Seasonal Style Switch

Whether you or I like it or not, the seasons change on us sometimes before we are ready. Although, in the last 8 years, I’ve lived in either Houston area or Dubai, and since they are perpetually hot and humid I am SO READY for the seasonal switch long before it comes. I just love sweater weather!!

BUT YOU AREN’T READY TO GIVE UP YET!

There are some key pieces you are rocking that you aren’t ready to stop wearing. NO PROBLEM! Keep on sportin’ those versatile favorites of yours until the very last minute. What I do want to talk to you about is starting to plan and look forward to, the new season and how your wardrobe will look for it.

And I know what you are saying, “Taryn! I can’t think about Fall…all the end of season Summer sales are on right now!” Yes girl, I know, and while I highly recommend you use that opportunity to replace tired pieces and adding items you have on your “summer wish list”, don’t spend it all! Fall styles are coming out in droves right now, they are awesome, and a welcome change.

ORGANIZE THAT CLOSET….AGAIN

Remember that post I did back in early Spring called the Top 5 Ways to Sort Out Your Closet? Well, feel free to give yourself a refresher and make sure you do the same for the upcoming season so you are ready! Considering it’s early Fall….you’ll be right on time!

Below I’m sharing 5 of the Fall Styles I’m keeping a lookout for, with images from my Pinterest Board, to show you how I keep things top of mind. It is SO helpful to know what I’m looking for, so I can be savvy with my Style Dollars (budgeting is KEY!), and my precious time (while I love shopping, I don’t always have a lot of time for endless hunting).

LOOK FOR LOOKS YOU LOVE

Are you pinning? If you want some Pinterest inspiration, I love adding to mine and I just created a Fall / Winter 2019 Board. I’m adding images of looks that I’m drawn to, and pieces that I need to fill a gap in my wardrobe, and just find what styles appeal to me. The more I see it there, the more likely my scatterbrain will remember it while walking through a store.

Not sure what you need? This is the perfect opportunity for you to make a list of pieces you really like that you’ve seen on other people, fashion bloggers, celebrities, magazines….all the amazing places we can find inspiration for how we want to dress for the new season.

THINGS I’M LOVING RIGHT NOW

Well, while we are on the subject…here are some pieces I feel will be on trend for Fall / Winter 2019, and yet remain classic for Fall’s and Winters to come.

BOOTS

Yes your typical suede or leather ankle bootie will always reign supreme in Fall. And for the last couple years the over the knee (OTK) boot has been all up in our faces with little dresses, skinny jeans and everything in between. But this year, I’m really leaning towards the boot that goes to just below the knee. Sometimes called a Dress Boot.

You’ll definitely see this as a trend in my Pinterest Boards (Outfits & Style, Fall / Winter 2019). I’m hoping to search out the perfect black pair; but my heart also tends to fall for the burgandy ones. Just look at how awesome they are under the long flowy dresses. Such an opposite effect right?! Soft flowy skirt, tall structured leather pointed toe boot. YESS GIRL!! Here’s a couple of my favorite pics from my Pinterest Boards to show you what I mean.

LONGER HEMLINES ON SKIRTS AND DRESSES

While it is so fun to be able to still wear those shorter skirts, show some leg, and pair with the “unexpected” booties or tall boots, what would happen if you gave those short hemlines a break for this new Fall Season? What if you went for a longer length and a more feminine heel? I know that’s not comfortable for everyone for their everyday style; but may I challenge you to look for just ONE dress that fits & flatters, suits your body style (go back and read some of my Style Tip Posts! There’s tons of info in there), and then wear that look out? Wear it to dinner with your hubby or to a winter wedding.

Maybe you’d rather dress it down, by adding layers, a cute hat and then those knee high boots (they can totally be flats) and see what you think! Did you see my post on Amazon Fashion? Look at that super cute long t-shirt dress! SO WORTH A TRY! Grab it in your fave color, add your knee high boots, a felt hat and a fur vest or denim jacket. Even wrap a plaid button up around your waist if you get a solid color! GIRL!! DONE! Now send me a pic, I’m dying to see it!

WIDE LEG PLAID TROUSER (WITH OR WITHOUT THE MATCHING BLAZER)

Oh my gosh, nobody is more surprised than me! And now I have TWO pair and they are BOTH high waisted! WHO AM I?!?! I really encourage you to never say never to anything in life…especially a pattern or a style that you are sure you won’t love or look good in. I’m planning to pair these pants I have with everything from graphic t’s and oxford flats, to pointed toe heels and a blouse or light knit turtleneck / v neck sweaters. I’m like, super ready for it! haha!

LONG TRENCHCOATS

Oh man do I wish I could wear trenchcoats more often. Sister, if you don’t have one in your wardrobe now, I want you to make a point of searching one out. And if you can’t afford it full price, check consignment stores OR wait til mid to end January. That’s usually when outerwear starts to go on sale, and there should be a few opportunities to wear it. They are just so stylish and classy. Wear on an evening out over jeans and heels. Wear to work. Literally, wear anywhere.

SOMETHING CASHMERE

I encourage you to try to find yourself a sweater made of this incredible material. Oh Kelly Clarkson, it’s like a baby puppy is rubbing up against your arm all day. SO SOFT! You can get almost anything in cashmere these days. A pashmina, scarf, trenchcoat, turtleneck, sweater, cardigan, mitts, socks, touque (as we call it in Canada) / beanie (as they call it in some of the States). It’s just glorious and you deserve to have something made of it. I got a great cardigan 8 years ago at the Kohl’s Black Friday Event (my first Black Friday ever and I went home after this purchase!) It was regular $125 and I got it for $34.99.  So cashmere is pricey; but you can also do blends. My favorite Aritzia trenchcoat is a cashmere blend, it’s over 15 years old and looks brand spanking new. This fabric is an amazing investment, just DO NOT WASH IT. It will shrink, and then it will be lost to you forever. If that happens, call me, we will cry together.

A CLASSIC PATTERN

Kind of sounds like a play on words; but stripes, houndstooth, plaid (everything from Christmas-y buffalo plaid, to a chic neutral plaid), and this season there is a pattern that look alot like the one on this Joie Dress I have for summer; but it’s over a mustard yellow, everygreen or other fall tones, and it’s really pretty. I’ll include a pic from my Pinterest Board to show you. I’m loving having pattern be the bottom “layer”, and then adding great shoes, belt, small neckscarf or large blanket scarf. If you get a dress that’s longer, I would consider a shorter jacket, one that sits just at your waist, so it doesn’t give the illusion of two super long laters on top of each other. That adds more volume. If you wear a long dress, belt, and waist (or just higher) jacket, you are still giving that super feminine hourglass shape in a very classy way. And that’s you girl. All class (well…I mean, we can’t be ALL class ALL the time; but first impressions we can do, right!)

BONUS FALL AND WINTER TIP

One of my very favorite things about fashion this time of year is texture. I really feel like texture can be overlooked or not considered a part of your wardrobe; but it can create such beautiful flow and style. What am I talking about when I say texture? Think of all of these things (but not all worn together! )

• fur (faux or real, that’s up to you)
• leather (same, same)
• suede
• knit (comes in all different patterns and sizes)
• metallic
• snake skin
• felt
• satin
• silk
• how rough or smooth fabrics are
• how chunky or fitted pieces are
• perforated leather (think those little suede ankle booties)

Just to name a few. I love how you can take not only COLORS that compliment you; but now you can wear them with textures that bring a whole new dimension to your look. Fall is for cozy, which can be achieved in so many more ways than comfy sweats and oversized sweat shirt, or skinny denim, a sweater and a blanket scarf. The possibilities are endless, so don’t forget to consider the textures you are pairing together to give maximum wow factor with your wardrobe!

xo Taryn