Wardrobe Essentials: Fall '20
The year is 2020 and we are still living through a global pandemic, coupled with necessary social and political upheaval. 6 months after my last ‘Wardrobe Essentials’ post, I don’t think I would have ever predicted that the world would still be in the same place and that I would still be writing about it. But here we are. And so much about the way I think about the world, time, relationships, career and…well, shopping…has changed.
So I’m structuring this one a bit differently, and admittedly, it has taken me a lot longer to think through what a wardrobe essential is and which trends are actually worth investing in. Fall’20 is not the same as Falls past, and therefore the shopping list needs to reflect the time we live in – being careful about resources given the uncertainty in the world, being thoughtful about our footprint and fashion/retail waste, and simply having fewer occasions to get dressed up for.
SPRING TRENDS TURNED TO FALL STAPLES | If you read the Wardrobe Essentials: Spring ’20 post or bought into any of it, you are in luck. In my personal opinion, many of those essentials can be repurposed this Fall, whether its layering an oversized blazer on a knit long dress or throwing on a wool coat and boots over your boiler suit. So don’t put the following items away just yet:
The Blazer – My collection of blazers grows, and while I still love styling them simply with a white tee, my favorite (stretchy) jeans, and a slide for everyday, I am loving the trend of dressing them up. My personal favorite is pairing your blazer with a turtleneck, leather short, tights, and heels (I saw this look on my feed and on my best friend and I’m living for it, especially because we all probably have every element tucked away somewhere in our closet).
The Boiler Suit – Keep the boiler suit out! Its easy to transition into colder weather, tucked into a boot and paired with a chunky knit scarf or worn with a pair of pumps and your favorite Fall coat. I invested in this one last season, but have had my eye on this one for quite some time now as well. And what is easier than a one piece (its like a onesie for adults!)?
The Slouchy Jean – If you didn’t buy my favorite Zara pants the last time around, don’t fret. They were so popular in the Spring that Zara now makes variations of them in nearly every color. And I can’t blame them- they literally feel like you are wearing PJs disguised as denim. For the fall, I am pairing mine with chunky cropped knit sweaters (a personal fave, here) or knit sweater/bralette sets (see below for multiple options).
The Padded Shoulder Tee – Think your classic white tee, amped up. Style it in the exact same way you would your current white tee, and it takes any outfit up a notch. I also love this style paired with leather separates – a trouser or a pleated skirt (see below for multiple options)- to transition seamlessly into the Fall.
FALL TRENDS TO EXPLORE IN MODERATION | For the few occasions left on your calendar that you actually have to get dressed for, investing in the following trends will not only round out your wardrobe for now but will likely last you well into next Spring as well. Its about classic silhouettes, taken up a notch with a cutout here, leather detail there, or a fancy collar.
Knits – I think this one is self explanatory (cue Miranda Priestly’s ice cold voice saying: ‘Knits for Fall, groundbreaking’) but there are so many fabulous new ways to wear a knit, whether that is in the form of a one-shoulder maxi Knit dress or a matching Knit bralette and cardigan set. My two favorite silhouettes for Fall are the the midi-length, Knit dress and the bralette/cardigan Knit set.
Leather – Finding the best leather pieces that fit your style and stature is key (and takes a lot of trial and error), so start there if you are lacking in the basics like a cocktail-length Leather skirt or a midi-length pleated Leather skirt. If you have the basics covered, explore the Leather dress or trouser for Fall’20.
Tops – Cut off a sleeve, throw on a gigantic collar…Fall’20 is extreme in the Tops department. On the one hand, you can choose the slinky, bodycon Tops with artfully placed cutouts. I like to balance a Top like this with something less fitted on the Bottom - like the Slouchy Jean detailed above- and a heel or platform. On the other hand, you can choose the feminine, exaggerated collar Tops that perfectly pair with your favorite Knit cardigan and boot cut jean.
Shoes – When I first moved to New York from California, I thought that the only shoe one could possibly wear post Labor Day weekend was a winter boot. But ten years later, I have learned that the most seasoned New Yorkers have both a wardrobe full of Coats (ex. Trench coat, Rain coat, Dressy Wool coat, Menswear-inspired coat, etc.) and a wardrobe full of Boots (ex. Ankle boot, Brown Riding boots, Knee-high Black boot, etc.). My advice will always be to invest in a wardrobe of classics in high quality before you invest in trends. If you are ready for the latter, the Loafer and the chunky Chelsea Boot are the shoe trends to buy into for Fall.
FWH=FASHION TO WORK FROM HOME | No, I didn’t get that backwards. We are all working from home, and to varying degrees of enjoyment/hatred. I, for one, very much enjoy the ease of rolling straight out of my bed over to the coffee machine and on to my desk. Where I work, we are not required to turn our Zoom cameras on, so I literally bypass the time it used to take me to commute and get ready for the work day. Does it make me more efficient at my job? Sure (well, it gives me more hours to do my job…efficiency is a whole different story). Does it give me the freedom to step away from my desk to make lunch or go for a quick run in the one break I have in between meetings? Yes (again, actually doing either of those things depends on the day). But it does not give me any occasion to dress up! And that is pure torture for me because there is nothing I love more than getting dressed up. So I’ve settled on ‘The Luxe Sweatsuit’ as a new essential if you want to hold on to the comfort of PJs without looking like you actually just rolled out of bed.
The Luxe sweatsuit – Wear it as is for your work day or throw on a structured wool coat and heel to dress it up for weeknight dinner with the girls.
So while 2020 has been the year of *pants are optional*, there is nothing quite like getting up and getting dressed every day to renew your sense of normalcy in this rough year for everyone. Happy shopping!
