Last week, we looked at various outfit formulas for fall. In part two this week, the combinations to consider range from the everyday to disrupting a bit outside of the outfitting box. Again, these looks are less about specific pieces, more about combinations and mashups. Here we go!
Classic white shirt + straight-leg jeans. A crisp white button-down and jeans might be the most reliable two-piece in dressing. This works for just about anybody who has a button-down and jeans: Men, women, kids. It’s useful for the workplace, dinner, Sunday services, and running errands.
You can switch things up with various shoe, belt, bag, and jewelry choices. You can easily layer with sweaters, jackets, and blazers. You can also easily swap out the straight-leg jeans for a wide-leg or flared-leg. If you don’t have a white button-up, then check out Quince’s Organic Cotton Relaxed Oxford Shirt in white or perhaps raid that man-who-lives-in-your-house’s closet for an oversized version.
Next up, another fall classic of oversized sweater + plaid skirt. This combo reads as “back to school” in a good way. I highlighted grandpa cardigans last week, and a grandpa oversized sweater works wonderfully for this formula. Again, I highly recommend thrifting for knitwear in the men’s section. As for a plaid skirt, if you’re not feeling the school uniform vibe of a shorter skirt, then go with a midi option for a more sophisticated take on this formula. Lands’ End’s Women’s Brushed Flannel Midi Skirt comes in three different colorways. Their compass red/pine plaid would also work for the holiday season, while the liberty blue/pine blackwash plaid sways into kilt territory. However, I’m liking the honey beige/dark grape plaid option, as it feels more elegant, less like theme dressing.
Another sweater formula for the season is a lightweight sweater + suede or leather jacket. Layering a suede or leather jacket over a lightweight knit is how to dress on days for that specific kind of fall weather that can’t decide what it wants to be. The jacket adds just enough warmth and edge without committing to a full coat and can easily be carried as the day gets warmer. With this combo up top, you can wear jeans, skirts, trousers, or swap in a sweater dress and leggings. Banana Republic Factory has a Vegan Leather Cropped Moto Jacket in classic black and dark mahogany, both shades on sale. I’m leaning toward the brown-esque mahogany for a more fall feeling.
Whether you’re buying new, second-hand, or already have a leather jacket, try it with the above formula as well as a leather jacket + midi skirt. The silhouette of the jacket will help determine the skirt. A cropped moto could pair with the plaid midi skirt from above to create a subtle punk outfit of leather and plaid. A bomber-style jacket like Loft’s Oversized Faux Leather Bomber Jacket gives you volume up top, so for a balanced silhouette you’d pair it with a straighter pencil midi like the brand’s Versa Ponte Deluxe Midi Pencil Skirt. If you have a leather blazer, then to create some visual contrast you may want to pair it with a flowy or lace-trimmed skirt. This formula asks the wearer to think about proportion a bit more than the others, but that just gives you more uses from this combination to switch things up.
Lastly, we have sweater + balloon pants + dramatic jewelry. This one may seem a bit wacky, but stay with me. Balloon pants are just the latest iteration of a voluminous pant. Think of drop-crotch pants, harem pants, or bloomers even from years past. Any pant with volume can be a lot on its own, so ground it with a simple knit. From there, this look is all about the jewelry. A pendant necklace completes this outfit. For a more boho vibe, there’s Etsy seller Karnival0412’s Oversized Green Resin Pendant that features a glossy deep green centerpiece set in a textured, hammered-look gold metal frame. To elevate a big pant sweater combo, consider Ettika’s Open Circle Statement Necklace available at Nordstrom in either gold or silver for a sleek, chic version of this outfit formula.
These formulas are a bit more versatile than last week’s, utilizing classics and basics you probably already have, while a few new statement pieces help elevate these looks. Next week is part 3 and, yes, I have more formulas to share. If you’re interested in some daily outfit formula inspiration and you’re on Instagram, check out this creator: Mama In Denim. She produces videos with inspiration photos of versatile outfit formulas to try.
