Have you been wearing the same five t-shirts and yoga pants every day during the week? Same here! If you’re thinking about branching out and putting on some “real” clothes or dabbling with makeup again, we got the scoop from five local style pros on how to change up your current look, as well as what’s going to be trending—but totally wearable—this fall.
LAURA WALTERS, FREELANCE STYLIST, FASHION CONSULTANT, AND OWNER OF STYLE RIOT AND THE RIOT ROOM
MYSTYLERIOT.COM, @THE_STYLERIOT, @THERIOTROOMCOLLECTION
Tip 1: Wearing comfortable clothing does not mean you have to forgo stepping up the style. After this past year and a half, many of us have fallen prey to the daily routine of dressing in athleisure. I get it. With that said, giving that comfy and cozy uniform the elevation it deserves will help put a little pep in your style step all while still keeping your look casual and easy.
This fall, try wearing a knit dress (like Lemaire’s high-neck midi dress, $245) with a white sneaker and a faux leather jacket. Or, if you are not a fan of a dress that clings, try an oversized beauty (like H&M’s knit dress, $49.99) layered over a thin black turtleneck and paired with a black sneaker or a black Chelsea boot.
Tip 2: Treating yourself to a few new accessories always helps to give your wardrobe the je ne sais quoi it needs and deserves. For a little inspo, check out my September newsletter, the RIOT ROOM fashion journaux, to read about my love of how a good belt can transform your look from flat to FABULOUS. In addition, adding a pair of colorful, statement sunglasses to your daily dress routine is a fun and easy way to give your outfit the party it deserves.
Tip 3: Blazer. Always. In a t-shirt and jeans kind of mood? Add a black blazer. Feel like wearing your blue cashmere jogger set to run errands? Add a plaid blazer. Heading out to a casual date night? Layer a navy military blazer over your sundress. Guess what? All three looks love a white sneaker.
LORI BOYKIN, PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP ARTIST
LORIBOYKINMUA.COM, @LORIBOYKINMUA
While there are lots of fun beauty trends for Fall 2021 including the return of lip color, smoky eyes and pops of color—the most user-friendly is glowy skin! Once fall weather hits and you start to don your leather jackets, tweed coats and cardigans, those heavy and matte fabrics need balance. Adding some shimmer and glow to the skin is a wonderful way to look modern and strike a balance against the darker colors and textiles of fall’s fashion.
One of my top picks for all age groups and skin tones is the Dew Wet Balm in Clear ($22) by Danessa Myricks Beauty; it’s a clear gel that adds back that perfect dewy look to the skin when used strategically in any area. It also won’t move or lift your foundation base or powder!
ERIN WELCH, OWNER OF 8FIFTEEN BOUTIQUE
8FIFTEEN.COM, @8FIFTEENINDY
My idea of getting out of the COVID rut is getting the hell out of your yoga pants. When you throw on a cute little dress you immediately feel better—at least that’s how I like to restart a wardrobe rut!
NIKKI BROWN, PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP ARTIST AND LICENSED ESTHETICIAN
NIKKIBROWNMAKEUP.COM, @NIKKIBROWNMAKEUP
Now that masks aren’t always required, we are seeing the return of lipstick! Lipstick looks have been pretty natural, but now we are all looking for that pop of color to change the mood. This fall, trends range from classic red to a vivid pop of color or a deep vampy shade.
STARRY RICHARD, OWNER AND DESIGNER OF STARBONE DESIGNS
@STARBONE_DESIGNS
Getting out of a fashion rut can be difficult. It isn’t always feasible to completely overhaul your wardrobe, so something that I recommend is looking for ways to start small. Choosing unique pieces, whether apparel or accessories, is a great place to start. I love using small designer’s items, detailed or embroidered garments, and vintage accessories to achieve this. Mixing up traditional styles, eras, or “rules” is also a great way to get a refreshed look and that “wow” factor that we all want.
Stephanie Groves is an Indianapolis-based freelance writer and former fashion editor who is writing this while wearing yoga pants.
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