Fall Fashion Essentials

Fall fashion gets me excited–I know I’m not alone in this–a lot more excited than any other time of the year. Personally, I like being fairly covered, cozy, and comfortable. So fall allows me to layer, wear a lot of loose fitting clothing, and generally just makes me feel in my element.

I’ve been noticing a lot of style changes in myself recently, especially when I sat down to really look at what I’ve been loving in terms of fall fashion. My style is getting a little more simplistic, a lot more neutral in color, and more comfortable. I guess as I get older, I just don’t want to be uncomfortable, period. Generally speaking, these are pieces I wear outside of fall weather, but I’ve especially been loving them for the fall season this year.

Let’s jump into a few of my fall fashion staples that I’m looking forward to or have been rocking since Sept. 21 (even though it just got cool in WV last week).

• The Classic Button Down: A button down top is essential for me for any time of the year, but I’ve especially liked it for layering this fall season. Personally, I like a classic white color in a relaxed yet tapered fit. I tend to wear my button downs with the sleeves rolled and half tucked on casual days and fully tucked into a trouser for a professional look. But the good thing about this piece is it’s an easy layering piece you can wear in a lot of different ways to fit your lifestyle and personal style.

• The Perfect Denim: Denim is different for everyone. I suggest having a go-to jean. You can dress them up, dress them down, and wear them in almost every setting. For me, I have to have my Levi’s 721 High Rise Skinny jean. I have every wash. I like how they fit my body, and I like how polished and streamlined the leg looks when on. For you, it may be a boot cut or flared jean, but regardless, I think you’ll get a lot of wear out of a good denim.

• The Basic Short Sleeve T: I won’t linger too long on the next two pieces, because they’re kind of year round staples. Personally I like linen V-neck T-shirts in neutral colors like white, gray, and navy. They work with all of my clothing, but your color choices may be different from mine–as could you neckline choices and fabrics. But a basic T is a building block for your fall wardrobe.

• The Striped Long Sleeve T: Fall fashion is majorly built around layering pieces, so like a short sleeve T, a long sleeve T can create a lot of different looks. I have maybe too many neutral colored striped shirts, but that’s my thing these days.

• The Oversized Blazer: Much like it’s tailored counterpart (which I also love), and oversized blazer adds a professionalism to an outfit. However, unlike the tailored blazer, an oversized option, in my opinion, adds so many cool girl vibes that I’ve been loving this fall. I’ve been gravitating toward bold plaids and have been rolling or pushing up the sleeves and leaving it unbuttoned. It functions almost like an outwerwear jacket and keeps me warm in the cooler weather, but it dresses up a potentially very basic outfit.

• The Jean Jacket: I just don’t think I’m the type of person to ever be without a jean jacket in my closet. It’s so easy and versatile. This fall, I’ve been pairing it over dresses as well as with a button down shirt and black jeans or trousers. Depending on the wash, it can look very polished or casual. This is another piece that kind of depends on you style. I like my denim jackets to be a little cropped and a little loose. You may like a totally oversized option, something really distressed, or a full length and fitted silhouette. You do you.

• The Wide Leg Pant: When I say I’m into wide leg, cropped pants, I see a few confused looks, but hear me out. I’m not talking jersey gauchos like I wore in middle school, but a good structured trouser. Just, don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.

• The Shift Dress: Having a shift dress is essential for me, mainly because of my day job. It’s loosely fitted to the body, which is comfortable, but still works well with professional pieces like blazers and cardigans. Again, I prefer neutral colors and patterns because they match everything else.

• The Day Dress: Day dresses will be different for everyone depending on their body shape, fit preferences, and general style. I like wrap dresses. Having a dress is essential for me. It’s easy to throw on and is an outfit by itself–less items, less thought. It comes in handy for last minute “nicer” events but can be worn with boots or even sneakers for casual days.

• The Trench: Most days during the fall aren’t cold enough to wear a heavy, winter coat, so I throw on a trench coat–for warmth, and because trench coats are cool looking to me. I favor a camel color, but an olive green or black would be fitting for fall as well.

• The Loafer: Usually I’d define my style as “’90s mom”, but recently it’s been like “’90s mom who shops in your grandfather’s closet.” And I’ve been living in loafers. They’re just comfortable; they dress up casual outfits and add a casualness to professional outfits, and I love them. And I’ve been intrigued by so many styles. I like the loafer slide option as well as anything patent.

• The Chelsea Boot: Last year, if you asked me my favorite boot trend, I’d have said a heeled ankle boot with some hardware. The year before, two toned riding boots. This year, though? I’m all about the flat Chelsea boot–no frills with a pointed toe. I gravitate toward black–it generally matches everything in my closet and I think it looks classic and streamlined. But there are tons of color options in this style to fit your preferences.

• The Slouchy Sweater: Possibly everybody’s fall fashion staple, a good slouchy sweater is just a given. If you ever need to feel cozy, this is the first piece you’ll grab; I know it. I’ve been loving cowl necklines in cream colors and grays. The looser, the better. But again, much like everything on this list, it’s really a basic piece that you can alter to your preferences. Maybe you like turtle necks only or crew necks or V-necks. That’s cool. Or maybe you hate neutrals, and instead you’d rather your sweaters be loud shades of red. That’s cool too.