Fall Outfits for Women: 9 Celebrity Stylist Picks

It’s officially that time of year — cold in the mornings, a little warmer in the afternoons and chilly at night. Dressing for the transition of seasons can be tricky: It’s not quite time to bring your heavy coats out of storage, but you’re shivering in those short-sleeved tops. Luckily, there are ways to survive in style — without breaking the bank! We asked celebrity fashion stylist Dawn Del Russo how to successfully take one wardrobe from season to season using staples you already have in your closet, for the best fall outfits for women.

Best of all, you don’t need to add on expensive couture to be stylish. The solid tunic you bought in every color of the rainbow last year might not scream the latest fashion trend, but staple pieces like these are the key to a flexible, comfortable wardrobe in any season.

The best fall outfits for women: Start with basics

Think of your other basics — solid-colored t-shirts, thin sweaters, your favorite pair of jeans, neutral trousers — as the building blocks for your wardrobe. They can be dressed up or down.

“Items that can be mixed and matched to make multiple outfits, quickly,” explains Del Russo.

1. Build around jeans

We’re willing to bet you already have variations of each of these pieces already in your closet. Pair a comfy long sleeve white tee with your favorite pair of denim, add a brown belt and your trusty gold hoops and finish it off with a pair of sneakers and a crossbody bag. Accessories like these can make all the difference when it comes to wearing your basics. “The right accessories elevate a look; Try adding a scarf, necklace or earrings to your outfits, or wearing a pair of fun shoes or boots,” says Del Russo.

Shop the best fall outfits for women look:

White long sleeve tee: Buy from Old Navy, $16.99

Wide leg jeans: Buy from Express, $49

Sneakers: Buy from Famous Footwear, $79.99

Gold hoops: Buy from Amazon, $14.99

Brown belt: Buy from Amazon, $15.99

Taupe crossbody purse: Buy from Amazon, $21.99

2. Build around neutrals

Tan dress pants with an off white tee are two basics you’re going to get good use out of this season. If white is too harsh of a color for your skin tone, a cream long sleeve is a stylish alternative. The neutrals make it easy to wear with multiple items from your closet, insists Del Russo and it’s one of my favorite fall outfits for women. This outfit is a great option for a day in the office when you just want something easy. Accessorize with a gold watch, tan flats and a chic tote bag.

Shop the best fall outfits for women look:

Tan dress pants: Buy from Lane Bryant, $89.95

Cream long sleeve tee: Buy from Old Navy, $19.99

Knit flats: Buy from DSW, $59.99

Gold watch: Buy from Amazon, $19.99

Tote bag: Buy from Caroline Hill, $84

3. Build around a quarter zip

Not in the mood to get dressed up, but still want to look put together? A black quarter-zip is your new best friend. And what better color for fall than olive green? These olive leather pants have a sweatpants-like shape, so they won’t cling to legs and waist, allowing for more flexibility and breathability. Pair with black sneakers and silver earrings, and throw your hair up in a claw clip if you’re running around.

Shop the best fall outfits for women look:

Black quarter-zip: Buy from Old Navy, $38

Olive green leather pants: Buy from Aerie, $78

Silver earrings: Buy from Amazon, $13.99

Black sneakers: Buy from DSW, $79.99

Claw clip: Buy from Amazon, $8.99

The best fall outfits for women: Layer up

Not only does layering help keep you cozy in the changing temperatures, it also creates brand new looks from pieces you already have, saving you both time and money. Plus, layering can add flattering dimension and shape to your figure.

“Layering is a perfect way to stay warm this fall and really style a look,” Del Russo says. “Take tank tops from summer and wear under cardigans or blazers as a go-to layering piece.”

For example, you can take a simple tee from drab to fab by throwing on a tie-belt cardigan. The tie will help cinch the waist and create more of an hourglass figure. Or, make a button-down shirt casually chic by layering it over a soft tee and leaving the top two buttons undone, says Del Russo. Pair it with solid-colored trousers and you look effortlessly put-together. Even summer dresses become cold weather-proof fall outfits for women with a long sleeve underneath or chunky sweater on top.

4.Build around a knit dress

A thin, knit sweater dress is a must-have as a transitional piece because it’s cozy and warm, but also breathable. This one features a tie belt, so despite the horizontal stripes, your midsection will still look slim. A great layering piece to invest in? A black leather trench. This also features a tie belt for extra structure and shape, and is only a smidge over $50. Del Russo advises finishing it off with a pair of pointed-toe flats, a black leather purse and dainty gold earrings, and you have another perfectly polished fall outfit for women.

Shop the best fall outfits for women look:

Sweater dress: Buy from Lulus, $29

Leather trench coat: Buy from Windsor, $52.90

Pointed-toe flats: Buy from Amazon, $24.70

Leather purse: Buy from Amazon, $34.99

Gold earrings: Buy from Amazon, $10.50

5. Build around a shacket

A plaid shacket is not only one of the biggest fall trends, but it’s also ultra-comfortable. Layer it over a white tee, making it easy to take on and off as the day goes on. This one from Venus has a tie belt to rein in any bulk that can come with the thicker top. A flare pant is extra flattering, and paired with a chunky heeled bootie, will elongate legs. Carry the essentials around in a brown crossbody and throw on some gold earrings.

Shop the best fall outfits for women look:

Plaid shacket: Buy from Venus, $44.99

Flare pants: Buy from Boot Barn, $54.97

Brown booties: Buy from DSW, $49.99

Brown crossbody purse: Buy from Michael Kors, $79

Gold earrings: Buy from Amazon, $12.99

6. Build around a duster cardigan

A classic grey cardigan is one of the most versatile clothing pieces you can own. It can instantly dress an outfit up or down, and will keep you cozy, comfy and chic. In this look, it elevates a basic pair of jeans with zero effort. A black shapewear bodysuit is our favorite top to layer a cardigan over — it’s smoothing and slimming, and also carves out curves. Silver accessories will complement the grey beautifully, and a pointed-toe bootie will elongate legs.

Shop the best fall outfits for women look:

Grey cardigan: Buy from Nordstrom Rack, $36.97

Medium wash jeans: Buy from LOFT, $74.99

Black shapewear bodysuit: Buy from Shapermint, $38.99

Black pointed-toe booties: Buy from Famous Footwear, $59.99

Silver layered necklace: Buy from Amazon, $13.95

Silver rhinestone hoops: Buy from Amazon, $12.99

The best fall outfits for women: Get colorful and cozy

Nothing says fall quite like deep colors and soft textures. While neutrals are great pieces to own all year round, it’s okay to add in some color to spice it up, says Del Russo. When you’re putting an outfit together, try to incorporate darker tones like deep purples, reds and blues, or warm tones, like burnt orange, burgundy and brown — as an added bonus, dark colors tend to be more forgiving, as they absorb light and suggest a smoother and leaner silhouette.

Consider incorporating fun patterns like plaids into your style mix, and accessorize with leather or suede accessories to elevate the look. Mixing soft fabrics like flannel and wool into your outfits will also make them feel more season-appropriate, as well as add interest and dimension.

7. Build around a colorful sweater

How pretty is this pearl-embellished, warm peachy-toned sweater? It’s an off-the-shoulder style, meaning you can show some skin tastefully and elegantly. Plus, the cold shoulder will allow the breeze in to help keep you from overheating. Light wash denim complements the peach color and the pearl accessories complement the pearls in the sweater. For shoes, an ivory bootie is a fabulous option.

Shop the best fall outfits for women look:

Peach pearl sweater: Buy from Venus, $54

Light wash jeans: Buy from Old Navy, $36.99

Ivory booties: Buy from DSW, $89.99

Gold and pearl necklace: Buy from Amazon, $8.99

Gold and pearl hoops: Buy from Amazon, $10.99

8. Build around black trousers

Deep purples are such elegant shades, and flatter every skin tone. A shorter sweater like this one from Express will help to not drag down the figure and add more bulk. These wide-leg trousers feature pleats going down the front, so legs get a slimming-boost while making the whole outfit look chic and polished. “Wide-leg trousers are hot right now and carry over well for any age,” enthuses Del Russo.

Shop the best fall outfits for women look:

Purple sweater: Buy from Express, $44

Trousers: Buy from Cider, $20

Bow heels: Buy from Amazon, $42.99

Purple clutch: Buy from Amazon, $37.95

Black stone necklace: Buy from Amazon, $53

9. Build around an animal print blouse

Animal prints never seem to go out of style, we bet you have a leopard, python or zebra print top already in your closet. This blouse from Windsor cuts off right at the hips, showing curves, so that the pattern doesn’t overwhelm the figure. The long sleeves will help keep you warm, but the material is light and airy. Black jeans with a slight flare at the bottom will give the illusion of longer legs. Match the burnt orange of the top with similar-toned booties.