Fashion hasn’t always been important to me. In sixth grade, I was known around my elementary school for wearing the same lime green fleece zip-up everyday because it was comfortable and in high school, I could be found most days wearing leggings and whatever sweatshirt I could pull on while my eyes were still only half-opened. My clothes never mattered much to me and often were an afterthought. However, since coming to college last fall, I’ve definitely started to put more effort into how I dress and have begun coming into my own style.
As it has now been about a year of looking over an outfit for more than thirty seconds, and more importantly, a year of feeling confident in how I present myself on campus, I’ve decided to break down the top 8 staples to my wardrobe this fall.
A fair warning before I start, my friends have equated my style to that of Nancy Drew. So with that caution, brace yourself for a whole lot of plaid.
1. Statement Earrings
Photo courtesy of Madyn Godfrey
Okay, I’ll admit that I wore these in the summer months as well, however the brassy-gold of the metal lends itself well to warm autumn colors. Plus, adding any statement earrings to an otherwise simple outfit will make it look like you put in far more effort than you actually did on those extra chilly mornings before class. These particular earrings are from NastyGal but any big earring in your own style works too!
How I Style Them: Honestly, I wear these earrings a lot but a personal favorite look is with an otherwise monochromatic outfit. With black jeans, a black sweater and black ankle boots, the gold accent adds just enough of a pop.
2. Glossier Cloud Paint
Photo courtesy of Madyn Godfrey
So this isn’t exactly fashion but considering I’ve worn it nearly daily since mid-September, I decided it was important to mention. I use the shade ‘beam,’ which is described on their website as a “soft peach.”. I love that the warm undertone of it makes my otherwise pale skin seem like it still has its sunny summer glow.
How I Style It: I am not the best at makeup so I like to keep things simple. But a bit of concealer, a bit of the cloud paint on my cheeks and the tip of my nose, finished off with mascara makes for a warm autumnal makeup look, easy for everyday wear!
3. Brooches or Pins
Photo courtesy of Madyn Godfrey
I collect antique brooches, I believe at this point I have upwards of 20 and around 10 at school with me. While I’m not sure everyone owns these types of gilded pins, they can be commonly found at any thrift or vintage store for pretty cheap. Or perhaps you have a generous older relative who is willing to part with some, as I got my collection started by my grandmother giving me her old ones. Plus, they make any outfit look more personalized and unique.
How I Style Them: As pictured, I keep this rather large gold one on the upper right of my favorite denim jacket. Even with casual outfits, such as just a sweater and jeans, a pin like this adds more interest and texture variety. If you’re not up for layering, I also like to pin them onto plain sweaters or on belt loops of pants.
4. Shift Dresses
Photo courtesy of Madyn Godfrey
This basic structured shift dress has honestly been one of my favorite pieces so far this autumn. I love the timeless mod silhouette and the satiny texture mixed with the more bold pattern. It’s such a basic shape and structure that has been in style for years, meaning dresses like this can be found at nearly every clothing store. This was only $5 from Forever 21!
How I Style It: As I said, this has been one of my favorite, and most versatile, pieces so far this fall. I like to put a black turtleneck sweater underneath to add some warmth and pair it with black ankle boots. Or, you can put a sweater over it and take it from a dress to a skirt, letting the pattern become more subtle.
5. Denim Jackets
Photo courtesy of Madyn Godfrey
I feel like denim jackets will never not be in fashion. Coming in many different shapes, colors, and some even sherpa-lined, they are one of the easiest pieces to throw on and don’t look out of place in most outfits. Depending on where you live, often times fall weather varies from sweltering heat to freezing cold, denim jackets are perfect to throw on as you head out the door.
How I Style It: Oftentimes I don’t even plan to wear one but throw one on as I leave my room and they look good with nearly everything. A personal favorite, however, is overtop of a pencil skirt and sweater with the bulkiness of the jacket to offset the form-fitting skirt.
6. Plaid Skirts
Photo courtesy of Madyn Godfrey
When I said to brace yourself for plaid, well here it comes. I love wearing skirts, I have 8 at school with me and 4 alone are plaid. The pattern just screams fall to me and I love how it gives a bit of a traditional academia look to any outfit. I’m pretty sure that I wear this skirt at least once a week. This particular one was thrifted but similar looks can be found at most clothing stores, such as Urban Outfitters or Forever21.
How I Style It: I’ve been loving the look of tight, synched skirts paired with baggy oversized sweaters tucked into the front to define my waist a bit and to add varied textures. I like to finish these outfits off with a pair of adidas sneakers to make them more casual. As the season goes on and temperatures from further, you can definitely add tights or knee socks for another layer.
7. Structured Pants
Photo courtesy of Madyn Godfrey
More plaid, I know. But this fall, I’ve also been loving these pants and styles similar. Unless the denim is really soft, I don’t particularly love jeans and skirts can be a hassle on days where I’m busy and running around campus. These pants were also from a thrift store but any high-waisted pants with a bit of structure are perfect to me, I have a similar pair from NastyGal that I love as well (also plaid, incase you were wondering). The bottoms are a bit flared on these which I don’t love and since I can’t sew, I like to roll them up just above my ankles à la every character in every John Hughes movie. This adds a bit more shape to them, plus it makes my otherwise short legs look a bit longer.
How I Style Them: Typically, if I wear pants then it’s a lazy day so I like to add a college sweatshirt with these pants for a casual academic look. However, they also pair nicely with vintage oversized t-shirts on warmer days or tighter fitting sweaters when the temperature outside drops. Nothing says “fall” to me quite like plaid and these pants certainly supply a lot of it.
8. Brown Heels
Photo courtesy of Madyn Godfrey
Fun fact, these shoes were what inspired me to write this entire article. I recently saw them on ThredUp and instantly fell in love. The rounded point of the toe and the detailing around the edges made my vintage-loving heart get butterflies. The heel is low enough that they’re easy to walk in and wear to class. Though these are thrifted, stores like Modcloth and Madewell sell similar styles, plus ThredUp was filled with results under the “brown short heel” search.
How I Style Them: The first day I wore these shoes, I paired them with a dusty pink corduroy overall dress/white mock neck shirt combo with an open oversized white cardigan overtop. I honestly loved this outfit and the chances of me repeating it later in the season are very high.
I hope this gave you some inspiration towards dressing like your Nancy Drew/Mad Men dreams. Or at the very least, could help push you to try and start dressing more like your Pinterest board, even if it is a less typical style. If I can be 19 years old and rock a brooch that’s nearly three times my age, you can wear that shirt or those shoes that you’re hesitant to bring out of your closet. Trust me, genuinely liking the clothes on my body rather than just wearing whatever has made me gain self-confidence easier than anything else and it is so worth it!