Refresh Your Look for Fall Without Buying a Whole New Wardrobe
Adding a few key pieces and trying fresh pairings can instantly update your style this season.
Fall trends have a way of convincing us that we need everything new and that none of the clothes in our closets work anymore. But even fashion pros will tell you that don’t have to start over every September. Samantha Anderson, founder of The Anderson Edit, a Long Island-based mobile and online boutique, says the better approach is to work with what you already own and bring in a few pieces that make it feel fresh. “The biggest fall trend is really personal style,” she says. “Start with what you already love, then add one or two pieces that bring in color, texture or personality.”
Here are five ways Anderson suggests making your fall wardrobe feel new without breaking the bank.
1. Add accessories
“Accessories are the easiest, lowest-commitment way to experiment with a trend,” says Anderson. “They allow you to update what you already own without spending money on an entirely new wardrobe.”
This fall, Anderson says it’s all about oversized earrings or large studs with a cozy sweater or crisp button-down and mixed-metal bracelets and earrings. You can even work with what you already own, so you don’t necessarily have to start from scratch. Anderson suggests bringing out family heirlooms, including brooches, cameos, and pieces with ornate details paired with more modern clothing for an unexpected look. “I love a pin on a jacket,” she says.
No heirloom brooches on hand? Check out the stunning collection of vintage brooches and other statement-making accessories at Vavra New York, with locations in Huntington, Southampton, and now Manhattan.
courtesy of Vavra New York
2. Let one statement layer do the work
“A statement jacket or cardigan can transform the jeans and basic tees you already own,” says Anderson. She says to look for something with an interesting texture, unexpected color, embellishment, or other unique detail. Her Sammy Bomber Jacket, $98, for example, can go over a dress when it gets chilly at night or with jeans and heels for a Saturday night out. It’s less about building a whole new outfit and more about finding one piece that gives the rest of your closet a different feel.
courtesy of The Anderson Edit
3. Mix polished and casual pieces
“One of the easiest ways to make an outfit feel current is to combine pieces that traditionally wouldn’t be worn together,” says Anderson. Some ideas: a graphic tee under a blazer, a satin top with relaxed jeans, a feminine skirt with a sweatshirt, or a button-down with sporty pants.
Matchy-matchy is out. “The most interesting outfits have a little contrast and are perfect for busy Long Island women because it works for school drop-off, lunch, errands or dinner without requiring a complete outfit change.”
4. Add romantic detail to something casual
Mixing in ruffles, lace, satin, and sheer accents with fall’s heavier fabrics can soften an outfit and make familiar pieces feel different. “Wear lace with denim, satin with sneakers or a ruffled shirt with relaxed pants,” she says. “I love the idea of pairing our Smith Feather Trim Top, $128, with a chunky cardigan and oversized jeans — no one will be wearing the same thing.”
Courtesy of The Anderson Edit
5. Rethink your fall color palette
You don’t have to pack away everything colorful just because traditional fall colors are brown, black, and burgundy. Anderson says to keep the colorful necklaces you’ve been wearing all summer and work them into your fall wardrobe instead. Add one unexpected color — lavender, turquoise, butter yellow, forest green, or a soft pink — to a traditional fall neutrals, she says. “
