Fall Fashion on a Budget

Fall fashion does not have to break the bank– the pieces you already own may have more potential than you think!

by Laurel Chang

Photo by Rachel Bernstein

As leaves shed their green, we shed our summer tan. But don’t dismiss the clothes we wore on those blissfully warm days. Fall sparks openings for brand-new renditions of our individual styles— an opportunity for last season’s clothes to remain relevant and accompany us into the breezy autumnal days ahead. 

Don’t let that under-50-degree weather freeze your jean shorts collection! Try pairing your denim cutoffs with accent tights, leg warmers, or long socks and a pair of brown boots for a warm and dainty way to give new life to your summer shorts. Finish the look with a sweater to balance out the tighter silhouette on the bottom. My favorites are boat-neck pieces that show off the collarbones and can be draped off of one shoulder. 

For especially cold days, add a scarf that matches the color of your leg warmers. Coordinating knitted pieces can prevent an outfit from looking overwhelming. As knits tend to be chunky and textured, consistent color choice maintains balance and reduces visual overload. This principle can also help you shop more easily, choosing pieces that build on what you own.

On that note, if you are just itching to shop for some new pieces, do some planning before you splurge. Think of what accessories or cold-weather clothes you already own and why you perhaps don’t reach for them as much as you should. Have a pair of ballet flats collecting dust on your shoe rack? Thrift a belt that matches its color so you can wear the two together. Whether it’s with jeans, slacks, or a skirt, that outfit will always look coordinated. For $10 or less, you open doors to many new looks that stem from a staple shoe-and-belt pair. Instead of buying new pieces that don’t match anything you already own, smart shopping allows you to explore new style options from existing pieces in your wardrobe, saving you time and money!

I’ve always believed accessories are the key to a complete outfit. Not only do they tend to be more affordable than actual clothes, but they are also more versatile, adding dimension and flare. A focus on accessorizing the clothes already in your wardrobe and adding layers to keep you warm this season is the key to achieving your fall look while staying on a budget!