Note** Link to buy Hinge military jacket here, J Brand jeans here, and Gorjana Mika Lariat necklace here.
Chilly days call for hot tea and comfy clothes …but that doesn’t mean you should look sloppy or unprofessional. While summer allows for cute dresses, crisp lightweight shirts, and an overall polished look, cooler weather can create a much more casual and unprofessional vibe.
While it’s important to ensure that you’re comfortable and feel good in what you’re wearing, it is equally important to ensure that you looked polished and appropriate. While it may be wonderful to snuggle up in sweatpants at night, cool air does not give you a pass to look like that during the day.
How should you embrace fall while still looking crisp and put together? Here are some tips:
Find a pair of pants that feel as comfortable as jeans, but look work appropriate. These J Brand jeans are my absolute favorite. The black luxe satine fabric looks polished but is super comfortable and easy to wear. While the black is definitely my go-to pair, these pants come in different colors to help bring a little life to your work (and play) wardrobe.
The best part about these pants is that they can easily be dressed up or down for whatever you need. Just remember that if you are going to wear these to work, make sure to wear a slightly longer blouse to cover up the zip/button closure at the front which can make the pants appear more casual.
Opt for simple yet elegant jewelry that you can layer on with anything. I love simple jewelry that I can wear with sweaters and neutral tops to add a touch of elegance and polish off my look. This Gorjana necklace (the Mika lariat) is one of my go-to pieces because it’s effortless and totally chic! I’ve actually layered it with the tanner necklace from Gorjana as well because I love wearing multiple necklaces with varying lengths.
Go for a layered look, but top it off with a crisp blazer or fitted jacket. Crisp, cool air allows for more layers (yay!) so take advantage of this and style a layered look which will keep you looking cozy and chic. Think a longer button down blouse which peeks out at the sleeves of your blazer, or a simple and sleek top as pictured here.
Adding gauzy scarves can also add interest without being too heavy or claustrophobic.
Find a good pair of boots or booties that you can wear with everything. A good pair of booties can by styled with a maxi skirt, jeans, dress and tights, and more. The possibilities are endless! Find a pair of comfortable boots that look chic and can be worn for work and play. Boots that are more streamlined with clean lines often work better for the office, but find a pair that’s versatile so you can play around with different styles.
Find a good felt hat. Not everyone is a hat person, but I do think that once you find the right style for you, anyone can be a hat person. Hats add interest to an outfit, and best of all, they keep you warm. You lose most of your body heat from your head and limbs, so if you’re one of those people who is often cold, (like me) finding a good hat will serve you well.
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When you think about the cool air and shorter days of fall, it’s easy to fall into the trap of wearing oversized and cozy clothing. Chilly days call for hot tea and comfy clothes …but that doesn’t mean you should look sloppy. Use these tips to make sure that you always look polished and professional, with a touch of coziness for the season!