fall style guide for the girls

fall is my favorite season for fashion. there’s so much room to play and be creative. i love being cozy but still feeling put together. it’s just so easy to get dressed in the fall — you can throw on the simplest outfit and make it feel special with layering and accessories. it’s also the easiest season to thrift for. sweaters, jackets, boots — all my favorite things to wear. i love fall colors too — reds, browns, greens. everything about fall dressing just feels so effortless, cozy, and chic.

in this guide, i’m walking you through my fall style approach — my wardrobe essentials, what’s on my thrift & vintage list, style tips for the season, and how to transition from summer to fall (or dress for fall when it’s still 80 degrees out). i’ll also share some of my go-to outfit formulas and general fall outfit inspiration to help you feel inspired getting dressed this season.

if you haven’t yet, i recommend reading my post on the foundational wardrobe — my take on building a wardrobe using a mix of “foundational” and “fun” pieces.

essentially, your foundational items are your wardrobe essentials — the core pieces you use to build an outfit. these will look different for everyone depending on your personal style, fit preferences, color palette, and lifestyle. for me, these pieces are my basics: neutral in color, classic in silhouette. think jeans, white tees, simple sweaters and jackets, white sneakers, and dainty gold and silver jewelry. most of these pieces carry from season to season, with a few additions for the colder months — like black and white mock neck tops, crewneck sweaters and cardigans, a denim jacket, a leather jacket, a trench coat, and a pair of black boots.

you can refer back to my post on the foundational wardrobe for a full list of the staples in my closet, but remember — your foundational pieces should reflect you. maybe you prefer more color or pattern than neutrals, skirts and dresses over jeans, or you live somewhere warmer and don’t need as many sweaters or coats. these are simply the essential pieces that make up your fall wardrobe.

once you have the foundational items in your wardrobe, you can start adding the fun — the pieces that feel more you. these are the items that bring personality and interest to your outfits. this is where i love to play, especially in the fall. think cool vintage jackets, sweaters or tops with fun patterns or unique silhouettes. i also love to mix things up with my bottoms — a patterned skirt, colored pant, something a little unexpected.

my favorite part of fall dressing, though, is layering and accessorizing. i love adding a pop of color through a sock, shoe, or bag, and playing with textures like suede, leather, silk, or lace. i’m also a big fan of statement jewelry or a unique belt to finish off a look. when the weather cools down, there’s just so much more room to get creative with layers and details — it’s what makes fall fashion so fun.

as mentioned, fall is my favorite season to thrift and shop vintage, especially for those “fun” pieces. most of my jacket collection comes from thrift or vintage shops, and sweaters are always some of the easiest (and best) thrift finds. i also love shopping secondhand for accessories — fun bags, cool jewelry, unique belts.

my thrift wishlist for this fall:

• jackets — brown suede, red leather, blue barn, windbreaker
• pants — off white denim, brown/tan
• patterns — stripes, animal prints, gingham/plaid, polka dots
• sweaters/cardigans
• fleece jackets, pullovers, vests
• other bottoms — long shorts, maxi/midi skirts, slip skirts/dressed
• fun belts

my general approach to building my wardrobe is investing in quality staples and shopping secondhand for the fun. i love finding pieces that no one else is wearing, and it’s also a more sustainable way to experiment with trends for the season. i’ll occasionally buy new pieces too, but i’m very intentional about it. i make sure it’s something i feel my closet is missing and that i’ll wear beyond just one season. and when i do, i always shop from ethical brands that produce high quality items.

now that we’ve curated a fall wardrobe that feels both functional and personal — a mix of timeless staples and fun pieces — it’s time to start building some outfits. i like to have a few go-to outfit formulas that make getting dressed easy. if you’ve built a solid foundational wardrobe, you should have plenty of pieces that you can easily mix and match, and statement pieces you can add to make an outfit feel unique.

some of my favorite outfit combos for fall include: denim on denim layered with a sweater or jacket, a monochromatic outfit with a pop of another color, an oversized sweater with a maxi skirt, or a midi skirt with tall boots. and of course, you can never go wrong with a simple jeans-and-tee look elevated by a fun jacket, statement accessory, or a subtle pop of color — maybe a colored sock, patterned bag, or an unexpected shoe.

for those fall days when it still feels too warm for heavy layers but you still want to dress like it’s fall, i love pairing tall boots or loafers with shorts, or doing the opposite — sandals with pants and a lightweight sweater or long sleeve. another favorite combo: a light sweater or jacket over a slip dress or a tee and skirt.

some easy ways to transition your wardrobe from summer to fall are by incorporating fall colors, patterns, and textures into your outfits. for example, swap in a forest green bag, a brown top, or a plaid skirt in place of your usual summer pieces.layer a suede or leather jacket over a t-shirt and shorts. and if you’re feeling adventurous, try styling a dress over pants or even giving capris a chance — they’re fun when styled right.

to summarize a few key fall styling tips:

• play with layers: start with your foundational pieces to build an outfit, then add layers like jackets, sweaters, and cardigans to bring depth and warmth.
• accessorize intentionally: let your accessories do the talking — bags, belts, jewelry, scarves, and hats can completely transform a simple look.
• embrace fall colors & patterns: lean into earthy tones and classic prints like plaid, gingham, polka dots, or even a subtle animal print.
• mix textures: combine fabrics like suede, leather, silk, and corduroy to add dimension and visual interest to your outfit.
• don’t forget the shoes: invest in your classics — a good pair of black boots, loafers, or flats — but don’t be afraid to have fun with it. add a pop of color, a unique pattern, or an unexpected shoe choice to make your outfit stand out.

the mood board for fall outfit inspo:  

if you want, you can shop some of the foundational items in my wardrobe or my fall wishlist on my shopmy.