Every fall, the same four colours report for duty: beige, black, brown and grey. The neutrals.
Meanwhile, some of us have pink jeans to wear.
Listen, we have nothing against neutrals. Neutrals are useful. Neutrals are dependable. Like the sensible friend who always remembers to bring Advil.
But somewhere along the way, “fall dressing” became suspiciously close to “blending into the furniture.”
If you know us at all, you can probably already see where this is going. Blending in is not among our list of favorite things to do.
Fall Does Not Require a Personality Transplant
Just because the temperature drops does not mean your wardrobe has to lose all signs of life.
You’re still allowed to wear colour.
You’re still allowed to wear things that are interesting.
You’re still allowed to wear jeans that cause people to do double takes as you pass in the street.
In fact, fall may be the best season for clothes with personality.
Why?
Because suddenly we get texture.
Layers.
Denim.
Embroidery.
Tweed.
Corduroy.
Fringe.
Velvet.
Chunky knits.
Unexpected colour.
Ridiculous sleeves.
And jackets so good they can rescue an entire outfit before you’ve even had coffee.
Fall is not the season to disappear.
Fall is the season to get dressed properly.
Exhibit A: Denim That Has Something to Say
Blue jeans are wonderful.
We love blue jeans.
Blue jeans have been holding civilization together for decades.
But sometimes your wardrobe calls for jeans that enter the room before you do.
Think iced lavender.
Hot pink.
Mineral washes.
Raw hems.
Unique pockets.
Statement seams.
Unexpected cuffs.
Interesting silhouettes.
The kind of denim that turns a white tee and a pair of sneakers into an actual outfit.
That is what we mean by a statement piece.
It doesn’t have to be loud.
It just has to make the rest of your closet considerably less boring.
Texture: Because Flat Fabric Is Doing Absolutely Nothing for Us
Fall is when texture finally gets its moment.
Crochet.
Tweed.
Fringe.
Faux fur.
Chunky knits.
Patchwork.
Velvet.
Embroidery.
Tapestry.
The good stuff.
Texture is one of the easiest ways to make an outfit look intentional without making it complicated.
You can wear jeans, boots and a sweater like you’ve done a thousand times before.
But make that sweater fringed, dimensional, embroidered or beautifully textured and suddenly the whole thing looks considered.
Same basic formula.
Much better result.
Colour Is Still Legal After Labour Day
We checked.
Lavender is still allowed.
Pink is still allowed.
Wine is definitely allowed.
Hunter green practically has a fall passport.
And if your jacket happens to include a few unexpected colours, even better.
Fall colour does not have to mean turning yourself into a walking pumpkin-spice colour palette.
Sometimes one surprising colour is exactly what makes an outfit look current.
And no, it doesn’t need to “match everything.”
That outdated ‘rule’ is responsible for leading women to buy an obscene amount of boring clothing.
Instead, ask yourself:
‘How does this colour make me feel?’
‘Would I get excited about wearing this?’
Much more useful.
The Jacket Is Allowed to Be the Outfit
There is no rule stating that outerwear must be seen but not heard.
A great jacket can speak volumes before you even say a word.
Interesting print?
Yes.
Unexpected shape?
Absolutely.
Embroidery, studs, sequins, faux shearling, exaggerated texture, exposed seams… ?
Please proceed.
This is particularly handy on days when your outfit underneath is essentially:
“Jeans. Top. I tried.”
Put on a spectacular jacket and suddenly you are a woman on a mission.
Nobody needs to know the mission is to make it to the dry cleaners before they close, gas up the car, pick up milk and a birthday card for your neighbor and manage to get home in time to shower before your inlaws arrive for dinner.
Your Sweater Does Not Have to Look Like Everyone Else’s Sweater
Sweater season is wonderful.
Sweater sameness is not.
There is a whole world beyond the standard anonymous knit.
Fringe.
Florals.
Open crochet.
Colour blocking.
Unusual sleeves.
Unexpected necklines.
Metallic yarns.
Texture that makes someone across the room think:
Wait. What is she wearing?
That little moment?
That is exactly what we are after.
Because getting dressed should be more fun than simply covering the necessary body parts.
The Goal Is Not “More Clothes”
This is the important bit.
A massive wardrobe is not the same as a fabulous wardrobe.
It is a wardrobe containing enough pieces that make you genuinely excited to put something on.
The jeans you reach for because they make a basic sweater look great, AND they are insanely soft and comfortable.
The jacket that turns an otherwise ordinary outfit into something memorable AND injects you with instant confidence the second you slip your arms into the sleeves.
The weird little top you almost talked yourself out of buying — and now wear constantly.
Those are the pieces that earn their real estate.
And yes, you still need basics.
We are not suggesting you burn every beige item you own in a ceremonial bonfire.
That feels administratively complicated.
We are simply suggesting that your wardrobe should contain enough personality that getting dressed does not feel like selecting office carpeting.
Our Fall Dress Code
Wear the colour.
Buy the strange jeans.
Choose the sweater with the fabulous sleeves.
Put on the jacket that strangers gawk at.
Mix textures.
Wear something just because it makes you happy.
You do not have to dress louder.
Please, ladies, would you just have the courage to dress more like yourselves?
If that happens to involve hot pink denim, fringe, embroidered flowers or a jacket that could theoretically start a conversation at the grocery store?
More power to you! Have fun with it!