3 STYLE TRICKS FOR PERFECT WORK OUTFITS IN THE FALL

VEST: Similar in wool HERE or under $100 HERE | DRESS: ZARA, also love this HERE | MULES: OLD similar HERE | SUNGLASSES: LOFT  | EARRINGS: OLD similar HERE | BELT: J.CREW or HERE

Fall is all about layering and one essential piece, especially for work, is a sleeveless vest or trench. A sleeveless trench works really well for the office for both Summer and Fall depending on the fabric you choose. I like having a simple camel option in my wardrobe because it compliments Fall colors like brown, red, navy. My trench is a light material that I wore quite a bit in the summer. If I were buying one for the Fall and Winter, I'd go with a slightly warmer one in wool or wool-blend for more functionality in the colder months (linked above and below).

Fashion is mostly art but it's also a little bit science and therefore, formulaic. This work outfit is based on of my favorite style formulas so in this post I'm sharing 3 style tricks that you can use to create chic work outfits for Fall with pieces you have in your own wardrobe.

CASUAL FALL STYLE: RUST DRESS AND ELBOW-PATCH SWEATER

DRESS: NORDSTROM | SWEATER: ASOS | HAT: FOREVER 21 similar HERE | SANDALS: ZARA similar HERE or HERE | SUNGLASSES: old, similar HERE, also obsessed with THESE under $25!

It's the first week of Fall! Do I look a little like a pumpkin in this outfit? Honestly, I love this dress and the rust color so I don't care if I do:) I love anything in the rust/orange section of the color wheel and this one is actually a really great color that mixes well with both neutrals as well other Fall colors like plum and burgundy. Even hunter green would look so pretty with this.

This day started out cool and then warmed up as many Fall days in Boston tend to do, so one outfit formula I rely on quite a bit is pairing a dress with a knit that I can either drape around my shoulders, carry in my bag or tie around my waist when I'm not wearing it. Scroll down to see the dress with my cute new elbow-patch knit - perfect petite-fit and available in petite, regular and tall sizes!

POSH PLAID AND FALL COAT PICKS

COAT: FREE PEOPLE | BLOUSE: ANN TAYLOR | JEANS: AG (on sale) | PUMPS: OLD, similar HERE | BAG: OLD, similar HERE | SUNGLASSES: LOFT (on sale) | WATCH: DANIEL WELLINGTON 

I've always loved Fall fashion and particularly beautiful outerwear so I'm having a hard time not buying up every gorgeous Fall jacket I see. I keep reminding myself that I'm a wardrobe minimalist and having too many coats, no matter how pretty they are, goes against my wardrobe philosophy. This plaid camel/warm beige long "coat" was impossible to resist because it's simultaneously eye-catching and versatile. Those two things don't often come together and when they do, it's worth the buy. I've also linked to 3 other jackets I've been salivating over below. I put "coat" in quotes here because this is really more of a long cardigan or coatigan rather than a coat.

MILITARY-INSPIRED DRESS

DRESS: J.CREW | SHOES: LUCKY BRAND | BAG: LOUIS VUITTON | CAP: NORDSTROM or the luxury version HERE | SUNGLASSES: STELLA MCCARTNEY

The weekend's almost here! Just a quick post today to share this super cool military-inspired dress that can transition easily between weekend and a casual day at work. This fatigue shirt dress is the definition of urban cool and currently on sale for 25% off with CODE SHOPNOW. It's also a blank canvas to be styled however you want. For my expedition to a local museum with my husband and daughter, I styled the dress very simply. I just added a neutral baseball cap to make the look super casual and um, also to cover my always-messy hair. The dress is incredibly comfortable (so soft) and the ever so slightly below-the-knee length and tiered skirt are so figure flattering. 

WORK STYLE: PLEATED SKIRT AND FLORAL TOP

SKIRT: TOPSHOP | BLOUSE: HALOGEN | CARDIGAN: ANN TAYLOR | SHOES: SOLE SOCIETY | WATCH: CLUSE | SUNGLASSES: LOFT | BAG: MARC JACOBS

My love affair with pleated midi skirts continues! If you follow me on Instagram you probably saw that I said I'm trying to build a rainbow of pleated midis and I was only half-kidding. Pleated midi skirts are effortlessly stylish, which make them very hard to resist. For someone who likes easy dressing options pleated midis are a must-have. I actually own the navy version of this skirt and loved it so much that I bought this chartreuse color as well. Both outfits are styled using a similar color palette - yellows, navy and white. You can see the other skirt and the look here if you missed it. If you like the idea of a capsule or small wardrobe, the pieces from these 2 posts combined, plus a pair of  jeans, a white tee and hat, can easily give you 6 or 7 outfits. You can mix and match the pieces to create both work and casual looks. I've listed a few combinations using the pieces from these 2 posts if you have or like the colors here and want to expand your outfit choices using just a few pieces.

DUET DRESS, FALL LAYERING AND LOFT SALE PICKS

This week the fashion world and everyone who's fashion-obsessed is immersed in New York Fashion Week. As I watch the shows I'm always reminded of how egalitarian fashion truly is. Anyone who wants to can be a part of it because we create fashion and beauty every day through the outfits we decide to wear and the way in which we style them.  Today's post is a good example of what I mean. With the use of a simple cloche, some drape and a midi hemline, I'm creating a vintage feel with contemporary pieces (all for under $100).

PRE-FALL STYLE: PINK LACE SKIRT AND DENIM JACKET

SKIRT: FOREVER 21 | BLOUSE: ANN TAYLOR | DENIM JACKET: LOFT | HAT: BRIXTON VIA NORDSTROM | LACE-UP SHOES: H&M

September is one of my favorite months. There's a promise of new things as the season changes and a the air takes on a refreshing briskness. I love that at this time of year we have flexibility with what we wear and how we style it. It's not so hot that you're forced to wear as little as possible, and not so cold that you have no choice but to wear a jacket. We can layer for style when we want to but not be compelled to, which is nice. In these transitional weeks I tend to combine my Summer favorites with one or two Fall pieces to get the most out of my wardrobe. 

FALL FASHION: CASTLES, GLADIATORS AND FLORALS

With September here I'm breaking out the dark florals and longer sleeves. If you like a feminine style that won't break the bank, this dress is it. The dark grey background and small clusters of vintage-y florals are a nice balance between girly and conservative. Currently on sale with an extra 40% off, this little maxi packs major feminine style details for under $50. Ruffles, hydrangeas, blouson waist  and fully-lined for under $50 - pretty sweet.

SUMMER DAYS: ROMANTIC FLORAL WRAP SKIRT

Summer's drawing to a close and while the heat's been a little oppressive, I'm enjoying wearing all the summer styles while I can. Light fabrics, floral prints, and romantic airy styles are some of my favorites for summer and this skirt is all that rolled into one. The bold red and pink tones and the leafy print are so pretty and I love the movement as you walk! For something this inexpensive (only $20) I got a disproportional number of compliments on this skirt - always a good thing. 

WORK OR WEEKEND: LITTLE RED DRESS

Earlier this week I wore a black and white look for work with a blazer and pants from Banana Republic. The blazer is so versatile that I wore it a couple of different times over the course of the week. This post is Part 2 - the blazer styled for a dinner or drinks look, worn over this red floral print dress. I love this vivid shade of red - a fiery lipstick red that really stands out. Don't buy this dress if you don't want people to notice you! 

For me personally, I like a stand-out color (follow me on Instagram if you like color!) I'm not a morning person and a punchy color, along with coffee, helps a little. I read an article recently that listed the best ways to feel awake and invigorated in the morning and the top suggestion was to get outside in the fresh air as soon as you wake up. Wearing a bright color wasn't one of the methods listed, but I highly recommend it:)