The Fall Fundamentals
All under $90, folks!
Happy Friday!
Yesterday was the first day in NYC where the evening held just the *slightest* bit of crispness in the air and I am ECSTATIC. I had already chosen these edits regardless because I was going to try to manifest autumn - but it’s showing up of its own accord!
Below is a ‘Vintage Copycat’ because honestly, young Harrison Ford is definitely a style inspiration for me, and his outfit is everything a good fall outfit needs to be. Then it’s all kinds of classics in a big ‘Things I Like’! I recently realized I have gaps in my wardrobe of some of the very basics. Like, say, a good white t-shirt, a pair of loose jeans, and a light sweater. Basics! Instead my closet is full of silk blouses I’m afraid I’ll sweat through and trousers I still need to get hemmed (oi). So, in the spirit of filling sartorial gaps, I’ve found us a few essentials: some that are foundational and some that are twists on classics. I’ve also NUMBERED THE COLLAGE! So…big things happening. Enjoy!
Like I said, this isn’t the most outrageous outfit, but it is stylishly applicable to the real world, so I’m a fan. You know I love taupe, but paired with a navy blazer, you won’t need to concern yourself with the possibility of it washing you out. I’ve added one oversized blazer for a more 2022 take, or if you like a slim, single button silhouette, this Fendi velvet is a stunner and you can’t go wrong. From there it’s a hop, skip, a jump, a classic wash jean, and a cool pair of sunglasses away from a great outfit. And my man Ford knows great outfits.
From top left to right:
1. INSANE multicolor suede bomber jacket, $85. Don’t get me started! Just don’t! This jacket is just nuts. I’ve seen patchwork and I’ve seen colorful suede but never have I seen them combined in such a modern way AND in bomber form.
2. Light grey dropwaist sweater dress, $45. Two (of many) ways to wear this dress: belted with a dove grey or bone leather belt and matching mules OR with knee-high black leather boots and a skimming duster jacket.
3. Goldenrod chunky sweater, $25. A classic! With good braid detail. Wear with #4.
4. Vakko leather pants, $39. Vakko is ELITE vintage leather goods. Never not buttery to the touch. I can’t believe how good of a deal these are. I have always loved the inherent badassness of leather pants and I’m feeling brave enough (ie have lost the will to have body issues! Join me!) this fall to wear my own pair of badassness.
5. Oatmeal speckled cable knit tunic, $13. Another knit classic! This time of the cable knit variety. I’d wear this with #6 and #9 quite happily.
6. Moschino green suede loafers, $42. Luck be any lady that can fit in these green suede loafers! Size 7! Have at em!
7. Rodier Paris knit skirt set, $25. This feels like something Kathleen Kelly would wear in You’ve Got Mail, which, along with When Harry Met Sally, are the two seminal movies I watch to get in an autumnal mood. All that’s missing is a bouquet of newly-sharpened pencils.
8. Linda Allard/Ellen Tracy ruched LBD, $30. I told you these were all essentials! With these straps and the ruching, this beaut deserves a date night on the town. Get thee to thy nearest wine bar + theatre show.
9. Black suede miniskirt, $30. The cargo pocket is having a moment, and in case the iteration on pants isn’t to your liking, here’s a classic little black mini with just enough pocket to be in on the trend but not too much for it to be out of style in a year.
10. Abstract floral palazzos, $17. These are the kind of pants I imagine people cross the streets in and in their head they’re thinking, “I am chic, I am grace, I have deftly avoided that puddle, I am unstoppable.” I’m intimidated and in awe of those people! Those bastions of strength would wear these with #12.
11. Brushed gold split hoops, $32. Elevated simplicity at its finest. Just a split hoop that tucks behind the earlobe. So, so special.
12. Black angora sweater, $35. In my closet philosophy, you must have a short sleeve sweater. Even with a pair of tuxedo pants, they lend an innate casual air to any outfit. Like the embodiment of “Oh, this old thing? I just threw it on.”
13. Bloomingdale’s rugby polo, $30. If you haven’t seen them around yet, BELIEVE that striped rugby polos are coming back. I just picked one up from Goodwill the other day and am champing at the bit for cooler weather to stay. Would wear with #16 for some easy print mixing.
14. Anne Klein leather midi skirt, $60. NOT a pencil skirt! Most midi leather skirts are and they’re hard to be truly mobile in. Obviously you can go sleek with a black turtleneck, but you can also sport this baby up with #18.
15. Cream Ralph Lauren cargos, $35. See? Cargo pants! One reason I look forward to fall/winter is that I have many more pockets to store my stuff, meaning I can forgo purses. Here’s your chance for the same freedom (with style!).
16. Oleg Cassini floral denim jeans, $50. Like a Liberty print in jean form. These could easily skew minimal if paired with basics, but is also a great piece for print-anxious people as it would mesh well with any print or color.
17. Black leather blazer, $25. Another deal! Long live the leather blazer!
18. Oleg Cassini plaid fleece, $23. Love this piece for its stylish update on something generally deemed utilitarian. Possibly wear this over a white turtleneck and under #17?
19. Jones NY suede & shearling coat, $82. Oft-sought and rarely found: a sub-$100 pristine shearling & suede coat.
20. Benetton grey sweatshirt, $15. I know this isn’t the most exciting piece but it could ~literally~ be worn with anything in this list and if that isn’t essential, I don’t know what is.
21. Aquascutum plaid vest/blazer set, $58. Amazing! I will continue to proselytize the merits of a vest and boom! - this is a vest SET. Imagine the set with the Vakko leather pants! Or the vest with the cargo pants or the blazer with the speckled sweater!
All you paid subscribers be on the lookout tomorrow for many more ‘Vintage Copycats’ and then another handful of fall vintage essentials. There are some fun abstract prints, a sparkly minidress, and a matching lounge set, all under $100 of course. Not a paid subscriber? Hop to it, if you’re so inclined (to do so, just click to my profile page and hit the button in the top right corner)!
Have a great weekend xx Maggie