Fall fashion

Fashion week and fall are upon us, and the wheels in my head are turning!

But, no, it's not because of exciting things happening in New York. So far the style trends seem terrible! Just look at this or this. It looks like Molly Ringwald's vomit dug up from 1986! Not all advice is ridiculous, this page has some reasonable ideas. I like sweater dresses and layering.

Whenever I feel in a fashion rut, I'll scope out Nordstrom's website to see what they're pushing. I very rarely buy anything from there, but it gives me ideas for what to look for at Ross and Goodwill. Hmmm...

Even though it's a tad frivolous, I love thinking about outfits and accessories. Fall is my favorite season, because I pull out all my colorful scarves and mittens! Adding a scarf to an old outfit makes it feel new again!

I want to re-vamp my wardrobe a little bit. Even though I shop at Goodwill, I can't afford to do a complete re-do. Plus, I don't have that kind of time right now. PLUS, I'm a shameless pack-rat as anyone can tell you, so purging a wardrobe isn't something I'm inclined to do. So, my strategy will be to invest in a few new base outfits and accessories, then I can pair them with some of my old things and voila...more on this to come.

Here is how I've thought about organizing my wardrobe for the past while:

First, I keep a lot of accessories on hand to mix and match with different outfits. I love my collection of scarves in varieties of colors. They are great accessories that can really change an outfit. Also, I very, very rarely throw out a piece of jewelry. My outfit might feel a little boring until I throw on a few bangles and dangling earrings. Neither scarves nor jewelry take up much space, and you might discover that the weird bracelet your mother gave you, that goes with nothing, is completely fabulous and goes with everything! Accessories can also add uniqueness and personality to your outfits. They can be a great conversation starter too: Oh this? My friend brought it back for me from her trip abroad...I picked these earrings up at a flea market in Ballard from this funny, old lady...that sort of thing.

Second, I try to keep an open mind at Goodwill and look for things that I like, things that are different and things that are classic. For example, I like colors, so I always look for colorful clothes. I also like looking for unique things and vintage things. But, it's important to stock your closet with some classic and simple items such as basic tees, an easy a-line skirt, a stunning pencil skirt, good jeans, some blacks, browns and whites, etc. I try not to worry about buying things out of season; some of my best winter clothes were bought in the middle of summer! If I like it, there's a good chance I'll find a use for it, even if I don't use it right away. (Although, maybe that's just pack-rat mentality.)

Third and final, I try to do things my way, even if it's a little different. Sometimes following the fashion experts or the newest trends can be a let down (see above). I would suggest to anyone that instead of trusting the experts, trust yourself. It might sound trite, but confidence is the best accessory.

So, I'm looking forward to the season of back to school clothes, rusty colored leaves, chilly mornings and cozy evenings. I'm also looking forward to settling back into my domestic bliss and attending to some chores and hobbies that fell by the way side in lieu of the wedding.