Round Top Fall Show Fashion: What to Wear, What to Pack & What to Look For

When it comes to fashion during the Round Top Fall Show, there’s really only one rule: anything goes.

That sense of individuality is part of what makes Round Top so special. On any given day, you might see vintage couture and statement turquoise walking alongside sneakers, athletic wear and well-loved denim, and somehow, it all works.

To get a closer look at what shoppers can expect to see this fall, we caught up with Leigh Michael of Round Top Fashion Guide, who has made a name for herself celebrating the fashion, vintage finds and personal style that make Round Top unlike anywhere else.

“One thing that makes Round Top so great is being exactly who you are, wearing what you want and being accepted for it,” Leigh says.

From vintage denim and suede to the shoes that will actually survive a full day of shopping, Leigh shared her take on Round Top Fall Show fashion, what to pack and why some of the best pieces are the ones you find once you get here.

Photo by Leigh Michael

The Round Top Fashion Vibe: Anything Goes

Trying to figure out how dressed up you need to be for Round Top? According to Leigh, there’s no right answer.

“Want to wear vintage couture? Great! We love to see it. Want to wear tennis shoes and athletic wear? Cool!”

Round Top style is less about following a dress code and more about expressing your own personality. Whether that means going all out or prioritizing comfort, being yourself is what allows you to fit right in.

That freedom is also what makes people-watching during show season nearly as much fun as the shopping itself.

Fall Favorites: Denim, Fringe, Suede & Forever Pieces

While Leigh wouldn’t necessarily describe Round Top as trendy, there are certain pieces she expects to see plenty of this fall.

Vintage denim remains a staple, alongside leather, suede, fringe, vintage fur and one-of-a-kind jackets. Dark neutrals are making their way into fall wardrobes, while Western-inspired textures continue to feel perfectly at home in Round Top.

And according to Leigh, you can never have too much suede or fringe.

Animal prints are also making a strong appearance this season.

“Honestly, I’m not sure that animal prints ever really go out, but we are especially seeing it on the up and up this fall,” she says.

Vintage and traditional-inspired prints are also having a moment, along with plenty of plaid.

Rather than coming to Round Top searching for the latest trend, Leigh suggests keeping an eye out for pieces you’ll love well beyond this season.

“I wouldn’t call Round Top trendy, I would say this is a good place to find forever pieces.”

-Leigh Michael

And that’s exactly what makes shopping during the show so much fun, you never quite know what you’ll uncover.

What Should You Actually Wear for a Day of Shopping?

Style matters, but so does making it through a full day of walking, browsing and digging for treasures.

Leigh’s number-one recommendation?

Comfortable shoes.

With plenty of gravel and dirt throughout Round Top, comfortable boots or sneakers are usually the way to go.

Sun coverage is another thing to keep in mind. Even during the Fall Show, Texas temperatures can stay warm, making a hat both a practical and stylish addition.

As for the rest of your outfit, Leigh says it really depends on what makes you comfortable.

Some shoppers prefer running shorts and a tank for navigating warmer temperatures. Others love a sundress and hat, while denim makes an appearance just about everywhere.

Again, anything goes.

“Wear what makes your shopping experience more enjoyable.”

The Round Top Secret: Statement Accessories

If there’s one thing Round Top isn't afraid of, it’s a statement.

A comfortable outfit can instantly feel show-ready with the right accessories, and Leigh firmly believes this is a place where more is more.

Chunky concho belts, oversized necklaces, twillies, scarves, bandanas and layered jewelry are all welcome.

“Statement accessories are undefeated,” Leigh says.

For a first-time visitor who wants to embrace Round Top style without completely changing the way they dress, this might be the easiest place to start. Pair a comfortable outfit with one unexpected accessory, or five.

Around here, there's plenty of room to have fun with it.

What Not to Wear

Even Leigh admits she’s guilty of one of Round Top’s most common fashion mistakes: overdressing for the heat.

Texas fall weather can be unpredictable, and temperatures during show season don’t always match the season on the calendar.

There’s another consideration shoppers sometimes forget: the dressing room situation.

If you plan on trying on clothing while shopping, keep in mind that your fitting room may be inside a tent on a very warm afternoon.

Pieces that are easy to take on and off can make the experience much more enjoyable.

So while that elaborate layered outfit may look incredible, you might appreciate something a little simpler by the time you find the vintage jacket you have to try on.

Building the Perfect Round Top Outfit

If Leigh had to create the quintessential Round Top look from head to toe, her formula would be simple:

A great pair of boots, vintage denim of some sort, a killer hat and chunky turquoise.

Classic, comfortable and just Western enough.

But if your version involves considerably more, that's fine too.

“We welcome the more-is-more concept,” Leigh says. “I don’t think there’s such a thing as overdone here!”

Photo by Leigh Michael

Packing for a Round Top Weekend

Packing for Round Top requires a little flexibility.

Leigh recommends bringing layers and options because the weather can change quickly. But her biggest packing tip might be the most fun:

Don’t pack too much. Shop here.

“Bring an outfit or two and then get inspired and find new ones when you get here.”

After all, discovering something you weren’t looking for is one of the best parts of Round Top.

A vintage jacket, an incredible piece of turquoise, a pair of boots or an unexpected print might completely change what you planned on wearing the next day.

As Leigh puts it, you can “walk in a tent in one outfit and leave in another.”

Let the Show Inspire You

Leigh finds inspiration much the same way she shops Round Top: with an open mind.

“Anywhere and everywhere! If it catches my eye, it inspires me. I let vintage speak to me.”

Rather than entering the fields with a rigid shopping list, she allows herself to discover pieces first and figure out how to style them later.

“If I see it, love it, I grab it and learn to style with it. That is part of the fun!”

It’s a philosophy that extends well beyond fashion.

Some of the best Round Top finds are the things you never knew you were looking for.

Come as You Are. Leave Inspired.

If you’re heading to the Round Top Fall Show for the first time, don’t worry too much about dressing like everyone else.

That’s not really the point.

Wear what makes you comfortable. Add the hat. Layer the turquoise. Break out the vintage denim. Throw on the animal print. Or come in your favorite sneakers ready for a full day of shopping.

Then leave a little room in your suitcase.

Because if Leigh has one final piece of advice, it’s this:

Shop here. Get out and dig. Find fun pieces you can’t wait to put on.

At Market Hill, show season is about discovering the unexpected,  from incredible interiors and one-of-a-kind pieces for the home to fashion finds and inspiration around every corner.

And in Round Top, you never know what you might be wearing by the end of the day.

Photo by Leigh Michael