How Do You Want To Dress This Fall

With fall in full swing, it’s time to pack away your summer clothes (if you haven’t already) and decide what works for your wardrobe this season. How do you want to dress this fall? Few of us are living the same lifestyle we did last fall, so our wardrobe needs to reflect that.

Just because most of us are spending more time at home doesn’t mean we should live in our jammies or sweats. Far from it! We’re all dealing with more stress and things we can’t control this year but the one thing we can control is what we wear. How we dress each day. The care we take with our hair and makeup, and whether we bother with accessories or not. There’s a lot to be said for a simple, uncluttered, and modern outfit but that’s a far cry from, “I can’t be bothered”.

In French Vogue last month, Ines de la Fressange is quoted as saying her ultimate style tip is to “Remove anything that can be removed.  That works for many women but I’m afraid I would feel that I hadn’t made an effort. How about you? Do you need accessories to feel put together?

black vneck sweater and midi
SWEATERSKIRTBOOTSDENIM JACKET on sale

I’ve decided to incorporate more blazers and scarves into my wardrobe this fall. They’re an easy way to add some color without a major commitment. I also want to try more casual skirts and easy dresses because they are so darn comfy.

Lifestyle changes, weight changes, and/or personal taste are all valid reasons to re-think your wardrobe. Our sartorial choices need to change so they accurately reflect who we are and how we want the world to see us.

So how do you want to look this fall?

Are you drawn to brighter colors and looser shapes?

Do you feel excited to get dressed in the morning?

What’s missing that could make it a happier experience…and we are not talking about weight because we have to dress the body we have now!

 

 

54 Comments

  1. Look at your eyes pop with that teal! Gorgeous! I also really like your black v necked sweater and skirt combo. I found myself tiring of pants being at home so much and have gotten into wearing skirts and dresses again. So easy and free feeling!

    My whole wardrobe depends on accessories as I love a clean minimalist style of clothing. I like a scarf, statement necklace, shoes/boots, or handbag to add colour and a wow factor. Not all at the same time though.

    I collect vintage style books from the 40s-to 60s and they all pretty much say the same thing —look in the mirror before you leave the house and take one item off — so I think that is where Ines de la Fressange’s advice is coming from. A little old school, a little common sense, wear what you love!

  2. It’s dropping down to 88 today so I’m able to wear a lightweight jacket. I can’t switch closets yet since it can still get into the 90’s throughout October, but I do wear fall like colors. I also try to expand my fall wardrobe with accessories, scarves especially, and a brown, navy or metallic bag.

  3. Southern California is still hot, and the fires continue to rage all over the state. I miss the old days when I could think about dressing for fall. (Anyone remember Seventeen Magazine’s back-to-school issue?)

  4. I am thinking of ways to recycle what I have snd am adding a few pieces as I can. Accessories are sometimes necessary but in general I don’t wear much in the way of jewelry right now, but that could always change!

  5. Elaine @ Following Augustine says:

    I’ve just finished switching my closet from spring/summer to fall/winter. I’m always reluctant, hoping for a few more truly warm days, but the time had finally come and I couldn’t delay any longer! I’ve identified two goals for this fall. First, I have a lot of scarves, but I haven’t worn them much, so I’m going to be looking for new ways to accessorize with scarves this season. Secondly, I don’t wear dresses often, but since our church reopened, I’ve worn one every Sunday. I don’t really have dresses that are well suited to the colder months though, so I’ve been thinking about adding a couple of sweater dresses that I can wear with leggings. Your post is very timely! And, I agree with everyone who has already mentioned how stunning you look in your first pic today!

  6. Here in Florida, there is more of a gradual transition to fall clothes and colors. With temps in the 80s, it’s difficult to put on jackets, scarves, or pants. I’m still wearing shorts at home and for golf and I wear cropped pants when I go out. Short sleeves and a light third layer such as a silk ruana complete the outfit when leaving home. I am a jewelry nut and typically leave the house making sure that I am wearing earrings, necklace, bracelets and rings. Choices are designed to enhance/complement my outfit. At home, though, I only wear my wedding rings. I put on eye makeup only when I go out. No face makeup if I need to keep a mask on. Everything else seems like a waste of time.

  7. I get dressed every morning. Why neglect your appearance just because we aren’t going out as much as we normally would? I don’t get the stay in jammies or workout clothes. It’s a sure way to get depressed. I’m not wearing much in the way of make up though. When I do go out I wear a mask so I only need mascara.
    Love the sweater dress in your first pic!

  8. Ditto the blue sweater dress. You look stunning in that color. Plus I’m interested in your necklace. Will you tell us where you got it? Thanks!

  9. I cannot agree with Ines de la Fressange. I look at my outfit and think what else can I add to it? I love accessories. It’s what makes getting dressed fun!

  10. I haven’t thought too much about what to wear this season except for my mother’s pearls. Before my sister died she gave them to me, I didn’t even know they existed. I was too young to remember when my dad gave them to her. Trying to figure how to incorporate them in my wardrobe! Love you in that blue sweater!

    1. You’re so lucky to have them. I would wear them with any and everything

  11. That blue looks amazing on you!

  12. Linda Simpson says:

    I believe in accessories to keep me from being boring. I am so happy to bring out my scarves again; they’re just too much for me in the hot weather. I have purchased a few longer cardigans because I love the way they look…casual but pulled together so that even if I am sitting on my deck, I look like I paid attention to the details. I’m not wearing dangly earrings right now because they interfere with putting on a mask, but I do wear diamond or pearl studs. (I had the misfortune of dropping danglies in the car and having to crawl around searching in a parking lot. It’s not a good look. lol) I adore bracelets, rings, necklaces, scarves, brooches. In other words, I will not sacrifice on looking good just because I am retired and staying home more. My mental health depends on taking care of me.

    1. I have accidentally pulled an earring off with my mask too:)

  13. I’m dressing like Signe from “Use Less Wardrobe”. I printed out her Autumn capsule guide and use it for outfit inspiration every morning. Easy, love how I look, and I already have similar pieces to work with. I did buy brown leather booties and a brown leather purse – thrifted, for maybe $10-$15.

    1. WOW “Use Less Wardrobe” is only 28 years old and about to have her first baby so many life changes coming for her. She has some good ideas but limited by life experience as we all were at her age. I would love to see what she would be saying when she is 55 years or older….. 🙂

  14. I also love the blue sweater dress outfit. Details?
    I’d love to find a belt like that! Thank you for sharing!

  15. beth byrd says:

    The change I’ve made is letting my hair grow longer. I love the versatility it gives me and I find it is easier to care for than my shorter hair was.

    As for clothing, my aim is comfort AND style.

    You look amazing in that blue sweater!

  16. Book Goddess says:

    Oh my goodness, I cannot agree with Ines de la Fressange! My viewpoint is more like Olympia Dukakis’s character in Steel Magnolias: “The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize.“

    Especially here in the tropics, where it’s difficult to layer most days of the year. However nice they are, a T-shirt and capris outfit calls for a little something more. Jewelry always, generally including a necklace handcrafted by me. A pocketbook with a little style. And these days, a colorful mask.

  17. Where I live (Connecticut), summers get too hot to wear scarves anywhere except on a purse, so I look forward each fall to bringing out and wearing my scarves again. They’re so versatile and add pops of color to my mostly neutral wardrobe basics. I actually mark the last weekend in September each year to switch over my clothes/shoes/accessories and bedding.

  18. You look fabulous in the blue sweater dress! Would you please let us know where it is available? Thank you and I hope you enjoy your time in BC.

  19. Leslie Lord says:

    I plan to wear red lipstick and my pearls more often. The post you published on a classic white shirt sent me shopping! I bought a longer length one from Old Navy. It’s going to be worn in a variety of ways as it is a classic style with endless possibilities!

    1. Mona Gould says:

      I have to make myself accessorize, so I am not taking one off. However, if I looked in the mirror and thought something was too much, then I would. I agree with everyone else – that color looks stunning on you.

  20. The teal tunic sweater with the belt is so flattering to you. I just had to comment and tell you that I think it looks terrific!

  21. I’m with you regarding blazers and scarves. I’ll wear my blazers as much as possible until I have to switch to heavier jackets and coats.
    I have been on the search for colour, but am not finding my colours in the style and neckline that I want. There is a lot of warm Autumn colours and dusty Summer colours in the stores, but not much other than black and grey for us Winter gals. And the last thing I need is another black sweater LOL.

    1. Ditto, re the blazers and scarves. As to tops, I too am leaning toward color this Fall. Shopped my closet and found a heavy weight cotton knit in a deep turquoise blue and actually last year two others at a ‘nearly new 2nd hand store’. (Both in deep shades. One purple and I guess you’d call an Apple Green.) I think with myself, it is more of a psychological thing as where I am temps are now in the 50° range with lots of rain and we are in our 2nd lock-down mode (in the province I live in) so needless to say when you do go out, I feel like I’m at least making the world a little bit more colorful …. ☺. (I’ve made my face masks to match as well … lol!)

      Am loving your tunic top Jennifer and I am definitely on board when it comes to midi skirts for this time of year.

      @Yvonne — I did find some light weight (thin knit basic) turtle neck sweaters at Simons.ca that come in a range of colors with no ribbing and wash up very well.

  22. Your blue sweater outfit has inspired me to try the same look with a gray sweater my daughter gave me a few years ago. Thanks. Since I am under 5′, though, I’ll stick to leggings. Long skirts are just too much on me. To answer your question, as a former art teacher, I had always bought pretty practical clothes that would stand up to washing after one wearing. Over the years I put a lot of money into the garments so I did not want to get rid of them unless they were too damaged to wear. (Kindergarteners with painty hands love to hug!) It’s nice now in retirement to pull out those old favorites and restyle them in ways that would not have been practical in the classroom. I look to folks like you to spark my imagination. Carol in VT

  23. I love the midi skirt with black sweater and boots! I would have to be going out places to buy a dress or skirt now though. Only wearing pants and nice tee shirts on hot days, casual button-ups on cooler days. Thanks for another tasteful post.

  24. Love the blue outfit, accessories set it apart!! I want to add a couple of leggings this fall to my wardrobe, just to change the look of some of my tunics and sweaters. I agree it is important to dress for the day it helps me feel good.
    Enjoy your time in Canada.

  25. I also love that blue sweater dress on you! Could you please share where it can be purchased? It looks like a dress I would be very happy with for colder days ahead.

  26. I agree on the blue dress. So cute!

  27. Would you share the details on the blue dress outfit? I love it…it’s sooooo me! Thanks

  28. April Bruckmann says:

    You look fabulous in the blue dress. The black accessories really pull it all together!

  29. I love tunics! The big belt looks so smart on you, but I’m a little thick in the middle…maybe a skinny one?
    I’m buying thicker leggings and soft light weight sweaters for our warmer climate!!
    I like the less is more idea…after wearing no access for a year they seem less necessary.

    1. It does change how we feel about clothes for sure, It certainly has for me.

  30. Paulette Levy says:

    I just love, love, love that blue dress. You are adorable. I want it! I want the belt too! It’s just the perfect color for you…..hopefully me too? Have to see….
    I don’t care for the midi skirt….just me, I guess. To each her own.

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