little too predictable.

"I just feel like we need to kind of liven up the wardrobe a little bit," Kim told BI. He recommended incorporating more color and texture, maybe even by bringing vintage pieces into your wardrobe.

According to Kim, cargo pants with too many pockets or zippers can feel outdated. Utility styles are still relevant, he said, but may be best done more simply.

"I would probably look for a relaxed cotton twill trouser with one or two subtle pockets, where you still get the functionality but you're not looking like you're heading into the woods or something," Kim told BI.

"I think it's time to put the dainty, minimalist multi-layered chain necklaces in a drawer and use your jewelry box to store some focal-point brooches," Zyla told BI.

There are a lot of options, he said. Brooches are showing up in a variety of designs, from autumnal motifs like leaves, pinecones, and acorns to more classic florals.

The stylist also suggests experimenting with placement rather than simply pinning one to your collar. Try adding a brooch to a handbag, using one to pin a cardigan closed, or placing one at the waistline of a dress.

Varney and Zyla both agreed that platform, clunky sneakers are worth skipping this season.

Chunkier styles can look especially clunky when paired with dresses, Varney said, and they also are often not as flattering as slimmer-fitting shoes.

Instead, the stylist recommends slimmer or sportier sneakers for a sleeker look. Zyla said satin sneakers are another solid footwear option gaining attention this season.

"These hybrid shoes feature soft satin finishes, really sleek low-profile silhouettes, and iconic lace-up ribbon ties," Zyla told BI.

Workout clothes as everyday wear is something Kim would love to see less of this season, particularly on men.

Comfort is still important, but the stylist recommends choosing more intentional fabrics, such as cotton, over synthetic materials that can sometimes read as overly casual.

Leather has been a longtime wardrobe staple in shoes, bags, and belts, but this season might feature more fun twists on the classic material.

For example, Zyla said, croc-embossed leather is gaining traction this fall.

"We're seeing it in leather jackets. We're seeing it in bags and skirts and handbags," Zyla told BI. The textured finish offers a more interesting alternative to basic leather this fall.

This story was originally published on September 15, 2026, and most recently updated on October 27, 2026.