As trees turn and breezes get chilly, there are two things that make up for watching summer slip away: the autumnal beauty of our riverbank and the many fantastic stylin’ opportunities coming our way.
It’s a fact: we may not agree on pumpkin-spicedeverything, but we can all get behind fall fashion. Layers make any outfit look more put together, cozy is always cute and everyone looks good in boots. And although I love to play a little to trends every season, I’ve become more conscious about textile waste and I am excited to share how I keep my style feeling current by shopping my closet, visiting consignment or vintage shops and buying just a few new key pieces.
It ain’t fall without plaid, and one of the many incarnations this season is a big, bold, buffalo plaid – which, of course, you’ll see in red and black. But you know what I’m digging most? Warm rusty golds and burnt oranges. They feel of the moment, and that’s why this colourway is at the top of my buy list. Dutch Saskatoon has lots in stock, in both casual cuts like the overshirt and in dressier designs like a tailored waterfall cardigan. This one piece is enough to elevate any outfit to now status. So although I went all-in with a button-front cord miniskirt, it’s perfect to pair with slow fashion basics like a cable knit pullover (this one’s from Saskatoon’s best consignment shop, Stasia Boutique) tucked into your favourite high-rise denim.
Speaking of high-rise jeans, if you don’t have a pair yet, it’s time. Not only do they make legs look longer, flatter your waist by drawing a line at your smallest point and allow you to wear crop tops easily while tucking in nearly anything else, they’re just plain comfortable. This season, you’ll see the skyscraper rise with diverse leg fits like stovepipe, boot cut, tapered, super-wide and skinny. I suggest finding balance. If your top is oversized, slip on skinnies; if your top is tight, wear wide. This pair of Levi’s is from Dutch and I love ’em, but high-rise was an eighties and nineties phenom – so, if you’re looking for an original, The Knick Vintage can hook you up.
Now let’s talk accessories. First, a divisive trend I wish you could vote on in real-time as you read this: fanny packs and belt bags. I’m on board, thanks to their hands-free convenience and the fact that I love a throwback — in fact, the one I’m sporting is from The Knick and could easily have been my dad’s circa every vacation of my childhood. In jewelry trends, one of the biggest runway-to-real-life heroes are architectural hoop earrings in stunning gold, like these beauties from local brand elizabeth.lyn. Her layering pieces are going strong into this season, too. Find a few of elizabeth.lyn’s simple medallion necklaces to wear all at once to make your oldest concert shirt sing a new tune.
Over in outerwear, a longline trench is the look. Keep it street by throwing it on with your athleisure go-to’s, wear it with rolled-up jeans and a soft, button-down blouse for brunch or work it with a classy pair of trousers and that luxe turtleneck you turn to year after year. This particular trench is by Saskatoon’s own Rebecca King and has just the right drape which, when you live in a place as windy as this city, is a win for your Instagram.
Feeling ready to warm up to cooler weather yet? Time waits for no woman, they say, so I hope you’ll choose to march on in style.
(For more than a decade, Maygen Kardash has been a wardrobe stylist for television, music videos, print, and both artist and personal consults. She is also a freelance writer, Brownie leader and, most important, loving mama to four-year-old daughter Petra and baby boy Paris. Sneakers & Lipstick is Maygen’s personal blog, on which you’ll find honest posts about style, motherhood and anything in life that piques her interest. Follow along at sneakersandlipstick.com.)
-Maygen Kardash