10 Pieces to Mix & Match with Jeans for Fall
I want to start this post with my usual, upbeat spirit, but I can’t just dive right in without acknowledging the tragedy in Las Vegas and the people who lost their lives and their loved ones. It’s such a shame that so many people were hurt and killed so senselessly. Like you, I’ve been following the news and am so heartbroken by the unnecessary losses. My heart goes out to everyone affected and even if you don’t know somebody there, many of us know the town and have lots of fond memories.
It’s an odd thing to try to balance the devastation in the world while still going about our normal, day-to-day lives, raising kids, working, taking care of our homes, etc. I think we can do our part to help heal by showing love and compassion and grace in our everyday lives. Treating each other kindly face-to-face in the world and also online. It’s a small thing, but can go a long way.
I sit down to write my blog each day with excitement and passion and hope it’s a place where you find inspiration and perhaps some joy in your day. I know after Hurricane Harvey hit Houston, everyone has been ready to just get back to normal, daily things they enjoy, including blogs and coffee! So, while we continue on talking Fall fashion and Halloween and travel tips and such, in our hearts we know where our priorities lie and what really matters.
Okay, I’ll pull up before I go into an ugly cry!
Yesterday was so rainy, rainy here, but it was actually nice to huddle inside and stay cozy. We’re all sitting on pins and needles waiting for the temperatures to drop: 1) so that we get a reprieve from the humidity, but 2) because #FallFashion! Even if the weather isn’t quite cooperating, you’re itching to pull out all your cool weather clothes and start layering!
When I spoke to the Mom’s group a few weeks ago, I asked you what topic you’d want to hear most and y’all said Fall Basics and how you can mix and match them in your closet. It seems we never tire of switching up our wardrobes for the seasons!
I wish I had recorded that talk so I could play it for you here, but instead, I’ve put together a collage of 10 Fall basic pieces to mix and match with jeans and over the next several days, I’ll put those pieces into action and show you how to put them together! I bet you already have some of these things in your closet, but if your closet needs a refresh, I’ve linked my fave of each item below, along with the two pairs of budget-friendly denim I’ve been wearing on repeat already!
 Cardigan ⋅ Plaid Scarf ⋅ Long Sleeve Tee ⋅ Booties ⋅ Peep Toe Booties
Military Vest ⋅ Long Cardigan ⋅ Leopard Scarf ⋅ Release Hem Jeans ⋅ Dark Wash Jeans (not pictured) ⋅  Knee High Boot
Let’s start with the jeans because they are the foundation for so many of our Fall outfits. You can wear them dressed up or down and often, even to work if your office is on the casual side or welcomes Casual Friday.  Over here, we are giddy to get to wear jeans again without sweating our arses off! You’d be surprised how exciting that is to a Southerner!
I chose these release hem skinny jeans as my first favorite basic because they are ultra comfortable with a good amount of stretch, but not so much so that your rear end looks saggy by the end of the day. We can’t have that! I also like the release hem as a trendy detail, but still without any rips or holes in the legs. They fit TTS and are under $90.
For a darker, more dressed up jean, I’m smitten with this pair that has a light whiskered finish for an extra cool vibe. They are mid rise, skinny style but not like a jegging, more like a true jean. They are under $100 and fit TTS, with petite sizing too!
As soon as we get the slightest inkling of cooler temps, I’m ready to add a cozy cardigan to my outfit.  You guys know I’ve been doing my cardigan research and my criteria includes: soft, stylish, petite friendly, good quality, and budget conscious. This cardigan definitely checks all those boxes. It’s not at all scratchy, has a longer length, but won’t overwhelm a petite frame, is good quality and machine washable and under $50! It’s hard to find a great cardigan at that price! This cardigan also comes in beige (also bought!), dark green and deep burgundy- all very pretty for Fall and it has pockets! It fits pretty TTS, I’m wearing XXS.
My alternative to that heavier cardigan above is this long, lightweight cardigan. It’s thin enough to wear now and the longer length is super elongating, even for a short girl! It comes in regular & petite and so many pretty colors! I espeically love this one for work because it looks so elegant and classy. I’ve worn it with jeans, but it also looks great over a dress.
This type of thin, fitted long sleeve top is a great basic that does double duty as a layering piece under vests and cardigans. I’m partial to the stripe for a kick of pattern, but it also comes in lots of solid colors. I often push the sleeves up for a more relaxed look. You can wear the shirt untucked, but if you tuck it into these bootcut jeans and wear pointy-toe heels, you’ll have legs for days!
When you want extra layers, but don’t want to be too hot, a vest is a great option. You can wear it over everything from a tee, lightweight long sleeve top, or a heavier knit when the weather chills. This vest cinches at the waist, which I appreciate for helping define your waist and comes in regular and petite so you won’t get lost in it. I love the quality and pockets and it’s machine washable. It also comes in dark grey, which also goes with everything!
Having a few great go-to scarves are a great way to add in color and interest to an otherwise neutral outfit. This plaid scarf is on the warmer side, but the colors are so pretty and vibrant for Fall with a big of unexpected teal. It’s also infinity style, so easy to just wrap and wear. And it’s under $25!   I’m glad I still have mine- I wore it so often last year and will definitely be pulling it out again this year! It’s currently showing backordered for 3 weeks, but sometimes they do ship faster!
Every wardrobe could use a little leopard whether its in a bag, a shoe, a belt or a scarf. A little bit goes a long way and you cannot go wrong with this lightweight leopard scarf for under $20!
 Booties
Finally, I have three pair of boots that you can switch up for Fall, which will give you lots of styling options. You can wear them all with jeans, of course, but they also look great with skirts and dresses. For example, see this bootie with everyone’s favorite, flattering little $56 ruched dress and softest cardigan in this post. If you only bought one bootie this season, I’d go for this one in “Foxy” which is a taupey-brown that will go with everything in your closet.  And it’s 20% off now. Remember, it’s fine to pair brown and black together. This bootie style with the slightly narrow toe and taller heel helps your legs look longer and I don’t know anyone who would hate that!
If you prefer a lower heeled bootie, this one is a great option for both comfort and style and the heel is 2 inches with a zippered side. The Franco Sarto brand is well-known for exceptional quality- all of my shoes have lasted for years!
You’ll also get tons of wear from a peep toe bootie and this new western-inspired bootie is so hot for this Fall. It was originally featured in the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, but it’s back and currently on sale 20% off. Before the weather is freezing, a peep toe and exposed heel are super cute, especially with your dresses and skirts.
If you want to add in a pair of knee high boots, this is the pair! They are so buttery soft and beautiful in person. I love the almond suede color that is the perfect light neutral to go with so many things in your closet. The style is clean and unfussy, just a simply stunning boot with a block heel that’s not too high and not too low. The boot hits me right mid-knee and I’m 5’1. To get a PERFECT fit, they could be slightly shorter, but I’m okay with this.
I have bigger calves for my frame and this boot left me plenty of room inside, but my legs weren’t swimming inside- which is why I like them with both dresses and jeans. I wanted to quickly show you how they look with jeans, so I threw on this pair I’ve been living in lately.
Okay guys, now that I have you set with a few Fall Basics, I’ll show you over the next several days how I put them together and how they look on in real life!
Hope you have a great week!
Great picks! I have an almost identical long sleeve striped tee and it is worn ALL fall and winter long.
I love mine too! Apparently I love stripes because I have sooo many striped tops!
Love your fall outfits! Too bad our weather in AZ is too hot to enjoy it even in the winter! 🙂