20 August 2026

These 5 Fall Outfit Formulas Work Every Time!

Leather blazer | Khaite jeans | Sandals | Black and silver belt

These 5 Fall Outfit Formulas Work Every Time!

The secret to feeling put-together every single day is to have several outfit combinations that just work. Now is the perfect time to start planning your fall wardrobe, especially since we’re only weeks away from a new season. After spending over two decades in the dressing room helping my clients get dressed every day, there are many things I learned along the way. And, I’m here to share them with you 😊 For example, it’s not about having more clothes, it’s about having the right clothes!

Today’s post is about 5 outfit formulas that work every single time. I’m talking about simple concepts, like a jean and go-with-everything shoe, matching your top and jacket, and of course, choosing the all-important accessories that bring your outfit together. Once you own the essentials, the possibilities are endless!

In this post, I’ll show you new pieces that make endless outfits, and how to put them together. There are also style boards that show five outfit formulas I recommend from years of experience as a stylist. Hopefully this will give you some ideas so that it’s easy for you to make outfits that really work. Remember to have fun with it!

Recent most-read posts

Travel Notes: Fresh Lessons & My Stylist-Approved Packing Edit

The 6 Denim Trends You’ll See Everywhere in 2026

01. Start with a versatile shoe/pant combo

Having the right bottom is the starting piece of every outfit! This is something I tested over and over again in the dressing room. Trust me on this one, it works every time. Here’s why: You can try on all the best pieces, but if your bottom half is wrong, nothing will come together. Once you find your favorite jean or two or three, a black pant or two, then make sure you have several shoe options to go with it. This is SO important! Since we’re heading into fall, I went with a medium wash jean and transitional jackets that all work perfectly with boots, loafers, or a kitten heel slingback.

Mother Bookie jean | Black blazer | Burberry relaxed trench | Quilted jacket | Plaid car coat

Shoes/bags: Loafer | Slingback | Sneaker | Khaite boot | Shoulder bag | Valentino bag

02. Get a few monochromatic base combinations

If you pair a matching top and bottom, then any jacket will works — and it’s a super easy way to get dressed. The combos can be black/black, cream/écru, white/white, gray/gray or faded blue/blue. This time of year, try switching from white to écru. It looks a little more elegant, and is the perfect transition into fall. My go-to is always black/black, and a silky black blouse is one of my favorite things to wear. It works beautifully with mostly everything, and if you happen to love black, it’s an easy go-to when you’re getting dressed up. Easy, quick and very stylish!

Left: Burberry coat | Denim shirt | Jeans | Singback | Belt | Right: Black blazer | Ecru tank | Jeans | Red clutch | Boots | Belt

03. The “three piece” rule

One thing I learned very early on is that investing in “third pieces” is worth every penny. This season, consider stand neck collar jackets. slightly oversized blazers, relaxed trench coats, quilted jackets, leather -these will always complete your outfits. And, based on my own experience, these are the pieces we all still wear (and love) years later. This is where you just buy anything you love … and wear it for years to come!

Left: Mercer wool blazer | Tee | Jeans | Clutch | Earrings | Boots | Right: Barbour jacket | Stripe tee | Jeans | Tote | Earrings | Sneakers

04. Coordinate your accessories

Here’s one of my favorite tips: bags, shoes and accessories that work together are the perfect finishing touch to every outfit. This Try to put together a few sets: a bag/shoe combo, a bag/belt combo, or a scarf/bag/shoe combo in matching or coordinating colors. Right now, colors that are worth investing in are a rich saddle brown, dark brown, black, soft white and even light blue. All of these colors make the best outfits!

Burgandy accessories: Anine Bing hat | Croc clutch | Earrings | Bucket bag | Slingbacks | Scarf

Rich brown accessories: Suede bag | Earrings | Loafers | Belt | Clutch | Scarf | Knee boots

Black accessories: Dot scarf | Toteme bag | Belt | Khaite boots | Earrings | Shoulder bag

05. Match your jacket and top

An easy way to make many outfits is to match your jackets to your tops. From there, any bottom will work, from trousers, skirts, jeans etc. Talk about easy, and I’m guessing you already have all the pieces in your closet. One combo I love is a soft white jacket with a matching layering piece — it’s just so stylish and chic! Other examples include black/black, brown/brown, camel/camel — all of these will give you endless outfits for years to come, because they are classic colors.

Left: Dickie blazer | Tee | Jeans | Green tote | Booties | Earrings | Right: Blazer | Ecru tank | Jeans | Booties | Bucket bag | Scarf | Earrings

 

Thank you for reading xx

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through the links, we may make a commission.

PREVIOUS POST

NEXT POST