I get questioned every once in awhile on what items in my closet I’d recommend to someone attempting to build a wardrobe so I thought I’d share my fall favorites.
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Every season has its perks when it comes to dressing for it and I love the ability to wear weather that comes with autumn. My top three items for fall are cardigans, scarves and vests.
VESTS
Vests have been huge the past couple fall seasons and are showing no sign of going away this year. J. Crew has undoubtedly had a big role in their recent comeback. The popular quilted style comes in a huge variety of patterns, sizes and even now fabrications making it so that there’s something for everyone. Here are five of my favorite looks I’ve created with vests.
Vests are easy pieces to layer with and the lack of sleeves helps keep you from getting overly bulky. Has anyone ever felt like a marshmallow during the winter months? Me too.
The herringbone vest has made J. Crew bank, but I can’t even hate — it’s awesome. The black and white print is GORGE and fun to pattern mix with and the actual vest is super warm. I brought this vest with me to Chicago two years ago in October; I was completely unprepared for how cold it would be (it does not snow in Louisville – or DC for that matter – in October), but this vest saved my butt as I went sightseeing in the city.
This year’s version is a little more gray; I’d advise sizing down. My vest is a small and probably needs to be a XXS, sadly.
My vest collection is on point and maybe a little out of control, if we’re being 100 percent honest. While I love my J. Crew Factory vests and get a lot of wear out of them, they can be a bit pricey (to me!) if not bought during a sale. The buffalo check version they carried last year sold through quickly while I debated if it was really something I had to have.
Luckily, Very Jane had this version on their site in January and I snatched it up for a fraction of what I would have paid. I’ve linked the boutique that this came from, it’s currently on SUPER clearance and is only $9.97 (plus shipping) which is a total steal! It is sold out in the small but if you’re a medium or large, there you go.
UPDATE: y’all bought these out in less than half an hour, but I don’t want anyone to miss out. Here’s a similar style for under $12!
This time last year, it took me very little time to load up my cart with two of these vests; I’d had my herringbone for a year and seen how much wear I’d gotten out of it and quickly realized, “hey – some solid vests would be perfect.” Navy was the obvious option, but I debated between and maroon and this “warm bisque” for a hot minute before deciding to live life on the edge. These are easy to clean and I haven’t had any issues with it showing dirt. If you’re debating this year’s white….go for it!
Here’s another styling option on the buffalo plaid vest, if you weren’t sold. Louisville friends, this is Card-tastic….if you’re into the Cards.
So to recap, vests you need to add to your closet include:
- this one in neon coral (currently on sale, envisioning this with a cream sweater, dark wash jeans and dark brown riding boots)
- this cargo vest (I styled mine earlier this week, but love the versatility the olive gives you. Can’t wait to style mine with my polka dot chambray and colored pants.)
- this wool quilted vest (how fab would it look with this Portofino blouse, a black skirt and fun tights?)
CARDIGANS
I am a huge fan of cardigans, because I think they are a great completer piece for outfits. For those of you not completely aware of this terminology, a thought with styling is that a dress or pants and a blouse are not a complete outfit and that you should be adding in a bracelet, necklace(s) or outerwear piece to “finish” the outfit and look more polished.
So, more polished? This outfit isn’t so hot without the cardigan. The double dose of dots with the necklace added in really makes this more of a put together look than just a “I threw on the first things I found in my closet” look.
H&M usually will run a 2 for $20 sale on these cardigans. They hold up pretty well; I took this one on my trip to London. I would say they’re true to size, I’m wearing my usual XS in this.
This cardigan is one of the first pieces I bought at NY and Co (from the sale rack, duh) and one of my favorite cardigans. The simple black and white color blocking makes it easy to wear with any outfit and the three quarter length sleeve makes it a great cardigan to wear with button downs and show off the pattern by cuffing the sleeves.
I’ll forever be jealous of people that can wear just a pair of jeans and a tee and looked polished, because not the case for me. I’d look like a hot mess without all the finishing pieces here; the cobalt cardigan ties in the stripes on this tee and the blue in my flats to make it look like I dressed with purpose.
Reminder: black and white does not have to be boring. Mix it up, layer, accessorize — there are so many options to make the classic color combination yours. During the summer, I love simple black and white but during the winter I really want to add color or texture into the outfit.
So cardi party:
- I love this longer length paired with a striped tunic, leggings and this blanket scarf from Garage.
- This striped option would look cute over a black tank and a pencil skirt (love the burgundy).
- Crushing on these cardigans because of the number of color and print options there are.
SCARVES
Last, but certainly not least, are piece of fabric that literally ties fall and winter together. Scarves are an easy and affordable way to change up your accessories and stay warm. Win-win.
This dress is one of my favorites for road trips because of how comfy it is but I’ve always been someone that gets cold easily and riding in cars can be the worst. You’ll usually find me dragging a blanket with me, but scarves are another way that I combat the goosebumps. Another plus is they make perfect pillows when you ball them up and put them against the window.
World Market is one of my favorite places to find all kinds of goodies: stationery, gift wrap, cookie butter (trying to avoid but you know…), Christmas ornaments for my mini tree, and even some fashion accessories. They have a really fun selection of jewelry, but you can usually find me sifting through their scarves. While I love patterned everything, sometimes a girl just needs a solid colored scarf and these pashminas were made to combat the crazy cold weather we sometimes get here.
The print on this scarf ties in a wide variety of fall colors: blush, orange, sage, olive and brown. It makes it easy to incorporate multiple colors or feature one color predominantly, as I did here with the pink. Neutrals are so beloved for fall and scarves allow you to play on top of that or break away a bit and add some color in.
Blanket scarf season is BACK. I bought this one last year because I wanted to break away from the more popular colorings (#amiahipster?). Blue is my fave so this seemed like the natural choice. Some people don’t love the excess fabric and I agree at times; blanket scarves can be daunting when it’s still a little warm out. This piece is one that can come out a little later into fall and carry you through the cold winter months. And if you live somewhere that gets cooler earlier? Then these are perfect for fall.
I love to pattern mix year round, but especially when the weather gets cooler and a bit grayer. Adding multiple colors, textures and patterns to outfits seems natural to me then. As seen above, I’m certainly not scared to stop at one or two prints.
Some scarf looks I think you’ll love and look amazing in:
- I love this Garage aztec print blanket scarf – pair it with a black and white gingham button down and jeans for pumpkin picking.
- The abstract look of this print is fun and navy is always my neutral bae. You can mix it with navy or go in the opposite color and pull out your fall colors. I love how this would look with a cream sweater and simple cami.
- This plaid scarf holds a lot of the colors you’ll see stores carrying this fall. I love a good plaid anything for fall. Mix this scarf with a sweater dress like this, it would look so good with the zinfandel shade.
Who else is ready for fall? Hope you’re inspired by these looks and picks!
