Do you ever find yourself standing in front of your closet on a chilly fall morning, wondering what in the world to wear to the office? 🤔
Are you guilty of these common fall workwear faux pas:
1/ Wearing summer clothes way past Labor Day 🙅♀️
2/ Not layering enough for unpredictable weather 🙅♀️
3/ Forgetting to incorporate the season’s hottest trends 🙅♀️
If you nodded yes to any of these, don't worry - you're not alone!
But fear not, because I’m here to help you step up your fall business casual game with a week’s worth of chic, trendy, and most importantly, cozy outfits that will have you feeling confident and stylish from your morning coffee to your evening commute. ☕💼🍂
This post is about 5 chic fall business casual outfits I wore this week (with pics!)
The Struggle is Real: Dressing for Work in Unpredictable Fall Weather 🍂
We’ve all been there: you check the weather app and see a 30-degree temperature range for the day. 📈📉
How are you supposed to dress appropriately for both your 8am meeting and your lunchtime walk? 🤷♀️
The key, my boss babes, is layering – and I’ve got you covered (literally!) with five fantastic fall looks that master the art of adaptable dressing.
As a busy professional myself, I know the challenge of wanting to look put-together and polished while also staying comfortable and on-trend.
That’s why this week, I challenged myself to create five fabulous fall business casual outfits that tick all those boxes – and I’m sharing them with you, complete with styling tips. 📝✨
So grab a pumpkin spice latte (no judgment here! ☕🎃) and let's dive in!
Monday: Sweater Dress Success 👗
Kicking off the week with a tried-and-true fall favorite: the sweater dress! 🙌
I love how this piece combines the coziness of a chunky knit with the polish of a structured dress, making it the perfect one-and-done outfit for those mornings when you hit snooze one too many times. 😴⏰
I styled my black sweater dress with a ridged cuff bracelet, oversized square drop earrings, and pointed toe pump heels.
The result?
A pulled-together look that kept me feeling comfortable and confident from my morning meetings to my evening networking event. 💼🤝
Outfit Details
Styling Tip: Defining Your Waist in a Sweater Dress.
If you’re petite like me, sweater dresses can sometimes feel overwhelming on your frame.
To avoid getting lost in all that fabric, look for styles with a more fitted silhouette or try belting your dress to define your waist and create a flattering shape.
Experiment with different belt widths and materials to find the perfect combo for your look! 👗🔍
Tuesday: Pops of Red ♥️
Tuesday called for a pop of color, and what better way to incorporate the season’s “it” hue than with a bold red bag?
I paired a classic black blazer and tank with a fun striped skirt that features an on-trend triangular pattern and lace detail for added interest.
But let's be real - that cherry red tote steals the show and ties the whole look together! 😌
Wearing head-to-toe red might feel intimidating, but adding small doses of this confident color is an easy way to instantly elevate any neutral outfit.
If you’re not ready for a red bag, try incorporating a red lip 💄, shoes 👠, or even just a pop of red in your jewelry.
Trust me, you'll be hooked on this power hue in no time!
Outfit Details
Styling Tip: Mixing Patterns Like a Pro
When mixing patterns like the stripes and lace in this skirt, stick to a complementary color palette and vary the scale of the patterns.
The small triangular print and delicate lace trim work together because they share the same black and white color scheme and differ in size.
Don't be afraid to play with prints - the key is finding balance! ⚖️
Wednesday: Cozy Chic 🥰
Hump day calls for comfort, but that doesn't mean sacrificing style!
This frayed-edge sweater is the perfect combination of cozy and chic, with its unique neckline and gold button details.
I love how the slightly oversized fit pairs with tailored trousers for a balanced silhouette. 👌
For a bag, I could go with a black one, but I think I’m going to add a pop of print instead. I’ll choose this snake print bag. 🐍 It’s really pretty, especially with the black. It pulls the black from the snake print, and the cream in the print complements this cream top nicely.
To accessorize, I skipped the necklace and opted for statement earrings that don’t compete with the sweater’s neckline. A sleek square-link bracelet adds just the right amount of shine, while Mary Jane shoes with a subtle block heel keep the look polished and professional. 👩💼
Outfit Details
Styling Tip: Elevate Your Knitwear
Take your sweaters from basic to bold by looking for interesting details like frayed edges, unique buttons, or unexpected necklines.
These small touches add visual interest and make your knitwear feel more fashion-forward.
Don't be afraid to let your sweater be the star of the show by keeping your accessories simple and understated. 🌟👌
Thursday: Wild for Leopard 🐆
Thursday’s look is all about embracing one of my all-time favorite prints: leopard! 🐆
So, I love leopard print, and leopard print is totally trending right now. I was browsing the J.Crew website, and they have so much leopard print stuff!
I came across this sweater shell, and when I saw it, I was like, "I have to have it!"
The print is classic yet trendy, and the lightweight knit is perfect for layering, since the mornings have been quite cool lately.
With that being said, I have a cardigan sweater over my shoulder. I plan to wear it in the morning and then take it off in the afternoon once it gets warmer out.
To balance out the bold print, I paired the sweater set with simple trousers in a heathered burnished saddle color. This lets the leopard print take center stage.
I love red, especially with leopard print.
Leopard print and red make the perfect duo. Bold red accents are also really trendy this season. To complete my Thursday look, I’m opting for the bold red bag once again. I’ve paired it with the Mary Jane shoes featuring a subtle block heel, which keeps the outfit office-appropriate while still allowing the animal print to shine. 🐾✨
Outfit Details
Styling Tip: Treat Leopard Like a Neutral
One of the reasons I love leopard print so much is its versatility. Despite being a bold pattern, leopard can actually function as a neutral when styling outfits.
It pairs well with a wide range of colors, from classic black and white to rich jewel tones.
Don't be intimidated by this fierce print - embrace it as a staple in your fall wardrobe! 🍂🐆
Friday: Feeling Blue (in the Best Way!) 🩵
Friday called for a bit of color therapy, so I reached for this cheerful, classic blue blouse to brighten up my day.
The soft, flowy fabric and ruffle details add a feminine touch, while the color pairs perfectly with camel accents for a sophisticated yet unexpected combination. 🩵🧡
To keep the look seasonally appropriate, I layered a lightweight camel cardigan over the blouse and added a simple oval buckle belt in rich toffee color for a polished finish.
Denim trousers and camel-colored chain leather heel mule pumps tie the look together, creating a chic ensemble that’s perfect for casual Friday at the office. 👩💼👌
Outfit Details
Styling Tip: Play with Unexpected Color Combos
One of my favorite ways to make an outfit feel fresh and modern is by pairing colors you might not typically think to put together.
Blue and camel is a great example of this – the cool tone of the blue contrasts beautifully with the warm, rich camel hue.
Don't be afraid to step outside your color comfort zone and experiment with new pairings! 🌈😚
Bonus: Transitioning Your Work Looks to Weekend Outfits ☑️
One of the best ways to maximize your wardrobe is by creating versatile looks that can easily transition from work to weekend.
Many of the pieces I wore this week can be dressed down for off-duty days with just a few simple swaps. 👚👖
For example,
🐆 Thursday’s leopard sweater set could be paired with jeans and sneakers for a casual weekend brunch look.
🩵 Friday’s blue blouse would be cute with a denim skirt and sandals for a weekend shopping trip.
By investing in pieces that can do double duty, you’ll get more wear out of your wardrobe and simplify your getting-dressed process. ☑️
Wrapping Up: Building a Versatile Fall Business Casual Wardrobe 🍂👜
I hope this week's worth of outfits has given you some inspiration for your own fall business casual looks!
Remember, the key to dressing well for work in the autumn is layering, incorporating seasonal trends, and choosing versatile pieces that can mix and match easily. 🧥👗👜
By building a wardrobe of reliable staples and trendy accents, you’ll be able to create stylish, professional outfits all season long – without sacrificing comfort or breaking the bank.
I’d Love to Hear from You!
I'd love to see how you're styling your fall work looks this season!
Snap a pic of your favorite business casual outfit and share it in the comments below. 👇
Let’s inspire each other to step up our office style game and create a supportive community of fashion-loving professionals!
Don’t forget to save this pin to your “Work Outfits” or “Fall Fashion” board on Pinterest, so you can easily reference these ideas whenever you need a dose of inspiration. 📌🍂
Remember, fashion is all about expressing yourself and having fun. So don't be afraid to experiment, mix and match, and create outfits that make you feel confident and unstoppable! 💪
Until next time, stay stylish and keep shining! ✨
