The Only 8 Things I Bought This Fall. Real-Life Try-On Photos Galore.
by Audie Metcalf
Every year I tell myself I “have enough clothes” and every year I buy more clothes.
But this year, I decided to lean into the inevitable, but I created these three guardrails:
Every piece has to go with 5 things I already own.
They have to fill some sort of “need” or “requirement.”
I have to imagine myself wearing them and liking them for the rest of my life.
Did I succeed? No. But I got very close. So hopefully this means I will actually start wearing my OTHER clothes more, too. Which is how I justify all of this.
So maybe you also need clothes for fall, or maybe your closet is already choked with sweaters and jackets and boots and scarves. So if you’re beginning to feel those lusty autumnal-sartorial desires, but also want to be smart about it this year (FINALLY) consider this your little cheat sheet. And if you want to steal some of these ideas and outfits and pieces, be my guest. But if you’re in L.A. and we run into each other looking like twins, you’ll only have yourself to blame.
I fashioned a new mirror set up for this article in front of my closet—I recently renovated my house and I have NO CLUE how to create closet doors I don’t hate, so if you have ideas I’m all ears in the comments—but the lighting feels right so you can really zoom in and dissect everything (like I do when I read articles like this).
Ok. Let’s dive right in.
WHAT: Adidas Sambae
Ugh. I succumbed. To the trend. Of Adidas Sambas. But I feel like they’re already on their way out with the “kids” and are now therefore, cool? I will say that throwing these on with these infinitely chic, black wide-leg pants or jeans really does allow you to be VERY mindless with your outfits while still looking quite chic. Aka, what I long for daily. THIS affordable, black off-the-shoulder cashmere sweater isn’t on this list. But it should have been.
Price: $100
WHAT: Madewell The Slim Straight Utility Pant
I see pants like this in stores and have always been drawn to their effortlessness. Perhaps because they remind me of a more flattering version of those green army pants we all wore in high school to seem tough. But invariably, my considerable bottom has never, ever fit into pants that use the word “slim” as a descriptor. Until these. It might be hyperbole to say that these are my favorite cool-weather pants, but I think I’m saying it. Though you’d nevvvvvver guess from these model photos, would you:
If I just saw that image online, I’d think these pants are a models-only situation, but lo and behold! They’re gorgeous on us normals, too! I’m wearing a size 28 and I’m usually a 29, so they actually run a little big. There’s two other colorways (pretentious word), but I feel strongly that everyone looks great in olive. They’re so incredibly slimming, the waist fits perfectly, they wash great, and the stretch makes them feel like house clothes. Buy them. Oh, and they come in curvy!
Here’s the backside since I know you’re wondering. Flattering eh??
Price: $128
WHAT: Free People Mad Love Denim Midi Dress
I understand that pink is not traditionally a fall color, but pink makes all of us look pretty and rosy and I wear it year-round. Read THIS. It’s proof. So I am basically on a perpetual hunt to find clothing that feels reminiscent of Maddie Hayes’s outfits on Moonlighting and this fit the bill. Is it for everyone? Surely not. But if you love a popped collar, a cinched waist, and having a full-blown look ready for you without having to pair things or style things with each other, this dress might also be your dream. It also comes in THIS color, which I’m buying next.
Price: $70 - $198
WHAT: Beek Grouse Slouchy Suede Boot
You know how some things you buy feel like they’re fulfilling a longing you’ve always had but didn’t know you had? These boots are that for me. I’ve had a these boots-shaped hole in my life until now, and suddenly, I can wear every long skirt, every length of jean, every dress in my closet. They’re a splurge, but this is the kind of thing I will wear for the rest of my life (one of my requirements!). Oh, and they’re profoundly comfortable. (As everything is from this brand). Yes, they’re suede. Yes, I drowned them in scotch-guard. Yes, they’re the same boots I was wearing with the pink dress above that you’re on the fence about.
And you can use the code CANDIDLY10 to get 10% off.
Price: $425
WHAT: Anthropologie Maeve Linen Wide-Leg Trouser Pants
You know the huge, black, wide-leg pants I wore above with the Adidas? The ones we write about constantly? THESE? Welllll they have an autumn-weight linen version now, so I snapped them up in what can only be described as a panic, since this style sells out near-instantly. The comfort-to-flattering ratio with these pants is simply unmatched. I will be honest with you and tell you that I have never worn this outfit in my life. I feel like a high-powered Movie Magazine Editor where my first and last name have alliteration. What can I say, I just wanted to put together something chic for you guys. But now that I see it, I WILL wear it. But I have worn these pants with a tank top, a denim jacket, the aforementioned Adidas, and they’re just tremendously chic and wearable and supremely comfortable.
Price: $148
WHAT: Quince Mongolian Cashmere V-Neck Sweater
I realized I didn’t have a cashmere V-neck sweater which is a travesty. It always makes you look put together with zero effort. But even very expensive cashmere feels itchy to me, so how the geniuses at Quince made this with zero scratchiness even though it’s a scant FIFTY DOLLARS (for cashmere!?) is beyond me. Again. Fifty dollars. I’ll be buying the ivory and strawberry melange next but in truth I want all the colors.
Price: $50
WHAT: Free People All Clear Scrunched Henley Tank
This might be too niche for any of you to care about, but this extremely soft, breathable tank acts as both a shirt AND a bra for exercising. I only recently realized that most of my dread of working out was actually dread from wriggling into a sports bra that made me feel as though my ribs were being compressed such that I might turn to dust if I inhaled too deeply. So this whole time (meaning my entire life) I’ve not really been a person who exercises consistently. Until this tank. It holds my boobs but doesn’t make me feel like I’m being crushed by a vice. It’s a huge reason why THIS is part of my daily life now. Oh, and the color is like visual Prozac. (The reason I often look to the side in photos is because I’m bizarre looking from head-on and much more palatable in profile. We all have our things, don’t we?)
Price: $40
WHAT: Quince Mongolian Cashmere Fitted Midi Skirt
I saved the best for last. This is a cashmere skirt and yet it’s only $100. It’s scrumptiously soft and feels like I’m just wearing a blankie and I’m not sure how I’ve lived 47 years without it. I’m also wearing that Mongolian cashmere cardigan, also from Quince, that we CROW about non-stop, and I realize that wearing them together is like the elevated, non-pig version of a sweat set. HOW CHIC IS THAT. I threw on my favorite TANK of all time, along with my cool-not-cool Sambas, and poof, an outfit. Oh, and I just had to show you a close up of this m a g i c a l waist on the skirt:
It’s thick, soft, flattering and creates a lovely hourglass without feeling constrained at all. I will be wearing this skirt 3-5 times a week in the fall and winter. Can you imagine with TIGHTS AND BOOTS. Perfection.
Price: $100
Audie Metcalf is the Editor-in-chief of The Candidly, and lives in LA with her family. You can find more of her articles here.
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
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