Affordable Fall Essentials

Now that the weather has turned and actually become colder, I think I can do my fall essentials post.  It is so difficult to resist the urge to wear my cold weather clothes even when it is 70 degrees out, but it doesn't really apply. These clothes can get you through to a few weeks before Christmas depending on where you live. 

1.The trench coat

Nothing exudes class like a classic trench.  Structured and borrowed from menswear, a trench can be ladylike and provide an extra pizazz to your wardrobe.  Instead of a classic camel straight from the mens' department, choose one with a ruffle, or in an interesting color like apple red, hunter green or chocolate brown.  The khaki coat is the one I just purchased from New York and Company and the Red is London Fog.

2.  Rain boots

If you live above the Mason-Dixon line, chances are you spend a decent amount of your autumn hiding from the rain.  This year, fear not, because you have rain boots.  They come in cute colors and prints to satisfy your every wardrobe need.  While Hunters boots and Bean boots are top preppy choices, they run between $90 and $130. If this isn't in your price range, or you want boots that you will legitimately wear only a few times, most stores will have rain boots in a variety of colors and patterns.  Please make sure you have an adult pattern if you have to choose one since you do not want to exude a child on a rainy day.  For example, polka dots in a small pattern and muted color, yes, bright yellow ducks, no.  If you live near any discount store like Marshall's, TJMaxx, or DSW, they have good choices.

3.  Cardigans

While in my mind, cardigans are ALWAYS an essential all the time, this is the time of year to get cozier, thicker cardis in all those great earth tones.  If you canafford cashmere, get it!  If you only want or can afford one, pick a neutral you will wear often like cream or navy.

4.  Skirts with tights

Fashionable, classic and ladylike.  Wear with boots, cute ballet flats, or heels.  As long as you choose complimentary colors and don't pick two bright colors (choose one neutral please), you can't loose.

5. A chunky watch

While I love my delicate ladylike watches, in autumn I like to pair my summer clothes with a chunky watch for a good transition look.  Pair with a lightweight shirt, a cardi.

You can buy watches in the mens' department, or now, as they have been for a few years, in most ladies' stores.  My current wish list includes one I saw at NY and Company that is reminiscent of Michael Kors.  (And while I do not like designer imitation, I like designer influence.)  These two are from Fossil and Michael Kors.

Unless you spring for a mid-price range watch like Fossil, Juicy Couture or a store like Ann Taylor, I suggest a few things:  muted color, no bedazzling (this should apply for everything!), and something that looks as unfake as possible.

6. Grey trousers

These are great alternative to navy, black, and khaki, and are often underrated.  Grey trousers in a variety of materials, including wool, especially later in fall, can look luxurious when paired with cream, blush, lavender, sea foam or just about any pastel.  Add pearls and a delicate chain necklace to complete the look.

7.  A structured bag

Calvin Klein

Goodhope

I can't believe I made it this far on my list without talking about purses.Since summer fun is over, most of us are thrown back into work, school, charity, whatever it is you do.  If you don't do any of these, yourself, chances are someone around you relies on you for a ride to one of these.

While a tote is great for a lot of books, I like a structured bag for less bulky carrying.  The often fit your daily needs, a book, your planner, a granola bar and a sweater or pashmina tossed on top.  Look for stiff side seams, thicker handles and hard wear.  Nice hard wear can add a bit a va va voom to an otherwise dull bag.

8. A new shade

A quick, inexpensive way to update your look for the new season is new makeup and nail polish.  While i tend to wear little makeup, only usually to enhance my eyes, I am a HUGE nail polish fan.  It is my beauty weakness of choice and I love Essie's polishes the best.

Merino Cool

A couple of options for makeup is to use earth tones, or choose a shade or two darker than your summer shade.  I switched my eye shadow from a opalescent pink to a lavender pink.  I'm curently using Sonia Kashuk's Leather and Lace with Black Plum eyeliner from Ulta on the outer corners.  For nail polish I'm loving Essie's Cool Merino and Hot Chocolate.

Leather and Lace

 9. Luxurious fabrics

Speaking of leather and lace, autumn is the time to play with textures.  I think it is essential to try to incorporate ate least one of the following into your autumn rotation: leather, lace, cashmere, suede, tweed, velvet.  Experiment and enjoy!

10.  Last but not least, Boots.

 I think nothing says autumn like a great pair of boots.  Equestrian inspired or heeled, depending on your outfit, or for you Southerners, cowboy boots,  will complete any outfit and help bring you into autumn. 

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