Now that it is finally starting to feel like fall in New England, I figured it would be a good time to do another outfit inspiration post. I always hate to see summer go, but there is something about sweaters and vests that makes me so excited for fall weather. If you’re anything like me, you’re constantly scrolling on Instagram and Pinterest for cute fall outfit inspiration, so I wanted to pull together some of my favorite looks. Fall outfits are sometimes a little harder to put together since you don’t have the option of throwing on a dress or romper. There is a little more thought that goes into a good fall outfit, especially as it gets cooler. Here are some of the primary things I try to keep in mind when pulling together a cute fall outfit!
Layers
A cute outfit in cooler weather is totally dependent on being able to layer. New England weather is normally unpredictable, so I always like being able to add a vest or flannel to a look and still have it work. As it gets cooler it’s always nice to be able to throw on a city coat and have it complete your look, rather than hide it. When deciding the best way to layer given the forecast, it’s best to decide if you need a sweater or can get by without one. A few options that I always go to are a waffle shirt with a vest, a sweater by itself, or if I want to do either option with a vest or jacket. Sometimes a thick shirt paired with a chunky scarf is perfect as well.
My eye is more keen on outfits with dimension and I think layering is a great way of adding complexity to an outfit while being practical (AKA it looks like you spent more time planning than you actually did). Adding layers to any outfit can help pull in colors, patterns, and different textures. These are all things I like to think about when making an outfit work. Sometimes I’ll feel like an outfit is too plain if I’m just wearing a sweater and jeans. Adding a vest with a pop of color, or a scarf with a different pattern, or a coat with a quilted texture are really easy ways to bring a simple outfit to the next level. It also makes the planning process more fun. When I build an outfit with layers, I also find myself being more creative and putting different pieces together than I hadn’t before. Sometimes playing around with what you already own is a great way to spark ideas for different way to mix and match the same pieces. Hence, (fall)ing back in love with the wardrobe you already have.
Basics
Since layering is so important when shooting for a cute look in the fall/winter months, it’s super important to have all the basics in your closet. I think this is where a lot of people go wrong when pulling outfits together. This is the one part you should never overthink! I’ll cover all basics that I think are must haves in putting outfits together for fall. First, having a good selection of soft long sleeve shirts in standard colors (black, white, oatmeal, gray) is a must have for layering. I love waffle and ribbed shirts, definitely an easy way to add texture to a basic staple item. I also have a lot of neutral colored tanks and body suits. These are perfect to have for open front sweaters and jackets. I am huge vest person, so I own one in about every color imaginable. Vests aren’t for everyone but I definitely get good use out of mine so I would say these are an important basic for layering and creating that quintessential New England Fall look. Lastly, sweaters are key for any fall style. For the most part, I stay neutral here too. I typically stay in the navy, oatmeal, gray, and white area. However, If I find a nice maroon or burnt orange color, I always make the purchase. Having some pops of color in your fall/winter wardrobe is always important since this time of year is darker and more neutral in general.
For bottoms, I always have a drawer full of joggers and leggings in neutral colors. These are both perfect for a more casual look. Long sweaters with leggings and cute boots are the easiest go to fall outfits. I love suede and corduroy as well—if I can find a cute skirt in either material, I always save it for fall! A cute skirt, simple sweater and booties is such a cute look for early fall when it’s still warm enough. I also can’t live without a good pair of jeans. Recently, I’ve fallen in love with flare jeans. I got a few great pairs, pictured below, from Express and absolutely love them! I am 5’2” so finding high rise flares that fit me length wise is impossible, these however fit me perfectly with no alterations needed. I also find it’s great to have a few good pairs of cropped jeans. I’m not a huge fan of having to cuff my pants to wear with booties. Cropped or ankle length jeans are perfect to pair with booties!
Shoes
Speaking of booties—these are a staple for fall outfits! Not only are they trendy but versatile. Booties go well with just about any type of bottom weather it’s a skirt or jeans. I’ve recently bought the same pair of booties from Target in two different colors. Old navy also has a ton of really cute booties every season. Having a good pair of tan, brown, and black booties is an important piece to a perfect fall closet in my opinion. They can dress up any outfit, are comfortable, and actually keep your feet warm! I also love mules for fall. I have a lot of different pairs of mules and honestly, the ones I’ve bought from Target are my favorites. The nude and maroon mules in the photos below are both from Target. I have had these for multiple seasons, and they are in perfect condition still!
Another type of shoe that I am still on the search for is a chunky healed clog. I have found a few cute pairs at Nordstrom that I have my eye on. I think chunky clogs looks so cute with a pair of flare jeans and a sweater. That is one of my favorite looks, so I am on the hunt for the perfect pair! I know by now that most people have Bean Boots and/or Sorels. Another favorite fall/winter boot are the Marc Fisher LTD boots. Alison has these and absolutely loves them! They are definitely on my list for this year. If you haven’t made the leap to buy one of boots these, I totally think they’re worth the hype. Not only are they cute to dress up in a fall style, but they are wicked practical. Both are really warm and great quality! You can pair either of these with nice wool or knitted socks to help tie an outfit together.
Accessories
The final addition to a perfect outfit is always the accessories. I tend to do accessorizing last since my outfit determines how I choose my final pieces. If my outfit is simple in terms of color, I’ll shoot to add a bold color in the jewelry department (e.g. an orange earring or chunky brown necklace). If I want to wear my everyday jewelry one day, I’ll accessorize by adding a fun purse or a winter sun hat. One way that I like to add pattern or color to a plain or neutral outfit is by throwing on a chunky scarf. I think scarves are a must have for a complete fall wardrobe! Over or under accessorizing can make and break an outfit in my opinion. I always try to keep it within one or two pieces of accessories to be safe, so that is normally a good rule of thumb to follow.
In general, I hope this helped spark some ideas on how to piece together items you already have. If not, hopefully it outlines what I think are the most important things to have for creating a perfect fall outfit. If you’re missing any of the basics, try filling in these holes in your closet and go from there. I know a lot of people that have all the parts but don’t know how to put them together. Practice makes perfect, sometimes all it takes is trying different things together. An outfit that might feel boring to you can come alive with the right pair of shoes or a few accessories. Let us know what you’re fall favorites are this season!