Lately it hasn’t been feeling like Fall around here but the apple trees are full of fruit and the days are getting ever so detectably shorter and, unfortunately, they never lie. Neither does my inbox, which has been peppered with new Fall arrivals and lookbooks that are downright tantalizing! It’s so easy to get sucked in and blow your entire fall budget before September is even halfway over but this closet mission has taught me a thing or two that I feel compelled to impart to you.
I wrote a lengthy post on acknowledging shopping ‘Triggers‘ but one of my tried and true ways to avoid impulse buys is to make a list early in the season and stick to it. I actually like to jot things down at the end of a season so I can refer back to it when it comes around again. In fact, that’s what I did last Fall and now some of those very items are back on my radar. I also feel like I really know my Fall wardrobe needs better than ever. Or rather, what I don’t need. Such as fancy blazers or 4″ heels (yes, tears were shed at that realization). I’ve already invested in a few great staples like a leather jacket, black ankle boots, a couple leather totes and some classic sweaters that will play a big part in my style again this year.
What it’s going to come down to this year is my budget (much of which has gone to the site redesign, launching in a matter of days!) and my desire to invest in a few more of those staples I was talking about. I don’t want to succumb to any fast fashion trends or pieces that will only last a few months. I’m only going for things I’ll be glad to wear for years to come. Which happen to be the following:
Cross Body Bag – This has been a wishlist item for forever but I just haven’t quite been able to bring myself to say goodbye to such a large amount of hard earned cash. These three are all beautiful, classic and would totally up my Fall accessories game. We’ll have to see what my late September finances say about it.
PB 0110 (also in black) | The Stowe | Clare V. Messenger
Tunic Sweater – I’ve been looking for just the right long, but not too long, warm but not too warm, tunic for the Fall and winter. Of course Elizabeth Suzann would answer my sweater dreams with this gorgeous wool number. But there are some other contenders for the closet position out there too.
Elizabeth Suzann Greta Tunic | Ever Ames Tunic | Riller & Fount Adelaide Tunic
Brown Boots – I know these boots have already made an appearance on the blog but they are seriously amazing! I have been wearing them at every chance I get and can’t say enough good things. Rachel Comey shoes are officially on my obsession list, which from what I hear is pretty common once you’ve experienced them. But if they’re not your jam or not in the budget there are lots of other more wallet friendly options too!
Rachel Comey Mars Boot | Rag & Bone Newbury | Madewell Billie Boot | Sam Edelman Petty Booties | Belle by SM Young Booties
Scarf – I’ve gotten so much use out of my BlockShop textiles scarf (shown here) that I’ve decided it’s time to add another one to my roster. I’m really feeling the black and white geo vibe of the Finial print!
Blockshop Textiles Finial | Rachel Comey Woven Scarf | Madewell Wool Scarf
Giant Cardigan – Hands down my most worn and loved item (by me and by social media) has to be the Acne Studios Raya cardigan. I wore it damn near daily last winter (seen here), all spring and even find myself reaching for it when the A/C gets a little overzealous or the nights gets cool. I am currently debating between the long or the short black one. (image via Mija my current style icon)
Acne Studios Raya Cardigan (Short | Long) | I Love Mr. Mittens Cardigan | Madewell Oversized Cardigan
Grey Nails – I haven’t painted my nails much lately but I’ve been feeling the urge to try out a new colour. Well, a new neutral anyway. I’m loving a super light, almost smoky grey for Fall. Still super versatile but a little more serious than a pink or nude.
RGB Dove | Deborah Lippmann Desert Moon | Butter London Ta Ta
Wool Hat – You know how much I love my Rag and Bone fedora (seen here, here and 100 other times) and I’ve been wearing my Janessa Leone boater all summer so I’m keeping a look out for either a dark grey or black wool fedora for the fall.
Janessa Leone Stephen | Rag & Bone Floppy Fedora | Hat Attack Avery
Wear With Everything Dress – I’m a separates girl at heart but after getting so much use out of my favourite summer dress (seen here) I just had to consider an option for Fall. I’ve got my eye out for something loose fitting and perfect for wearing with boots and a scarf in early fall and with tights and a leather jacket when the weather chills out.
Elizabeth Suzann Georgia Dress | Etsy | Everlane Silk Dress
Dark Flares – I must admit, I’ve already crossed these bad boys off the list. They’re the same style as my lighter wash flares that I wore all summer (seen here) but the darker wash and classic contrast stitching make them perfect for Fall.
Madewell Flea Market Flare | JBrand Doll Flares | Blank Denim High Rise Flares | Paige Denim Flares
Lipstick – I’ve decided to slowly start transitioning to more natural and organic ingredients for my skin and beauty products. I’ve been using the Origins skincare line and my skin has been much happier lately. I’ve also heard great things about the following cosmetic brands:
Ilia Blossom Lady | Bite Beauty Musk | RMS Lip Shine Bloom
So that’s the official list I’ll be referring to whenever I’m tempted to shop in the coming months! But I’d love to know, what’s on your Fall wishlist!?
A few years ago I started transitioning to natural/non-toxic products. It’s a never ending process as the market gets bigger by the day, but a few months ago I did a round up of some of my favourite products: http://carlyngreer.blogspot.ca/2015/05/natural-living-favourite-bath-beauty_28.html
Enjoy!
Thanks so much for sharing your round up! SO helpful! I’ve been intrigued by Ilia and RMS for a while now. Natural mascara seems to be a tough one, everything I’ve tried pales in comparison to my regular Hypnose, but I might just give your suggestion a try. xo
As soon as the Canadian dollar gets its act together, Elizabeth Suzann will be calling my name! I am so envious of your pieces. My wardrobe is seriously lacking and I’m trying to re-build it but am having a hard time finding good, accessible items.
Have you tried Ole Henriksen products? I’m currently obsessed with their walnut scrub & sheer transformation moisturizer. x
Thanks Amie! ES is seriously my favourite designer. Her pieces feel even more incredible than they look and the quality is incomparable. Isn’t it so frustrating that our dollar is crap right now!? It’s painful actually! I am such a newbie to natural skincare but I have heard that name before. I’ll have to check it out further, Thanks for the tip! xo
What a great list Lee, thanks for sharing! I love your philosophy on shopping.
Thanks Andrea! The more I streamline the happier I am with my closet and the less I want to shop. It’s a pretty positive chain of events 🙂 xoxo
I have been more drawn to black this year than ever. I have this weird fear of having too many things in the same color and I always find myself trying to fill a color-gap (ex. “I must find brown boots because it’s the color I don’t have”). Thanks (in big part) to your blog I have been putting much more focus on what pieces I actually reach for! I’ve also been doing this mildly embarrassing thing about half way through the day at the office where I stop at the full length mirror on the way out of the ladies room and ask myself if I feel confident and most like myself (things I listed during my closet clean-out exercise) in what I picked to wear. Well, to make a long story longer, my list is similar to yours this year with just a little bit more emphasis on color (ex. Charcoal cardi that hits at hips for my Everlane silk collared shirts & camel scarf that will match with both coats).
Lastly, I just ordered these dark flares from J. Crew and I am still convinced the price is an accident-check them out 🙂
https://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/denim/bootcutandflare/PRD~51329/51329.jsp?Nbrd=J&Nloc=en_US&Nrpp=48&Npge=1&Ntrm=flare&isSaleItem=true&color_name=JEZEBEL%20WASH&isFromSearch=true&isNewSearch=true&hash=row0
C
Hey Courtney! Thank you so much for sharing some insight into how you consider your closet options and shop accordingly. I LOVE that you do a midday assessment of what you’re wearing and how it’s impacting how you feel about yourself. Our emotional connection to how we dress is such a vital part of closet contentment and so often overlooked. I think I might have to start doing the same thing 🙂
Those jeans are a great find! Looks like you nabbed them just in time too! xoxo
I’ve already got part of my fall wishlist: a great denim midi skirt with buttons, and another leather midi skirt in rust. Both by Zara. I love the 70s trends, and the colors are just perfect for my autumn complexion. What I’d love to add: a great leather bag and a pair of mixed suede leather boots. I’m pretty much covered for everything else, and have a couple of great sweaters planned on my To Knit list.
Nice! I think I know exactly which skirts you’re referring to and they’re both great! 70s is my favourite trend too, as you can probably tell by all my flare obsessions 🙂 I so wish I could knit! I feel like I could save a lot of $ if I could just knit for myself. I have started sewing though! xo
What a great reminder of less is more! I haven’t bought anything yet either.
Is this your entire fall purchases?
I’ve made a list too but I still think it could be edited down.
When’s your new site launch? How exciting!
Have a great Thursday.
Thanks Jodie! This is pretty much it! I’ve tried to leave some wiggle room for 1 or 2 items that I haven’t seen yet. Editing is hard! I just try to play the ‘would I rather’ game with everything on the list until it’s down to 10 max. New site launches next week! xo