Fall Outfit Ideas 2018
17 Outfit Hacks We Learned During Fashion Month — and Have Been Using Ever Since
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Getting dressed for Fashion Week often reminds me of picking the perfect outfit for the first day of school. Even after seasons working in the industry, I agonize as I plan every detail, wanting something bolder and bigger than my every day style. It's a feeling a lot of us share, but we're here to shake off. Instead of dressing a part or playing into trends, we stuck to our favourite looks, with small adjustments here and there — sometimes, it was just the way we tied a sweater. Think of these as fixes — not overhauls, but additions — the little tweaks you can make to your basics to get the most out of your wardrobe, whether you're heading to Fashion Week or just about anywhere else, too.
1 "Rain Boots" Don't Have to Be Rain Boots
Rainy and warm is a bad combination, and hard to dress for. Before the Fall cool really sets in, your best bet is a pair of walkable shoes that can withstand the rain without warming you up too much. Patent ankle booties are my go-to. They can handle the drizzle and look polished with whatever you happen to be wearing. For a rainy Fall day, pair them with an easy day dress and your favourite denim or leather jacket.
On Hannah: Zara dress, Madewell jacket (shop similar, Tibi boots (shop similar, Balenciaga bag
2 Match Your Prints, Mix Your Colours
Mastering a mixed print outfit is great, but the easiest hack to avoid a look that's too busy is to pair shapes of different shades — especially if you're wearing a particularly vibrant colour. I coordinated the ruffles on my POPSUGAR at Kohl's blouse ($25, originally 36) with a slime green Ganni wrap skirt ($225) and grounded the separates with Tamara Mellon cowboy boots ($695) and a black circle bag. The final touch? BaubleBar's new Genevieve hoop earrings ($38).
3 Cropped Raincoats Are a Fall Essential
With the iffy, rainy weather Fall brings, it's hard to get dressed. Rather than styling my Saloni dress ($253, originally $575) with a bulky raincoat, I opted for a cropped version from Prada that I could easily slip on and off.
4 Great Add-Ons Do All the Work
Don't underestimate the ability of your favourite accessories to give basics a boost. Start simply with a striped tee, denim jacket, and jeans. Add in a bold cross body bag, heels, and your favourite earrings — et voila! — your outfit goes from everyday to infinitely more attention-grabbing, albeit without trying too hard.
On Hannah: Madewell jacket, POPSUGAR at Kohl's collection shirt ($36), Madewell jeans ($128), Ganni bag ($395), Manolo Blahnik heels ($1,055), J.Crew earrings
5 Your Print Speaks Volumes
When Fall hits, and you finally invest in that new shirtdress you're excited about, try wearing it once without all the add-ons — just let the print do all the talking and complete with your most simple essentials. I wore my POPSUGAR at Kohl's cherry shirt dress ($45, originally $60) with a classic Dolce Vita '80s bootie ($121, originally $150). My gold hoops and tote bag are seasonless and easy enough. Sometimes fuss-free is best.
6 Buy a Long-Sleeved Floral Midi Dress
Just because the weather is getting cooler doesn't mean you have to pack all your floral dresses away. Invest in a maxi dress with long sleeves, like this Zimmermann Unbridled Draped Dress ($795), for your Fall rotation. The long sleeves and the length of the dress are optimal for this season. You can also carry a leather jacket with you to keep the wind at bay.
7 Wear Your Summer Dress A Little Longer
I wanted to extend the shelf life of my Tory Burch daisy print dress ($419, originally $598), which got me compliments all Summer long. As lightweight and delicate as it is, I'm just not ready to give it up. You feel me? Go back to basics and just add a denim coat. Something cropped like the POPSUGAR at Kohl's frayed jacket ($48, originally $64) will allow you to show off more of your outfit. I finished with my Steve Madden block sneakers ($130) because I wanted to keep this look functional, and accessorised with a vintage satin purse and and my go-to Adornmonde crystal choker ($94).
8 Sweaters With Sleeve Details Are the Best Layering Pieces
The next time you hear yourself think, "I really need a new black turtleneck to wear under this spaghetti strap dress," hold that thought. When you look for jumpers with flutter sleeves, bows, or ribbons, like this POPSUGAR at Kohl's sweatshirt ($30, originally $44), you'll immediately think of all the pieces in your closet you can revive to wear with it. While basics are essential, they don't get the creative juices flowing like a special new top will. I pulled out this Rebecca Taylor heart print dress ($595) and toted an old Forever 21 bucket bag in the appropriate cranberry shade. My Dolce Vita Western boots ($100, originally $200) and gold hoops were a prairie girl touch, a look I'm very into, in case you couldn't tell.
9 Little Layers Go a Long Way
Sleeveless Summer dresses are easy to take into the Fall with the right layering strategy. Start with a white tee, throw on your dress, and add a sweater tied right around the shoulders. Instead of sandals, opt for ballet flats or sneakers, and pay homage to sunnier days with a basket bag that feels fresh when paired with all of your favourite Fall pieces.
On Hannah: Tory Burch dress, Everlane sweater, Dior flats, Muun bag (shop similar)
10 Don't Pack a Sweater — "Hang One Up" For Later
Tying a sweater across the chest is quickly becoming mainstream — we're even seeing the move on the runway at ALEXACHUNG and Victoria Beckham. Draping my POPSUGAR at Kohl's red stripes ($37, originally $50) over this asymmetrical Amur denim dress ($348) wasn't just about the visual effect, it's a functional way to carry another layering piece in the Fall in case you get cold. In an effort to stay hands-free, I swung my Karen Millen belt bag ($163) around the shoulder and kept it simple in block heel sandals.
11 Make a Statement With White Boots
Looking for a pair of boots that will stand out from a sea of black ankle boots? Then look no further than a pair of white ones! I got the most out of my ruffled minidress from Zimmermann by styling it with a stark white pair of ankle boots from Neous ($419) that were a simple way to get into the Fall spirit.
12 "Sporty Spice" Up Your Skirt Suit
While the typical "back to school" look means coordinate sets and loafers or pumps, you can breathe new life into a skirt suit when you finish it with sneakers. I wore my H&M corduroy blazer ($60) with the matching bottom ($20, originally $50) and played up the blue tones with Ash Addict trainers ($275) and a POPSUGAR at Kohl's cobalt crop top ($20, originally $30). I felt like a '90s mom on the way to the office with my grandma's vintage Fendi purse, which I actually feel like I should refer to as a pocketbook, just for kicks.
13 Swap Your Top
When your outfits revolve around your jeans, make an easy update by swapping the traditional t-shirt or button-down for something that's more trend-driven. An easy option? A feminine puff-sleeve top that makes a statement with minimal effort. Then, pair with all of your favourite pieces, per usual.
On Hannah: Petersyn top ($164, originally $272), Citizen of Humanity jeans, Tibi boots (shop similar, Balenciaga bag, Westward Leaning sunglasses
14 Wear the Hell Out of Your Dad Sneakers
Sneakers aren't just for the Summer. I threw my POPSUGAR at Kohl's Denim Jacket ($48, originally $64) over a slinky slip Donna Mizani wrap dress and styled it with high socks and dad sneakers. My Ash Addict Sneakers ($280) were an easy way to give my outfit a sporty feel. Plus, it didn't hurt that they were comfortable to wear all day.
Outfit details: POPSUGAR at Kohl's Denim Jacket ($48, originally $64), Donna Mizani wrap dress, and Ash Addict Sneakers ($280)
15 A Pop of Print Can Mean a Big Seasonal Upgrade
Nothing feels more like Fall to me than swapping fresh florals for school-inspired plaid prints. In classic shades, or this season's brighter yellow versions, the effect is prep-school-meets-fashion-girl. While booties in any colour work well here, a fresh pair of white kicks gives your basics a 2018 spin.
On Hannah: Zara top, Citizens of Humanity jeans (shop similar, Tibi boots (shop similar, Balenciaga bag, Westward Leaning sunglasses (shop similar)
16 Suede Kitten Heels FTW
We all know the importance of a simple pair of kitten heels. They're elegant, provide the right amount of height, and comfortable to wear for hours on end. Rather than opting for a leather pair, I found a way to incorporate suede into my outfit by styling my sheer dress with a unique pair of suede bow-front heels from M.Gemi ($278). After all, what says Fall more than suede?
17 Invest In a One-and-Done Dress
While re-purposing Summer maxis by way of layering in the Fall is smart, you'll be surprised how often you reach for that sophisticated, one-and-done, impeccably tailored dress that lasts you years. For me, that's this Jonathan Simkhai corset dress ($845), which features detachable sleeves for warmer weather and a pinstripe, asymmetrical hem that helped draw attention to my trusty Nine West mules ($94, originally $144). Splurging on a winning number like this one doesn't hurt when it's versatile enough to wear for so many occasions. (You could even attend a casual wedding in this look!)
