Build a Timeless Closet

The beginning of Fall welcomes leaves changing colors, temperature drops, the start of classes and new fashion trends. Trend usually means temporary, but that is not always the case. Sometimes a trend comes and sticks around, securing a permanent spot in your wardrobe. Many of the most important components in your closet consist of fall staples. Fall lends itself to a totally timeless style, and those timeless styles are solid wardrobe essentials.

The fall is not only about timeless pieces, but lots and lots of layers. When the weather starts to cool down, the clothing variations are endless. September and October begin the transition of cool crisp mornings into the afternoons, where you regret that sweater you put on earlier. But with the right layering pieces, you can build the perfect fall wardrobe that is both functional and timeless! Many of these pieces will continue to transition into all of the seasons. From over-sized blazers to cozy cardigans and cute little booties to those thigh high boots, there are countless options.

These are my closet staples:

• Button down shirts
• Blazers
• Cardigans
• Trench coat
• Leather jacket
• Denim jacket
• Leopard shoes, ANY KIND!
• Fashion sneakers
• Booties/Boots
• Hats
• Plain white tees

White Button Down Shirt

A crisp white button down shirt is the most flattering and universal piece in both a man and a woman’s wardrobe. You can layer a button down with literally anything! It is the perfect shirt for men for any type of formal occasion, work, or date night. The same for the girls, but we can also dress it down so many ways! A button up is great thrown over a swimsuit, or unbuttoned over a camisole with jeans. Roll up the sleeves of a blazer and let your button-down hang longer for a cooler take on the 9-to-5 look. White button-up shirts come in short sleeves, bodysuits and with pre-tied front tails for a modern twist on this classic look. They even make wrinkle free ones at Untuckit!

This wardrobe staple top has been around for decades and will continue to be for many to come.

Chambray Button Down Shirt

While a chambray button down shirt is not as classic as the white, it is still just as universal for me. It is my go to option to pop on over an outfit, when it is too warm for a denim jacket. And it is a great style choice for men; a denim on denim type outfit is a look.

Blazers

A classic blazer is an absolute wardrobe essential; almost everyone has some version of one hanging in their closet. Blazers make any outfit feel more polished and put together. On office days, 90% of the time you will find me in a blazer thrown on top of my outfit. Blazers and suit jackets have been around for centuries but these days, there are trendy fabrics, textures and styles on the classic blazer that make the options endless. The two main blazer types are single and double-breasted. Single-breasted blazers tend to have one, two or three buttons perpendicular, sometimes you may even find four or five; double-breasted blazers have wide overlapping front flaps that button off center, usually with two buttons perpendicular. Then there are all the styles: fitted, boyfriend, draped, printed, sailor, military, cropped, long-line, cape, peplum, waterfall, denim, leather, velvet.

I love a classic black blazer for its versatility and of course my favorite is my hot pink boyfriend blazer.

But here are a few examples of the infinity of options for a classic blazer: the style

Target’s blazers from A New Day are so good too! Mine from them is another one of my favorite blazers currently in my closet. I get all the compliments when I wear it! The quality is unbelievable for the price tag; this plaid beauty feels like one of my $300 jackets.

Cardigans

I am THAT girl that is always cold even in the middle of the summer. I always have a cardigan by my side, but there is no comparison to a long-line cardigan in the fall. And I am pretty tall, so when I find a long-line cardigan that actually goes below my knees, I consider myself golden. And in the summertime or beach getaways, a long cardigan makes for a great swim cover up too!

Cardigans are a year-round staple for me, but when it comes to cooler temperatures, it is the Barefoot Dreams season. There is no better way to describe Barefoot Dreams other than a little piece of heaven. All of their products are made of the best fabric you can possibly wrap yourself in. So obviously, their cardigans are to die for!

The Ultra Lite cardigans are the lightest barefoot dreams cardigans, and I can wear those ones all year round! This line is also more versatile since they are ‘Ultra Lite’, which makes them easy to dress up or down. I wear mine around the house but also to the office.

Trench Coats

There is something so classic and chic about a tan trench coat. Trench coats are a great transitional piece that is perfect for layering with the crazy temperature changes of Fall (and Spring!). The perfect trench coat should be cut loosely and fall just below your butt for a pulled together look. And they work with any kind of outfit!

SPLURGE

Leather and Denim Jackets

Leather and denim jackets are universal wardrobe pieces. Everyone has one in their closet and they can be paired with literally any outfit. Sweats? LBD? Date Night? Wedding Day? A little leather and denim jacket has you covered for all of the things. Spending a little more on one of these jackets is worth the investment, but there are an insane amount of options for affordable ones, as well. You will get so much use out of denim and leather jackets and they work for all of the seasons.

Levis and trucker jean jackets are my go to. They have been a staple in denim forever for a reason! I literally bring my trucker jean jacket EVERYWHERE! It is great for traveling thrown over sweats, cool summer nights, and its even cute thrown over a dress. And I love the versatility, yet edgy vibe of a (faux) leather moto-jacket!

Leopard Shoe–

Whether they are sneakers, booties or mules, a good leopard shoe is essential. I mean leopard is a neutral right!? Leopard shoes spice up any outfit, but are still a complete neutral at the same time. I am such a sucker for all things animal print and I reach for my leopard shoes regularly.

Fashion Sneakers

Who doesn’t love sneakers?! They are super comfy and functional. I love how sneakers have evolved from a workout staple to an acceptable fashion footwear, even with dresses! It is a trend I definitely support! Under the umbrella of ‘fashion sneakers’ there are three popular subcategories: white leather, black low tops, and designer. The most popular brands are Vans, Converse, Steve Madden, Golden Goose, and Veja.

Golden Goose is within the designer price point, but their popularity has been soaring in recent years. Other designers like Steve Madden and a variety of small boutiques have created Golden Goose dupes and they are just as popular as the real deal. Gucci, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Prada, Common Projects and Chloe are some of the other most popular designer fashion sneaker brands today.

Vans and Converse have both been a classic shoe choice for decades. I’m pretty sure most of us have AT LEAST one pair of each in our closet! Vans and converse are just a very classic universal shoe; you can not go wrong with them!

Steve Madden creates runway inspired shoe styles at a fraction of the runway prices. He is known for copying designers styles, (and has been sued by them many times!) but he seems to have hit the jackpot with his spin on the mega-popular Golden Goose sneaker.

Boots/Booties

Boots have become seasonless. They can be worn in the warmer months with shorts or a little baby doll dress, and in the cooler temperatures they can be worn with leggings or pants (when over-the-knee boots are a necessity!) And not to mention all the styles and fabrics are so cute! Combat boots, over-the-knee boots and a heeled black boot are an absolute must for me! I wear all of them with denim shorts too!

I own a variation of all of these boots and they have great versatility. A good pair of leather boots is a great investment and will be in your closet forever, but it doesn’t hurt to spice up your closet with all the fun prints and trends of each season.

Hats

Whether they are the cure for a bad hair day, to shade your face from sunlight or just to tie together the perfect outfit, hats are a great accessory to include in your wardrobe. And even though hats are a year round thing, there is nothing like the felt and wool hat styles for the fall! Temperatures dropping, pumpkin spice everything and those basic girl photo shoots in vineyards, orchards, sunflower fields and pumpkin patches —- all the things scream for one of these hats.

Plain White Tee

Plain White Tee’s do not need much of an explanation. Everyone needs a collection of them!

I hope my wardrobe staples guide you in building your own timeless wardrobe!