A Simple Fall Outfit Formula For Busy Days

Updated on Fashion

Sometimes, life gets too busy to think about clothes. Ironically, being busy usually means that I need to look presentable as I rush home from the office, change to make and walk the dog, and then dash out to a volunteer board meeting. So, I need to look presentable. That’s when my easy fall outfit formula comes in handy. Here it is:

  1. Jeans or pants
  2. A top in a contrasting color
  3. An outerwear piece
  4. Boots in one of the 3 chosen colors
  5. A belt in one of the 3 chosen colors

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Fashionipa (Nipa) wearign a brown sweater jacket, ivory t-shirt and belt, blue jeans and brown boots.

Here are the details:

1. Jeans Or Pants

Choose your favorite pants i.e. jeans, corduroy pants, stretch twill pants, tailored wool pants, etc.

Tips:

  1. Skinny or tapered jeans will highlight the difference between your hips and ankles.
  2. Bootcut or flared jeans will create balance between your hips and ankles.
  3. Ankle-length jeans will make your legs look shorter while full-length bootcut, wide-leg, or flared jeans.

What’s trending for fall? Wide leg, barrel, bootcut/flare, and straight leg pants are all trending.

2. A Top In A Contrasting Color

Your top could be a t-shirt for casual occasions, a silk blouse for dressy ones, or a fitted cropped sweater for a chilly evening. Just make you can see the waistband of your pants (I’ll explain that below)

Tips:

  1. Light colors highlight. Dark colors minimize. I tend to choose light on top and dark on the bottom to balance my pear-shaped figure.
  2. You can choose a print or graphic t-shirt too!

3. Outerwear In A Coordinating Color

Tips:

  1. This could be a jacket, shacket, sweater jacket, or cardigan. A third piece makes your outfit a little more interesting even if it’s something basic like a denim jacket. Choose something you can wear open.
  2. What are some popular color combinations this fall? Burgundy, cream, and brown. Denim, ivory, and chocolate. Olive, charcoal, and black. Black, leopard print, and red.

Related Post | Country Chic Style: The Barn Jacket

4: Boots In One Of The 3 Colors You’ve Chosen

With straight leg, bootcut, barrel, and flared pants, you’ll want to wear ankle boots that are fairly fitted. With skinny jeans or wide leg jeans, you may be able to wear knee-high boots for extra warmth.

Bonus tip: Matching your handbag to your boots always creates a classic, cohesive, polished look.

5. A Belt To Finish The Look

It’s hard to believe now, but for many years I didn’t wear belts. Mostly, I wanted to cover my midlife belly. But belts have been back in style for a couple of years now so I’m embracing them!

Tips:

  1. Match your belt to your jeans or pants to create the illusion of longer legs
  2. Match your belt to your top to create the illusion of a longer torso.
  3. Pick a contrasting belt or a statement belt to highlight your waist or make a fashion statement.

Related Post | Statement Belts You’ll Want To Wear In 2024/2025

You can adapt this formula for work with dressier pieces like a blazer, pants, and a blouse. You can also make it casual with jeans, a t-shirt and a shacket. Which pieces you would wear for this outfit formula? Let me know in the comments…

I help you shop intentionally, create flattering outfits, and embrace your natural beauty. I'm a former fashion product manager, now living on a hobby farm in Upstate New York with my husband, our three almost-grown kids, and our pets.

6 Comments

  1. Fashionipa says:

    Hi Tonya, Oh yes, uniform is a good way to describe it! I don’t know if you have the same denim struggles that I do, but I find that petites are a little too short and regulars are way too long. So I’ve been buying ankle-length jeans (with no color variation) to get just the right length. Kut From The Kloth has been my affordable go-to and I just bought my first MOTHER jeans. xoxo Nipa

  2. Fashionipa says:

    That sounds very cozy and chic! Your colors sound very similar to mine – I’m so glad that cooler colors are available now when it felt like fall used to be all about olive, yellow, and orange! You reminded me that I need to look for some fall skirts as I also love a skirt/boot outfit! Always good to hear from you Natalie! xo Nipa

  3. NATALIE K says:

    The pieces I will wear are long sleeve top with crew or soft v-neck in jersey or soft warm cashmere with blue skirt in dark wash denim, black denim or black corduroy or others etc. with my different topers in faux fur, suede cloth, corduroy, flannel, and denim with my thin belts in faux alligator in dark brown, navy & black plus with brown, black or navy leather booties or brown, black or burgundy leather riding boots. Plus a purse!! This is my casual every day look in winter!!

  4. Tonya Parker says:

    This is a great post Nipa! I too believe in a formula like this one to make looking ‘put together’ easier. I call it my uniform but it’s made of similar pieces. I’m looking forward to checking out some of your denim recommendations.

  5. Courtney, The Real Chic Life says:

    This is a great outfit formula, I loved the tips! I also recently started wearing belts again regularly and I love to use them to make a statement now.

    1. Fashionipa says:

      Hi Courtney! Same – I love statement belts. Now, I can hardly believe that there was a long span of time when I didn’t wear them as they tend to pull together and outfit so nicely. So ncie to hear form you! xo Nipa

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