Transitioning to full-on fall post summer can seem daunting, especially when the inside of your closet may look like a flower power explosion after the boho-chic vibe has been running strong for the past few months. But as the air grows colder, days longer and the leaves slowly but surely turning to amber and orange hues, a few new basics can help keep the love alive for fashion’s most favored time of year. With layers galore, luxe fabrics and go big or go home silhouettes, the drama is in the details.
Read below for this fall’s five wardrobe necessities to help kickstart your closet’s imagination.
1. Fall Mock-Up
Not quite the same commitment as a full turtleneck, the mock is a clean and utilitarian style just right for the office underneath a blazer or tucked into a high-waisted skirt. Test the top’s flexibility with a pair of skinny jeans and cropped bomber for an evening date-night and seamless transition from work to fun. Everlane’s Luxe Wool Mockneck in oxblood infuses a little color play into this simple and chic look.
2. Capetown USA
As the days grow shorter, capes, stoles and billowy silhouettes just feel so right, especially when the air grows a little more brisk. Channel your inner desert witch with a cape style scarf á la Madewell to amp up the drama. Perfect with a sequined mini dress or black stretch leggings and chambray buttondown, a scarf cape not only doubles in use but keeps you feeling oh-so cozy anywhere you and your cape land.
3. Wide-Legged Stance
The pant leg has slowly been widening since the days of extreme skinny jeans, and this fall, a wider straight-legged silhouette was made to show off your boots, highwaisted belts and tucked in turtlenecks. Keep it simple with corduroy or denim. Lykke Wulf’s Sandy Pant has just the right amount of whimsy to give this understated style a hint of glamour.
4. Cardy Party
The cardigan, every prepster’s dream top layer, is holding strong as one of the most basic essentials. With an oversized boyfriend fit, the cardi may double as a coat, top layer and lounge necessity. Try one in ivory to keep it simple like the Ernst Cardigan from Loup NYC or reach for one in bolder, brighter hue and do not doubt the benefits of shawl collar until you are buttoned up in one!
5. Brocade Parade
While many of Fall’s staples tend to hinge on the understated: dark rich hues, basics galore, one area where there is always room to play, even when it comes to the essentials, is shoewear. This season’s shoehorse foot crush has everything to do with the hybrid of heel meets mid-length boot. Add a touch of embroidery or brocade and the ideal statement shoe has arrived. Topshop’s BLOSSOM is the perfect peekaboo accessory when matched with a wide-legged trouser, maxi dress or black tights and A-line denim skirt. Truly, a little embroidery just at the toes never hurt anyone.