utilize your closet in a way that can't be done for the entire rest of the year
a fool-proof outfit formula for highly creative & unique Fall looks
I’m not nottt going to talk about it.
Fall is almost here (kinda).
& I want to add my 2 cents on Fall styling before we get carried away adding wool, cashmere, and leather to cart. Because the truth is you probably don’t need much- and by the off chance you do- be aware that impulse shopping will not be the one-way-ticket to Closet Nirvana that you hope it will be.
This is not a trend forecast nor am I encouraging you to shop (just yet), in fact it’s quite the opposite. As usual, we’re first going to play with the items in your closet to harness maximum creativity without consuming more.
“She quickly and effortlessly understood my taste, even better than I did. Bari was able to develop a cohesive aesthetic and core principles for my style, something I had struggled to define my entire life.” HD
We get trigger happy swiping our cards on items we believe make sense for the weather & trend expectations of the near future, but tend to forget that as our environment changes, our “seasonal” pieces can actually be carried over into unexpected months. Practically speaking, it’s all a matter of layering. But our “seasonal items” can also be styled in such a way that offer a subtle touch of complexity, intrigue, and unexpectedness- the real “cherry on top” of a powerful look.
The beauty in the blip of 50-70 degrees is that this time allows us to us mix and match items across all of our seasonal wardrobes- giving us the freedom to play with and explore our summer and winter apparel all at once.
My Transitional Weather Outfit Formula is a foolproof breakdown, guiding you on exactly how to execute this marriage of wardrobes at home. You’ll need:
One heavier/ wintery piece (maybe a lug sole loafer or wool coat)
One lighter/ summery piece (slip dress, sandal, basket bag)
Two seasonally neutral pieces (cotton trousers, leather crossbody bag, oxford shirt)
The goal is still to create a cohesive feel & aura of balance even within the heavy juxtaposition. By anchoring the more extreme selections with seasonally-neutral elements, we create a sense harmony and keep our looks from feeling too disjointed.
It’s important to understand how seasonally-extreme or seasonally-neutral each piece leans in order to create this balance. Be open minded to how fabric and texture contribute to the tone & style story of the garments themselves. A pair of black linen pants might not lean as summer-extreme as white linen shorts.
Say I choose the black linen pants, which feel more seasonally-neutral (due to the length & color). I would not pair them with a sherpa coat as it’s cold-weather counter, because the levels of extremity are not equal and the scale would tip.
I might choose a lighter piece of outerwear, like a barn or leather jacket, and opt for classic seasonally-neutral items to maintain the balance as you see above.
However, if I was in the mood for something more extreme- perhaps the white linen shorts, I might choose something more intense for its counterpart- likely something like a super chunky fisherman’s sweater or floor-length suede coat.
Personally, the more unconventional and abstract a look is, the more I’m drawn to it. As a personal stylist, my favorite part of my work is crafting outfits that challenge the eye and push others to see fashion from a fresh perspective, expanding their understanding of what’s possible.
Before you begin your Autumn shopping, I challenge you the following: Arrange a clothing rack (ideally in a space where you feel highly creative & relaxed) and select your favorite hyper-seasonal items; from shorts & tanks to fur coats & knee-high leather boots.
Keep your lighter items on one side and heavier items on the other, and pull 1 piece from each side to try and build a looks using those opposing items! Let me know how it goes below or in the DMs.
Love you!!!
Ohhh I love this! It’s especially smart advice for those of us in warmer weather climates year-round who also wants to feel like we’re leaning into “seasons!”
I love this idea! And you laid it out so clearly. I’m going to try it out and mix some summer/fall clothes when the weather cools down.