I have recently found my own style and looked closer at each piece that makes up my outfits, and I discovered that I have so many essential staples for my fall wardrobe that I could not survive without. I wanted to share some of those pieces you should consider adding to your closet and show some examples of how to incorporate those pieces into your outfits. I love fashion creativity, so blend them into your outfits however your style wants you to!
Boots
I. Love. Boots. I just started wearing boots this year, and it truly is life-changing. It elevates any outfit and gives that “it girl” Pinterest vibe you are looking for. I have a black and brown pair you are going to see repeatedly on this page (both from Goodwill), but they really just make me like any outfit more. I don’t have black hunter boots currently, but am manifesting finding them at my next bins trip to be ready for that fall rain and still look cute. Hunter rain boots have become such a popular fall shoe, and they really add to an outfit. I see so many at the bins and Goodwill, so I do suggest thrifting instead of buying them new.
Leather Jacket
This is the staple. A black leather jacket is perfect for fall and winter and really steps up any outfit you add it to. I love wearing a leather jacket with boots and a skirt, but it adds something to outfits with jeans as well. I got this one at the Goodwill bins for around $3, and although I do wish it were a little less straight and more baggy, I still love it. It is so practical for fall because of how chilly it gets, and I know it’s harder to dress up when it gets cold, but a leather jacket allows you to be both warm and cute.
leg warmer
A good sweater, material leg warmer, or high sock is a good accessory for fall outfits because it gives them that cozy and soft look. It also doesn’t hurt that it keeps your legs warm when wearing boots and a skirt on chilly days. I like my leg warmers to be cream because I think they go with outfits easier and are a soft fall color, but adding them as the staple piece because of their pop of color could also be fun.
midi or Maxi Skirt
I love a good mini skirt, I promise; however, the midi skirts have really grown on me. I have two denim ones: one between a mini and midi that flares at the bottom, and a lighter wash midi one (both found at the bins). I feel like they make my outfits more fall and stand out as opposed to a plain mini skirt that is seen so often (still cute). Changing things up sometimes is exactly what makes an outfit stand out. To be completely honest, I was not a fan at first and thought the length looked odd on me, but now every time I try to decide between a midi or mini for my outfit, I always go for the midi because it is just more unique. I definitely suggest investing in one.
I also love a maxi skirt. I have a white maxi skirt that is a nice transition from summer to fall piece and can work with sweaters, jean jackets, or little fall tops. I also have a tan sweater-like maxi skirt that is a really nice fall piece to have, but probably not a staple, since it is harder to style and work with, but I do love having it as an option to make my outfits have more variety.
Lace
Lace is seriously lacking in my wardrobe; however, I have one lace shirt I love to wear under other things. Lace adds fine detail to any outfit and makes it stick out. Like picture the outfit below without the lace undershirt– a little boring, right? The lace detail just adds an interesting factor.
Another suggestion for lace is a lace skirt (I need to get one), lacy tights/leg warmers, and any lace flowy white top will add so much to the outfit because it is so detailed. I love a good white or cream lace for fall since they are easier to style and you can wear them more often, but black lace with maroon for a darker fall look would be really fun!
knits and sweaters
Sweaters are my go-to. A red sweater makes any outfit so fall and is the staple of the outfit. A white sweater is the base, and you can dress it up with other colors (colored tights), a leather jacket, or a patterned skirt (things that would be hard to do with a colored sweater). I know skirts and boots might now always be the comfiest outfit, but a sweater outfit is comfy and keeps you warm.
Grandpa sweaters are also so fun in the fall. They add a cute pattern, stand out and I love a good ‘90s vibe, so obviously I love that look.
I also like to wear knit cardigans or shawls. Basically, anything knit is the essence of fall for me. For cardigans and shawls, I think cream is always nice to have because you can add it to almost any outfit and it adds those little details that style the outfit as opposed to just wearing the clothes.
button downs
I cannot describe how many button-downs I own, which are mostly all from the bins and mostly all men’s shirts. I have red, brown, green, striped; you name a color, I probably have it. They are nice for the chilly and warm weather and, with some accessories, can be such a good outfit.
slouchy bags
I have officially traded my backpack for a bag, and it has saved my life. If you have to lug 10 books around, this probably isn’t the best pick for you; however, sometimes the outfit is worth the pain. I love carrying around my bag because it adds to all my outfits instead of taking away from them, like I felt my backpack did. I see bags getting more and more popular on campus, and they are such a cute accessory that could make the whole outfit. I like to add my red bag for a pop of color or my brown one when my outfits are already colorful.
braids
I know a braid can be for any season, but for some reason, it always screams fall to me. Hair is literally an accessory itself. There are so many ways you can wear braids: pigtail, side, French, fishtail, etc., and they all tend to give off that cozy look that really is fall core.
material and Pattern
Certain materials are really nice to have in your closet that help make an outfit fall, such as suede, corduroy, or sweater fabrics. No matter how they are incorporated into the outfit, they bring in that fall vibe. Plaid is a really good pattern that has this same effect on an outfit, no matter how it is incorporated.
color palette
Browns, oranges, whites (cream), reds, and blacks are the main fall color palette and will make any of your outfits give that fall vibe. I do love it when people throw in sage green, purple, or a darker yellow, though. I cannot emphasize brown enough. Adding brown to any of these colors will definitely create that cozy fall vibe.
Staples I wish I had in my closet
tights
Tights are a crucial fall staple and unfortunately, are the biggest thing lacking from my closet for fall. I have one brown pair I wish were more sheer and one fleece-lined lined that is for the winter, but not enough variety. I am manifesting tights or my next bins haul; however, if I don’t find them, I will be caving and order maroon, brown, and a lacey black or white. Tights are such a nice detail to add to any outfit, and I always think the more you layer and add, the more interesting the outfit; you see style, not just a shirt and pants.
Belts
I have some plain belts, like brown and red, that are really fun for the fall, but I want more variety. I really like to use a tie or scarf as a belt to add some color and fun to the outfit, so using one of those with a fall color can definitely add to your outfit; however, I don’t have a good chunky belt which I think over a skirt or shorts really adds details to the outfit and brings everything together, so I will definitely be looking into one soon.
turtle neck coat
This piece has become so popular for fall recently, and I crave having it as an option in my closet. I feel a brown toned one would be so cute with any outfit (opposed to a lot of jackets that I feel take away from the look), and it would keep me nice and warm.
denim jacket
A denim jacket is such a good fall staple; however, I always find it hard to style because most of my pants and skirts are denim. I have one tighter denim jacket, but I do need a baggy one as a real jacket.
flats
Flats are also so adorable for the fall, and also not in my closet. Flats with jeans are becoming really popular right now and give off a Pinterest vibe, so I hope I can find some soon because I think they would be a perfect addition to so many of my outfits.
If you want to see some more of my outfits, check out my Instagram and my outfit highlight reel. I hope these staples and my outfit examples inspire some of your own fall looks!
Fall outfits for the books!
I bet at least some of these staples can be made from clothes already in your closet, and I hope you heard some new ideas you are interested in trying out on fall outfits. I recommend thrifting a lot of these items because it is a cheaper, more environmentally friendly way of shopping and there are so many of these that are always at Goodwill.
My staples consist of boots, jackets, midi skirts, maxi skirts, certain colors and patterns, bags, braids, lace, sweaters, leg warmers and so many more. You can make a fall outfit by changing and adding so many aspects; however, these are only my staples that I love having in my closet, but there are so many more. Challenge yourself and get creative to make outfits with clothes you have. If you focus on those certain materials, patterns and colors, the fall vibe will create itself. ;)