Styling Last Week’s Best-Sellers, Vol. 24

I keep a running list of whatever my readers actually buy. Every Monday I pick the three pieces that sold out fastest and show you how I’d style them for the week ahead — not some aspirational lookbook, just outfits I’d genuinely put on to grab coffee or sit through meetings.

Fringe shirt dress with beaded tassel necklace and cream slingback heels

This week’s list came from my shop’s sales data in early October 2026, and honestly, I was not ready for what topped it. A fringe shirt dress beat out everything else. Let’s talk about it.

The fringe shirt dress

It’s the kind of piece that made my inbox do a little happy dance. The fringe hemline moves the moment you do, and the burgundy body keeps it from reading too costume-y. It runs true to size — I wear the medium — and it’s the most comfortable thing I’ve pulled off a hanger all month.

Styling it was almost too easy. A long beaded necklace with a tassel pendant does the heavy lifting at the neck, and a pair of slingback heels in cream keeps the whole thing from tipping into festival territory. The fringe skirt and the necklace both pull your eye downward in a way that actually flatters, which is the whole point of a dress like this.

Fringe hem detail of burgundy shirt dress with coral-red fringe strands

If you carry most of your weight below the waist, you know the struggle with straight-hem dresses. The fringe breaks up the line at the thigh, so it reads as movement instead of a wall. I’d pair it with a sheer lip balm rather than a bold red — the dress is already doing the talking.

The velvet clutch, the fun way to wear it

I thought about this one for weeks. Crushed velvet is having a big moment right now, and most of what I saw was either too formal or too neon. This Liffner clutch in a deep blue is the version I’d actually bring to dinner. I’ve been pairing it with chartreuse and bronze pieces, and it makes even a simple tee feel intentional.

Deep blue crushed velvet clutch with two handles on white background

My rule for velvet: keep everything else matte. A long sleeve top in a flat fabric, some taffeta barrel pants if you want the texture to play with itself, and leather flats instead of heels. The velvet becomes the statement instead of one more loud element competing for attention.

Cozy crewneck + straight-leg jeans

Two best-sellers in one outfit, which honestly shouldn’t surprise anyone who reads the list. The crewneck is in a shade I can’t stop staring at — it’s the kind of color that looks better on a chunky knit than a thin one, so if you’re on the fence, get the heavier version. The straight-leg jeans are the classic white pair, and I’m telling you now: white jeans are a year-round thing, not just a summer thing.

I’ve been wearing this combo with a statement belt buckle and a satin shopper bag. The jeans ground the look so the sweater can do its thing. Ankle boots in a darker shade keep it from getting too light for the season.

The rest of last week’s best-sellers

Quick hits for the pieces that didn’t make a full outfit:

  • A long sleeve top I layer under everything heavier — the base layer I reach for on cold mornings.
  • Oval tortoiseshell sunglasses I wear almost every day. Worth the investment, hands down.
  • A paracord necklace — the trend is still going strong and it pairs with literally anything.
  • A shopper bag that works as well for the grocery run as it does for a night out.

FAQ

Does the fringe dress run large or small? It runs true to size. I’m between sizes in most brands and I wear the medium without any issues.

Can I wear the velvet clutch in cooler weather? Absolutely. Velvet is a winter-adjacent fabric, so it actually works better as the season turns. Pair it with a long sleeve top and you’re set.

Are white jeans really okay to wear in October? They are. Pair them with darker accessories — a deep navy bag, dark boots, a statement belt — and they read as intentional instead of out of season.

A note from Ava

There’s something about a piece that sells well that tells you it’s doing its job. The fringe dress made me feel good the second I tried it on, and that’s the whole test. I hope one of these looks lands in your rotation this week.

More styling from the series: my capsule wardrobe staples and the budget finds I’m eyeing for fall.

Disclosure: if you buy something through my links, I may earn a small affiliate commission at no cost to you. I only feature things I’d actually wear.

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Ava Laurent
Ava Laurent
Hi, I'm Ava - a New Yorker styling real outfits on a real budget. No luxury closets here, just wearable looks for work, weekends, and everything in between. If I wouldn't wear it on a regular Tuesday, I won't recommend it to you.

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