Easy Fall Outfits for Crisp, Cool Days

The summer has come and gone, and it’s time to get back into the swing of things. This could be back to school, back to work after the summer holiday, or maybe revving up for the busy fall season, whatever that may entail for your lifestyle.

Fall and the changing weather mean that we have to adapt our wardrobe without compromising any utility. There are ways to look fashionable and be completely comfortable through changing temperatures. Here are examples of outfits that don’t compromise style or versatility.

1. Camel Coat, Striped Sweater, and Straight Jeans

A striped sweater like this is a great way to add pattern to the outfit without a floral. Usually we find a stripe on a t-shirt, so a sweater like this is the next best thing when the temperature is cooling.

I love the combination of the off-white with the dark stripe and the camel coat. Camel is such a great color to layer on top of other colors, especially brighter ones, even the blue that we see here. The cool of the blue and the warm tones of the brown accessories with the camel coat are very complementary.

2. Chunky Cardigan, White Tee, and Black Trousers

A chunky cardigan is a great investment piece, one that should be comfortable and warm, hence the word chunky. Since it’s so thick and voluminous, it should be made of a high quality wool or cashmere, whatever it may be, so that you don’t need to have multiples in your closet. One high quality chunky knit cardigan is going to do it for you.

I also like the plain black ballet flats, which are another staple. Together, the pieces in this outfit look professional while staying warm and cozy. The ballet flats keep it feminine, and the chunky knit cardigan makes it a little more relaxed.

3. Denim Jacket Over a Sweater Dress

The sweater dress is definitely another staple item to have in your fall repertoire. I like the taupe color here. I think taupe is very flattering on most people. It also has a good way of transitioning between warmer and cooler colors, like we see here with the blue and the medium brown bag.

The color of the boots she’s wearing is also a good in-between of light and dark. I could almost see her using a darker colored bag than this, or a lighter colored bag, since the boot isn’t a stark black or a stark white.

4. Plaid Blazer, Black Turtleneck, and Dark Jeans

Autumn means going back to school, so an academia aesthetic just makes sense. This doesn’t have to be in an immature way. Academia and collegiate dressing can be very polished. I’m feeling like this outfit is serving academia, with the blazer being plaid. It feels polished and relaxed, but almost vintage and retro, in a back-to-school way.

The base of the outfit is very simple: a flattering black turtleneck and black boots with well-fitting dark jeans. Nothing is popping out, which tones down the almost vintage-looking blazer.

5. Olive Utility Jacket, Cream Sweater, and Wide-Leg Jeans

Every time I see a fall outfit inspiration roundup, I notice that there are more and more cream sweaters. It’s definitely a piece that you’ll get your money’s worth out of.

The baggy wide-leg jeans here are great for days when there’s going to be more movement, like a pumpkin patch or walking around the city. A more relaxed fit is definitely easier to manage when you’re having an active fall day. The same can be said about a utility jacket. The olive green color here is very fall. It’s also a little bit masculine, while having the option to be cinched at the waist with a tie.

6. Monochrome Brown Knit Set

We often see a monochrome knit set in the form of a sweater and knit pants, which I’m a huge, huge fan of. I think those are also lounge pieces that get lots of use. This is a great option because the skirt is actually what makes this not loungewear. It’s still every bit as comfortable, but it’s not really loungewear because it’s a miniskirt.

It’s monochrome in that the whole outfit, including the boots, is chocolate brown. However, the lighter brown suede bag is what really seals the deal. I think if all of the aspects of the outfit were the chocolate brown, it wouldn’t look as good, but the two suedes being the same material in different colors heightens the monochrome aspect.

7. Trench Coat, Hoodie, and Slim Black Pants

The hoodie underneath the more professional, polished trench coat is such a good look. I love a hoodie underneath a collar. This is even true of other jackets. You can throw a little hoodie under any jacket, really, or even another layer like a crew neck, and it looks good. It’s almost like putting a polo shirt underneath another layer. That little detail of the collar or hood popping out really adds something.

The slim black pants also look good in contrast to the hoodie. I think with black pants, we often picture a more professional trouser and forget that they can be black pants without being jeans or formal trousers.

8. Burgundy Sweater, Gray Jeans, and Black Boots

Gray jeans are a good option when blue feels a little bit too casual, but black is going to bring down the overall tone of the outfit. I like the burgundy with the gray here. I’ve also been seeing a light blue with gray, not necessarily just with jeans, but light blue and gray in general look very good together.

Burgundy is a great color to have for the fall and winter. It’s a rich, deep color that doesn’t pop too much in the colder, darker time of year. I think the boots look good when the jeans can go over them seamlessly like this. If they were a taller boot, especially with a fitted straight jean, it could look good to have the jeans tucked into the taller boot as well.

9. Leather Jacket, Floral Midi Dress, and Booties

The floral midi dress is definitely a summer staple, but here’s a great example of how to keep it going in the fall. We often think of a knit cardigan, or even a sweater, or maybe a denim jacket with a floral dress, but a leather jacket can definitely work.

Here, the dress is black, and a black leather jacket adds seamlessly on top. If the tone of the dress were a little bit lighter, and actually even with this dress, she could wear a brown leather jacket and change the shoes, and I think that would also work, maybe for a more daytime look.

10. Cream Blazer, Knit Tank, and Relaxed Jeans

This is a good outfit for a warmer fall day that still gives you the option to keep a layer for the morning or for being inside. Workwear like this is good if the office is somewhat casual.

The blazer definitely elevates, while the tank top and the jeans are much more laid back. I would be cautious about wearing jeans to the office unless you know for sure that it’s acceptable.

11. Quilted Vest, Striped Tee, and Leggings

When choosing athletic wear, you shouldn’t just throw on whatever is around. Putting even the smallest bit of intentionality into the athletic wear that you choose can greatly increase your chances of working out. Even if it’s a walk in the woods, putting effort into the layers that will keep you warm or cool enough goes a long way.

I’m actually fine with the no-show ankle socks here. Usually I would say it’s better to have a longer, slouchy sock. But with a legging like this, it can be okay to have a no-show sock, especially if you’re trying to keep the material down and a no-show sock is genuinely more comfortable for walking around. In that case, I would say stick with a no-show. Otherwise, a slouchy sock over a legging usually does work out well.

12. Black Sweater, Satin Skirt, and Tall Boots

When choosing a capsule wardrobe, I personally think that everyone needs a satin or silk midi skirt and tall boots, preferably leather, preferably black leather like this. Usually, a heel makes sense for a black leather boot.

A satin skirt does come in midi and maxi lengths. However, I think midi is slightly more flattering with a wider variety of shoe choices.

13. Corduroy Pants, Chambray Shirt, and Suede Jacket

This is definitely a bold color combination. All of the materials that we see here are very fall coded. We have the suede, the leather in the shoes, the corduroy pants, and the chambray shirt, which almost feels like denim.

The chambray shirt being a little bit softer than the corduroy and the suede helps to soften the outfit, as do the colors popping. Having the warm brown and the burnt orange combined with the cooler toned chambray is a good combination.

14. Navy Peacoat, Ivory Sweater, and Plaid Scarf

This is more of an academic, preppy fall look. We love something that looks collegiate, like a riding boot. The cream sweater is, again, a staple here.

The peacoat is navy. I feel like we usually see a black peacoat, or maybe a beige, but navy is a great color, especially with the maroon and the sage green colors in the plaid scarf.

15. Shacket, Black Midi Dress, and Sneakers

A long black midi dress like this is a chic and easy thing to throw on in cooler weather. I like that she paired it with an almost outdoorsy, thicker flannel.

The materials of the black midi dress and the flannel really contrast with each other, but keeping the shoe casual like she did here makes the flannel make sense.

16. Gray Wool Coat, Black Column, and Red Flats

Gray and black with a pop of red is a classic color combination. This works especially well in fall and winter, when keeping your color palette a little bit darker makes more sense.

Red is a good color to add that looks good on most everyone, while not being too eccentric.

17. Fair Isle Sweater, Straight Jeans, and Lug Boots

A Fair Isle sweater is a great piece that throws some pattern into your outfit while being easy to pair with casual pieces, like the straight jeans that we have here. The lug boots are a good option if you’re out in the woods like she is.

She could also pair this with ballet flats, or even an oxford or a loafer. I could see her wearing Mary Janes here in any color. The straight jeans are nice because they could also be tucked into something like a riding boot.

18. White Button-Down, Sweater Vest, and Trouser Jeans

We’ve seen the white button-down time and time again. It’s such a nice thing to see the white collar popping out of a sweater vest, or a crewneck sweatshirt or sweater. It just adds a little bit of a preppy detail that makes any outfit look better.

Here, her outfit also feels academic, or like workwear, because of the loafer. She could make this more feminine with a ballet flat, or more casual with a sneaker.

19. Puffer Jacket, Cashmere Crewneck, and Joggers

A travel outfit that doesn’t feel completely leisurely. Her joggers aren’t necessarily athletic joggers, because of the seam down the front. It almost looks like it has a zipper too. Even if it didn’t, the seam down the front adds a little bit more interest than a plain sweatpant. They’re still cinched at the ankle. She could add a thicker sock here, but I think going without the sock still makes sense because of how they’re cinched at the ankle.

A puffer jacket is a nice staple piece for a fall wardrobe that can definitely be worn in casual outfits like this, but a puffer jacket also makes anything look modern. If she were wearing workwear, or even streetwear in a more polished, less leisurely way, she could still put a puffer jacket over it.

20. Rust Sweater, Cream Jeans, and Brown Boots

The rust color shows itself again. It’s so warm and nice any time of the year, but it especially makes sense in fall, when the leaves are also this burnt orange color. It pairs naturally with brown and warmer off-whites like we see here.

The denim that she’s wearing is a good example of a light denim that’s not too see-through or too thin. A white denim, or any off-white denim, should have a fit that’s not too tight, and a fabric that’s a little bit thicker and therefore more forgiving. I like that she paired it with a woven bag that adds a little bit more of a natural feel, especially when you’re outside.

21. Long Cardigan, Silk Blouse, and Skinny Jeans

Skinny jeans are definitely having their moment again. I think as a society we haven’t fully embraced them yet, but here with the ballet flats, it definitely makes sense. A skinny jean with a little ballet flat, whether or not it has a pointed toe, always makes sense. It’s a great silhouette.

The fitted silhouette underneath the long cardigan is kind of unexpected, but it definitely adds a cozy factor to an otherwise very fitted outfit. It’s flattering while also giving you a little more coverage. Skinny jeans are a little bit more casual, while a silk blouse is just as easygoing but definitely elevates the outfit in terms of texture.

22. Plaid Coat, Black Sweater Dress, and Knee-High Boots

A black sweater dress like this can be worn with heels, sneakers, or ballet flats, so it works for casual or dressier plans. The plaid coat on top is a statement piece, and it pairs well with a simple black dress like this because the dress doesn’t compete with the pattern.

She could also wear this statement jacket with jeans and maybe a light-colored sweater or t-shirt. The cream sweater that we’ve been seeing again and again would definitely work here, and I could also see it with ballet flats. Her bag works in this situation. The colors in the coat would pair easily with a beige leather or a brown leather, so this coat, despite being a statement piece, has a color palette that’s versatile.

23. Denim Shirt, Black Maxi Skirt, and Western Boots

Boots under a skirt are such a great combination, which we often forget about. Here it’s a maxi skirt, and sometimes it’s harder to know what to wear a maxi skirt with, especially when it’s not summertime. I think we often think of maxi skirts as a beachy, summery thing, but this definitely makes sense here. If it has belt loops, it feels even a little bit more substantial, especially when she’s able to tuck in a denim shirt.

She could also have a sweater here. If she were to add a jacket, I think a lighter-colored jacket would make sense, or even a darker-colored denim. I don’t think a black jacket would look good with the long black skirt that we already have.

24. Chocolate Blazer, Ivory Tee, and Black Jeans

The chocolate blazer is a little bit unexpected, but I like that it’s paired here with the chocolate bag. It adds a little bit of a matching detail on top, with her plain ivory tee and plain black jeans, and then the pop of pattern with the leopard flats. I really like the leopard flats, especially with a simple color palette like this.

What could look good is adding a pop of color, maybe in the t-shirt, to break up the matchiness of the white, black, and brown. Maybe even a blue denim rather than a black denim would look good. I really like the leopard, but she could also pair this with a plain-color ballet flat or a sneaker or boot, and this outfit would definitely make sense.

25. Fleece Jacket, Wide-Leg Sweatpants, and Retro Sneakers

A fleece jacket like this is so cozy to throw on in the fall. It adds a little bit of contrasting texture to the wide-leg sweatpants. While they’re both definitely leisure wear, it looks a little bit more cutesy and put together than if she were to wear a sweatshirt.

The wide-leg sweatpants are definitely a classic, and the retro sneakers go well with that aesthetic.

26. Tan Sweater, Pleated Midi Skirt, and Loafers

A pleated miniskirt is a great item to have. It can be paired with boots that go over the calf, or with heels, maybe with a sheer black tight underneath the miniskirt. This is a hardworking item to have in your closet, and it can carry over into winter and spring.

Here, she’s paired the cooler-toned gray miniskirt with warm colors on top. The brown leather bag matches the warm brown leather of the shoes, while the shoes being darker helps the charcoal make sense.

27. Black Moto Jacket, Hoodie, and Mini Skirt with Tights

The moto jacket and the combat boots are a cute night-out combination. Combat boots are great for fall. They can definitely be worn with jeans, skirts, really anything, and especially in a color like black, they’re very versatile. I think they were trendier a few years ago, but they definitely still have a timeless feel.

Miniskirts with black tights and boots are the quintessential fall going out outfit, and definitely timeless.

28. Herringbone Coat, Denim, and a Cashmere Wrap

Here, the herringbone coat looks lightweight, while being made of wool. With layers underneath, like the wool sweater, which could still be light, adding a cashmere wrap on top is one extra layer that’s often forgotten, but it definitely adds warmth as well as interest to the outfit.

She also has the brown leather gloves, which add warmth. Together, these accessories are easy to store and put away if it gets warmer outside, but she can throw them on and be substantially warmer.

29. Red Sweater, Plaid Trousers, and Mary Janes

Here’s another example of the simple black, white, or brown color combination with a pop of red. A pop of red is easy to throw on with those other classic colors.

This especially makes sense later in the fall going into the holiday season. It feels festive while casual.

Pieces That Pull These Looks Together

Three versatile pieces from this list of fall outfits.

• Levi’s Ribcage Straight Jeans. The straight jeans that anchor #1 and #17.
• CUSHIONAIRE Leather Penny Loafers. A polished flat for the pleated midi in #26 or the chambray and corduroy look in #13.
• PUMA Carina Leather Sneaker. The white sneaker that dresses down the shacket and midi dress in #15.