A Simple Fall Outfit Formula For Busy Days

Sometimes, life gets too busy to think about clothes. Ironically, being busy usually means that I need to look presentable as I rush home from the office, change to make and walk the dog, and then dash out to a volunteer board meeting. So, I need to look presentable. That’s when my easy fall outfit formula comes in handy. Here it is:

1. Jeans or pants
2. A top in a contrasting color
3. An outerwear piece
4. Boots in one of the 3 chosen colors
5. A belt in one of the 3 chosen colors

1.Jeans Or Pants

Choose your favorite pants i.e. jeans, corduroy pants, stretch twill pants, tailored wool pants, etc.

Tips:

1. Skinny or tapered jeans will highlight the difference between your hips and ankles.
2. Bootcut or flared jeans will create balance between your hips and ankles.
3. Ankle-length jeans will make your legs look shorter while full-length bootcut, wide-leg, or flared jeans.

What’s trending for fall? Wide leg, barrel, bootcut/flare, and straight leg pants are all trending.

2.A Top In A Contrasting Color

Your top could be a t-shirt for casual occasions, a silk blouse for dressy ones, or a fitted cropped sweater for a chilly evening. Just make you can see the waistband of your pants (I’ll explain that below)

Tips:

1. Light colors highlight. Dark colors minimize. I tend to choose light on top and dark on the bottom to balance my pear-shaped figure.
2. You can choose a print or graphic t-shirt too!

3.Outerwear In A Coordinating Color

Tips:

1. This could be a jacket, shacket, sweater jacket, or cardigan. A third piece makes your outfit a little more interesting even if it’s something basic like a denim jacket. Choose something you can wear open.
2. What are some popular color combinations this fall? Burgundy, cream, and brown. Denim, ivory, and chocolate. Olive, charcoal, and black. Black, leopard print, and red.

4: Boots In One Of The 3 Colors You’ve Chosen

With straight leg, bootcut, barrel, and flared pants, you’ll want to wear ankle boots that are fairly fitted. With skinny jeans or wide leg jeans, you may be able to wear knee-high boots for extra warmth.

Bonus tip: Matching your handbag to your boots always creates a classic, cohesive, polished look.

5.A Belt To Finish The Look

It’s hard to believe now, but for many years I didn’t wear belts. Mostly, I wanted to cover my midlife belly. But belts have been back in style for a couple of years now so I’m embracing them!

Tips:

1. Match your belt to your jeans or pants to create the illusion of longer legs
2. Match your belt to your top to create the illusion of a longer torso.
3. Pick a contrasting belt or a statement belt to highlight your waist or make a fashion statement.

You can adapt this formula for work with dressier pieces like a blazer, pants, and a blouse. You can also make it casual with jeans, a t-shirt and a shacket. Which pieces you would wear for this outfit formula?