When it comes to fashion, fall is where it's at. Textures, layers, coats, tights, scarves... there are so many glorious possibilities, but a few items can make you look dated. Now is a good time to get rid of them and upgrade your style!
Argyle
In a man's wardrobe, a little argyle is nice, but for women, it looks dated. Can you name a chic woman who wears argyle? No? Me neither.
If you like preppy or classic styles (as argyle suggests), then I would recommend a camel skirt (every woman can wear this color on the bottom half of the body) with a black top, cardigan, blazer, fitted turtleneck or sweater. Camel and black are like peanut butter and chocolate - they always look good together!
Pleather/Cheap Boots
We've heard it before, but nothing says more about your sense of style than your shoes. They set the tone of an outfit and speak volumes about your eye for quality and style. Therefore, you don't want to be wearing anything that cheapens your look!
Pleather boots very rarely last more than one season and very quickly, they can start to show their wear and tear.
For example, in this picture, we can see the ends of the buckle flaps sticking out - on both sides of her legs! We don't want loose threads on garments, buttons hanging off, or buckles sticking out. This does not a chic woman make.
Unfortunately, a cobbler can't do anything with this since he's working with synthetic materials. Leather boots are a little bit more of an investment, but they are easier to maintain, last longer, and are a great basic to have. If you take care of them (polish, resole), you will have them for many years (and outfits!) to come!
Quality shoes should be made with leather on the out and inside of the shoes (allows your feet to breath and stretch) and can be polished to last several seasons. Leather soles are also ideal, but rubber is good too.
Plaid
While this pattern doesn't look dated, there are very few plaids that look nice. To put it bluntly, most plaid skirts, coats, handbags and scarves look kind of cheap.
Patterns are great in the fall and add depth and visual interest to your wardrobe, but steer clear of plaid. Many times it's too wide of a pattern and reminds me of the brown and pink plaid we saw a lot of in the '90s. Herringbone, chevron, diamonds, dots and leopard print are all a yes and look a bit more modern than plaid.
There are so many options out there, I know you won't be limited for choices. What's your favorite thing to wear in the fall?
If you want more style tips, check out my free monthly newsletter. In this issue I talked a bit more about a camel skirt - how to wear it and what to look for with length. Enjoy!