The big fashion news for Fall and business casual is that the preppy look rules. If you remember the Official Preppy Handbook, you will recognize many of the styles. These include such looks as tweed, plaid, scarves and scarf patterns, suede boots, and lots of brown and camel color tones. Everything has a very “Fall” feel to it.
Ease Into Fall
The best way to ease into fall is to start with a few essential business casual pieces. Wear lighter weight clothing in darker colors. Put away the light neutrals in favor of camel, mocha, dark gray, and black. When choosing fabrics, stick with cotton blends and lightweight wool. Faux leather and suede are making a comeback and are also seasonally appropriate. Save the woolly jackets, corduroy and heavier knits for November.
Blazers and Turtlenecks
The first essential business casual piece you will need is a blazer. A blazer plays a crucial part in your wardrobe. Blazers can turn any plain outfit into something sophisticated and polished. A blazer is a very versatile piece that can be dressed up for more formal occasions, or dressed down for a casual look, depending on what it’s worn with. The newer blazer styles for Fall 2019 are longer and a little looser. The key to finding the perfect blazer is to make sure the length hits slightly below the hip, and the style is fitted but not tight.
Turtlenecks are everywhere this Fall, and as the temperature cools down it’s the best way to stay warm. Don’t be afraid to wear yellow gold, camel, brick or other rusted tones of the season. Turtlenecks are a practical layering piece, and a great way to stay comfortable in the office. They can be worn under a jacket, cardigan, on their own with a scarf or jewelry, or even under a sheath dress. If you are not into the turtleneck look, try a mock neck. It is very similar to the turtleneck, but looser fitting and shorter at the neck.
Trousers and Skirts
Black trousers are the third essential business casual piece and they have been wardrobe staples for years. They can be worn with a blouse, sweater, jacket, or all of the above. They can take you from casual meetings to more formal events. You can never go wrong with the classic trouser, but why not try a different shape this season? Some options are a paper-bag look, wide leg, short and cropped or with a trendy belt. There are options for all body types!
The final essential business casual piece I recommend for Fall is the pleated skirt. It is a versatile style that you can wear often, since it flatters most body types. Pleated skirts come in different textures, patterns and colors that will go with any look. Ideally, they are worn with calf-high slouchy boots, although any shoe or boot will go. On top you can wear a three-quarter length sleeve blouse, cropped sweater or boxy blazer. A pleated skirt is perfect for the office, and you need not worry if it’s too short or too tight. It is light and airy and will match all the beautiful styles of the season!
