From chunky loafers to sweater vests, meet fall 2021 outfit essentials that are ripe with nostalgia!
(Contains Affiliate Links)
Last night I sat down for the long-dreaded task of boxing up my summer wardrobe.
Armed with a glass of sparkling water and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills for company – I began the slightly miserable process of auditing everything I want to stow away for next summer and the styles I can safely part ways with. I even tackled the mountain of sandals I’ve been casually ignoring in the back corner of my closet for the last two months.
It was no doubt a laborious and mind-numbing couple of hours.
What kept me going?
Aside from the housewife drama, fall’s long-anticipated arrival shined bright like a guiding star! And true fall. Not just a date on a calendar that comes with eighty degree temperatures. The season where we can safely dress in full-length pants and sweaters without fear of heat exhaustion.
Fall 2021 Outfit Essentials
It goes without saying that autumn dressing usually comes with a few essentials: sweaters, coat, boots.
This year, we’re also seeing a season that is ripe with nostalgia! Classics like chunky loafers and sweater vests are taking center stage on new arrival pages across the internet. Many of these styles have me taking a trip down memory lane, thinking back on my love of throwing a sweater vest over long-sleeved tees in the nineties and the chunky soles my friends and I wore while stomping the halls at school.
After many reigning years of skinny jeans, we’re also seeing the revival of flares!
A style of denim I used to have in every wash and color imaginable in my closet. Several pairs of which I (thankfully) still do — knowing that surely someday I’d want to once again rock a pair of ‘bell bottoms.’
From top dollar Gucci styles to affordable options from H&M and J.Crew, I’m also delighted to report that there is no need to majorly splurge on updating your wardrobe for the weeks and months ahead! In fact, the retro vibes that ran rampant in the FW21 collections is ideal for thrifting and diving down rabbit holes on eBay if you’re up for the job (assuming you don’t have these classics on hand, already).
To help you prepare, I’ve curated a selection of fall 2021 outfit essentials below that work for budgets of all size! Hopefully this list will help serve as inspiration for you while transitioning into autumn/winter. Happy perusing!
A Wool Overcoat
Be it real or faux, there’s no question that a great overcoat is one of the most non-debatable fall 2021 outfit essentials on this list. After all, you’re going to need to stay warm! Whether its more affordable styles from MANGO or pricier Max Mara – you can trust one thing for sure… a wool overcoat will truly never go out of style.
The Classic Blazer
Blazers are an excellent way to pull together any outfit and for the Fall 2o21 season – there really are no rules on how to style one. Bit it prim and proper for the office or oversized with a sweatshirt beneath while running weekend errands, layer in any way you like!
The Sweater Vest
After some time on the back-burner, sweater vests are back as one of the most popular Fall 2021 outfit essentials! These versatile pieces can be styled over blouses and shirt dresses or even worn on their own. (Although, that might be a bit chilly, depending where you live.)
The Bucket Hat
Perhaps you’ve been into the return of the bucket hat all along or its time you finally cave. But really, there couldn’t be a better time than autumn to embrace this form of headgear.
Paired with a coat, bucket hats make for a great alternative to the beanie styles that while warm – tend to do a number on our hair. They can also effectively be styled up or down, depending on your mood.
Animal Print- Everything
Be it as an accessory, a coat, a skirt or all of the above – show off your wild side with perhaps the most daring fall 2021 trend. From leopard to Zebra, brands have unleashed a steady stream of animal prints for the autumn season.
We even saw prim Carolina Herrera jumping aboard the bandwagon this season — proving that getting dressed should absolutely be fun — especially now that we have more places to go!
Chunky Loafers
Chunky loafers emerging as one of the most in-demand fall 2021 outfit essentials brings a cheerful sense of nostalgia for the 90s. ‘Twas a simpler time and if you’d like to sport a pair of thick-soles while walking the mall with a cinnamon Auntie Anne’s pretzel — go right ahead!
Wide Leg Jeans
At the request of Generation Z, it’s time to give your skinny jeans a rest. In their place? Opt for wide-leg flares with a relaxed fit!
Top Handle Handbag
After multiple seasons with crossbodies as all the rage, it’s somewhat refreshing to see the rise of the top handle bag once again! These boxier styles are perfect for carrying everything with you this fall (literally) and most come with a built-in cross-body strap as well for versatile styling.
Thank you for reading! I hope these fall 2021 outfit essentials give you some ideas when preparing your seasonal wardrobe.
INTERESTED IN MORE FALL VIBES? CHECKOUT:
COACH’s FW21 collection and Natasha Denona’s newest eyeshadow!
Join the Dream Squad
Sign up for my weekly newsletter to receive exclusive dreamer content you won’t find on Dream in Lace straight in your inbox. Let’s be dreamers, together!
Stay stylish and chase your dreams!
XOXO
Kelly
TWITTER * INSTAGRAM * FACEBOOK
