Fall Fashion Favorites: Trendy Items and Forever Classics

November 9, 2020November 9, 2020by shakespeareloveschanel2 Comments

I’m still loving all the colorful leaves and fall fashion, even though we started decorating for Christmas yesterday! I guess I have one foot in fall 🍂 and one foot in the holidays 🎄 Maybe I’ll call it “Fall-la-la” (See what I did there? 😉)

Perhaps it’s the cozy layers, soft textures, and warm colors, but there’s something really fun about fall fashion.

Some of the items in this post are examples of autumnal styles that have been around for many years (such as tweed dresses and camel coats). Others are a bit more trendy, but still fit within a casual chic aesthetic.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. See my full disclosure here.

Note that if an exact item is no longer available for purchase online, then I link similar options.

Faux Suede

Whether as a jacket, a skirt, or boots, faux suede is such a fabulous fabric choice for fall (yes, that alliteration was intentional 😉).

Over-the-knee boots have been extremely popular the last few years, and my faux suede pair from Goodnight Macaroon is a recent purchase (shown above). I’d heard great reviews from friends and fellow bloggers, and they’re absolutely worth the hype. They don’t slide down my legs and are very comfortable to walk in.

My faux suede jacket in this beautiful tan color has been a fall favorite of mine for the past few years. I feel like it complements the vibrant fall foliage so well.

Plaid

I know wearing plaid during the fall isn’t exactly groundbreaking, but it’s a tried and true favorite for a reason! Plus, with so many styles and color palettes to choose from, there’s truly something for everyone.

My H&M midi skirt (shown above) illustrates how plaid isn’t always a casual print! I personally love the length of midi skirts because they add a certain elegance to any outfit.

Anything from Burberry is definitely an investment piece, yet this iconic plaid print has remained a fashion favorite for decades. I’ve had my Burberry wellies and scarves for about 7 or 8 years, and they’re items I look forward to wearing every fall and winter.

Tweed

I know it’s something I’ve mentioned before, but tweed is one of my favorite fabrics! Whether as a dress, a matching set, or jacket, tweed has such a chic aesthetic that elevates any look.

This matching set I purchased last year from Zara. These pieces can be worn together of course for more of a statement look, but they also can be styled separately. Similar options are linked above!

Turtlenecks

A turtleneck is one of my fall style staples because it’s perfect for layering, whether under a dress (as shown above) or paired with a simple denim jacket (below).

Layering a turtleneck under a dress is a trend that I’ve seen come and go several times since I was a kid, but the last few years it’s definitely resurfaced as a practical and stylish way to wear dresses even in the colder seasons.

Cozy Sweaters

I’d be remiss if I didn’t include cozy sweaters on a fall fashion list! I personally love the off-the-shoulder variety for its romantic charm, though puffy sleeved sweaters are also very on trend this season.

Classic Coats

Whether a classic camel coat or a practical waterproof trench, versatile outerwear is a must as the weather shifts.

Both of these coats I’ve had for several years, and I’ve worn in a variety of settings—to work, on the weekends, and on trips abroad. While trends can be fun to incorporate into your seasonal style, I prefer to have classic staples as the foundation of my wardrobe.

What do you love to wear during the fall?

Have a great week, loves! Stay safe and stay well ❤️

fall, fashion, Pacific Northwest, Portland

All the Fall Things

October 23, 2019October 23, 2019by shakespeareloveschanel4 Comments

“I can smell autumn dancing in the breeze. The sweet chill of pumpkin, and crisp sunburnt leaves.” —Ann Drake

I know, I know–pretty much everyone and their mother has been at the pumpkin patch lately 😉 (I, too, went with my mama last week on a glorious fall day, and we had a blast!)

Fall is in full swing, and that means shorter days, cozy scarves, and more pumpkin spice than one can possibly know what to do with.

But all jokes aside, fall in Portland is truly a beautiful time of year. Sure, there’s no shortage of rain, but that makes the colorful leaves and sunny days even more vibrant.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. See my full disclosure here.

Shop this outfit here.

Today I’m sharing a cozy chic fall outfit that’s perfect for picking pumpkins (or even just heading to a coffee shop for a PSL, if that’s more your thing ☕️).

Shades of rust and cinnamon are two of my favorite tones for fall. I styled this outfit around my rust-colored sweater, opting for accessories in neutral tones like my beige wool fedora and a classic Burberry scarf. I’ve had my Burberry scarf for many years, but it’s truly one of those investment pieces that can be worn year after year.

*If an exact item is no longer available, then I linked similar options in the LIKEtoKNOW.it app or through their website!

The wool fedora has been a really popular fall fashion accessory the past few years and is still going strong. I personally prefer the more structured styles, and though sometimes they give an Indiana Jones vibe, I dig it (pun intended 😉).

My mom and I visited Plumper Pumpkin Patch, which has some lovely views of the surrounding hills and is located about 20 minutes outside of Portland. 🎃 Some local pumpkin patches are only open weekends, but Plumper is open daily through October 31st from 9am to 5:30pm.

My mom wanted a variety of pumpkins to decorate the entryway of her house, and I helped her choose different sizes and colors for a fun, fall aesthetic. I always buy some mini ones for decor inside the home as well!

Another reason I love this time of year is because I LOVE horror movies, and I especially enjoy watching them throughout October in anticipation of Halloween! This year my husband and I have been on a Stephen King kick. These are the King film adaptations we’ve watched so far this month:

We watched Netflix’s recent film In the Tall Grass. There were some plot holes, but I liked the general premise: they took something commonplace like a field of grass and turned it into something eerie and strange. Patrick Wilson is one of the main characters (he’s awesome in The Conjuring movies, which I highly recommend).

We also watched Gerald’s Game, the story of a husband and wife who are trying to rekindle their marriage and travel to their vacation house for a getaway. Things go very awry when the husband has a sudden heart attack, leaving the wife handcuffed to the bed. This film has a lot of psychological elements, especially regarding the wife’s childhood, though I personally would categorize it as more of a thriller than a horror movie.

We re-watched King’s iconic horror story The Shining, in preparation for next month’s much-anticipated sequel, Doctor Sleep, which stars Ewan McGregor. This time I payed closer attention to the little boy Danny and his supernatural abilities, whose character will be the adult protagonist in the sequel.

Also, we did see It: Chapter 2 last month, but honestly found it to be less scary than the first installment. I thought they did a great job with casting and the characters’ backstories, but we found the first one to be far more terrifying (I still can’t get the simultaneously maniacal and hilarious image of Pennywise dancing in Chapter 1. If you’ve seen it, you’ll know what scene I’m talking about).

What’s your favorite horror film? Do you have certain traditions for fall or Halloween?

P.S. If you noticed that this blog post’s title is a play on words of the classic Blink-182 song “All the Small Things” then 10 points to Gryffindor! 😉

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Mix and Match: Fall Edition

November 5, 2018by shakespeareloveschanel9 Comments

Something I’ve really enjoyed sharing here on the blog is how to style the same item multiple ways–aka, how to mix and match! When I’m buying a piece of clothing, I always ask myself two questions: “What do I already own that this can be worn with? And can I wear it for work and play?” My go-to items are the ones that can be dressed up or down and can be styled for a variety of situations.

This faux suede vest from Bebe is honestly one of my fall wardrobe favorites because of its versatility. The olive color is perfect for the fall season, and the soft texture gives it a luxe feel. It’s also ideal for the transitional fall weather, when some days are sunny and others are chilly.

Vest: Bebe (similar silhouettes here, here, here) Top: Lush (similar) Jeans: Topshop Suede Boots: Sam Edelman (similar) Purse: Prada (similar here)

When I want to keep an outfit simple and chic, I accomplish that by pairing the statement piece with neutral items. In this case, I wore all black so that way the vest stands out more prominently. I could easily wear this look on a casual work day or while out-and-about on the weekend.

Striped Dress: One Clothing (similar here and here) Bag: Chanel Classic Flap (similar quilted styles here and here) Peep-Toe Boots: Qupid (similar)

I styled this vest in a previous post with the striped dress above. Earlier in the fall when those two photos were taken, an outfit like this would be perfect. For the Pacific Northwest weather, I would definitely need to wear a dress with tights by this time of year.

When I’m styling a long vest with a dress, I like the dress to be a bit shorter than the vest. Proportions are definitely something to be mindful of when layering.

Striped Top: Remy (similar here and here) Belt: Gucci Pointy-Toe Boots: Blondo Beanie: Kyi Kyi

Last but certainly not least, this third look is perfect for those crisp fall days!

I love it with this classic striped shirt, my favorite Topshop skinny jeans, and pointy-toed ankle boots from Blondo. I added two accessories to this look: the Gucci belt to accentuate the waist and the Kyi Kyi faux fur beanie for a little extra warmth. I adore the oversized pom-poms that Kyi Kyi does on their beanies!

I hope this gave you some inspiration for mixing and matching your own wardrobe. Which way do you think that I styled the vest the best? (Hey, that rhymes! 😉) Let me know your favorite in the comments below!

Have a wonderful week! Thank you for stopping by ❤️

fall, fashion, Pacific Northwest, Travel Oregon

Hey, Pumpkin

October 21, 2018October 14, 2019by shakespeareloveschanel9 Comments

“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” ― L.M. Montgomery

October is one of my favorite months of the year, and it’s not just because it’s officially pumpkin season. I do, of course, enjoy knit sweaters and colorful fall foliage, but I absolutely love scary movies and dressing up for Halloween! I’ll be starting this post off with a recent trip to a local Portland pumpkin patch and cozy fall attire. I’ll also be sharing some couples’ costumes inspiration, featuring some of my faves that my husband and I have worn over the years. Last but not least, I’ll be listing my picks for horror movies and spooky TV series.

Plumper Pumpkin Patch

Last week my bestie, her husband, and I drove out to Plumper Pumpkin Patch and Tree Farm. It was sunny and about 70 degrees–we couldn’t have asked for more idyllic fall weather!

Scarf: Kitson (similar here and here) Sweater: TJ Maxx (similar here and here) Jeans: Topshop Boots: Blondo Sunglasses: Ray-Ban Clubmaster

We wandered through the pumpkin patch and apple orchard, and I was so glad I wore a trusty pair of Blondo boots. These are the Elvina booties, and, even with the stylish pointy-toe, they’re still super comfortable.

This is one of my favorite fall scarves–I love the red, gray, and cream-colored tones, which contrasts so well with a simple, off-white sweater. My scarf is several years old and was a purchase from Kitson (which is no longer in business), and my sweater is from TJ Maxx. I’ve linked several similar scarves and sweaters above. As much as I enjoy neutrals in my day-to-day life, I especially love red and orange tones in the fall. Scarves are a great way to add a fun accent to an otherwise neutral outfit.

My high-waisted black jeans are the Jamie style by Topshop. I’ve featured these in previous posts because I seriously wear them all the time! They are super flattering and have the perfect amount of stretch–which is ideal when you’re doing something a bit more active, such as searching for that perfect pumpkin! 🎃

How adorable are the pastel colors of that sweet little farmhouse?!

Halloween Couples’ Costume Inspiration

From Gatsby to Cleopatra, my husband and I have drawn inspiration from history and pop culture for our Halloween costumes. What was great about our Gatsby-era costumes shown above was almost every item was something we already owned in our closet! The black fedora Mark is wearing we borrowed from my brother, and the feathered headband I ordered from Amazon.

Phantom of the Opera is one of our favorite musicals (we saw it in London last year!), so getting to dress up as the Phantom and Christine was a real treat. My off-the-shoulder lace dress I already owned (I love re-purposing items from my closet and using them for costumes!). Our masquerade-style masks and my husband’s cape were all purchased at a very reasonable price from Amazon (seriously, Amazon is one of the best places to find costume accessories or ready-to-wear costume sets!).

Last year I dressed up as the Egyptian queen Cleopatra and my husband was the Roman general Mark Antony. I enjoyed practicing the elaborate eyeliner in the weeks leading up to Halloween (Elizabeth Taylor’s Cleopatra makeup was a big inspiration). My headpiece and necklace were awesome Amazon finds, which I wore with a high-neck maxi dress that I already owned. We purchased the Roman costume from Amazon as well, which is still available for purchase.

Sometimes just a few new accessories or costume jewelry can turn an item you already own into the perfect Halloween costume!

Scary Movies and TV Series

Something I have been a fan of since the very beginning is American Horror Story. This groundbreaking anthology series has a different theme every season, though most of the actors return from year to year to play new characters (or, sometimes to reprise the role of a character from a previous season). Though I miss the seasons with the incredible Jessica Lange, actors like Sarah Paulson and Evan Peters have such range and talent that they bring something new and exciting to each and every season.

This show is not for the faint of heart or for those easily spooked; also, it is quite violent at times, along with some graphic sex scenes and nudity. However, it does such an amazing job of weaving together myths, legends, and folklore with the creepy and the supernatural, and every season it never fails to surprise me in some way.

A new Netflix series I just started watching is The Haunting of Hill House. I’m halfway through and am really enjoying it. The first couple episodes were a bit slow in my opinion, but once I got to know each of the main characters I was definitely hooked. So far each episode focuses on one of the five siblings and jumps around in time between the past and the present. Gradually, a picture is emerging of the terrible event that occurred when they were kids, and the way it shaped all their lives.

In a way it’s a family drama, but so far what I find most interesting is the way it makes you question the characters’ realities. Are they truly haunted by ghosts or evil spirits? Or is it something else?

And if you’re not in the mood to invest in a TV series, here are a few of my horror film picks from the last several years: Sinister, Lights Out, Don’t Breathe, Get Out, It (the recent one, not the original), Annabelle (I like all the movies from The Conjuring universe). My husband and I watched Hereditary awhile back, and I’ll add it to this list just because it was so very strange and haunting (seriously, I couldn’t get certain images out of my head for days).

I would also add the films Split and A Quiet Place to this list, though some might argue they’re more of the thriller genre than true horror movies. A Quiet Place was particularly memorable–the premise was so intriguing, and John Krasinski and Emily Blunt had phenomenal performances. There are few words spoken aloud throughout the entire film, which further contributes to the film’s eerie tale.

As much as I love scary movies, I’ve had so much fun soaking up the beautiful weather we’ve been having the last few weeks. Plumper Pumpkin Patch and Tree Farm was such a cute spot to visit, and it had tons of activities for kids and families as well (if you’re local, check them out!). Unlike some of the Portland-area pumpkin patches, they’re open daily from the last week of September through Halloween from 9:00am to 5:30pm. I really enjoyed spending the afternoon there and marveling at these gorgeous views of the Willamette Valley. I also want to thank my BFF for being my photographer for the day!

Are you dressing up for Halloween? Do you have a favorite scary movie? What do you love most about this time of year? 🎃👻

Have a great week everyone!