Fashion

While wearing something brand-spankin’ new can make you feel like a million bucks, there’s a more budget-friendly alternative that’s underrated as far as joy goes: making old, tried-and-true (and sometimes lackluster) pieces work in new ways.An example? That grey sweater you’ve had sitting in your closet forever
Just because it’s a basic doesn’t mean it needs to look basic, and by pairing it in new ways that you ordinarily wouldn’t, you can make it feel completely brand new (and different every time you wear it). Put your skinny jeans down and try wearing yours in these new and improved ways—we promise, you’ll trick yourself into thinking you’re wearing it for the first time.

1. Layered over a maxi dress

sweater / dress / boots / bag

2. With mom jeans and a shearling coat

jeans / coat / sweater / sneakers / bag
 
3. With a plaid skirt

sweater / skirt / boots / coat

4. With plaid pants and a shacket

pants / sweater / chelsea boots / shacket

5. With skinny jeans and statement boots

jeans / boots / sweater / coat 

6. With wide-leg jeans and a blazer

blazer / jeans / sweater / boots (currently 50% off!) / bag

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If you ask me, Instagram is the superior social media site. It’s where I go to digest fashion inspo, seek out the latest and greatest home decor trends, find my next at-home workout, and dream about all of the dogs I’ll one day own. Taking a peek into the posts I’ve bookmarked is a glimmer into my soul. In my saved folder, you’ll find a lot of things: corgis galore, the next booty workout I totally intend to but probably won’t try, and bedroom landscapes that I want to copy/paste into my own space. But above all, you’ll find outfit formulas that I want to replicate next.Shoutout to all of the chic, cool fashion girls on the world wide web that make me think that I, too, can be a chic, cool fashion girl! In my pursuit to satisfy my inner-fashionista and solve all of my “what am I going to wear today” woes, I’ve rounded up these 20 foolproof fall outfit combos that I want to copy ASAP:

1. All black and a pop of white:

This is the ultimate cool-girl outfit combo and is so easy to pull off. I love a good black-on-black, monochrome look on a good day but adding a pop of white makes for the perfect subtle statement.

2. A matching set with an oversized coat:

Running errands has never looked so good. Adding a long-lined coat to your matching set is the perfect way to add a little spice to your athleisure. 10/10 will be trying this one out!

3. A collared sweater with plaid, tailored pants:

I am absolutely obsessed with this tailored look. Adding a white button-down shirt is such an effortless way to upgrade your average sweater, and pairing with plaid trousers makes for the perfect fall vibe.

4. A button-down white shirt, denim, and a pair of kitten heels:

This is the outfit combination of my dreams. Styling a white button-down, jeans, and a kitten heel is so unbelievably simple, yet oh-so classic. Pair with your favorite statement sunnies and you’re good to go.

5. A bold, tailored suit:

A monochrome, tailored suit says, “I’m here to rock your world.” This look is so powerful and pairing with a set of heels and statement jewelry really sends this outfit combo home. 

6. A fitted puffer with dad sneaks:

Fitted puffer with dad sneaks? Say no more. This trendy outfit combo is super casual and perfect for a fall Saturday hitting up the Farmer’s Market and grabbing coffee with a friend. 

7. A leather mini skirt, a graphic tee, and an oversized blazer:

Graphic tees are my love language, so it’s no surprise that I love this outfit formula. Pairing a tee with a faux leather mini skirt and an oversized jacket is my idea of a good time and I’ll be sure to rock this look until Chicago weather says otherwise.

8. White jeans and a plaid blazer:

Whoever said that you can’t wear white after Labor Day was seriously mistaken, and our girl Kathleen Barnes is here to prove it. White denim paired with a chunky knit sweater or a plaid blazer is so tasteful and is the chic, fall look no one saw coming.

9. A chunky knit sweater, a maxi skirt, and snakeskin booties:

Adding a delicate midi-skirt and statement booties is such a fun way to up your fall sweater game and extend the life of your spring/summer skirt collection. I can’t wait to give this combo a try for so many reasons, the first being that it looks so unbelievably comfy.

10. A plaid blazer, jeans, and mules:

This is the classic fall look I’ll wear again and again and again. A plaid blazer, a turtleneck or mock-neck sweater, denim, and mules is such a foolproof outfit formula that always will have your back. 

11. A camel coat, a graphic tee, leggings, and sneakers:

Like I stated previously, I am a sucker for a good graphic tee. I may be biased as I already have worn this exact outfit this past weekend but this look is so freakin’ easy to pull off. Adding a camel coat and a crossbody bag to leggings, a tee, and sneaks makes for the comfiest, coolest outfit in the game.

12. Leather trousers, a light sweater, and layered necklaces:

Grab your leather trousers, ladies, this look is at the top of our “to-try” list. When I came across this combo, I gasped. If you already have a pair of leather pants, the rest basically styles itself. I love the idea of adding a black mock-neck sweater to make perfectly layered jewelry pop.

13. A white tee, denim, sneakers, and a trench coat:

This look is so beautifully simple to the point where I just can’t stop staring at it. Adding a trench coat to a white tee, denim, and sneakers automatically upgrades your look and will be your new weekend go-to.

14. A monochrome moment:

How chic is this monochrome look? If I could copy/paste this outfit onto my body right now, I would. Wear with a pair of statement sunglasses and you have the most dreamy fall outfit of all time, ever.

15. An oversized plaid jacket, leather shorts, and combat boots:

When I say I want to dress like the characters in Emily in Paris, I’m talking specifically about an outfit like this. It’s the perfect mix of prints and textures without being too off-the-wall (I love you Emily but I can’t do your wild color palette). I’m obsessed with this look and need to try it out STAT. 

16. Wide-leg trousers, an oversized blazer, and a silk blouse:

This bold look is *chef’s kiss* and these wide-leg trousers have me convinced that I need wide-leg trousers. Pairing them with a silk top and an oversized blazer is the fall statement that I want to be making this year. So bold, so chic.

17. A balloon-sleeve sweater, light wash denim, and printed slides:

Name a cuter work-from-home look, I’ll wait. Balloon-sleeve sweaters are my favorite fall trend and once you have one (or 10), the rest of this outfit is so easy to put together. Grab your favorite denim and some printed mules and you’re set!

18. A bold piece of outwear:

I’ve been in the market for a bold piece of outwear and I’m taking notes from this leopard trench coat. As much as I love neutrals, I can’t help but dream of a statement coat that stops traffic, styles itself, and says, “I’m cool and confident.”

19. An oversized puffer, a mock neck sweater, and a plaid skirt:

‘Tis the season for plaid, ladies. I am loving this pleated plaid skirt/puffer combo, which is such a fun option to rock before the temps drop to below freezing. If you live in a climate that’s a bit warmer than Chicago, please rock this for me all season long. I will be forever in your debt. 

20. A sweater dress with over-the-knee boots:

I have a theory that a good sweater dress can solve all of your problems. If you’re not sure what to wear on a fall Sunday, this is it. Pair with over-the-knee boots and your favorite bag for a perfect autumnal look. More

When the weather is cold, you know exactly what you want to reach for when getting dressed in the morning — not your silky camisole, not your trendy blazer, and not your fancy work top. No, when the weather is freezing, you want to reach for a trusted, comfy, so-cozy-you-never-want-to-take-it-off sweater. From early fall to the end of winter, a sweater is undoubtedly your best friend. And like any other best friend, sweaters require love and care. While they’re extremely delicate, they can last through many wears and many seasons if you treat them the right way. Here’s how to properly take care of your sweaters so they can last as long as you want them to:
Remove pills the right way.
Is there anything as annoying as pilling on a favorite sweater!? A perfectly fine and pretty wool cardigan can start to look like an ungroomed dog after a while. Unfortunately, all sweaters pill — it’s caused by rubbing during wear and is more apparent around the elbows, under armpits, and on sleeves, but can occur anywhere on the sweater.
To remove pills easily, hold the sweater flat with one hand and slice the the pills off (one at a time) with a razor. You can also buy a pill remover. Do not pull at them, or else the pilling will become worse.

Turn any noticeable snags inside out.
Snags (aka when the stitch comes out of the sweater) are the worst because they seem unfixable, and you risk the sweater unraveling with any little possibility that the snag gets caught on something. Snags are not completely fixable, but luckily, they can be placed on the inside, so they’re no longer an issue on the outside. Simply turn the sweater inside out, insert a crochet hook into the same stitch as the snag, and carefully pull the snag through.

Source: Kiki & Bow

Remove dandruff, hair, and lint, regularly.
A child’s soft hairbrush or a soft toothbrush will help you quickly brush off anything on the sweater (looking at you, dog hair!). Just make sure not to brush too harshly on the sweater or it will loosen the fabric and create pills.

Know how to wash, and when.
Washing a sweater is never easy or fun (though is any laundry “fun?”). Most of the time, you should always hand wash your sweaters to make them last longer and keep the fabric in tact.
To hand wash, fill a bucket or sink with cool water, add a few squirts of gentle laundry detergent, submerge the sweater, and let it soak for about 30 minutes. Then rinse it under cool water. To dry, gently squeeze water out of the sweater (never wring it out) and roll it up in a towel (like a sleeping bag or sushi roll) to suck up all the excess water. Finally, lay it flat on a drying rack or clean towel to dry.
Cotton, silk, or cashmere typically needs to be washed after two to three wears, while wool or polyester can withstand more like five wears. But make sure to follow the directions on the label, and don’t wash any more often unless the sweater has a stain (like sweat or a spill).
And if it says dry clean only (as it does with most wool), then you know the drill: dry clean only.

Source: @daniellemoss_

To extend washes, wear a t-shirt underneath.
Since washing is not ideal for sweaters, there are ways to extend the amount of time you need to wash them. Wearing a t-shirt acts as a barrier between the sweater and skin, limiting the amount of outside forces and smells the fabric interacts with. Since things like sweat, body odor, oils on the skin, and deodorant can cause the sweater to lose its shape, the sweater stays in tact longer when you wear a t-shirt that acts as a barrier.

You can save an itchy sweater.
Is there anything worse than a sweater so itchy, it loses all its coziness!? In order to bring itchy back to soft and cozy, add liquid fabric softener to the cold water when you’re washing your sweater. Allow the sweater to thoroughly swirl around the water and let it sit. You can also try adding half a cup of hair conditioner instead of fabric softener, for extra softness. Just make sure you avoid 2-in-1 conditioner/shampoo combinations and heavy hair masks. Also stick to hydrating or standard conditioner, rather than other formulas meant for volumizing or thickening.

Always store sweaters properly in your closet.
Repeat after me: Never. Hang. Sweaters. Hanging will cause sweaters to stretch out and cause peaks in the shoulders. Keep sweaters folded or rolled in drawers or on shelves. Properly fold them by laying them front-down on a flat surface and fold each arm (from the sleeve seam diagonally across the sweater’s back). Then, either fold it horizontally in half, or roll from the bottom hem up to the collar. If you must hang them, fold the sweater over the hanger, on top of a piece of tissue paper to prevent crease.

Take the time to correctly pack up your sweaters after winter.
Yes, all good things must come to an end, so it’s important to know how to properly pack up your sweaters when you’re storing them for spring and summer. Properly clean them, fold them, and put them in clothing storage bags (that are breathable) or boxes (as long as they’re made out of cotton or canvas). Add in a small satchel filled with lavender to prevent bugs (and keep them smelling fresh!). Do not put sweaters in vacuum-sealed storage bags — it might seem like it’s saving space, but locking in moisture can cause yellowing or mildew. More

When new trends start becoming popular, it can be hard to gauge whether or not it’s worth hopping on the bandwagon. Will it be something that sticks around, or will it be old news by the time our online order arrives on our doorstep? Give us a crystal ball and call us your wardrobe fortune tellers because after lots of research and with a little bit of gut instinct, we’ve mapped out exactly that: which trendy pieces you should invest in this year versus which ones you can save a little bit of your hard-earned cash on. Not every trendy piece requires making an investment-level purchase on, but when it’s something that’s going to be around for years to come, it’s a different story. 
These are the trends worth adding to your closet this season, and which are going to be around a lot longer than just that:

Invest: Chelsea Boots

Last year, chunky combat boots were all the rage, and this year we’re seeing a slight variation on the trend with chunkier chelsea boots being the shoe of the year. If you play your cards right, the version of these could be an edgy staple in your wardrobe for years to come.

Save: A Sweater Vest

Of all the surprises 2020 has brought, one of the top is that we’re actually excited to wear sweater vests. This is a trend that’s probably going to come and go with the year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it while it’s here; get yourself an affordable one and layer it over a white button-up for a preppy twist on your classic cardigan look.

Invest: A Shearling Coat

Shearling is the fall piece that’s almost more of a closet staple than a temporary trend, and as the years come and go, we see them come back again and again. If you’re buying yourself one piece of outerwear, it should be a cozy, shearling coat that’s going to last you for years to come.

Save: Something Collared

Big, bold collars are the twist on tops that are conquering this fall, and whether you want yours to be ruffled or adorned with pearls, this is one that you can save on this year with a more affordable option.

Invest: Knee-High Boots

While knee-high boots are trendy this year, there really isn’t a year that you can’t wear them; they’re a closet staple in and of themselves. You’ll never regret having an amazing pair in your wardrobe, and this is something you should be getting wear out of far beyond 2020.

Save: A Shoulder Bag

Tiny shoulder bags have completely stolen this year’s bag spotlight, and while you probably will be wearing yours for months to come, you just don’t need to spend a ton of cash on one for it to be well-made and versatile. These affordable options will give you everything you need from them and more.

Invest: A Plaid Blazer

In the same vein as shearling coats, plaid blazers are the trend we just can’t get rid of. This should be a piece you reach for year after year, and having one that you love is key to wanting to do that.

Save: A Shacket

The shirt-jacket hybrid that we’ve been living in this year is a fun, more masculine piece to add to your wardrobe, but the majority of them don’t cost an arm and a leg. With just about every color, texture, and pattern under the sun, you’re sure to find one that you’ll get a ton of use out of that doesn’t break the bank.

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