Fall Shopping List

Illustrations by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

I don't know about you, but I'm totally ready for some fall fashion. There's only so many tees, tanks and linens I can take! I'm super excited to start layering my ensembles, wear leather, boots, scarves, and this list can go on for miles! I'm going to clue you in on some timeless, fashion forward pieces that i'm currently coveting to add to my closet! 

Just like the little black dress, the little leather jacket is a timeless classic. For this season there are  tons of iterations for this solid colors, prints, quilted leather to unexpected fabrics! It is the ultimate edgy piece for  eye catching street style! I'm absolutely loving the options out there like Acne's (click on names, for examples!) sweet grey number, or Helmut Lang's hot color blocked version. I'm pining for a classic black, something that can go with everything and the perfect layering piece to! 

Blazers are always a hit, especially around the fall season. These basic toppers are major wardrobe chameleons, they can be paired with jeans and a tee shirt, slacks and a silk blouse, or that sexy cocktail dress! Truly a must, but lately this wardrobe essential is being highlighted in a different way, with different fabrics. Think of it as fabric blocking! Club Monaco, Rag and Bone, and Burberry have fantastic examples of this. I've been able to accomplish this look in the past by pairing a vest on top of a jacket, but I think it's time to jump into the deep end! Plus, it's the best way to jazz up that boring black and white suit!

The ultimate new mainstay for this coming season is the fit and flare dress! It's extremely flattering and elongating, what woman doesn't like the sound of that?! This dress shape is very feminine, yet with nice touch of seductive attitude. With the slew of options out there, there's sure to be one to fit your mood, Theory, Topshop, and Alexander Wang have great examples of this. With my vertically challenged self, i'm definitely lusting over this style to add to my wardrobe this season! Move over pencil and body con dresses!

The top item on my list this fall, a new bag! I'm no bag lady by any means, I would take a new pair of shoes over a bag, but I'm sick of lugging around canvas backpacks and messenger bags because I need to carry a lot. With the selection of bags right now, there's one to fit every lifestyle, even one for women who constantly need to travel with a lot of items like me. I will never leave home without an extra pair of shoes, camera, makeup bag, sketch book, note book, scheduler, snack, pencils, pens.... I know it's ridiculous, but you never know when you need something! Some of the bags for busy bodies that i'm lusting over are from J.Crew, Philip Lim, and Chloe. After all, your bag makes an impression just as much as your shoes do! 

Whenever you begin your fall shopping, just make sure to buy pieces that truly mesh with you and keep in mind that a timeless piece is totally worth the investment! Dear readers, what's on your fall season, must have shopping list? What are your determining factors?