How do I look elevated on a budget? That is a question I get a lot from clients looking to upgrade their professional image without necessarily wanting to gut their wardrobe. My answer will depend on whom I’m talking to and their individual style needs, however, I do have some simple outfit tips that anyone can benefit from. Although I am a big fan of color, there’s something streamlined and forever classic about a minimalist look.
Neutrals in my book are the stealth style heroes for fall that you can build your entire wardrobe around. Beige, ivory, taupe, black, grey, white—these subdued yet super flattering tones take the stress out of outfit planning. Keep scrolling for all the details on how to wear neutrals, and why they’re a smart fall wardrobe investment that you can wear long after the last leaf has fallen.
If you’re stuck on how to wear neutrals, the secret is to keep all your pieces in the classic color family rather than adding in brights and prints straight away. When you don’t have a lot of time to plan your outfits, having a closet well-stocked with these hues will serve you well because they pair together naturally. Plus when all else fails you can achieve balance in any outfit by coordinating your top and shoes with a staple pant. You’ll see in this outfit that I like to wear on the weekends, I paired a cozy cropped sweater with matching white booties with a pair of light grey flare pants. Extra style points for accessorizing with a wide-brimmed hat in the same color palette!
Let’s talk about staple pants for a moment… I understand the need for jeans and leggings – trust me – but to truly elevate your wardrobe you’ll want to invest in some non-denim pants. For me, I always go for a wide leg pant because I find they are most flattering on my hips and have a nice way of elongating my legs. This outfit I’m wearing is fun for a night out or even just going out to a nice dinner.
Lastly, the key to wearing neutrals and fall-inspired outfits as a whole is to layer, layer, layer. Choose a base—like a dress or a blouse and pants combination—and layer up with sweaters, turtlenecks, scarves, jackets, and coats. Playing into the monochromatic theme, layers of the exact same color create a chic, streamlined aesthetic. To change things up and add a little texture and intrigue, have fun with your shoes and accessories. In my case, I opted for a feather tube top because why not!
Photography by Kate Rice
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