I don’t know how to tell you all this… but…. winter is coming 🙁 At least we get the glory and wonderfulness that is fall for 3 weeks before it becomes horrible and cold and grey for 8 months. However, despite the horrendous impending weather fall has so much fashion potential with the perfect weather to get all layered up without needing a full snowsuit to make it outside. I’m going to break my essentials down into early fall (those beautiful days where you are warm in the sun but can wear sweater without burning up), late fall (as soon as it gets cold enough for there to be a chance of snow, in Canada this could literally be anytime from August until Christmas… our weather is whack) and general fall staples which you need during both periods.
Basic Fall Essentials
A pair of black pants: these can be work wear trousers or casual chinoesque style pants, it’s up to you, but paired with a black sweater *chef’s kiss* for the fall.
Turtlenecks: I’ve mentioned the Uniqlo Heattech turtlenecks before, and that’s because you can’t go wrong with these warm, light wear turtlenecks. Throw them under a knit or sweater or wear them alone in the warmer weather, they are the ultimate fall/winter piece.
Jeans: They are staples and in the cooler weather you can not do without.
T-Shirts: I know that it’s a redundancy to mention them, but I really cannot live without them.
Black Blazer: A black blazer is a wardrobe staple in any times, but in the fall is perfect to have to throw on as an outerwear piece.
Early Fall Essentials
Tailored Shorts: An unusual pick, but while the weather is still warm enough to get away with bare legs a pair of tailored shorts paired with a blazer is a chic and season appropriate look. They are also great to wear with tights or knee-high boots for more dressy dinners.
Leather Shorts: Same concept as above with a textural twist. Leather shorts replace denim shorts for me once the weather is cool enough, they elevate a look while still being comfortable. I love leather shorts paired with chunky knits and sneakers for the day and a crisp white button down, with tights and a pair of chunky heels for night.
Sleeveless/Short-sleeve sweaters: Worn alone or layered with a tailored shirt, the short-sleeve and/or sleeveless sweater is the perfect “layer-up/layer-down” item. They’ll keep your core warm while keeping your arms free and breezy.
Trench Coat: Trenches are the perfect weight for early fall. Not only do they keep you warm on blustery fall mornings but they are light enough that one doesn’t mind carrying them around if it warms up later in the day.
Denim Jacket: Another light weight jacket to keep you warm without adding excessive weight. For fall, I love an oversized denim jacket paired over a knit turtleneck or a hoodie.
Neutral Toned Wool Sweater Jacket: All last fall I lived in my beige wool lumberjack sweater jacket. Sweater jackets are cozy, warm and the best for those in-between days when you want to be cozy without adding a bunch of layers.
Late Fall Essentials
Leather Culottes: Culottes are great transitional pieces for the fall to winter as they can be worn with heels, sneakers and flats while the weather is still nice and paired with mid-calf boots when the weather turns frosty.
Chunky Knits: Knitwear comes in a number of weights, but nothing says fall/ early holiday season to me like a really chunky oversized knit. Best worn half tucked into the waistband of your pants or belted over a skirt, they keep you warm and cozy while allowing you to layer underneath.
Leather Moto Jacket: A leather jacket is an evergreen, while it’s not snowing they are great outerwear pieces and once it starts snowing they are perfect to layer with.
Buffalo Plaid Jacket: Is there anything more fall? Need I say more?
Wool Overcoat: I love the look of a long wool overcoat for fall, especially when you can still leave it undone and show off your outfit underneath. Worn with a low bun, booties and straight legged jeans you could go from casual Fridays to afterwork drinks to dinner at atrendy restaurant no problem.
