With Labor Day ushering in the (un)official start of fall, not to mention the start of New York Fashion Week on the horizon (along with a whole lot of pressure to look flawless that it brings), I’m desperate to break out chic, new fall threads and leave the dresses and skirts I’ve been wearing all summer behind. But it’s not exactly sweater weather yet, and as much as I want to dress for the new season, I also don’t want to show up to the camera-lined shows looking like a hot sweaty mess. In the past, I’ve invested in the new fall staples at the beginning of the season, including the heavier sweaters and wool dresses I can’t wear until months later, which means I’m stuck starting off the new season in the previous season’s clothes and hating my outfit on the daily and wishing it would get cold fast. Which is really no way to approach fall dressing — it’s one of the best seasons of the year and one of the most fun to dress for. That’s why, this year, I’m starting my fall shopping by investing in pieces that I can wear now, and long after the leaves turn and the weather turns.
1. Culottes
The Picks:
Iris and Ink Culottes, $210, theoutnet.com
Zara culottes, $49.99, zara.com
2. Long Vest
The Picks:
Topshop longline vest, $85, nordstrom.com
Cupcakes and Cashmere vest, $130, nordstrom.com
Helmut Lang Vest/Wrap Dress, $209, saksoff5th.com
3. Off-the-Shoulder Shirt
The Picks:
Tibi off the shoulder top, $295
Zara Off the Shoulder White Shirt, $49.90, zara.com
H&M White Off-the-Shoulder Blouse, $39.99, hm.com
Tibi off the shoulder cutout top, $295
4. Boxy Crop Top
The picks:
Zara Embroidered Cropped Top, $39.90, zara.com
Tibi Jersey crop top, $335, nordstrom.com
5. Lace-Up Ballet Flats
The Picks:
Zara black Lace Up Ballerina Shoes, $49.90, zara.com
Zara Lace Up nude Ballet Flats, $69.90, zara.com
Topshop Lace Up Ballet Flats, $45, nordstrom.com
6. Cropped Flare Jeans
The Picks:
AYR Cropped Jeans, $225, nordstrom.com
H&M Kick Flare Ankle Jeans, $49.99, hm.com
Topshop Cropped Flare Jeans, $68, nordstrom.com
3×1 Cropped Flare Jeans, $98, saks.com
7. Suede Jacket
The Picks:
H&M Suede Jacket with Fringe, $349, hm.com
BlankNYC Fringe Suede Jacket, $188, nordstrom.com
Theory cropped suede jacket, $389 (sale), saks.com
Zara suede fringe jacket, $189, zara.com
8. Denim A-Line Skirt
The Picks:
Alexa Chung for AG Denim Skirt, $245, saks.com
H&M Denim Button Front Skirt, $34.99, hm.com
Zara denim skirt, $39.90, zara.com
9. Cropped Jumpsuit
The Picks:
Tibi Agathe Jumpsuit, $417, tibi.com
Milly Strapless Culotte Jumpsuit, $315, shopbop.com
Tibi off the shoulder jumpsuit, $795, saks.com
Zara cropped jumpsuit, $69.90, zara.com
Tibi Bow Front Jumpsuit, $695, netaporter.com
10. Sleeveless Tunic
The Picks:
Tibi Satin Layered Tunic, $485
Zara Navy Tunic with Side Slits, $69.99, zara.com
Zara Burnt Orange Tunic With Side Slits, $99.90, zara.com
Zara Dark Grey Long Tunic, $49.90, zara.com
11. Cape Dress
The Picks:
Tibi Cape Dress, $595, nordstrom.com
Zara Cape Dress with Low Back, $99, zara.com
McQ Alexander McQueen Knit Cape Dress, $625, saks.com
Milly Cape Dress, $395, saks.com
12. Printed Maxi Dress
The Picks:
DVF Blue Wrap Maxi Dress, $648, nordstrom.com
Maison Scotch Printed Maxi Dress, $149, shopbop
DVF Maxi Dress, $798, saks.com
Zara Long Crepe Dress, $69.90, zara.com
Alice & Olivia Printed Maxi Dress, $598, saks.com
Matthew Williamson Maxi Dress, $573.75, theoutnet.com
13. Lace Dress
The Picks:
3.1 Phillip Lim Lace Dress, $895, saks.com
Zara Navy Blue Lace Crepe Dress, $129, zara.com
Suno lace dress, $595, saks.com
14. Patchwork Print Dress
The Picks:
DVF Printed Dress, $598, saks.com
Zara Printed Black and White Dress, $69.90, zara.com
Rebecca Taylor Printed Dress, $495, shopbop
Shoshanna Printed Dress, $395, shopbop.com
Zara Flared Printed Dress in Black/Ecru, $49.90, zara.com
A.L.C. printed Dress, $695, shopbop.com
15. Denim Dress
The Picks:
Zara 3/4 Sleeve Denim Dress, $49, zara.com
Marc Jacobs Denim Dress, $196, saks.com
Zara Frayed Edge Denim Dress, $29, zara.com
Theory Denim Dress, $147.50, theoutnet.com
16. Suede Dress
The Picks:
Zara Suede Dress with Pockets, $49, zara.com
Illia Suede Dress, $462, theoutnet.com
Theory Suede Dress, $715, saks.com
17. Funnel Neck Top
The Picks:
Tibi Sleeveless Funnel Neck Top
Tibi Boucle Funnel Neck Sweater, $425
Zara Funnel Collar Top, $69.90, zara.com
18. Ruffle Sleeve Blouse
The Picks:
Blouse with Kimono Sleeve, $39.90, zara.com
Combined Lace Blouse, $49.90, zara.com
Zara lace ruffle sleeve blouse, $49.90
19. Subtle Peplum Top
The Picks:
Zara peplum top, $19.90, zara.com
Tibi Laser Cut Crepe Top, $167.50, theoutnet.com
Zara White Peplum Top, $49.90, zara.com
20. Loose-Fit Tapered Trousers
The Picks:
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