How to Dress for Autumn

Co-authored by Kathi Burns, CPO® and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: October 5, 2022 References

Crunchy leaves, hot coffee, and chilly weather all mark the transition from summer to autumn. As the seasons change, you might find yourself reaching for warmer layers and cozier accessories. Whether you’re looking for everyday outfits or more fancy ones, you can put together tons of autmn-appropriate looks to bridge the gap between summer and winter.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Casual Outfits

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Find a few long sleeve shirts for layering. As the weather turns colder, you might be looking to layer up. Get a few long sleeve shirts in white, black, and gray to use as layering pieces during the autumn, since these colours are easy to mix and match with anything you have in your wardrobe.^{[1]
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- You can find pieces like this fairly cheap at most retail stores.
2
Button up with a cozy cardigan. These closet staples never go out of style. Find a cropped cardigan that hits just above your waistline for a cool, modern silhouette, or pick an oversized one for a comfier outfit.^{[2]
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- Cardigans can also be dressed up or down, so they’re a nice versatile piece to add to your wardrobe.
- Pastel colours, like lilac, baby pink, and baby blue, always look great during the autumn.
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3
Stay warm in a fitted turtleneck. These autumnal classics have been around since the 90s, and they’re here to stay. Grab a black or tan turtleneck to dress up with or stay casual in autumn.^{[3]
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- If turtlenecks aren’t quite your style, look for a mock neck shirt instead.
- Neutral-coloured turtlenecks pair well with any outfit, but pre-winter colours like maroon and burgundy are sure to stand out in a crowd.
4
Look cool and casual in a hoodie or crew neck. If you’re heading to school or out with friends, throw on a simple hoodie to keep you warm. You can pair your hoodie with jeans, joggers, or even a skirt during the autumn.^{[4]
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- Add a pair of running shoes or chunky sneakers to your outfit.
- Hoodies and crewnecks always go well with baseball caps or dad hats.
5
Go for a classic look with dark wash jeans. Dark denim looks great when contrasted with reds, browns, oranges etc. Plus, jeans are super easy to style, so you’ll never have trouble putting together outfits.
- You can play around with fit, though. Skinny jeans are pretty classic, while high waisted and wide-legged jeans can lead to a bolder outfit.
- Try pairing dark wash jeans with a fitted turtleneck and a leather jacket.
- Or, stay cozy with dark wash jeans, a comfy sweater, and tall boots.
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Try a streetwear look in sweats or joggers. If jeans aren’t your thing, sweatpants or joggers can keep you comfy on a chilly autumn day. Pair them with a hoodie or an oversized trench coat for a cool, casual look.^{[5]
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- A pair of low-top sneakers will complete your effortless outfit.
- Grab a bum bag(or a fanny pack if you're in the US) or a small backpack to hold your essentials.
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Stick to trainers for casual outfits. You can never go wrong with a pair of high tops or low tops. Use your trainers or sneakers to keep your feet warm while you run errands or hang with friends.^{[6]
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- Low top sneakers look great with longer pants, while high tops can help cover exposed skin in cropped jeans.
- Black and white sneakers go with everything, while brightly coloured ones add a fun accent to any look.
8
Wear combat boots to keep your feet warm. Lace up boots or combat boots instantly make your outfit look cool. You can wear them with jeans, trousers, skirts, or dresses for a casual yet sophisticated accent. Remember, Autumn days can be warm so check the weather forecast before donning really warm boots, especially in early autumn in September or June.^{[7]
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- If it’s already super cold out, wear some snow boots instead.
- Black and brown combat boots fit perfectly with the browns, oranges, reds and yellows of an autumn colour palette.
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Throw on a long scarf to stay warm. Solid-coloured and plaid scarves add a fun pop of colour to your outfit while keeping your neck insulated. Add this to any look for a bit of autumn fun.
- Red, orange, yellow, and brown scarves are great autumn shades.
- Plaid and striped scarves add a fun accent.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Dressed up Looks

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Try a blouse or a button-down to make any outfit more glamorous. Oversized, flowy blouses and fitted button-down shirts are great additions to almost any outfit. Try getting a few in a neutral , like charcoal or cream, and a few in a bold autumnal colours, like maroon or burnt orange.^{[8]
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- Blouses and button-downs are great for professional work settings, too.
- You can layer an open button-down over a T-shirt or long sleeve for a fun, fashionable look.
2
Throw on a long trench coat for an outer layer. If you’re hitting the town, you probably need to stay warm. Throw a long overcoat or trench coat on top of your outfit for a chic way to avoid the cold.^{[9]
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- Go for autumnal colours, like brown, tan, or burnt orange. Or, pick out a fun pattern, like plaid.
- Trench coats look great with almost any outfit: jeans and a T-shirt, a mini dress, or even a romper.
- If you’re feeling bold, go for an oversized trench coat or overcoat.
3
Add some personality to your look with a leather jacket. This is a great way to make any outfit feel cool and modern. Throw this on over jeans and a T-shirt for a macho look, or add it to a skirt and heels on a night out.^{[10]
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- Classic motorcycle jackets are usually black, but you can find leather jackets in shades of brown, red, and orange for a more cool-weather oriented piece.
4
Dress up with a skirt and tights. As it gets chilly out, you might not be able to bare your legs anymore. Put on a pencil skirt, A-line skirt, or tennis skirt and keep your legs warm with some sheer black tights.^{[11]
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- Black tights are a perfect autumn staple since they go with so many different looks.
- If you want to be a little more bold, go for patterned or coloured tights instead.
5
Look sophisticated in a pair of trousers. Slim-fitting pants never go out of style. Pick out some trousers that fit you well in a solid colour or in plaid or checks.^{[12]
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- You can pair your trousers with a long sleeve shirt to keep it simple, or you can go for a flowy blouse or button-down to take your look to work.
- Khaki and tan trousers go with almost anything, and they’re very autumn-oriented.
6
Make a statement in a midi dress. There’s enough fabric in a longer dress to keep you warm on chilly autumn days. Pair your look with some tall boots and a cardigan to cover your arms.^{[13]
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- If it’s warm enough, you could substitute the tall boots for a pair of ballet flats or mules instead.
7
Stay warm in knee-high boots. Dressy autumn looks can be hard to achieve when the weather is too cold. Use knee-high and thigh-high boots to cover up your legs when you’re wearing dresses and skirts.^{[14]
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- If you really want to stay warm, put on a pair of knee-high socks or leg warmers.
- Tights are always a nice way to keep your legs warm, too!