essential fall pieces

It's finally Labor Day weekend and the end of summer which means that we can start seriously prepping our closets for fall. At the beginning of every season I like to take stock of what I already own so I can avoid missing staples or buying duplicates--fall is especially important since these pieces can be worn through April!

When going through your clothes, be sure to try on anything that you haven't worn recently. You may discover that some of last year's favorites no longer fit or are looking rather threadbare. Pay particular attention to your pants, even your work trousers that you may still be wearing regularly. Many dark colors start to fade so if it looks like you will be needing an update soon, it is better to start your pant search early in the season when there are plenty of options available- don't wait until your current go-to pieces are no longer salvageable.

Boden Holborn Dress $138 (available in navy, black, grey, & red)

Remember that although dark colors do feel seasonal, you are not limited black and grey. Blue, burgundy, and teal all add brightness to an outfit while still feeling appropriate for the cooler temperatures.

One of my top must-haves for the season is a well tailored ponte sheath dress. Ponte is one of my favorite fabrics for work because it has stretch, but still creates a a structured look and the weight of the fabric helps to skim over any body imperfections. Throw on a blazer or cardigan for the office, add statement jewelry to transition it to dinner, or layer it over a long sleeve tee and pair with riding boots for a casual chic look. I love the contrast detailing and buttons on this sheath from Boden, but if you are wary of online shopping, Banana Republic and Ann Taylor usually have good selections of ponte sheath dresses. In a dress as a versatile as this I like to choose one with some color so that it can pair back to the neutral blazers that I already own without having to worry about whether or not it matches exactly.

A colored pant is also a great way to add a stylish pop to your outfit. We generally expect to see color on the upper half and a neutral on the bottom, so flipping it around helps to create a more dynamic ensemble. I love the styling of the Lands' End pant in the photo.

Land's End Side-zip Ankle Pants $59 (available in raisin, black, evergreen, walnut, & navy)

If you find that your wardrobe is missing entire types of pieces, make sure not to go overboard and buy multiples of the same item in many colors. Cardigans are a great example of this. As any long time reader of this blog knows, I am obsessed with cardigans and wear them everywhere--I even have a dedicated cardigan for wearing while doing laundry! Although my passion for those buttoned sweaters has not wavered, I do find myself going through waves of admiration for specific ones. To be prepared for these moods, I have every style of cardigan imaginable: v-neck and crew neck; long, short, and 3/4 sleeve; cropped, boyfriend, and hip length; zippered and buttoned; patterned and solid; and even the cousin of the cardigan, the sweater jacket/blazer. The point is that not every style works for every occasion and although it is tempting to buy up a rainbow of colors in the first one you find that fits, it is better in the long run to do the extra legwork and find a few different options so that you are not limited by your clothes.

Banana Republic Issa Collection Colorblock Cardigan $79.50 (available in black, navy, & red)

For the cooler weather of fall, cardigans really are the superstar of your closet. They are polished enough for work, easily dressed down with a pair of jeans and a tee, and a lifesaver when you are shivering in a cold restaurant in your cute little black dress. If you are not convinced and only want to try out one, my suggestion for maximum versatility would be the Banana Republic black and grey colorblock cardi.

Lands' End Floral Print Cardigan $79

For the warmer days of early fall, try layering your favorite summer tops underneath long sleeve cardigans, but make sure that any new cardigans you buy have room in the arm to wear a shirt underneath. For additional styling ideas, check out pretty much any post from the archives!

Ann Taylor Cardigan Jacket $98

When not rocking a cardigan, I am almost definitely in a blazer and one of the best things about fall is that the temperatures are finally cool enough to wear a tweed blazer without sweating half to death! While I am not usually one to shy away from color, I do recommend choosing a neutral color for your tweed. A well fitted blazer is not a disposable piece so while the pink or kelly green tweed may be appealing now, your wardrobe would be better served with an investment piece in a more traditional grey, black, navy or brown. That doesn't mean, however, that the piece needs to be boring to be serviceable--the Boden blazer that is shown below has great trim detailing and beautifully polished buttons.

I mostly wear my tweed jackets when I am trying to add polish to my denim for an elevated casual look, but they are also great layered over sheath dresses for work or mixed with your existing solid suiting options.

A tweed skirt is also a key cold weather piece, but it doesn't necessarily need to match your tweed jacket. I have an over abundance of tweed in my closet so although I do own a matching tweed skirt suit, it is rare that I wear it as such. Paired back to a crisp oxford and a solid blazer or cardigan, a tweed skirt is a great office wear piece, but I also like to wear it with dark tights, a cozy sweater, and riding boots for a weekend look.

If you do decide to wear a matching tweed skirt suit (or for the very brave, a tweed pant suit), try adding a lighter colored top underneath the blazer to visually lighten the weight of the fabric. To avoid creating a dated look, skip the pearls and heavy gold jewelry and instead choose colorful, light, and modern accessories.

Boden British Tweed Blazer in Blue Stripe Herringbone $228

J. Crew Crystal Wildflowers Necklace $59.50 (available in crystal, spearmint, & grey)

the tie bar "checked up" mother of pearl cufflinks $20

To avoid boring work looks, take inspiration from menswear styling and pair colored oxfords under contrasting pullover sweaters. To add a feminine detail in place of a tie, layer a statement necklace under the collar but over the sweater. I love a chunky piece like the J. Crew necklace pictured because it doesn't get lost in the layers, but can also be worn as a wow factor with a dress for evening.

If you are looking to add sparkle or detail without the big statement, try accessorizing with cuff links. I love thetiebar.com because they have stylish options and reasonable prices. A few of my favorites are here, here, and here. Need a french cuff shirt to be able to wear all those fabulous cuff links? They can be found at Brooks Brothers as well as many department stores.

Also, remember that the same rule about variety with your cardigans apply to your pullovers. Having both crew neck and v-neck options in your rotation will allow you the freedom to wear many styles of blouse underneath the sweater and to display different lengths of necklaces.

BR Oxford Shirt $64.50 (available in 7 solids & 2 stripes)

Sparkly jewelry is a great way to create visual interest as the colors become more subdued in the cooler weather, but if you prefer playing with pattern, there are still many options! Tweed is great for adding texture, striped tees can be layered under just about anything, scarves run the gamut of prints, and patterned skirts are one of the season's most darling pieces. A printed skirt is great for mixing up your traditional suiting options and this grey and black Boden polka dot skirt is one of my favorites.

I love that the cut of the skirt gives it movement without feeling heavy (although this polka dot print is also available as a pencil skirt if you prefer a straighter fit) and the small size of the dots keep it work appropriate. If you have a closet full of dark clothes, this is a great piece to help break up the monotony. Pair with a black sweater, tights and riding boots for an outfit that kicks it up a notch without taking you out of your comfort zone. For a conservative office, tuck in a white oxford and layer on your favorite black blazer to create a classic three piece look.

Not a fan of polka dots? Try a scarf to add an extra pop to your outfits in any pattern you can imagine. I like to have (at least) one neutral scarf and one brightly colored scarf. That helps to ensure that my scarves are complementing my outfits but not determining what I can or can't wear. These scarves should be a medium weight that will be comfortable enough to wear as an accessory indoors. Heavy duty knitted scarves are great for keeping snow off of your neck, but they aren't quite as practical as an everyday fashion piece.

J. Crew Cubist Houndstooth Scarf $55

Boden Smithfield Wool Skirt $118

What fall clothes are you excited to be able to wear once the weather cools down? Let me know in the comments! I hope that everyone has a fun and relaxing Labor Day weekend!