Creme de la Creme.
The best of the best.
What does that mean?
How will you know if it’s the best of the best if you don’t try new things?
Like: shooting indoors,
Sweatshirts with gold skirts (they go with everything),
And show-stopping boots.
I recommend them all!
This combo is becoming my Creme de la Creme for the fall. I can’t stop.
I’ve linked similar items for you below–find your best!
XO RA
Note: this post does contain affiliate links. While that may not affect the price for you, I may earn commission from them. Thank you for your support!
It’s finally fall. I know, I know, you’ve heard that one before, but this time it’s true. Most of us are enjoying cooler weather and getting to enjoy all those fall clothes (sweaters, coats, and boots) that we got in anticipation of this moment.
It’s thrilling.
And always leaves me a little apprehensive.
Here’s the thing my loves: I love sweater weather. I do. The falling temps, the layers, the comfy ways we can dress. I’m not against throwing on a sweater with boots and jeans- and most of us do, again and again. It’s a great combination. I honestly love it, and wear it again and again myself.
But it’s fall. So, what if we were a little non-basic this year?
Some of my fave ways to non-basic? I’m glad you asked!
Note: This post does contain affiliate links. While that does not affect the price for you, I may earn comission from them. Thank you for your support!
Play with your Coats
Embrace capes. Wear your coats as dresses. Think beyond camel and black. Don’t be afraid of color and texture. Belt your coats, play with your scarves, and let the topper be the star
My picks:
Non-Basic Boots
I’m a fan of you having your basics covered- black and brown. Personally, im partial to tall boots, but if you love ankle boots I get that too (I have a few). And once we get past the basics, I vote for boots that are non-basic. Play with color, pattern, texture. Nothing says non-basic like sparkly boots with your sweaters!
My picks:
Mix
Textures-like Velvet and wool. Vintage and modern. Soft and hard. Casual and fancy. Rock your biker boots with a dress. A sweatshirt with fancy pants. I loved pairing this vintage velvet with a maxi skirt and biker boots!
My picks:
Socks/tights with your heels
This was one of my first posts. And if you’re not wearing your heels (yes, even peep toes. Especially peep toes) with tights and socks, you’re missing out. Do it. Not only is it warm, it adds a new look to any shoes. AND it’s a way to wear your summer shoes year round. Do it!
Some of the tights I love:
Night Wear as Day Wear
Part mixing, part texture, all don’t think your sequins and other luxe fabrics only belong at a party. Throw on sweaters and sweatshirts with them. Put on sneakers. Don’t let the time of day tell you what to do.
My picks:
I’d love to know: how do you do non-basic fall?
Xo RA
I’ve made no secret of the fact that I love fall. But, especially right now, what I love most are fall mornings. Because if we’re honest, the “fall” I’m experiencing now is sweatshirt weather in the am then blazing hot in the afternoon. So, really fall mornings are the fall I’m working with, and I’m not holding back when it comes to dressing for fall.
What goes better with a cool, crisp morning than a great fall set? I love purple (for many reasons) and this suede skirt set is my ultimate fall morning go-to. It’s a little heavy for when the afternoons heat up, but for the mornings that are true to season, it’s simply perfect.
If your fall mornings call for business, sets like these are perfect: I love a great skirt set with hose and heels. The suede makes it anything but boring, and allows for your fall mornings to switch to fall nights. The great news is that sets like these also go great with boots (because we can’t have fall without boots), sneakers, or anything you want to pair with it!
Of course, the best thing about a set is that you don’t have to wear it as such. I’ve worn this skirt with graphic tees, sweatshirts, sneakers, flats, just about everything. The top I usually wear as a jacket, BUT I love it with flare jeans and boots for a pulled together chic look.
This set is vintage from Featherstone Vintage, you can find amazing finds there!
In the meantime, I’ve found similar sets and great fall boots, linked for your shopping pleasure below. I’m going to keep rocking fall in the mornings till fall lasts all day. How about you?
Xo RA
Note: this post does contain affiliate links. While that does not affect the price for you, I may earn commission from them. Thank you for your support!
What if I told you that your sweatshirts were the most versatile item in your fall waredrobe? Yes, I am partial to grey (it’s the BEST neutral), but any sweatshirt will do. There’s this rumor that wearing sweats means that you’ve given up (and at times, no one would blame you). BUT. What if wearing a sweatshirt gave you freedom?
Sweatshirts go with anything. Workout? Sweatshirt. Running errands? Sweatshirt. Jeans and no matter what shoes? Sweatshirt. Pants and skirts? Sweatshirt.
This vintage Chanel? Classic staple. And yet, I love the switch up that comes from wearing it with a grey sweatshirt. (Side note: I cannot take credit for the thought of wearing my sweatshirts inside out, which is genius for this fall-but-not-really-fall weather. Another blogger deserves credit -@seaofshoes–but I have taken this idea, run with it, let it change my life, and I can’t stop wearing them this way)
I think of this as the ultimate “transition” into fall. A sweatshirt: inside out, graphic, it doesn’t matter; a classic skirt, a classic pump (even in animal print). Perfect for crisp mornings, and you won’t overheat when it gets hot (if you’re lucky and it’s already cool all day where you live, I’m so jealous).
And loves, you’re wearing a sweatshirt!
And if you’re me, you’re wearing a grey sweatshirt!
In all honesty, I can’t think of something that a grey sweatshirt doesn’t go with (or make better). The more structured the better, though I love an oversized one (for comfort’s sake). This new way of wearing them inside out? It hides the fact that I’ve been known to wear the same grey sweatshirt more than one day in a row (not kidding), and I feel like it opens up some styling options.
I still love them with skirts. And jeans. And leggings.
Would you rock your sweatshirt inside out? What do you wear your sweatshirts with?
This skirt is vintage Chanel via Garment-Modern, these shoes are years old (but still faves), and this grey sweatshirt is actually a college number (inside out). I’ve linked similar items for your shopping pleasure below!
Xo RA
Note: this post does contain affiliate links. While that does not affect the price for you, I may earn commission from them. Thank you for your support!
Have I mentioned how much I love costumes? Maybe it’s the theater in me, maybe it’s the fashion, but there’s something about planning my fashion Halloween costume that brings me such joy.
I also love seeing your costumes. Yes, it’s the beginning of the month/season. But, please, feel free to share.
This year? I’m excited about all the costumes I’m planning, I’m also thinking of all the costumes past. Let’s be real- If your goal is “fashion Halloween” there are many ways you can go about it. Wear a gown and call it a day. (You could say you’re a kind of Princess) Go all out and order a costume (one of my faves year after year is Catwoman, and I’m not sorry). So, what kind of fashion Halloween should we be this year?
I’ve been Cleopatra Betty Draper
And Lady MacBeth
What do I have up my stilettos for this year? Stay tuned! In the meantime, let’s enjoy the past fashion Halloweens!
I’d love to hear your costume thoughts, plans, or suggestions!
Xo RA
Guilty (or not so guilty) pleasure? I LOVE the movie Hocus Pocus. I’m one of those people excited that we can watch it starting all day today through Halloween. If you haven’t seen it, please change that ASAP. You won’t regret it.
Another not-so guilty pleasure? The month of October. It’s the ultimate “fall” month. And as a bonus, we get Halloween. Do I love the cooler temps, all the pumpkins, the football, and the cozy factor? Yes. Do I love costume planning and wearing, the fun and the spookiness? Yes.
October definitely has a spell, and I for one, am glad to be under it.
Another spell I’m under?
Fall outfits like this, built on small details.
Knit pants? Think dressy sweats. All the comfort, yet, the piping, the structure, the pockets can make them a go-to. Cozy enough for a Hocus-Pocus marathon, and dressy enough for those fall dates, I live in these during the fall.
(Note: I recommend dry cleaning as washing can lead to piling, though of course that varies by composition. These also look great with sneakers)
Snakeskin shoes? On trend
Devil Headband? I couldn’t resist.
Wildfox theme shirt? Another spell I’m happy to be under. Cheeky enough, comfy enough, and on theme enough. Wildfox has shirts like these year around, but their Halloween offerings are always my favorite.
(They can also double as a last minute costume if you need them to!)
Spell binding? Absolutely.
Variations on this outfit can take you through the whole month, and if that’s not something to make you say “I put a spell on you”, I don’t know what will.
See the movie. Please
I’ve linked similar items below including my current favorite Wildfox items!
What puts a spell on you?
Xo RA
Note: this post does contain some affiliate links. While this does not affect the price for you, I may earn commission from them. Thank you for your support!
It’s Ex-Files, where I share horror stories from the front lines of dating! This series has been part of my way of coping with dates and relationships that were less than ideal, because if we can’t laugh at ridiculous men, what are we doing here? Some of my favorite stories that I’ve shared with you are Tinder on an Airplane, The One Who Asked for his Money Back, and Ghosting. I had a great story this month, about a guy who took me to dinner to let me know non-stop how much he hated his mother. But then. This week happened.
I know many of us have been triggered by the events and testimony this week. No matter what your policital views, as a woman (or a man), there’s no way that your life hasn’t been touched by sexual assault, even if it’s not openly talked about. Like many of you I’m tired. I’m angry. I’m hurt. And the last thing I wanted to do was dive into a story about dating, even if it was for humor purposes.
There’s something to be said after a week like this one, much like after a bad break up, that a little self care is needed. Not the romanticized and cliche self care, but the real, you may be hurting and need some time to heal self care. Which leaves us with the question, what does self care look like on a week like this?
I vary from needing to be with people to needing to be alone, from needing activity to needing rest, and I think any combination of these types of self care are valid. Actually, any kind of self care you need (as long as it’s not self harm) is valid. Below is a small list of things I like to do for myself in the name of self care:
Take the afternoon off and see a matinee
Stay in with a book
Dinner/drinks with a friend
Spending the day in bed reading trashy magazines
Cleaning out my closet
Shopping or planning outfits
A spa day either at home or at an actual spa
Planning and cooking a great meal
Ordering in
A hard workout
A long walk
Spending time with family
Spending time alone
A bubble bath with wine
Therapy
A massage
Working hard on forgiving others, myself, and walking with kindness and compassion.
I don’t think there’s a way to do self care wrong. It comes down to what we need, and how we can give it to ourselves. I hope that this week, as long and as hard as it was had moments of laughter and care. I hope you know you’re loved and supported.
If you need it, the Sexual Abuse Hotline is 1-800-656-4673. Also, if you need it, you can register to vote here.
I’d love to know what your favorite form of self care is. If you need a listening ear, this community is here for you. I’d love for us all to remember we’re in this together.
Wishing us a week of light and amazing shoes! Xo RA
I got to spend some time this week with one of my loves, Timeless Vixen, chatting all things Ossie Clark, this shade of red, and the things we keep in our closets. I can’t wait to share our conversation with you! In the meantime, I can’t stop thinking about this dress. Ever get the feeling that you may have to wear something? Yes, I do. Until I break this holiday red number out, let’s relieve this post. Updated shopping options below! Xo RA
Holiday Red: it’s the color of the season, but that doesn’t mean it has to be cliche. Your holiday red can be classic, modern, or come with a twist. In fact, let your holiday red be the red that they didn’t see coming; be it a dress, skirt, pantsuit, or top. Let your red celebrate the holiday and you. Holiday Red? Let’s do it!
My Holiday Red? Classic with some dramatic details. I love that it’s old Holiday glam look; I feel like a complete movie star in it. Yet, the details are a bit modern and shocking. The cut out in the back, the slit in the front, the apron wrap all make this vintage dress feel modern. We know that I love anything that combines vintage and modern, has juxatipositons, and feels amazing to be in. This holiday red? It does all three.
This holiday red is my first Ossie Clark, so it’s very special to me. (You can read about Ossie Clark here.) While I love all the “new” pieces in my closet, when I get the chance to add a piece that’s “new to me”, but carries with it such a history, I love it! I found this dress on etsy, and I couldn’t pass up a chance to own my own Ossie! The fact that this dress is holiday red and perfect for the season is just a bonus!
Holiday Red, in all its forms, is perfect for any party, family event, or just when your mood needs a boost. Wear it simply with a great pair of heels (I love red with black and gold) or add statements (the right red dress and lots of sparkly jewelry), holiday red can be as much about you as it is about the holiday. In fact, holiday red doesn’t have to only come out at the holidays. Wear red all year long, and celebrate anything you want–even if it’s just a Monday!
I’ve linked similar dresses and reds that I love below. I’d love to know: How are you doing holiday red this season?
XO RA
Note: This post does contain some affiliate links. While I do receive commission off of these links, this does not affect the price for you.
I have a history with my hair (you can read all about it here). All summer long, I’ve been dying to get my hair done, change it up a bit, and feel different. You could say I’ve been courting change. Which is new for me. However, I’ve been craving the kind of change that’s complete, the wake up and your life is DIFFERENT. (I can’t be the only one who thinks there are events from birthdays to holidays where you will wake up changed)
And what better immediate change to make you feel like your life is different than to change your hair?
Here’s what I’ve learned about change: it doesn’t always follow our guide lines. Sometimes change happens fast. Sometimes, the change is slow. And even when you want it, change isn’t always easy and there’s not always some big “aha” moment where you wake up different.
I finally got to have my hair done. And I love it. I do feel lighter, and am so appreciative if you reached out on Instagram to let me know that you like it. But did I wake up completely different? No. Should I have? A week ago I might have said yes, explained that making a change like hair is one way to shake things up. And while a big hair change is always a great way to shake it up, I realized after getting my hair done that the change wasn’t my hair, but me. The hair change was simply an outside look at change that had happened on the inside.
This summer was a season of change for me. Some sudden, some slow, some wanted and some not. I didn’t have any big “aha” moment, and some of the change I’m still craving in my life is in the process. But, I’m different. We all are, if we think about it–and isn’t that a good thing? (If you say no, ask yourself if you want to be in the same place in 5 years. Do you want what’s here? Or do you want better?) Maybe the point isn’t to have these moments where the change is so overwhelming that we wake up different, but to be so comfortable with our change that we’re not afraid to show it.
For the first time in my life, I’m thinking my hair might need to be a little bit shorter. That’s huge change I’m happy to share with you; even if there was never a time I woke up different.
I’d love to hear about or see your change!
Wishing us all a week of change and amazing shoes! Xo RA
On Monday we chatted about the trends that we have to work with this fall (get caught up here). But as you know, I think trends are only a part of the story. I got to thinking about what I want to wear this fall, from classics to trends to updates. And while my Wishlist will often get updated, these are the items that I’m currently craving right now:
Note: this post does contain affiliate links. While that does not affect the price for you, I may earn commission from them. Thank you for your support!
Boots
We know that boots are a fall staple and a trend (2 for 1?). And I’m loving the options that this provides. I can’t get enough of these star boots that are on trend:
And these cream boots that are an update on a classic:
Shop similar items:
Houndstooth Pants
Part power suit, part pattern, and all cool, these pants not only scream fall to me, they’re a classic that’s on trend. I want to wear them with everything from graphic tees to sweaters to Blazers to boots.
Shop similar:
SnakePrint Dress
There’s a case to be made this fall that snake print is the new leopard print. (Leopard isn’t going anywhere but, still). I can’t help but love this print that feels neutral, and this classic shape is a go-to. Not that I won’t say no to any pants, skirts, or tops. And shoes!
Get you some snake print:
I’d love to know: what’s on your fall Wishlist? And of course, if you need help shopping, I’m here to help! Email me at racheladelicia@investmentpiece.com and let’s chat!
