We went out on a school night and stayed up way past our bedtime to see Bruno Mars last night… and I’m still on a high. If anyone was born to entertain, it’s him. Getting dressed for the occasion, however, was a five-outfit situation. I finally landed on a sheer black top from last holiday season (you’ll see it below), my go-to jeans, and a favorite pair of statement flats. The fix? Untucking the shirt, opening a few buttons, losing the belt, and swapping the shoes. Apparently, I needed to stop adding things and just get out the door… a reminder that good basics will take you pretty much anywhere, and knowing what feels like you makes getting dressed a whole lot easier.
And that’s pretty much how I approach fall dressing, too… starting with the pieces I already feel good in and making a few small shifts as the weather allows.
I say it every single year, but fall dressing in Southern California is a bit of a waiting game. The calendar says sweaters and boots, while the forecast is still firmly committed to sandals and short sleeves (100 degrees on the docket this weekend…). So rather than completely changing my wardrobe the moment September arrives, I slowly work in fall elements… a suede bag with shorts, a long-sleeve top with shorts, jeans with a tank… you get the drift.
Over the years, I’ve also stopped treating every new season as a reason to start over. I still love clothes—and I certainly still buy them—but I try to focus on pieces that work with what I already own and can be worn in several different ways.
These are the fall essentials that consistently earn a place in my wardrobe. Many of them I’ve had for multiple seasons, some are a bit newer (as in last season), but all of them are staples that I know I will continue to reach for over this fall season…
With that, I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend ahead… we’re almost to Friday!
(Funnel Neck Windbreaker, Pants, Cap)
(Full R/U here… full length dark wash, washed black, slight crop, full length barrel, full length wide leg)
(Striped Top, Fitted Black Top, Cashmere Silk Tee, Relaxed + Heavyweight)
(Top, another option (also love this brown one that I own), Belt)
(Sweater, Pants (short inseam))
(Sweater (exact one is alpaca and JK only makes the style in cashmere now… and here is a very similar alpaca option), jeans, loafers)
(Pants)
(Loafers, Boots (old Madewell, but these are identical), Sneakers, Flats)
(Bag)
(Suede Jacket here, and I also have this suede jacket, more of a bomber style)
(Pants (regular length, shrink enough to fit my 5’2 frame with a wash a wear), Jacket)
(Button Down, Jeans)
(Suede Pouch (another great option here), Belt (mine is Madewell, but this one is almost identical), Cap, Suede Tote)