We had our first chilly morning the other day and it got me in the mood for fall things! Although summer is my favorite season and I’m initially sad to see it go, all that changes on the first chilly morning. The switch flips and I get SO excited about all things cozy. Give me all the chai tea, oversized cardigans, and musky candles.
One of my favorite things about this time of year is fall wardrobe planning. I’ve been gathering inspiration for my fall wardrobe this week, and wanted to share what’s sparking my interest so far. So grab your autumn-inspired beverage of choice, and settle in for the first fall fashion post of the season.
If you see something you like, you can shop it and support my blog by using the affiliate links throughout this post.
SHOP SIMILAR ITEMS
1. baggy jeans | 2. striped sweater | 3. ball cap | 4. pointy toe boots (black) (silver)
5. Birkenstocks | 6. straight leg jeans | 7. vegan leather pants | 8. oversized cardigan
9. oversized leather jacket | 10. hoodie | 11. mary jane flats | 12. track pants | 13. trousers
I feel like this is the first season since the pandemic that I’ve really got my fashion feet under me again, and it feels so good! I’m ready lean into exactly what speaks to me.
STYLE AND COLOR
For the most part, my style for the fall is a continuation of my usual style: classic, casual, and sporty.
However, I’m also feeling drawn to a grunge / rocker / punk aesthetic too. This has been brewing for a few seasons now, but I think it’s finally ready to take shape in a more defined way.
The tension between classic items and grunge / rocker / punk items is giving me life right now. Combining those contrasting styles into one outfit feels dynamic and exciting. It shakes up the classic side of my style.
And I can’t forget the most important part of my style — my minimalist filter. I love taking all of the above categories — the classic, casual, sporty, grunge / rocker / punk — and running them through a minimalist filter, cleaning up the lines, paring down the colors, and simplifying the styling.
As far as a color palette goes, I’m still loving neutrals — primarily shades of black, grey, soft white, taupe, and tan. I’m also feeling very into shades of blue — light wash denim blue, navy, and even a vibrant bright blue for a fun pop. And I do still love shades of brown in the fall — everything from a milky coffee color to a deep chocolate brown.
GO-TO ITEMS
I’m very inspired by oversized shapes right now. I found a pair of vintage men’s Levi’s in a thrift shop this summer and I’ve been noticing how I feel when I wear them — nothing makes me feel confident like those loose jeans! So I’m leaning into it.
I’m most excited about trying out loose jeans with an oversized sweater, and adding contrast with some fierce pointy toe boots. How wild are those sparkly silver boots?! I kind of love them! Will I go that far? Eh, only time will tell.
I’m also excited about looking for a pair of Mary Jane flats. This is a surprise to me, as it’s been years since I’ve worn a flat, and I stopped wearing them because I found them to be really uncomfortable. But I’m curious to try a pair and see how they feel. I like that they could add a bit of feminine contrast to all my oversized pieces.
For the most part though, I’m drawn to items that are inherently casual and unremarkable on first glance — straight leg jeans, vegan leather pants, white sneakers, plain tees, track pants, trousers, oversized cardigans, baggy sweatshirts, cozy sweaters, ball caps, socks, and Birkenstock clogs — those are the items I love to combine in unexpected ways.
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How about you? What styles are you drawn to this fall? What colors are you loving right now? Care to share a couple items on your fall wish list?
Also! I’m planning out my content for the fall and would love to hear if there are any specific posts you’d like to see — let me know in the comments.
Feel free to subscribe at the bottom of the page so you don’t miss my next post, and find me on LTK and Pinterest for more outfits. Make sure to check out my fall inspiration board for more ideas.
I hope you’re having a nice week. Take care and thanks for being here!
I’m feeling all the things you posted and also: shoes that are lower, this one was unexpected to me but im finding many lower to mid heel awesome options and I just think how cool to be comfortable! And strangely enough I’m feeling the 70s and not just in fashion but also in music.
Yes! I love a good low heel — so comfortable. :)
Thank you for the fall inspiration! After a brief and unsuccessful foray into color this summer, I am back home in all black/black and grey/black and denim. What can I say? Black is my power color. I just gotta own it. I do love the contrast and texture that my tried-and true Frye Campus boots in a dark and now weathered “patina” of espresso brown give to my outfits–the boots keep things from feeling too sleek and give a hint of warmth.
Caroline, do you have or have you tried any of the Jenni Kayne cardigans? I am eyeing the sage green cotton cocoon cardigan for maybe a Christmas gift for myself if they offer a Black Friday sale price or something, but I don’t know…the price! I am on the fence on that and would appreciate any feedback you can offer.
And lastly, your reference to “musky” candles made me chuckle. I love ALL of the tobacco/leather/woodsy scents, although my best friend has another adjective for them: “armpitty.” 😆
Jen, I relate SO MUCH! I like having a couple of colorful pieces in my closet for those days when I crave a little color, but that really only happens about 10 times a year and that’s it — other than that I just love wearing black and white (and then some warm neutrals, taupe, brown, etc).
It’s so timely that you’d ask about Jenni Kayne cardigans, because they sent me one of their cashmere cocoon cardigan a few weeks ago. It’s my first JK item, and of course I got it in black. :) I absolutely love it, the quality matches the price. I’ll plan to do an in-depth review of it soon. In the meantime, my friend Lee did a really great review of that cardigan on her blog — check it out!
https://stylebee.ca/2021/05/17/jenni-kayne-cocoon-cardigan-review/
Also — armpitty — LOL! Can’t help it, I love them!
Thank you for the thoughtful response, Caroline!
What you say is true–I noticed my eye was distracted from all of my not-so-basic-black by that sage green Jenni Kayne cardigan, even though I would wear a black one way more often. Still learning to tell the difference between what I think is pretty to look at and what I actually feel great wearing.
Lee’s review is super-helpful; thank you for sharing that! I look forward to yours, as well.
…and at the risk of oversharing, I WISH my armpits smelled as good as all those musky candles! 😂
Rock on.
I feel compelled to comment, because I’m probably a departure from most people who follow you. We do have in common Dallas and Texas in general and the glorious southwest! But I’ve been in VT for 28 years now and I’m 64. I LOVE YOUR VIBE!!! I fight to minimize my clothing because I tend to get bored with the same old, same old. Thoughts about that? (Especially when I travel; I’ve come to realize that at home I change my clothing multiple times per day!). Like you though, as I start back-to-school (former computer scientist and YUPPIE in Dallas, now a high school math teacher in VT), I’m feeling the oversized grunge, classic vibe. It’s still wicked hot with no A/C here, but I work at LLBean too – have you seen their basics that could be oversized grunge? Think oversized cashmere sweaters and lovely vintage flannel shirts with those fabulous jeans you wear, and even Blundstones or furry Burkies (I’ve bought all of these with my employee discount!) That’s my current vibe. Oh, and I’ve been a HUGE fan of Everlane, but not so much this year. Thanks for your beautiful and thoughtful blog and inspo.
I’m so glad you did comment, Karen! I love hearing that we have a common style vision. I’m feeling pulled towards J.Crew again after several years of not shopping there much — and I feel like LLBean has a similar-ish vibe. LLBean has surprised me with fantastic basics throughout the years, even though it’s not the first place I think to shop. It seems like their pieces are casual, but can be styled in a city-sleek way too, which I love. Thanks for putting them back on my radar. Hope your school year is off to a great start! :)
Fun post. Can you do a whole post on styling track pants? Brings me back to middle school? high school? can’t remember exactly.
Sure thing, Betsy!
Would you consider doing a post on ways you are styling those vintage Levi’s for fall? That would be fun!
Yesss love those jeans so much, I’ll definitely plan a post on styling them. :)
I always feel a little sad about the end of summer too, even though I adore autumn!
Seasonal shifts are such a good time for closet clean outs. Would you consider a post about items you have decided to part with?
That’s a great idea Amy, I’ll plan a post about that. I’ve been organizing and assessing my closet for the new season, so it’s the perfect time!
I love the idea of a post about pieces you don’t wear anymore and decided to give away, sell or just to put away for a while. Thank you for the inspiring post :)