Summer sunlight dappling on ocean water gives way to pumpkin spice lattes and high school football games.
There is no better way to prepare for fall than to dress for the occasion. But what if your closet is messy, and you’d rather rake leaves than sort out your clothes?
No worries. Below is my five-step formula to step into fall with style.
I’ve learned these guidelines through research, experimenting, and years of making mistakes. What works for me might not work for you. So, take what works and leave what doesn’t.
Let’s go!
Shop Your Closet
Begin by shopping your closet.
What worked and didn’t for you during the summer? Can you transition any pieces into early fall or layer pieces to carry you through October and early November, depending on your climate? Are there any clothing silhouettes like high-waisted shorts or skirts you enjoyed during the summer that retailers now offer in fall colors?
Pull out last year’s clothes. What did you wear most and least? Why? Have you gained or lost weight since last year? Can you pair last year’s items with summer transitional pieces?
What gaps are there in your closet? Do you have a closet full of tops and a few bottoms? Lots of separates, but no outfits for special fall occasions? Make a list and put it aside for now.
Ignore the standard fashion advice to throw away anything you haven’t worn in three months. I learned this the hard way. I ended up buying similar items I threw away by following this rule. Just because you haven’t worn it, it doesn’t mean you’ll never wear it. So instead, tuck away the least-worn pieces for three more months. Then, if you haven’t reached for it by January, it’s time to donate, sell or throw the item away.
Look for Themes
Evaluate what’s left and note any emerging themes that arise.
For example, the cottagecore pieces that entranced me for the past few seasons are losing their appeal. The awareness crystalized last week while getting ready for a brunch date with my boyfriend at a local beach restaurant.
I slipped on a black, one-shoulder bathing suit from JCrew and paired it with tan linen shorts and black sandals. I pulled my hair back in a low ponytail and clipped on a pair of vintage pearl earrings I found on Vestiaire Collective. Appraising myself in the mirror, I realized I looked and felt like the best version of me – refined, relaxed, and feminine.
I can’t resist romantic details like puffed sleeves, embroidered hems, and ruffles. But now, I will pair existing pieces with classic and minimalist items in my closet to give my overall outfit an interesting contrast. Or I’ll limit romantic details to accessories.
What themes emerge for you?
Create a Color Palette
Creating and sticking to a cohesive color palette has saved me money and made it easier to get dressed in the morning.
I no longer waste money on clothes I can’t easily incorporate into my closet or time trying to coordinate outfits daily. My general color palette consists of three neutrals – black, white, and beige – paired with two or three accent colors, depending on the season.
Your color palette can be anything you want. Knowing “your colors” is helpful but not essential. Determining your season is also a rabbit hole that can suck up years of your life because there’s so much conflicting advice. The easiest way to determine your colors is to hold your clothes by your face and see which ones compliment you and which don’t. You can wear something that’s “not” your color as an accessory or nail polish.
YouTube fashion influencers can be a great resource for tips and advice. For example, Lauren McKinney does a great job of explaining how to create a year-round and seasonal color palette. Audrey Coyne has an entire series on classic color combinations, while Dearly Bethany makes a good case for neutrals.
Find Inspiration
Hooray for the fun part – finding inspiration!
As a teenager, I cut images from Seventeen magazine and taped them to my wall. Now, I browse online editions of fashion magazines. I also check out Pinterest and Instagram for inspiration.
Online images make it easy to create Pinterest boards or photo files on your phone filled with beautiful images of clothes you’ll never wear. While it’s nice to include aspirational images, gather images of clothes that fit your lifestyle.
Or, if you can’t resist gorgeous aspirational imagery, note consistent details throughout the images that you can incorporate into your closet. For example, maybe your fantasy outfits consist of combat boots, clean lines, soft sweaters, lace, or bold lip color.
Shop With Intention
I love to shop.
But I save shopping for last because it’s expensive. I buy most clothes online because it’s difficult for me to get to a mall. Also, I’ve made a conscious decision in recent years to move away from fast fashion and toward retailers that consistently produce quality pieces within my budget.
I know what I need and why by following the four steps above. For example, I splurge on a trend only if it aligns with my color palette and personal style. Instead, I like to purchase classics with a twist or upgrade my closet basics.
Shopping with intention also affords the budget and closet space to buy one or two pieces I fall in love with that break my guidelines. Fashion and style should be fun.
I hope these tips help you step into fall as your happiest and most stylish self.
Kerra Bolton is a writer and filmmaker based in the Mexican Caribbean. In a former life, she was a political columnist; Director of Communications, Outreach, and Oppositional Research for the North Carolina Democratic Party; and founder of a boutique strategic communications firm.
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