If you were to guess what season seems the most like “me,” many people might scream “SPRING” and that feels pretty darn accurate (flowers, bright colors, the sense of waking up, hope but not hot, etc), but fall clothes are THE BEST. I didn’t need a lot, as my life is just so utilitarian up here (which is my preference) but I mostly needed to size up to have clothes that fit better, which gave me a nice excuse to buy a few things (and purge a lot – still figuring out what to do with a suitcase of slightly smaller excellent clothes). So if you need some good fall clothes, I can tell you that I went to most major retailers and kissed a lot of frogs to find a few good things. I would also like to rant about lighting in dressing rooms because MY GOODNESS most of them feel like they are intentionally trying to make your reflection be at its worst. They all need to take a hint from Anthropologie which has the most flattering lighting. Is this a man thing? Do the people at the top of this department not know that bright ass florescent lights make your entire body look bumpy? Is this another reason I need to run for office? Point is, I had to look past the bad lighting (and get over how it made me feel) because I did, in fact, find some cute things that I’m really excited about.
Knit Cardigan | Cropped Oxford Top | Pull-On Barrel Jeans | Loafers
I bought these pants during the last mall shopping post and continue to LOVE them. They are barrel shaped (which is what works on my body versus just baggy), with a lot of distressing and are very comfortable. They are thicker so I didn’t wear them much this summer, but come fall I will be living in these. That Madewell button-up is excellent – super thin (not see through), easy to layer, great boxy cut but with that rounded sides to give it some shape. The sweater (Alex Mill) is a beautiful year round piece – I wore it a lot in spring and sure enough we are moving into fall with it. The shoes are from Everlane and when I first unpacked them I thought they were a little too simple, but I keep wearing them! They are really comfortable and while I love a lug sole, sometimes my feet don’t want the weight on them (I also love Nisolo for this reason – light weight but still high quality).
Shoulder Pad Top | Wide-Leg Jeans | Boots (Similar) | Mini Bag
Birdie said, “You look like a teenager” in this outfit and I have to admit, that pleased me greatly 🙂 Remember when I designed my faux dorm room and dressed like I was 19 and secretly loved it!!? Anyway, this was my foray into the ENORMOUS baggy jean trend that I previously thought was not for me. I tried on SO MANY JEANS – like 30-40 pairs and this was the only “baggy” one that I liked. These are Good American (some are so great, some are so cheesy, right?) and they are CRAZY long. Like I’m wearing 6″ boots here. Nordstrom will hem for free, so I might do that. But I have to say I think the look is fun and a little outside my norm. I didn’t know what to wear on top because I know the rule – if you go big on the bottom, you can’t go big on top (or the other way around which is my usual game) so I pulled out a shirt that I bought three years ago and have barely worn but LOVE. It has intense shoulder pads which is dope, but it’s such a statement. Also, living in SW Portland and not having an office job this isn’t something you just throw on. Anyway, for all of you who do leave the house, care about fashion and live in cities where dressing up is more of a thing both the jeans and the top are awesome. The top is spandex, but thick enough that it’s really flattering (I think I bought it when I gave myself the challenge to look “sexy” for a date night with Brian – needless to say this top wasn’t exactly what Brian would have picked to check that box, but we agreed it’s cool). I think I’d likely wear it with tiny shorts and heels – that’s more my game.
Vest | Striped Shirt (Similar) | Denim Shorts | Socks | Sorel Boot
This is a little more “me” right now and likely something I’m going to wear a lot in the next two months. I can’t say enough about these vests and I want to put it out there in the universe a few more times – I THINK I SHOULD DESIGN A LINE OF WALKING CLOTHES. I have extremely specific ideas on what makes something excellent for lifestyle walking (not competitive walking) to look cute/cool/comfortable and yet have the necessary bells and whistles to get the job done (the RIGHT pockets, breathability, layerability, versatility, etc). That’s all to say that this vest is EXCELLENT and I’ve been wearing it a lot on my morning walks (before this heat wave). It has many pockets (big ones for phone/wallet, small ones for doggy bags), is super flattering (it hugs but just so lightly at the waste) and while it technically adds volume, the way that it’s cut doesn’t add “bulk” like a lot of puffer vests do (that I can’t wear because my love pillows are already big enough). These pockets and the fabric just drapes really well. Even if you aren’t a daily lifestyle walker like me (y’all, get into it – listen to one of my favorite podcasts!) this is a great fall layering piece.
The shirt is from Pendleton (bought last year) and the shorts are from The Great (bought this summer, very splurgy but I lived in them this summer because The Great knows how to make cute clothes shockingly comfortable – sags in the crotch in just the way that I love (and Brian does not LOL, but he’s gotten used to it).
Now the shoes – THE SHOES. These might be my #1 favorite purchase thus far – mostly because they are perfect for my life up here. They are Sorels, rubber on the bottom so they are waterproof/mud-proof, and yet not crazy heavy (some of my lug soles are just too annoying to like walk in). They are snug at the ankle, BUT, and here’s the kicker – extremely easy to pull on because the finger loops are big and easy to access. I get so annoyed when you have to sit down to put on a boot because they’ve made the finger hole too small OR its snapped on its third use (true story). These feel super high quality and yet they are awesome in style, very on trend, and not over the top HUGE like some others which I just can’t get behind. My goodness I have a lot to say today – I think this coffee really kicked in!
Plaid Coat (Similar) | Striped Button Up | Flare Jeans | Clogs
Ok before you get too excited, it’s a vintage plaid coat that I got at the antique mall a couple years ago (there is still a hole in the market for plaid jackets, BTW). The blouse is a cute cut with white collar and contrasting sleeves (great to layer). But the real coup de grace here are the jeans. I’m obsessed with these jeans. These are “fit and flares” which really hearken back to high school, but in a way that I’m fully down with. I felt really really cute/flattered in these and frankly I needed it – they looked good in the butt but weren’t too rigid (like my old Levis that I still love but can’t sit down in, nor button up haha). In fact, I did a partnership with Madewell for social also this week so I had to take another photo of them (wearing only Madewell). Check them out here:
White Button-Up | Flare Jeans | Kitten Heel Boots
See? They are pretty good! I wish the inseam was shorter, but apparently I’m alone in that because the denim world is just dominated by high rise (which I like the look of, but what about us short torso’d ladies!?). I’m wearing a 27 BTW (I’m a size six right now if that helps, so size down, but I tried the 26 and it was TIGHT). That’s also the white Madewell blouse I was talking about above that I love – really thin and easy to layer under a cardigan – also I’ve washed it a few times and if I grab it out quickly enough from the dryer I don’t have to steam it (it’s poplin which sometimes I get annoyed with). The boots in that shot are my new kitten heel booties that are super cute/flattering and yet comfortable.
Denim Trench | Kitten Heel Boots
I bought this denim trench the SECOND I saw it (not part of my Madewell partnership). It’s excellent – drapes really well, layers really well, and is so much more me than a classic trench. I can dress it up like I did here or down (Soccer games? Sure!). Those are the kitten heeled booties I was talking about (my kids were very confused why the heels were so tiny and they naturally loved that they were called “kittens”.
Tank | Trousers | Braided Belt
The pants are a super nice/comfortable/flattering low waisted (thank you very much) pleated wide leg. I styled them rolled up so they weren’t as big. They feel a bit spring to me, but they come in other colors as well. The tank is a great layering piece that has a cute neckline and side straps (tanks are hard for me but I really like this one and wished it came in more colors).
Denim Blazer | Striped Top (Similar) | Pants (Similar) | Sorel Boot | Bag
You’ve seen this great denim blazer before but I just want to reiterate how great it is. It has a bit of stretch making it great to layer under (not crammed in the arms) and is boxy instead of being too body-con, which I think is a more modern shape. The pants are cali demi boot cut (they have a little flare at the end). Same Sorel boots – see how fitted they are at the ankle? But not too tight, just the perfect amount that pipes up into your jeans. The striped shirt is from Lost & Found LA and I’ve had it for years (it’s so thin and soft).
Blazer (Similar) | T-Shirt (Similar) | Wide-Leg Jeans | Clogs | Bandana (Similar)
These are the last jeans that I’m officially VERY INTO. During my epic denim try-on day that I was generally bummed out about, these brought me a lot of happiness. These are fitted in the thigh/butt, with a bit old flare that has a lot of structure. These are splurgy (Mother jeans always are) but I loved the wash, fit, style and I felt really really good in them. I wanted to show you how they look with heels and with flats. (Clogs are five year old Rachel Comey but still available, Madewell makes a much more affordable version).
Cotton T-Shirt | Carpenter Overalls | Birkenstock Sandals | Bandana (Similar)
OK, this one was one that I was SO EXCITED ABOUT, but I wish I had styled it cooler. Maybe with a blousy blouse underneath). We all agreed it was extremely cute and flattering (for oversized overalls) and I know I wear them a lot this fall/winter/spring both around the house and out and about. But yah, the styling was a miss on this shot.
Striped Sweater | Wide-Leg Jeans | Loafers
See? They are pretty cute with flats, too! I think where they hit on the ankle is PERFECT. Cropped boxy, dropped shoulder sweater is an updated version of what we probably all have. Big fan. Same Everlane loafers – I think that color might be perfect.
So that’s what I’m into for my fall fashion this year. A lot of it can be mixed together, and most of it is in the name of extreme comfort. I’m camping this weekend and off the grid (look at PNW me!) but I’ll pop into the comments on Sunday if you have any questions about the fit of the clothes (beyond my ramblings).
*Photos by Kaitlin Green
THIS POST WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED HERE.
