i haven't really delved into my "on hold" career of being a former stylist because there is just so much to write about, but i figured that i have to start somewhere. so i put together a help list of the basics that every woman needs (or essesntials) to build a good foundation of outfits for each season. fall is one of my favorite seasons here in Chicago and it really is the best "styling season" due to all the layers and possibilities of each outfit.
each season i will post a diagram of basics first and then a list of "add-on" trends that can work in each basic collection.
i hope you enjoy playing dress up with these posts!
p.s. explanation of why i chose each item to follow, enjoy.
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27
Fall Wardrobe // essentials:
1. kelly green skinny pants. this might be a bold choice compared to your denim skinny's, but i promise you that this color will go with everything in your wardrobe. make sure to get a kelly green color and not a christmas green/lime green hue. this color really works well with any skin tone, hair color and i feel could be a "new neutral" to a color palette.
2. biker boots. these are the new "knee high" boots, but lower. they should just reach up to mid-calf on your legs and they work well with dresses, over skinny's, with tights and/or knee highs. p.s. they'd go great with a maxi skirt, too.
3. denim button up. the example i've shown here is long sleeve but short sleeve could also be great under a sweater. denim i feel is a better choice than chambray only because of the weight of the material. chambray is a great classic, but store it away until next spring and bring out your faded denim button up tops. these tops can go great with skinny khakis, a pleated midi skirt, or over a statement dress.
4. printed/patterned/textured oxford flats. oxfords, i feel, have made it into the basics of a wardrobe. the floral printed oxfords were great for spring/summer 2011, but unless their a muted floral pattern oxford saves the brights for next spring. find oxfords in tweed, herringbone, plaid, leather cut outs, and muted florals. they add a whimsy style to a midi dress, skinny's and they are a great take on the "boyish" trend, but more feminine.
5. knit blazer with an open neckline. blazers will always be a classic, you just have to get the right silhouette. this example is a great go to piece to make an outfit toned down and put together. knit is great because it "feels" like fall. other blends like polyester/acrylic are good but feel too constricted. remember a blazer doesn't have to match up to pants, but looks great with total opposites like a printed midi dress, kelly green skinny's. always have a neutral color blazer in the closet...it can go a long way with outfits.
6. wooden wayfarer sunglasses. these sunnies are a classic shape from the one we saw in the summer, but not in brights, neons. the wood material lends a texture that's rich and warm. this means you can make a bright floral dress feel like fall just by adding on these shades. finding pieces with texture that remind you of that season can easily make an outfit.
7. plaid button-up top. this top is great to dress up, but don't go grunge. you can easily outfit this with a knit blazer, black leggings and heeled booties. you have to think outside the box with pieces like this. when you see this on the rack you think "lumber jack" right? but think the total opposite but keep it classic so you don't overpower a great piece.
8. skinny leather belt. a belt can totally transform a dress, your waistline, and even a sweater. fall brings in many thicker fabrics so to change it up a bit you can belt up a chunky sweater at waist level, or give a baggy dress some shape with an belt to the empire waist. a good leather belt in brown is a classic that can pair up with trendy pieces of the season.
9. pleated/accordion midi-skirt. midi means a little past your knees and shorter than a maxi length skirt/dress. i love this skirt. this skirt goes great with a wool sweater belted at the waist for a casual look. the skirt may look dressy, but you can pair it up with rider boots and a denim button-up.
10. statement dress. pick a dress that is bold, but can get along with all your fall basics. the one shown above can be great alone, but also can go great over khaki skinny's, under a knit blazer, layered under a wool sweater, or an accordion skirt can be layered on the bottom to give an illusion of just the floral top of the dress. pick prints and patterns that speak on what you like.
11. skinny khakis/wide leg denim. skinny khakis take a makeover and make your body look great. these will match with anything in your wardrobe. wide leg denim is a great look for fall. the silhouette of these jeans look great with fitted tops, but also you can go the extreme and layer a dress over the denim (just as long as the dress hits above or at the knees. but pants silhouettes are a must for your fall wardrobe.
12. patterned/textured tights. tights can make an outfit feel heavy at times, but in fall tights look great with those summer dresses your transitioning into fall. they automatically make your summer floral dress "fall like". bright colors are okay but have a few browns, greys in herringbone, tweed and floral in your drawer as staples.
13. oxford pump. these are a dressier version of the oxfords. the oxford flats are great, but they don't go great with skinny's (i feel at times). the oxford pump, when you wear with a skinny leg pant makes your legs look ten times as long because the length doesn't stop at your ankle, but goes to the heel. this shoes goes well with all the basics too.
14. small leather cross-body. the cross body transitions into fall with so many choices. find bags that have minimal decor, but not all over studded. leather is great because of the texture it brings and crossbody bags don't have to be casual. pair this bag with your statement dress and rider boots.
15. studded earrings with personality. the diamond studs will always be a classic. but why not add some character to those stud earrings. i love the bows one shown above. but doves, fawns, hearts, matroyshkas, owls, etc. are all great options. simple studs can give your face life, and take your outfit to another look.
16. wool scarf. a scarf can really complete an outfit just by itself. but choose fabrics with texture and a statement scarf is great too.
17. large leather crossbody bag. this bag is probably going to be 2 or 3 times bigger than the small crossbody. this bag is great for "i need everything" in my bag days. but still looks great with a statement dress or with a knit blazer and oxford pumps. p.s. these bags also work great is undercover diaper bags. =)
18. red-hue lipstick/lip tint. with all the muted tones of fall, a great red lip can brighten up the entire look. red will go with everything, but it really is all up to you. i feel that a red lip goes best with the simplest outfit.
19. weaved flat. weave texture is so great for fall. it can make a plain pair of tight pop, or tone down a statement dress for daytime. these flats can also transition well into spring...a great investment for two season wardrobes.
20. booties (flat or heeled). these boots ride right at your ankle and are great in all textures, fabrics, colors and flat or heeled. booties look best with tights for cooler temps and high ankle socks peeking out for warmer temps.
21. statement blazer/light jacket. besides having a basic color knit blazer, it's great to have that one (or two) blazer that's in a great bright color, texture or print. i love the dove print blazer above because it speaks personality to any outfit and doesn't need to have many accessories.
22. knit poncho/ mustard color. you can't go wrong with a warm knit poncho for the cooler nights that can go over a simple tee and leggings and/or skinnys. okay so mustard (or any psychadelic looking yellow) is a great color to have in your wardrobe. it pops any outfit and goes great with unexpected pieces (like a blazer or tights).
23. driver gloves. sometimes knitted mittens can ruin your outfit (but save the mitts for a real cold day in winter). driver gloves bring a closure to an outfit if the warmth on your hands is needed, and they are so stylish...imagine wearing them with a pleated skirt, knit blazer, cotton graphic tee and booties & tights....so good.
24. striped cropped sweater with elbow patches. this is a piece that is meant to be kept with care....one of those finds that you don't want to let go because it goes with everything in your wardrobe. dress it up with a midi-skirt, over a statement dress, layered under a knit blazer...i could go on and on.
25. rose gold watch. this hue of metal made a debut this spring/summer, but i think it can go into fall wonderfully. the subtle tone of the watch takes away from the masculine feel of the size and can be both dressy and casual. p.s. splurge on a watch, it's an investment.
26. olive long coat. by long coat, i mean should hit at mid-hip. olive (or army green) is such a versatile color for everyone. not many people know, but olive/army green can be considered a neutral so it goes with every color in your closet...even neon. embellishments on the coat are great but be minimal.
27. narrow ties. these are not your dad's neckties, but a more feminine take. ties are great to add to a blouse to change the entire look from casual to dressy. or you can use them as belts to add to dresses. choose them in floral, printed, tweed, herringbone, grays.....i love this item.
okay, so there it is. hope this tutorial helped with your fall wardrobe planning. especially to see what you can keep from the summer season and bring into the fall.
also, this series is NOT meant to make you buy a whole new wardrobe....if you have to, then you're not utilizing what you have. the series is meant for you to see items you might have kept and forgotten about, and to only buy a few key pieces. and in no way when i say buy do i mean splurge on designer or even full price items. having style does not mean having all designer. it's good to have variety. actually all the essentials in the pic above can be searched for at a thrift store....just look for key silhouettes and you choose on what style you like. have fun changing up outfits.
these essentials in your closet will take all your outfits a long way.
i'll be back next week with Fall Wardrobe // add-ons : the type of trends you should add to your essentials.
hapi friday!
