If you feel as if your fall schedule is always full, you’re not alone—between football games, back-to-school activities, bonfires, Halloween parties, and whatever else is happening, it’s a season when everyone loves to be out and about. This fall, make a statement at any event you attend (even if it’s just a lunch date with a friend) by autumning up your wardrobe with looks that are perfect for this time of year.
Pick Your Colors
Reds and Oranges
These warm tones fit the fall vibe perfectly. If you’re feeling bold, go for bright shades that match the changing leaves. You can also tone these colors down by choosing shades that are more neutral (such as a rusty shade of red) or muted (like honey orange). Be careful though—going for soft shades like coral or salmon will look very summery. Because reds and oranges are so bright and warm, they look great paired with neutral likes gray and brown. Bear in mind that pairing orange and black will look very much in the spirit of Halloween. If that’s the look you’re going for, great! But it might look a little overeager any time except for the last week of October.
Brown
A comfortably neutral tone that goes with pretty much any color, brown has an earthy vibe that’s perfect for outdoor fall excursions. Darker shades of brown like chestnut look dignified, but you can also tone your outfit down a little bit and soften your look with some lighter shades, such as copper or sepia. If you’re pairing multiple brown pieces together, make sure you’re choosing distinctive shades, then give them a pop of color somewhere in the outfit—maybe that looks like a coffee-colored shirt with tan pants and a blue jacket. Speaking of blue…
Dark Blue
Blue is a safe way to bring color to any outfit no matter what the season, and after wearing light blues like cyan or a stately dark navy all summer, you might be ready to find a different shade of blue for fall. Midnight blue and Egyptian blue give a deep richness to an outfit that will make you stand out among the warm, earthy tones that many people wear this time of year. Make blue the focal point of your outfit by pairing it with neutrals and complementing it with a warm-colored accessory, such as a red or orange scarf or hat.
Olive
The great thing about olive is that it’s a safe neutral that makes a little bit more of an impression than plain brown or gray. It’s a shade of green that brings color to an outfit without screaming for attention, so it’s good for making accessories stand out, whether that’s a scarf, a tie, or a belt. The only color that really doesn’t look great with olive? Another shade of green. Instead, stick with blues or grays. If you’re feeling a little bit wary about olive green (you know it’s neutral, but it doesn’t feel like a true neutral), then you can opt for simple touches of olive, which will manage to stand out without overwhelming your outfit. Olive also tends to look great with pretty much any skin tone, so if you’re disappointed to see your summer tan fading a little bit, you can count on olive to bring out those warm undertones.
Off-White
It’s not the true pure white that traditionalists swear you should wear only between Memorial Day and Labor Day (even though that fashion rule is considered outdated and unnecessary these days). Nor is it the winter white that most people will be wearing come December. Instead, a simple off-white in a shade like ivory or cream will give a fall outfit some lightness while still maintaining an element of dimension and interest.
What Fabrics Are You Wearing?
Let’s be real—there are some cozy fabrics you’ve been waiting all summer to don as soon as the weather turns cool enough. The thing about fall is that the weather tends to be a little unpredictable. Days that start off crisp and cool could easily become too warm for a sweater by midday. Avoid anything super heavy and instead layer up with midweight fabrics.
Flannel is always a great fall choice, particularly ones with plaid or tartan patterns. Flannel is durable and takes on character as it ages, so you don’t have to worry about getting it dirty at the pumpkin patch—you can easily launder it as many times as you need to. Flannel is great for layering because a flannel shirt is lighter than a jacket, plus it’s easy to shuck on and off. If you have a day that calls for serious layering, count on flannel to make a great layer between a T-shirt and a jacket.
If you want to make a statement without looking like you’re trying too hard, tweed gives your outfit an element of distinction without looking too fussy. This textured wool is often associated with academic settings, so you can look as if you’re busy with fall semester at an Ivy League school even if you’re just hanging out with friends.
Finally, don’t be afraid to try corduroy. Sure, it’s retro, but retro is in. This heavy-duty ribbed cotton works great for pants and jackets, but because it tends to be bulky, you must make sure you’re going for more modern fits instead of truly vintage pieces. (If you do have an article of vintage corduroy clothing, consider having it tailored to fit you better.) The best part about corduroy is that it works well in any colors, whether you’re going neutral or bold.
