For this third round of fall outfit formulas, we will again focus on classic basics that you probably already have in your closet, as well as some statement pieces. These combinations are nothing too off-the-wall but instead are rethinks of how you wear your garments and new ways to switch up your style.
First up, striped sweater + skirt + heels. I featured striped shirts in part 1, but just as t-shirts go, a striped pullover or cardigan is an easy swap out from a plain knit. A piece like St. John’s Bay Women’s Crew Neck Striped Cable Knit Cardigan available at JCPenney will add color and texture when paired with a denim skirt, while a pair of kitten heels creates a sharp yet delicate outfit. Another way of using this formula is by pairing a black and white striped sweater with a grey A-line skirt and standard pumps for an appropriate office outfit.
Next up, a polo sweater + jeans + loafers. The polo sweater is having a real moment, and this is the simplest way to wear it. A polo like Lands’ End’s Long Sleeve Honeycomb Pique Banded Hem Polo in Lush Burgundy with classic straight-leg jeans and loafers creates a polished, slightly preppy outfit that works just about anywhere. For a quirky take, try a striped polo (again, more stripes) like Walmart’s Free Assembly Women’s Polo in merlot wine and cobalt blue stripes. This retro-esque polo can pair with a fuller jean and a chunky heeled loafer for a 70s-adjacent take on this formula.
Speaking of the 70s, to keep the retro train rolling, try a Canadian tuxedo + flats. Pairing a western-style denim shirt, like Levi’s Iconic Western Linen + Denim shirt, with matching flared jeans has an undeniable vintage feel. When worn with a sleek flat like Nordstrom Rack’s DV by Dolce Vita Mellina Faux Leather Flat in red with a high vamp, it keeps the overall look from feeling too gimmicky. This low-effort formula comes across way cooler than you’d expect.
However, if for some reason you are looking to put a bit more effort into your outfit, try baggy pants + long top + poplin shirt. Actually, layering a poplin shirt, like Gap’s Organic Cotton Poplin Big Shirt, under a longer camisole top is an easy trick for making a simple outfit come off as more styled. With baggy pants, like the balloon pants from one of last week’s formulas, the proportions feel relaxed and a little unexpected. I especially like the contrast of the menswear shirt with a more feminine tunic. You can wear this combination with flats or boots, but I’d also try out some sneakers for more visual interest.
Lastly, one of my favorite fall formulas: Flannel + slip dress. This combo lets you extend the wear of a summer frock while still dressing for the season. A worn-in flannel, buttoned halfway or tossed open, makes a silky dress like Loft’s Versa Satin Maxi Slip Dress feel a little grungier and a lot more fall-appropriate. It gives off major ’90s energy in the best way. Or you can switch up the pairing with the poplin shirt from above for a more minimalist take, which is also surprisingly 90s but in a more polished mode.
Hopefully these formulas can see you through the season or inspire some sartorial calculations of your own. Again, most of these looks can be sourced from what you already own, and it’s all about making up combinations for fresh takes on your personal style. And many of these are also interchangeable.
