Fall Shopping: Pants and Skirts!

Every Fall we see very similar trends with pants and skirts when it comes to colors and fabrics. The jewel tones, tweeds, plaid, and herringbone always signify the season. I’m willing to embrace more trends for shirts (especially when there’s a good sale), but pants and skirts are all about fit for me, so I want to invest in something timeless. That said, there are some consistent looks this season that will flatter and won’t immediately date themselves.

Wide Leg Trousers

Sadie Dishes: Fall Shopping: Pants and Skirts!

This trend has been brewing for the last couple years. It almost doesn’t qualify as a trend, but wide leg trousers are just everywhere right now. A high rise wide leg trouser can be a very flattering and timeless look, which makes it a great option. I would rate this trend as very accessible. This is an easy choice for work with a tie neck blouse and cardigan or cropped blazer.

Pink Pants

Sadie Dishes: Fall Shopping: Pants and Skirts!

Along with all the standard fall colors: burgundy, navy, and grey, every store seems to have at least one or two pairs of pink pants this Fall. The plus here is that pink will easily work year ’round, as long as you’re willing to make the pink statement. I think the pale blush pink is a nice feminine spin on khaki. It doesn’t hurt that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

Cropped Pants

Sadie Dishes: Fall Shopping: Pants and Skirts!

Ankle pants have been very popular for the last few years, but the hem seems to be getting higher. Cropped pants come in a variety of silhouettes this year from slim to wide leg. The cropped pant is not my best look because it often ends right at the widest part of my calf. It seems like they’re better for a lanky leg, unless you swing the other direction and go wide leg to almost mimic the look of a long skirt. It would definitely be a more fashion forward choice.

Pleated Skirts

Sadie Dishes: Fall Shopping: Pants and Tops!

Pleated skirts are showing up in every length this year from mini to midi to long. It’s also done in so many different fabrications, colors and patterns. I think this is a great look for work or a more civilized affair on the weekend. Definitely more weekend friendly than the pencil skirt, in my opinion. This is another one, if you get a good neutral, you’ll definitely get to wear it all year because it’s great with tights or bare legs!

Front Slit Pencil Skirts

Sadie Dishes: Fall Shopping: Pants and Skirts!

Every pencil skirt this year ends slightly below the knee and has a slit either in front of the left knee or right in the middle. I really like this look as long as the slit isn’t too crazy. I’ll probably add a couple of these to my repertoire this year because it seems perfect for work paired with a simple blouse and heels.

Wrap Skirts

Sadie Dishes: Fall Shopping: Pants and Skirts!

There are a lot of variations on the wrap and faux wrap skirt this year. This is always a staple in dresses, but it’s really strong in the skirt area right now. Some of the options out there are real wrap skirts, some are faux with ruffles down the front, and some basically skirt origami. There are definitely work  and weekend options out there. It’s a really versatile look that has a million interpretations.

Front button A-line Skirts

Sadie Dishes: Fall Shopping: Pants and Skirts!

This is a more casual look, perhaps for weekend wear. It screams fall because most of the examples I’ve seen are either corduroy, suede, or denim, and very retro. Because of the detail in the front, I think it would be perfect with a plain turtleneck, tights, and some boots. No sweat.

Next up we’ll do dresses or blazers or accessories! Stay tuned!

Fall Shopping: Tops!

Now that we’ve got our coats ready for the cooler weather, it’s time to replenish our sweaters and long sleeves! As always, I’ve seen some consistent trends in all the normal shopping mall haunts. Some trends might be worth trying, some, maybe not. Plus, there’s so much camel, burgundy, rich blue, and burnt orange out there, it’s fall vibes all over the place! The first hyperlink under each picture is the link to the item in the picture and the rest are more examples.

Little House on the Prairie Blouses

Sadie Dishes: Fall Shopping: Tops!

We saw a lot high neck lace tops this Summer, and it seems to be morphing into a high neck lace/ruffle blouse for the fall. I’m not sure how sustainable this trend is, but it would be so easy to pair with a pencil skirt or pair of trousers for work. If there’s a good sale, it might be an item to sprinkle in with your fall staples make everything look more au courant. Also, I find a high neck easy and sophisticated for work. It will make you feel like you’re on the prairie or in Little Women all day long!

Woodland Printed Blouses

Sadie Dishes: Fall Shopping: Tops!

These rich colorful prints are everywhere on blouses, dresses, and sometimes even pants. I think it would be fun to pick up a blouse with one of these fun patterns, but a dress or pants might not stand the test of fashion time for years to come. If you’re familiar with the Unicorn Tapestries a the Cloister’s museum in New York, (an who isn’t) these patterns give me a real ‘Unicorn Tapestries’ vibe. I believe JCrew even calls that out as an inspiration. I’ve seen some fun patterns at all the regular haunts: JCrew, Banana, Loft, Ann Taylor…

Ribbed Sweaters

Sadie Dishes: Fall Shopping: Tops!

This feels like a 90’s throwback to me (90’s- so hot right now), and there are definitely pros and cons to this look. The ribbed sweater can hide a multitude of sins, but if there’s a bump or roll (you know we all have them), we might have a princess in the pea situation. Sometimes a ribbed sweater can accentuate a roll, so they aren’t the best option to pair with those pants that are a little tight at the waist. That said, it’s a great basic to stay cozy on the weekends, and they are often done in a sturdy, washable fabric which makes life so much easier!

Plaid/ Flannel Shirts

Sadie Dishes: Fall Shopping: Tops!

Obviously, this is a perennial trend for Fall, and this year is no exception. This is another nod to the 90’s as well. Since I have a broad shoulders, I try to be careful with a plaid button down, because it looks rather lumberjack on me. Not always my ideal look… I try to pick a fabric that has some drape to it, that isn’t thick and stiff, and I love a “pop-over” style to pair with skinny jeans or leggings. If I’m doing blousy or boxy on top, I need to do slim on the bottom. If a bold plaid is work appropriate for your office, how great would a it be tucked into a pencil skirt?!

Heathered Knits and Sweaters

Sadie Dishes: Fall Shopping: Tops!

This might be a more subtle trend but I’ve noticed a lot of plain sweaters and long sleeve tee shirts and tunics that are grey heather out there. This is my favorite thing in the world. I love a grey heathered sweatshirt, so if we can extend that to shirts and sweaters– count me in! This is weekend errands with jeans in a nut shell.

Stripes

Sadie Dishes: Fall Shopping: Tops!

We have two kinds of stripes going on right now. There seems to be a lingering of the nautical stripes from Summer, and some throw back 70’s style stripes as well. Striped tees are an easy layering piece for weekends, and the placement stripe shirts are a great statement piece without being flashy.

Ruffled or Tie Neck Blouses

Sadie Dishes: Fall Shopping: Tops!

So many blouses this season have some structural details around the neck line either in the shape of ruffles or a tie. I think it’s a great way to spruce up a plain blouse and it’s so work appropriate. Sometimes ruffles add more volume than I need, so I’m more likely to wear a tie neck, but I think they’re both great options.

Bell/Flare Sleeves

Sadie Dishes: Fall Shopping: Tops!

Now we’re bringing in back to the 70’s again with the bell and flare sleeves. I’ll be honest, I’m probably not going to try this one. It’s not quite my style, and I’m not sure how much longevity this trend will have. But if you’re into it- more power to ya!

Peasant Tops

Sadie Dishes: Fall Shopping: Tops!

The peasant silhouette is everywhere right now. These seem to fit several of the trends into one package. It’s definitely a really easy look for a skinny jean or a high rise flare and booties. A fabric with good drape can flatter and hide a multitude of sins as long as it’s not too oversized. A bright and busy peasant blouse is an instant outfit maker!

I’m exhausted! Next time I’ll do pants and skirts!

Which trends are you thinking about trying this Fall?

Hits and Misses

I’ve done a little summer shopping recently. Some good, some not so good…

Hits

Sadie Dishes- Hits and Misses

This is a great breezy basic top from the Gap. It’s really cute and really comfortable. Bonus- unlike what seems to be the convention these days, it’s not completely see through!

Sadie Dishes- Hits and Misses

I was looking for a blouse for work that isn’t supposed to be tucked in. I have a few slim pairs of pants that look great with more of peplum look rather than a tucked in shirt. This one from Ann Taylor is really pretty and perfect for work. It’s great with a cardigan, slim pants, and pumps.

Sadie Dishes- Hits and Misses

This shirt is THE BEST. I actually got it in white with the iridescent Adidas logo, but the picture doesn’t do justice to how fly it is in person. I love it to pieces, and I feel super cool at the gym now!

Sadie Dishes- Hits and Misses

I love these slubby, lightweight summer sweaters. I buy one or two every summer, so I’m starting to have a collection. It’s perfect with a pair of white jeans for a breezy summer dinner. This one is from Ann Taylor, but there are also comparable options from the other regular haunts that I’ve collected over the years.

Misses

Sadie Dishes- Hits and Misses

Oh Banana. I ordered this long sleeve tee because I love a white shirt and I thought it had a lot more character than the standard tee. Turns out- not awesome. It’s very see through, and I’m not trying to wear an undershirt during the summer. I thought the bottom would be cool, but it drapes kind of awkwardly and I can see myself having to adjust it all day long. Back to the store.

Sadie Dishes- Hits and Misses

I thought this sheath would be a home run from Ann Taylor. I recently bought a dress from Ann Taylor so I was confident in my size selection. This one, however, was huge on me. My waist was non-existent, it just hung. I hate inconsistent sizing. It was a return.

What pieces have worked for you recently?