School starts this week and, though we are entering a late-summer heatwave, fall is definitely on my brain. There are a few things I want to buy. And I want to plan my purchases very carefully and make them count.
In the fall, I love creating mood boards to look at the overall themes that are inspiring me, and then see how that distills down to what I want to purchase. The collage above and the list below are styles or items I’ve been pinning on Pinterest along with things in my closet that I’m excited to revisit when the temperatures dip.
But first! I always like to set a few goals for the season:
Fall Style Goals:
1. To lean into my new role as a parent of all school-aged kids and embrace outfits that are a little more dressed up.
2. To have fun with my outfits and take risks when I feel like it. And to not feel bad if the risks aren’t executed perfectly.
// MY FALL INSPO //
PREPPY ITEMS (blazer, loafers)
Last spring I named my spring & summer style, and I’m thinking about how it will evolve in the fall. Lately I’ve been particularly inspired by preppy items. I jumped at the chance to style brown croc loafers and loved every minute. It seems a little early to define my fall-winter style just yet, but my working definition is preppy-cool with a vintage influence. I love the notion of preppy-inspired outfits (think: blazers and loafers) that include a nod to the 70’s or 90’s.
For the first time in many, many years I am jonesing to get my hands on a blazer! I don’t know what’s come over me, but for the last few weeks I’ve been daydreaming about them. This fall my life stands to look pretty different. As I mentioned in goal #1, ALL of my kids will be in elementary school this year. (I swear I blinked, and this happened.) Now that I’m officially out of the mom-of-tots phase, I want to branch out and add a nice blazer to my wardrobe. I’ve been really digging the oversized styles. Everlane has one and Madewell has a really cute double-breasted one.
OVERSIZED FITS
Sizing up is a novelty that rarely crosses my mind. Recently I’ve watched a few people, whose style I immensely respect, do it very well (Jaana, Brianna). My default is to always buy things ‘in my size’ but oversized fits (as seen in the collage above) bring an interesting and sophisticated feel to the most ordinary of outfits. The next time I order a basic top, sweater or button up, I am going to consider sizing up once or twice!
RELAXED JEANS
I stopped short of calling this category ‘Baggy Jeans’ but it definitely straddles it. It’s been interesting to watch the denim evolution in recent years as the trends move away from skinny jeans. The thing I love about styles revisited is that they often have a fresh take. For example, today’s bootcut styles are usually cropped and high-waisted, different from their low-slung cousins a few decades ago. As the influence of the 90’s spreads I keep seeing baggy jeans, and I am very intrigued. It seems that the fresh take on our 1990’s baggy jeans is semi-fitted baggy jeans, or relaxed jeans.
I am not sure I will have the courage to try this one out, but I’m definitely interested. I love the idea of a fitted sweater and lace-up boots with ankle-length relaxed fit jeans. It also sounds super comfortable. My favorite pair from the spread below is the pair with the biggest holes.
BELT BAGS
I wouldn’t call myself quick to jump on trends, and I am more than late to this one. But after watching a few stylish ladies (Paige, Natalie) rock these in the summer, I have come around. In the fall I’ll be styling Minor History’s Crescent Belt Bag, which is coming out in a beautiful maple color next week. The Circle Belt Bag in the collage above is by Are Studio. I love, love this casual style from Baggu, and I’m so tempted to get the Kelp or Black one. And I just saw that ABLE has a leather, wallet-sized belt bag.
BROWN NAIL POLISH
Lately, I’ve been spicing things up with a new nail polish color, Cliffhanger by Essie (I love how their polishes always dry so smooth). Nail color (especially on fingernails) can change the whole look of an outfit. Been feeling inspired lately by Tonya’s multi-colored nails!
GOLD JEWELRY
Each fall I go through an adjustment period when I switch from easy summer dressing (ie. lots of bare shoulders and exposed to skin) to all covered up to keep warm. I often struggle with pulling together outfits that don’t make me feel frumpy. I love the way well-selected jewelry helps me through that phase.
If you’ve been reading this blog any length of time you probably know I’m really into layered gold jewelry. I like to keep it subtle (no Mr. T around here) but interesting. Each day I usually wear 2-3 necklaces, two sets of earrings (would love a third piercing soon!) and often a few bracelets. My collection is very small and comes in versions of 14K gold, gold plated and gold vermeil. And I wear it all over and over again. My jewelry makes my outfits feel the most ‘me.’
ANIMAL PRINT
This is definitely my most exotic source of inspiration for fall. See what I did there? As I mentioned, I’m pretty slow to warm up to trends, and I’m definitely a late adopter to this one. Lately I’ve been feeling so inspired by animal prints. I’ve been looking at the gorgeous snakeskin boots I got from M.Gemi last fall and I cannot wait to rock them again!
Flat boots are on my short list for fall and I am super swooning over the Ralf Lace Up Boot from Freda Salvador. I love that they are feminine, edgy and practical all in one boot. I am thinking these would look super cute with the relaxed jeans mentioned above!
And it doesn’t stop at boots! Animal print loafers are a sure way to add visual interest to an outfit and I just put this croc-print belt in my cart!
What is inspiring you for fall? Do you set clothing-related goals when the seasons change? Are there any new styles you want to try when the weather cools? Will you be taking risks or playing it safe?
PS. You can see last year’s fall mood board here.
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I am loving blazers and loafers this fall and and since I actually have a professional job now it makes sense to add them to my wardrobe. I am glad the baggy, oversized trend is going on right now. I have lost 40 pounds over the last 10 months, so all my clothes are baggy! I have been thrifting up a storm trying to reestablish my wardrobe, but it’s nice to know I can continue to wear at least my tops in an oversized manner! Ha! My jeans are another story though…. Congrats for being out of the toddler stage! My youngest is a senior in high school, so soon I will be out of the “children at home stage” and it blows my mind!
How exciting! What is your job now Rebecca? Congratulations on the weight loss, how did you lose it? Good luck with rebuilding your wardrobe. Maybe front tucks will extend the life of your shirts for a bit longer hopefully!
Thank you. It feels weird to be out of the tot stage, but also exciting! I can’t believe your baby is a senior! I believe you when you say it blows your mind, it goes SO fast!
I work in the interpretation/education department of one of Thomas Jefferson’s plantation homes nearby. I LOVE it. I get to talk about history all day so it’s right up my alley. :-) My weight loss has occurred as a result of changing my diet because of my fibromyalgia. I no longer eat any gluten, drink very little alcohol and eat very little dairy. The weight loss has been slow but I guess that is the best way to lose. I had made up my mind my body was just going to be heavier and I was ok with that….but my body had other plans! And yes….front tucks are my thing as well as knotting t-shirts and sweaters! Ha!
Your job sounds AMAZING!! That is super cool Rebecca. Amazing to hear about your health journey. Thank you for sharing
While we are also experiencing a last heatweave overhere, I’m ready for fall.
I love the rich, vibrant colours and I have abandoned the cool colours like navy, black and grey.
I already did some purchases for the fall/winter: a great boilersuit in toffee, an a-line shaped short coat in plum and great cropped wide leg pants from Benetton in rust.
All new to me items and I can’t wait to wear them this fall/winter.
I’m also thinking about ordering the perfect pants of State the Label.
This summer I bought something similar on sale to give it a try and I love it.
It really different from what I useally wear but I don’t care anymore.
As long I it’s comfortable and I love it, I will wear it :-)
Martine, your fall selections sound amazing! I looked up the State the Label pants and they are super cool. I find when I embrace what I love more than caring about what others think, I am often very satisfied!
I can vouch for the Madewell blazer. The colors are beautiful. I can’t wait for this mini heat wave to ease up so I can wear mine.
Oooo! Thanks for the scoop Paige! I might have to swing by my local Madewell and take a peek!
I also love the slightly preppier look for fall. I’m normally not one for animal print but I’ve got a pair of leopard print loafers that I can’t wait to add to my fall capsule wardrobe!
I’m excited to see you style the snake print boots, too. I’ve been considering a pair for a while but have shied away so far.
Those sound super cute Kaylee! I like animal prints because they can pass as a neutral, but are a lot more interesting than a sold color!
Omg I just saw those Levi’s ribcage full-length wide legs on Shopbop the other night and DIED. They also have a full-length ribcage straight pair in a lighter wash. Totally want them. Kind of annoyed that all straight leg jeans are so cropped on me!
You must have long legs girl! I have that problem with a lot of ankle/cropped jeans too. Keep me posted if you get the full-length ones!
Just bought some straight-up vintage mom jeans on ebay last night ($10!) and am so excited to wear them. I have suffered a lot of knee pain over the course of the skinny jean years and am happy to have finally realized that I don’t HAVE to wear them.
Free the knees!! That’s totally how i feel. Excited to see you rock your new vintages jeans!
i have the levis ribcage jeans in grey and they’re great and an awesome price from levis when they have their 40% off sale. get those!
I found you via Pinterest and realized I started following Paige via Pinterest too.
I am trying to use what I have to style a minimalist wardrobe, however I have “mysterious midlife weight” happening and I struggle feeling like I can keep my old clothes and not “need” new ones.
Any tips?
Hi Shon, welcome, so glad you’re here! Please excused my delayed reply. It’s so frustrating when our bodies change. Do your old clothes still fit?
Andrea, I’m loving the preppy throwback too. In college, back in the early 80’s I lived through the preppy “age”. The preppy that is current now is so much more subdued and sophisticated. During my college years you often saw a sea of pink, green and navy accompanied by Docksiders or “Duck shoes” I didn’t go that route, but I did wear blazers, sweaters, loafers usually Bass Weejuns or clogs which were handmade right down the street from the university. In the early and mid 90’’s oversized blazers were in styler as well. I wish I’d kept the blazers. Dressing during these two time periods was a breeze and you always looked polished.
For the first time in a very long time I’m excited about the styles that are out. Adding some animal print brings a bit of edginess to an outfit without going over the top. The trends out now make me too, want to look a little more put together.
I bought two new blazers, now if the Virginia weather would cooperate.. (high 80’s to lower 90’s and humid) We have beautiful but very late falls
Now I really want that brown Madewell suit! Sold out though so I everyone does.
Love this! Great inspiration for fall!