Fall Favorites

Fall is just about here and I'm thinking about the shift my wardrobe needs to make.  It's time to dig out all my cozier clothes!  I can't say how much I love this time of year...there is a freshness to it (even more than spring i think) that feels like a brand new day!  I love dressing for fall.  Here are my staples:

A slimming pair of cords. 

 

These are from Anthropologie but my two favorite pairs came from Kohl's (Chaps RL) and, believe it or not, Kmart (Route 66).  The Chaps pair is the most recent (bought them last fall) and are chocolate brown, stretchy, and give me a really great shape with their high waist.  I'm keeping an eye out for colored ones from Levi's this fall. 

Oxford Shirts.

    

    

As you can see this can go so many different ways.  With basic oxford shirts (the kind that brands like Ralph Lauren and Brooks Brothers are know for) you get a really ivy league look, while flannel is more rustic and casual.  A tuxedo or ruffled shirt is something that's more polished achieves a sophisticated, sleeker look.  I love all these looks, they're so effortless.  Wear them fitted for a tailored look wear them over-sized (raid boyfriend's closet) for an artsy, casual look.  However you choose to wear them make sure to add feminine touches to balance the masculinity of a button-up.  

Clogs, Flats, Riding Boots, and "Something Utilitarian."  

I'm a life-long lover of the clog! I wish I had a gazillion pairs.  Right now all I really only wear a pair of brown Danskos (and a really embarrassingly old pair of Birkenstock-style things).  

   

Moccasins, ballet flats, loafers, whatever! Just make sure they are special to you and bring some style and poise to your outfit.  That way you're feet are comfy, and you're not wearing sneakers (not a big fan of sneakers).

  

Riding boots--a no-brainer! Looks great with super slim pants (reminiscent of riding pants) or leggings (cheaper and, to me, a little less pretentious).  I mostly wear mine with skirts of any length but they look so cool with a skirt that hits you about an inch or two below the top of your boot!

When I say "something utilitarian" I'm basically referring to duck boots.  Another one of my favorite things are making a comeback!  They're comfy, warm, and keep your feet dry, but really cute too.  They come in a ton of colors and you can even get super-feminine slip-on and ankle styles.  Mine are traditional navy Western Chiefs, but Sperry Topsider and L.L. Bean sell these too.  Also I'll mention Hunter wellies, even though I'm personally not a wearer of rain boots, lots of folks wear them with tights and skirts with sweaters or tucked into jeans.    

Tights and leggings.

  

I'm one of those girls that needs her dresses and skirts even when it's cold out.  I wear opaque tights a lot skirts, dresses, boots, and even fuzzy moccasins.  I also like wearing leggings under a slinky dress or just as pants with one of those men's shirts I was talking about previously.  One thing I want to do this fall is wear plush corduroy shorts or jean cutoffs with tights, flats, and a turtle neck.  My mom dressed me that way when I was little and I never got how cool that was until I was older.  

Mini Skirts.

The colder it gets outside the more masculine and heavy a wardrobe can get.  Balance all the dark colors and neutrals and warm sweaters with a pretty little mini skirt to show off those stems (with tights because it's cold out there, you'll catch pneumonia!).  

More things I love for fall.