With less than a month away from the official start of autumn (even though it’ll probably still feel like high summer come late September) I’m beginning to think about fall fashion. This past year has seen fashion trends sway toward looser silhouettes, more relaxed fits, and a high comfort factor. As we move into fall the forecast calls for crisp mornings, bright foliate, cozy knits, classic outerwear, and eye-catching shoes. And while we head toward the ultimate comfy-cozy season, there is also tailoring and a return to leaner looks ahead. Here are some pieces and styles I’m looking forward to for fall.

A knitted dress, unlike standard sweater dresses, is a bit more fitted and is meant to be more versatile. Think of a ribbed cardigan-style dress. You can wear it on its own or left open layered over a blouse and jeans. There are even matching sets for knit dresses, again a ribbed tank in either a knee or midi-length with a coordinated cardigan. Wear them together or break them up. If you prefer a chunkier knit, consider a sleeveless option, again to layer with long-sleeve tees, or button-downs. You can also wear a sleeveless knit dress as a sweater vest with turtlenecks and trousers. Look for dresses in neutral shades like off-white and beige. Or lean into the fall palette with pieces in rust or dark brown.

For every seasonal transition, be it winter-to-spring or fall-to-winter, you should have a go-to jacket that walks the sartorial line between a big warm overcoat and no coat at all. For fall, a transitional jacket can be functional, like a waterproof windbreaker, or something a bit dressier, like a beige trench coat. For this autumn, you’ll see a variety of outerwear options, some of which you may already own, like a denim jacket, or oversized blazer. However, the shirt jacket aka shacket is perfect for outdoor autumn activity. It’s a no-brainer with jeans and sweaters, but don’t be afraid to mix up styles and wear one over a little black dress or with tweedy trousers and Chelsea boots.

After so much time spent indoors, you may be itching to get out and about. For this fall, consider a standout shoe for those outings. A standout shoe can be anything from a high-performance sneaker to an equestrian-inspired tall boot. I also love a driving-style loafer, preferably in leather or faux leather for fall. The general rule of thumb (or should I say toe) with loafers, is to match the color of your sock to the color of your shoe. Navy with navy, black with black, and brown with brown, but I’d recommend having some fun to further stand out and mix in some patterned socks with your traditional leather loafer. This trend is about quality over quantity, and comfort above all else. In order to stand out, you need to be able to stand up, and walk, so leave sky-high stilettos at home.

If none of these trends are appealing to you, but you still want to give a nod toward this season’s new styles, consider trying out some of the moment shades and color combinations. Fall is no longer just associated with hues like black, maroon, burnt orange, olive green, and golden yellow. When it comes to color, seasonal palettes aren’t strictly followed anymore. Some trending tone pairings this autumn include mint green and lilac, pink and yellow, and red with neons. Brighter shades like pastels bring a fresh sense to a fall look. If you prefer a traditional autumnal palette, you can still experiment with pairing standard colors with more vibrant tones like orange and hunter green, navy and buttery yellow, or brown and bubblegum pink.

No matter your color(s) of choice, or go-to outerwear, the most prevalent trend for this coming fall is the oversize button-down shirt. Whether worn on its own or open with a tee, the relaxed piece will bring ease to various looks. If you’re up for it, try a high-waisted, relaxed to really lean into fall 2021 style.