"Picture this: you’re standing in front of your closet, attempting to get dressed for the day, only to get stuck in a daydream and realize you’ve been standing there longer than anticipated with nothing to show for it. We’ve all been there: on an island with nothing to wear, yet surrounded by a sea of clothes. That feeling seems to only grow worse as the seasons change, stuck between feelings of wanting to move forward with the next season’s temperatures while still stuck in the weather of the season before.
Despite my line of work, I’d like to argue that I’m pretty disciplined when it comes to shopping; but even for me, it can be hard not to get caught up in the rat race of chasing trends and keeping up with the latest TikTok Shop sensations. As tempting as it is to want to upgrade a few pieces here and there, trust me when I say that as long as you’re in possession of a handful of quality, cold-weather staples—a cardigan, tee, jeans, trench coat, etc.—you’re more than equipped to shop your own closet this fall.
Eager to remind myself of that very sentiment, I recently set out on a quest to build up an arsenal of foolproof outfit formulas centering on pieces I already own. Unsure of where to start, I took to Pinterest to grab a few outfit images to recreate. While the sourced inspo felt a bit elementary at first, I found that referring back to the photos really helped to lay the groundwork for graduating to something a bit more my speed.
Because of my strict no-gatekeeping policy, I’m sharing my top five tried-and-tested outfit combos that I turn to time and time again—and that you can recreate with pieces you already own. Being the maximalist that I am, I included the way I’m leveling up each outfit with statement-making pieces, too.
1. A Trench Coat + Hat + Sneakers
I don’t know what it is about styling a classic trench with a sporty cap that makes me feel like an undercover celebrity, but whatever it is, I’ll take it. (Although it could very well be that time that someone did tell me that, word for word). While I specified a trench coat in this outfit formula, it isn’t crucial; an overcoat of any sort will help you achieve the same look. The power of this outfit combo lies within the juxtaposition of a laid-back accessory combined with a dressed-up layer. The same goes for the sweater: while I recommend the added texture of a chunky crewneck, swapping for a simple tee works for warmer days.
How I Recreated It
I swapped out the sneakers that were worn in the inspiration photo with sherpa clogs to make the outfit feel a little more true to my personal style.
2. A Tee + Blazer + Loafers
While I realize we’re all capable of throwing an oversized blazer and a straight-leg pair of jeans together, it’s helpful to have the visual reminder of why it’s such a classic combination. Though I normally follow the wrong-shoe theory when it comes to footwear, in this instance, the loafers bring uniformity to the look that ties it all together.
How I Recreated It
To add a little bit of extra texture to this outfit, I styled it with my leather blazer. You can also opt to drape a colorful crewneck sweater over your shoulders as a finishing touch. The added layer will bring depth to an otherwise simple look, and the pop of color will break up the neutrals.
3. A Sweater + Midi Skirt + Sneakers
Just because I’m eager for my first PSL of the season doesn’t mean I’m hurriedly stowing away my summer staples; in fact, I’m hanging onto my skirts and dresses for as long as the weather permits. Just the other day I recreated this look by throwing a crewneck sweater over my favorite spaghetti strap dress and pairing it with a fun pair of sneakers. The result? Compliments galore! If you don’t own a midi-length dress or skirt, opt for a mini while the temps still allow.
How I Recreated It
I opted to make this look feel a little more true to me with a chunky, cable-knit sweater. Since this sweater-and-skirt combo leans a little more subdued, you can also up ante with a trendy bag to make more of a statement.
4. A Tank + Cardigan + Jeans
Cardigans and jeans are the mainstays of every fall wardrobe, so it only makes sense to pair them together whenever possible. I generally like to balance out my straight-leg denim with an oversized cardigan (or vice versa—if I was wearing more relaxed jeans, I’d opt for a more fitted cardigan). One change I’d make to that outfit is instead of leaving the cardigan unbuttoned, I’d opt to button it all the way up or secure just the top button instead. The combo makes the most sense with a comfy slip-on or laid-back sneaker, but I’m digging her heeled mule addition instead.
How I Recreated It
I understand that it’s a lot easier to hang on to neutral footwear, but I testing out a colorful shoe with this look, which made it feel it a whole lot more interesting.
5. A Tee + Button-Down + Flats
Being the button-down aficionado that I am, I’m surprised that I’ve yet to test out this combo. The jeans-and-tank combo is pretty straightforward, and the unbuttoned top adds a bit more visual interest and dimension to the look. Although you could easily leave it at that, I like how she’s picked a few edgier accessories to take the look a step further.
How I Recreated It
For an extra layer (and to amp this look up a bit), I opted to draping a red cardigan over my shoulders for a pop of color.
Tinsley Crisp, Fashion & Beauty Staff Writer
Tinsley Crisp is a Fashion & Beauty Staff Writer at The Everygirl and specializes in reporting on the season’s latest trends and hottest products. As a New York City-based stylist, she’s committed to injecting joy into the art of getting dressed and delivering attainable yet aspirational content to our readers.