Ten Neutral Fall Basics

Yesterday’s walk to school was full of dark, moody clouds and cooler temps in the 60s and 70s. It’s the time to start a transition in my wardrobe from summer basics towards fall. Today I want to share ten items that create a solid foundation for a fall wardrobe. These are the pieces I wear most often, and they are timeless options that won’t go out of style quickly.

When dressing for fall, I am often an outfit repeater. I like to wear the same silhouette, like a tee and sweater with jeans or a fleece with leggings, daily. It feels good and requires little fuss. Because fall can fluctuate wildly from warm sunny days to rain to cold and windy, it’s important to rely on layers and a few solid outerwear pieces when getting dressed.

Fall comes on slowly and in fits and bursts, and I still rely on pieces from my summer list of basics. I wear tan sandals as long as possible, switching out shorts for jeans. A white t-shirt can be worn year round, along with quality white sneakers. A cotton sweater is another purchase that can be versatile for layering as the days turn cool (I just ordered this one!). It’s rare in Indiana, but I do love wearing a sweater with shorts in early fall too.

Later in October, I will take one Saturday to fully transition all our closets for cold weather, but until then the weather allows me to mix and match summer & fall clothes together.

Below I’m sharing the ten things I love to wear during the fall months. I have linked items I own personally, as well as quality options I would purchase for my wardrobe if I was shopping for them now.

Loafers

The slightly masculine & bookish touch of a leather loafer can make any outfit feel quintessential fall.

Straight Leg Denim

I’m a huge fan of these jeans (full review here) and wear the, nearly everyday. I recommend going a size down and at 5’4″ I wear the ankle length.

Midweight Jacket

To be perfectly honest, in the Midwest, it is very difficult to limit myself to a single fall jacket. I prefer to have a few options depending on the weather and I find these get daily use. Classic outerwear is always a good investment.

Fleece Sweater

Last year, I found myself drawn to a cozy fleece and ordered a couple to add to my wardrobe. I love wearing one over a tee, and they hold up so well.

Ballet Flats

Now for a feminine touch! Ballet flats are so flattering and can really make an impact on your outfit. I love pairing them with a sweater and jeans.

Black Leggings

Definitely a basic that gets worn on repeat. This is my all-time favorite pair of leggings, and I wear my true size – with this bra when exercising. (Use my referral link for $10 off your first purchase of $95 or more.).

Camel Cardigan

Here is another wardrobe staple that feels very fall. The color is warm and cardigans feel so cozy. Luckily, it can be worn through winter and even spring too, so you won’t have to store it away the rest of the year.

Solid Crewneck Sweater

A crewneck sweater with denim is my forever uniform in cold weather. It is simple but shoes, outerwear, and jewelry can make it special. Check for fabric softness and texture when making your purchases to be sure it will be one you love!

Skinny Jeans

I know, I know, skinny jeans had a rough year, but depending on the silhouette of your outfit I think they can still have a solid place in your wardrobe! (Full review & sizing here.)

Cozy Lounge Set

One of my favorite purchases last year was a matching lounge set, and there’s no going back. I love throwing these on during the weekend and they are crazy soft!

Sweater (tts) | Denim (size down) | Loafers (fit tts) | Sunglasses (similar for less)

I hope this list helps you to prep your wardrobe for fall. Are you as excited about sweater weather as I am this year?

It’s always my goal to help you make style choices that you will love long-term and help you to focus on getting the basics covered for each season. A quick lesson from the French is that it’s ok to wear the same thing on repeat (many of our beloved characters do!) and that fewer choices actually can improve your personal style!

See more of my fall style posts HERE.