Fall is in the air, and lifestyle blogger Carly Haslee of A Simple Affair has styled three looks inspired by three of her favorite trends—metallics, leather, and jewel tones. Carly’s tips when it comes to trends are 1. If you’re not sure about a new trend, start off small—a leather trim on a jacket or a metallic belt can go a long way and ease you into it. 2. Test out a new look with budget-friendly pieces and make sure you will actually wear them before investing in a higher quality item.

These three trends can easily be intermixed and work beautifully with each other. The leather and metallics add a touch of texture and the jewel tones, a touch of sophistication. The most important thing to remember when putting together outfits is that you shouldn’t force a trend on your personal style, but instead make the trend work with your wardrobe and with what makes you feel comfortable and confident.

Weekend Casual

On the weekend, I prefer to be comfortable without losing my personal style. Skinny jeans are the perfect way to tone down these bolder trends, especially leather.  In addition to pairing leather with casual denim, incorporating softer leather pieces creates an edgy yet feminine feel. Now let’s talk shoes. These TOMS booties are 110% my favorite purchase for fall. I swear I could run a 5k in them. Not like I would, but if I wanted to, I really think I could because they are just that comfortable. And my favorite way to add color? Accessories. While I wear color, I tend to be more of a neutral type of gal so accessories are my go-to for completing a look.

OUTFIT DETAILS:
Top: The Limited. Sweater: Zara. Denim: Gap. Booties: TOMS. Bag: Banana Republic. Necklace: Jessie James boutique in NYC. Watch: Michael Kors

Weeknight Cocktails

I would describe my personal style as classic and feminine with a little touch of edgy, and I feel like this look embodies just that. The juxtaposition of the pink metallic top and the faux leather skirt creates a fun and flirty combination, ideal for a night out with friends. I have to admit that when I buy heels, I tend to stick to plain black or nude (maybe some patent is involved if I’m feeling a little crazy that day). These were a step out of my comfort zone, but when I put these Zara heels on, I felt like I was embracing more of my edgy side which I don’t do often enough. As a firm believer that confidence and a smile are the best accessories, I recommend finding a pair of shoes that will provide just that.

OUTFIT DETAILS:
Top: H&M. Skirt: Forever 21. Jacket: Zara. Heels: Zara. Bag: Nine West

Weekend Evening

I am going to do my best to put my love of peplums into words; however, I don’t know if I will do them justice. I think this trend is one of my all time favorites. The silhouette highlights your waist while adding some curves. A win, win if you will. When I found this jewel tone peplum at Forever 21, I knew it would become a great transitional piece for my closet and perfect for layering throughout the seasons. Jewel tones are an ideal way to add some color to an ensemble without going too bold, yet all the while adding more personality to your look. Have you noticed how effortlessly cheetah print happens to pair with jewel tones? I think the duo was love at first sight and highly encourage the combination.

OUTFIT DETAILS:
Top: Forever 21. Leather Pannel Leggings: Forever 21. Heels: Zara. Jacket: Banana Republic. Necklace: Nordstrom. Clutch: Francesca’s Collection

jackie saffert allison haslee