Fall fashion is the time to embrace rich colors and luxurious textures. Although it may be tempting to wear only dark neutrals, especially in the evening, there are many stylish ways to make your look a little more interesting. This color palette of black, grey, silver, and deep red is sophisticated and the sequins on the sweater add a hint of fun.

A dress may seem like the obvious choice for an evening out, but I often prefer wearing a skirt. You can switch up the look by choosing tops in different colors. In this outfit I paired black with the floral skirt, but it would look equally great with silver, deep red, or blush pink.

During the summer I suggest wearing silk tops with skirts for evening, but in the cooler months a sweater is a great option both for its warmth and for the texture it adds to the ensemble. Even a skirt you buy for cooler weather may be able to transition to spring or early summer with the right accessories and a top in a seasonal fabric. Don't forget to add nail polish in a coordinating color!

One of my favorite fall pieces is the down vest. It is warm as well as comfortable and it shows off your layering pieces. I love to throw on a patterned shirt under a solid colored vest to add some visual interest to an outfit. For the outfit above, I added a teal and pink flannel shirt and picked up those colors in the coordinating pieces. If color mixing is not your strong suit, start with a pattern you like and then use the the accent colors from the pattern for your accessories. 

However, not every sweater needs a jacket layered over it. For a sunny day, a patterned scarf may be enough to keep you cozy and warm. Fall scarves do not need to be thick or knitted like their winter counterparts. Cotton blends should provide adequate warmth and also come in a wide variety of colors and patterns.

Another easy way to get into the fall spirit is by changing out your accessories. All of these outfits have bags in either brown leather or in a rich jewel tone. The shoes are also in subdued tones. While you don't have to pack up your bright and bold colors with your summer wardrobe, it is nice to embrace the deeper (and just as pretty) autumnal hues. 

What are your favorites activities to do in fall and what do you wear when you do them? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Labor Day weekend marks the end of summer, even if there are still quite a few warm days ahead. School is back in session and life leaves vacation mode. A few tweaks can add fall flavor to your outfits without burdening you with heavy layers.

For a casual look, choose half or three quarter sleeve lengths and cropped or ankle pants instead of shorts and tank tops. Even just a couple extra inches can make your look feel more autumnal. Add a scarf in darker neutrals or jewel tones and swap out your brightly colored summer purse for something a little more subdued. There are plenty of scarves that are made of a light enough material that you won't swelter, and if the temperatures get high enough, you can take it off and tie it to the handle of your bag. To add a bright pop, I choose a pink shoe that plays off one of the accent colors in the scarf. 

As the weather gets cooler, you can choose pieces with longer sleeve and pant lengths, as well as darker wash denim. Although fall colors tend to be darker and richer, they don't have to be boring. Jewel tones look great on many people and cold weather fabrics, such as tweeds, add interesting textures to the mix. The neon brights of summer will soon be retired for the season, but you can still look brilliant.