Fall Favorites

Sweater  ||  Banana Republic (similar here)

Pants  ||  H&M

Shoes  || Target

It is the season for breezy days and chilly evenings.  Each year the leaves change, the weather gets cooler, and my excitement peaks each time I slide open my closet door.  With autumn temperatures come so many options, so many layers, and so many combinations.  With the possibilities being practically endless, I tend to stick to my four fall staples. These are pieces that I trust, always feel confident in, and literally go with anything because they are easily mix-and-matched. Here are my four must-haves this time of year:

1. Fierce Top-Knot.

Want to know why you'll love this one? Because it won't cost you a penny, and it is so simple to do. When you have long locks like me, the wind can sometimes be your worst nightmare, which is why the top-knot bun is perfect for those gusty afternoons. It's a quick fix when you're in a rush or when your hair is just not loving you back. Bad hair days be gone! You can leave it on the messier side or tame it with bobbies for a sleeker look. Up-dos are something I used to avoid at all costs, but the top-knot has stolen my heart.

2. Favorite Sweater

Everyone needs a favorite sweater...or five. It makes you feel fearless, but keeps you warm, while still looking great. My go-to is a soft beige, crew neck. It shouldn't be of any surprise that my knitted soulmate is a neutral hue. I just can't get away from earth tones, and I don't think I ever want to.

3. Fall-Colored Pants

Currently I have been crushing over my new olive skinny jeans. Before these pants walked into my life, I was pretty skeptical of pants that weren't a classic shade of denim, black, or tan. Honestly, it took me four months after I bought them to even wear them out. But once I gave them a fair chance, I fell head over heels for them. They double for casual occasions with flats and a cardigan and dressier events matched with stilettos and a flowy top.  Maroon and mustard are next on my wish-list.

4. Faithful Booties

I cannot get enough of booties; they’re the real prize of any Saturday afternoon shopping trip.  Maybe it's because shoes are my weakness, but there is just something about them that catch my eye, and my wallet. With the different styles, materials, and colors, it's hard to choose my preferred pair. Lately, I have been wearing my black, suede, wedges with a cute little tie. They look great with just about anything you couple with them! But the absolute best part about them is that they look glam without killing my feet. Score! When you find shoes that do this for you, buy them right then and there! Your feet will thank you later. My motto is that you can never have too many boots! 

It's Basic Season

As autumn approaches, so does “basic season.”  This idea of being basic has escalated and taken on it’s own culture.  This epidemic of being basic can strike anyone at anytime.  You just have to fit a few criteria that I have observed.

First, you have to love coffee.  Or at least pretend to.  As long as your cup has the green siren logo plastered on it, you’ve fooled everyone into thinking you’re drinking a fancy, complicated, coffee drink.  But for those of you who are truly basic, you know it’s pumpkin spice season, and you’ve lost count of how many pumpkin spice lattes you’ve had this September.  

Secondly, you are basically a professional photographer with an iPhone.  Instagram is your platform; your stage, if you will.  You have to have the right audience who will applaud you.  After the stage and audience are set, basics always have an unrivaled costume (the filter).  Your photos are always edited to perfection — no matter what app you use.  Presenting your perfectly plated food or your OOTD on Instagram is your favorite hobby, besides actually selecting your OOTD.  Oh, and don’t forget to conjure up a creative caption that will set your post apart from the rest.

Lastly, you have to love everything about your fall wardrobe.  Your fashion choices play a key role in your identification as basic.  Starting at the top: your love for sweaters runs deep, specifically oversized ones.  The more it looks likes you made a killer find at Goodwill, the closer you are to being basic.  And naturally, your favorite sweater is meant to be paired with leggings and boots.  The leggings-boots combo is not one to be messed with in the lives of those who are basic.  Finally, in true basic fashion, you accessorize with fall-loving scarves that tie your entire outfit together. 

To those of you who could be labeled as basic, you are not alone.  And no matter what anyone tells you, there is nothing to be ashamed of.  In fact, I am not ashamed; I am the first to admit that I am basic.  I love coffee, actual coffee.  I haven’t gotten my first pumpkin spice latte yet because I’m too stuck on my summer favorite, peach green tea lemonade, that’s going out of season.  But you better believe the moment those chilly temps hit, I’ll be the first in line for my PSL.  As far as Instagram, we can all pretend we don’t care, but we know deep down we do.  And we all know we’ve been shopping for fall wardrobe staples since last fall.  Our eye never goes blind for a good sweater or pair of boots, no matter what the weather.  

Don’t hide your passion for fall; embrace it.  Break out your boots, fire up your Instagram, and go get that coveted PSL knowing that I am behind you, and I am cheering for you.  So to my fellow basics, raise your siren cup and join me in celebration for our favorite time of year.