Fall Vibes - Part 2: Settling into the season
Fall 2023 Part 2: The rest of the things that you will see everywhere this fall and (practical) ideas for how to incorporate them into your wardrobe
This is Part 2 in a series about fall fashion and style. If you missed it, you can find part 1 here.
Somehow we’re already in the middle of September! How did we get here? I’ve been wearing sweaters and pants and leggings more than shorts and dresses for the past week! My son had his first full week of school, and we only almost forgot to order lunch and scrambled to pack a lunch before the bus came once! My daughter is back in her cutie toddler activities (she does gymnastics in an (honestly, futile) attempt to keep her from climbing/tumbling/jumping all over our house). The baby and I are happy to go on our daily mental health walks without the sun beating down on us! Hopefully we still have a few warm days coming our way, but I do love these temps. Cool in the morning and night, but the sun still feels warm during the day. They are the perfect days to spend as much time as possible outside.
Last week I shared the list of fall trends that I have been noting and curating in my notes app, and went through the first half of the trends on there. I shared my take on the trend, how (and whether) I’m thinking about/planning to incorporate it into my closet, and some of the standout pieces I’ve seen.
This week, I’ll do the the same - diving into the second half of the list. As I continue in this series about this specific season, and how I approach seasonal changes in general, next week I will go into my own process for developing and executing on a seasonal wishlist, and then talk about how to pull the pieces all together and hopefully provide lots of inspiration of what to wear this fall and how to refresh your own wardrobe!
Note: You can browse/refer to all the pieces in this piece, and that are on my radar for fall here.
Here is a little refresher of my extremely official and data-driven summary of the main trends that I have been seeing, been drawn to, and inspired by (and some that I’m really not that into!)
I want to reiterate my disclaimer that this is totally through my “point of view.” I have no official training in this space; just a love of getting dressed, thinking about clothes and style and helping people shop for things they love. This is a work in progress. As such, I decided to add Vests to the list. I’ve seen a lot of vests since the spring, and not to make excuses, but I was very pregnant this spring, and I have yet to see a pregnancy-friendly cropped/fitted vest, so I’m giving myself a pass, but we’re going to talk about them today.
You can get a visual of the full vibe, as seen through my eyes, here.
All-righty then, let’s get into the rest of these trends, shall we?
Cableknit Sweaters: As a self-diagnosed sweater addict, I am very happy to rationalize a “need” for a new style of sweater in my closet. Cableknit sweaters brings me back to shopping at the Ralph Lauren Polo outlet store when I was growing up. My mom, sister and I made an annual trip to the outlet stores around back-to-school time as part of our back-to-school rituals (hence, my inner prep). We would stock up on classic RL cableknit sweaters. I am sure there are a collection of them in the attic at my parents house! I am most interested in crew-neck styles, as well as cardigans! As a note, I allocate the most of my budget towards sweaters, usually adding just 2 or 3 to my collection each season. I love them, and reach for my favorites for years, and I don’t like itchy ones, so I tend to spend more on these (cheaper ones just don’t last the same!) That said, Gap and Alex Mill make a huge selection of sweaters under $100 and $200 respectively, that are really nice!
Lady Jackets / Cardigan-Style Jackets - There are so many ways to embrace this trend! These jackets are SUCH a functional piece for your closet. Something I have realized in the past few years is that jackets, coats, blazers, cardigans, etc - these are all pieces that make your wardrobe look more styled and finished. I’m personally working to round out some of these pieces in my closet, as I’ve skimped in the past! I love that these jackets have the impact of a blazer, but are a little more casual. Wear to elevate jeans and a t-shirt, over your shoulders with a dress to add interest, anytime you might otherwise reach for a cardigan, and also to work. I’m obsessed with this one from ba$h, and this from J.Crew. Check out Mango and Gap for options under $100, Boden for options under $200, and J.Crew, ba$h and Massimo Dutto for options under $400. If you’re ready to splurge, this is *heart eyes emoji.*
Ballet Flats - Add just a touch of femininity to every outfit. I love Margaux, especially if you want a pair you can comfortably walk in all day. But, you don’t have to spend. a ton to embrace this trend - I’ve had great luck with Zara (I got this pair and I love them) and Mango for shoes!
Neutral, elevated sneaker - Honestly, I find it hard to keep up with the sneaker trends! It’s always changing and I am always late to the game. But, I have been loving the neutral colored gazelle’s and sambas I’ve been seeing everywhere. And even just a simple white sneak — you can wear these with casual or dressy outfits, and they are unexpected but not too sporty!
Athletic Sneakers (especially worn unexpectedly) - Still can’t keep up with the sneaker trends, but I wear sneakers ALL THE TIME, so having several options makes a lot of sense. I want the New Balance 550s, and my sister assures me this is on trend. I’m also very into the 990V6. Style with dresses, skirts, and trousers to leverage that “wrong shoe” look.
Wide Leg Pants - You can wear every type of pant in a wide-leg style. So, especially jeans, but also corduroy, trouser or chinos. Such a flattering shape and easy to wear. Pair with a button down or cableknit sweater and ballet flats and you have an incredible outfit!
Barrel Leg Jeans (especially worn low on your waist) - Also known as Horseshoe (or, at least I think these are plays on one another.) I’ll be honest, I don’t think this is for me. Low-waist is just so uncomfortable for me to wear! But, I admire on others, especially if you want a “fashion-forward” look. These are the pair leading the trend. If I were going to try, I would start here (these are more high-waisted!)
Cargo-Style Pants & Jeans - Cargos have such a bad rep in my book - say the word and I immediately go to weird mens shorts/pants. But, there are some really nice takes on them this year - especially if you want to wear an olive or army green color! I think the key with this trend (at least for me), is that they should still be tailored. Doesn’t necessarily mean slim, but not insanely baggy (think more this, and less this); it feels more wearable for real life! I actually really like this pair and this pair.
Western-Inspired Pieces - Fun story - for the first birthday that I celebrated while dating my husband, he took me to this store to pick out a pair of cowboy boots. A gift that truly knocked it out of the park - I have a pair that I treasure and can’t wait to dust off this year! I am a western-enthusiast, and love this trend in belts and boots (dreaming about this pair!), and can’t wait to style so many looks with a little nod to western style!
Peplum - Into it. Not too long ago I was leaning way into this trend, and I’m excited its back because its really flattering! I am especially loving strapless tops with a peplum hem (almost a mashup between peplum & vest a la the Favorite Daughter Bustier), and on otherwise simple pieces to add something a little special. Pair with slim cut black pants & boots, or jeans and a ballet flat!
Vests - Also into it. I love as a workwear piece, and incorporated into non-office wear looks as well!
Whew! That’s it for today! Be sure to come back next week when I will dive into my own wishlist and strategy for getting organized for the season. Feel free to drop any questions you have about trends, or what you’re shopping for into the comments and we can keep the discussion going!
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