Fall 2015 style thread: what's old is new again

Don't know if it's lifestyle, age (ahem) or just more awareness but I'm trying to take a more minimalist approach—buy less, but nicer quality stuff.

I've eliminated half my closet. I still buy but try to sell or donate more—and what I do buy I really think about how often I will wear it, will it last for years, etc.

Any fall inspiration? I'm cutting my hair off and I'll take it from there.

Cropped pants are really big for Fall, in all lengths from floods to gauchos. (Check out Kate Spade or Banana Republic on Style.com.) Skirts with a slit, boxy jackets, loafers, high boots...

shh said:
Don't know if it's lifestyle, age (ahem) or just more awareness but I'm trying to take a more minimalist approach—buy less, but nicer quality stuff.
I've eliminated half my closet. I still buy but try to sell or donate more—and what I do buy I really think about how often I will wear it, will it last for years, etc.

I culled my closets pretty seriously in preparation for moving and I like it so much that I'm going to do more. And I've become a very careful buyer - like you, I'd rather pay more for things of quality that I truly love, feel comfortable in, and will wear frequently. The rest have got to go.

Hmmm. I think a lot of this depends on your personal fashion sense. Knowing you the way I do, I think you need to avoid things that are hot in the moment like cropped pants etc unless that is a look you see yourself in in 5 years. I am taking the same approach as you, have been for a while. I invest in lining pieces like simple dresses that I can put a nice jacket over. Jackets are the hardest thing for me to find. I look for a shorter, waist-nipped style in a lightweight but year round material, that has give and stretch in it, because I am curvy and I like the jacket to accommodate and move with those curves.

I'd find a store you love, and simply buy from there. I happen to love Express because everything always revolves around certain key pieces that will always be there, like the Editor pants and the Columnist pants. I love the look of those pants with a simple, well cut button down shirt. Find a store you like, and just shop there.

Oh, I have my store. J crew. Quality is hit or miss these days (where isn't?) but I'm getting to the point that if something doesn't wash the way it should, or fabric shreds, I'm bringing it back.

Right now on my wish list are a few blazers and a skirt. Not much. I do love those wide ankle length gaucho type pants and if I find a decent pair in black on sale I might buy them but if not I won't worry about it. I got a cute pair of pointy toe leopard flats which I love.

I'm also avoiding dresses. I bought a bunch over the past few years and realize they are just not me, although it's great to have a few in my closet, for going to dinner or otherwise dressing up, I prefer skirts or pants and blazers. Or even just jeans...which I've whittled down to a few favorite skinny jeans and some baggy boyfriend jeans. Though it seems a dramatic bootleg is back--I have one or two pairs of those and don't think I need more

I'm definitely a uniform dresser and only wear certain colors and shapes.

Reviving this because it's a gloomy day and this is a fun topic.

Since I've been pretty much living in boyfriend jeans and hoping to avoid exposed ankles as it gets colder, I am going to try a pair of lace up boots with a little heel and see how that works. (I opted for tan, which I like sometimes over black with distresse denim.)

I know high rise jeans are back, but I can't do them (unless I buy them big and wear them on my hips, which totally defeats the purpose).

Cute boots! good with a skirt or with pants.

I'm with you. I kind of have a 'uniform' of skinny jeans with blousy tops or fitted tee. Put on a nice jacket and scarf and away we go!

Exactly. So much easier and "less stressful"to get dressed.

I hate high-waisted anything. I find it uncomfortable. I've gotten away from low-rise for the most part too. I need something in the middle.

I was fine avoiding the fringe fray till I saw a woman in ny wearing something like these...the way the fringe was all playful as she moved has me hooked. http://www.lordandtaylor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/en/lord-and-taylor/cecile-fringe-booties

Those are cute. Last year I had seen knee high stiletto boots with fringe on a fashion blogger. They were awesome but they don't really fit my lifestyle! I do love some sandals with a long fringe around the ankle like that.

As a long waisted person anything high waisted makes me feel like (1) I'm eating my waistband and (2) my butt is a mile long.

marylago said:
I hate high-waisted anything. I find it uncomfortable. I've gotten away from low-rise for the most part too. I need something in the middle.

Love those tan lace-up ankle boots!

Peggy, I found them for a great price from both 6pm and Amazon. More than 50% off.

They remind me of my favorite 9 west boots from 1993 that I purchased in black and brown and wore to death. Seriously--had them resoled several times.

PeggyC said:
Love those tan lace-up ankle boots!

shh said:
As a long waisted person anything high waisted makes me feel like (1) I'm eating my waistband and (2) my butt is a mile long.

marylago said:
I hate high-waisted anything. I find it uncomfortable. I've gotten away from low-rise for the most part too. I need something in the middle.

To appreciate the ridiculousness of the high-waist, just look at any photos from the mid 80s thru early 90s ...just horrifying.

Omg. I have to post a pic... I know it all too well.

shh said:
Peggy, I found them for a great price from both 6pm and Amazon. More than 50% off.
They remind me of my favorite 9 west boots from 1993 that I purchased in black and brown and wore to death. Seriously--had them resoled several times.

PeggyC said:
Love those tan lace-up ankle boots!

I will have to look for them. What is the brand? If it's Nine West I might have to pass, because I have found in the past that Nine West and my feet don't get along well, for some strange reason.

Looks like the Frye logo.

PeggyC said:

shh said:
Peggy, I found them for a great price from both 6pm and Amazon. More than 50% off.
They remind me of my favorite 9 west boots from 1993 that I purchased in black and brown and wore to death. Seriously--had them resoled several times.

PeggyC said:
Love those tan lace-up ankle boots!

I will have to look for them. What is the brand? If it's Nine West I might have to pass, because I have found in the past that Nine West and my feet don't get along well, for some strange reason.

Hey Shh, I've been thinking about doing the same thing. I have closets (plural) full of clothes dating back to the 90's that I know I won't wear again (either not really my style anymore or they don't fit). I think I keep them hoping I'll shrink back to my pre-baby size, but that's a pipe dream.

So this fall I'm going to do a serious closet edit. In exchange, I will only buy quality clothing that I love.

Like you, I'm drawn toward minimalist, modular clothing. So, I've fallen in love with Eileen Fisher. Her clothing is a bitexpensive but worth the investment. I only have a couple pieces now but I foresee that the bulk of my work wardrobe will include EF pieces. Check it out www.eileenfisher.com.

Also, I was at TJ Maxx recently and they had a lot of Max Studio cashmere sweaters in modern, boxy shapes and neutral colors. Sweaters were between $60-100 - but you're getting cashmere.

Peggy C, the boots are Frye.

I love Eileen Fisher but not for me. I generally wear more structured clothes. Almost always a fitted blazer and jeans.

I do love black pants but have found I don't have much need for them anymore. I have a couple of pant suits in houndstooth and plaid (my kids make fun of me) but they are fun to wear over the holidays, or as I recently found, perfect for a funeral. I also have a few structured flared skirts.

I also love Eileen Fisher and would wear it if I could afford it. Her stuff is beyond "a bit expensive," IMO.

I'll check out those Fryes. They are wonderful, especially if I can get a discount.

shh - You always know what's good to wear. Every year I postpone buying a winter coat and make do with parkas and warm jackets. What do you or anyone suggest?

I got two beautiful wool coats from JCrew a few years ago, but wear them only occasionally. Most often I wear a down jacket (just above knee) that I purchased at Bloomingdales about 6 years ago. It's warm but I still layer under it--but my favorite part is the fur hood (real, forgive me but it's super warm!). The brand is pj parajumpers. I also looked into Canada Goose but like the style I got because it's a bit fitted. (Lol, the purchase was documented here--I was looking for something specific and wasn't sure of good brands to find what I wanted. The only thing it doesn't have is a lot of pockets, just two.)

Do you want wool or down or something else? The Bloomingdales pre season sale is a great time to buy, right around thanksgiving. (Though it may be sooner. I tried on a bunch of brands and just really liked the fit of mine. I saved almost 50%-- retail is over $800!

The down jacket (just above the knee) sounds the best. I would probably get the most use out of it. As you said wool coats are worn only occasionally. Will try to wait for Thanksgiving sales. Thanks for helping me focus.

https://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/outerwear/puffersandvests/PRDOVR~E3977/E3977.jsp

I read a great review of this parka. I'm not crazy about the color options (for myself)but I like the style.

Lands End has a lot of parkas, reasonable prices and great sales. Today they have 31% off your order for Halloween. Often they have 40% one full price item. They also have a new CEO who is trying to improve style, if that's a concern.

For parkas, you can't beat LL Bean, and they have more colors and take warmth VERY seriously. I love their down products.

I'm also a fan of LL Bean for winter gear. Don't dawdle -- they tend to sell out of things early in the season and not restock (at least in my experience, trying to shop in January).

PeggyC said:
I also love Eileen Fisher and would wear it if I could afford it. Her stuff is beyond "a bit expensive," IMO.
I'll check out those Fryes. They are wonderful, especially if I can get a discount. ">

Peggy, I got the boots and LOVE them. The quality is really nice, it's a very classic style, I could see having this in several colors. The tan definitely stands out—the darker brown may be a bit more versatile—but I do like the tan a lot and it's a little different for me. The heel height is great. Just high enough to dress them up but not so high that they're impractical. I also saw the style comes without laces, just the side zip.