My 3 Go-To Fall Outfit Formulas When I’m Out of Ideas
What I wear when my brain is tired, but I still want to feel good.
A friend recently said something that’s stuck with me: getting dressed is the first creative decision we make each day. And like any creative pursuit, sometimes you hit a block. After a few weeks of hopping between the English countryside to sunny Los Angeles and in-between, I definitely found myself in fall outfit burnout.
Decision fatigue is real—especially when seasons are changing. (Like…it’s finally getting cold in October.) But when that familiar sense of “I have nothing to wear” approaches, I've landed on three fall outfit formulas that make me feel my best again. I always come back to these when my closet feels stale: You can think as little—or as much—as you want with them. And, they remind me that I haven’t lost my personal style spark. It just needs a recharge.
Plus, I have a little trick that saves me: I keep a folder full of outfits I’ve loved on my phone, like a personal style cheat sheet. As Lizzie McGuire taught us, being an outfit repeater is actually iconic.
The Matching Set
Unintentionally, this has been my default lately—confirmed by my camera roll. A matching set is the easiest way to look put-together without overthinking it. Lately, I’ve been leaning into skirt sets, paired with either tall boots or a sock-heel combo. Both are equally fabulous.
My current favorite is this green chartreuse patent set from Sézane, closely followed by this printed one from Carolina K. I’ve been pairing them nonstop with quilted boots, which I’m fully convinced are a neutral. I haven’t found an outfit they don’t work with yet.
Monochrome + Mixed Textures
Picking a color family instantly eases the decision fatigue. Lately, I’m gravitating toward navy, burgundy, brown, and funky greens. The trick is mixing textures and patterns so it doesn’t feel flat: leather with knit, suede with silk, denim with a pop of print or color.
Sometimes, I’ll even pull all the pieces in my closet in that color family and just play dress up. You’d be surprised how much comes together quickly. Guidelines with a little wiggle room help save a lot of time.
An example? Chic navy leather trousers with a silky top. Or, this one I’m pretty proud of: a gray zebra skirt with a wool crewneck. I added a gray collar underneath for a little extra dimension. This will now be in the official outfit rotation.
Make the Jacket the Outfit
The good (and bad) thing about cooler weather is…it doesn’t really matter what you wear underneath. A great fall jacket will naturally overtake everything.
In this scenario, lean into it and let your coat carry the look. Don’t stress about what’s underneath: It can be as simple as jeans and a white tee with sneakers. Statement dressing at its simplest.
