An All-White Fall Outfit

How to Transition Your Summer Whites Into Fall

Would you dare wear white after Labor Day? If so, would you wear an all-white fall outfit? I definitely would. Today I’m going to show you how with a few cool weather add-ons you can wear your whites white, I mean, right into fall. 

Here in northern Indiana, we’re still holding onto summer with two sweaty fists. We may even be able to swim in the humidity. But, we’ve experienced a few whispered kisses of crisper air to whet our appetites for fall and all the goodness it offers. Some of you are drooling for pumpkin spice everything. But please don’t gasp (too loudly), I’m not a fan. Sure, I’ll take some pumpkin bread and pumpkin pie. Oh, and my daughter-in-law makes the best pumpkin cream cheese muffins. Gulp! But I take all my beverages, straight.

What I do look forward to are open windows and crisp fall air. Trees, fluorescent with leaves of reds, golds, and rust. Cozy cardigans and campfires. Speaking of cardigans, this one was the catalyst for creating this autumn worthy all-white look.

White Into Fall

 I’ve been planning this outfit since the postman dropped this beautiful Barefoot Dreams cardigan at my door. Lasts months Ageless Style Summer Whiteout challenge also had me brimming with ideas for white outfits whether for summer fall and maybe even winter. 

I think by now most people skip the old style rule that dictates no white bottoms or shoes until after Labor Day. Don’t you? I mean, the Austin Powers/Pee Wee Herman bright white bootie trend now has fashionistas busting them out all year long. But would you dare to don an all-white outfit?

Here’s how I made it work. Tone, texture, weight, and texture again. It’s that simple.

Tone

Layer in tones of white. The lyrics “A lighter shade of pale.” comes to mind. 😉

The cardigan is an oatmeal color. My older Loft tank is a buttery cream color, and my jeans are white. Like decorating your home in all white, if every white is the same bright white tone, the look will be austere and cold. It’s not wrong to wear matching whites. It’s a style all it’s own. However, I’m of the opinion that different layering shades of white is a softer, more pleasing palette and lends itself to cooler temps.

Fit note: When buying white jeans, look for fabrics with fewer stretch fibers in them. I still like a lot of stretch but that is strong enough to smooth the wobbly bits.

I am wearing these jeans in a size 16 and they are plenty large enough. However, after this photo shoot, I could detect too many lumps and bumps showing through on the front of the thighs. (I don’t want to know what the back looked like.) 😉 So I returned them. 

Textures and Weight

Layer the weight of the fabrics. In the spring and summer, we lighten our clothes by wearing lighter, airier fabrics. They not only feel lighter they look it. I could wear my silky tank and jeans by themselves in warmer seasons. By adding the chunkier and heavier knit of the sweater I’m bulking up the look if you will.

Texture Again

Fall accessories add yet another layer of texture. Use leather, suede, felt, and wool-like fabrics to create richness in your all-white look. 

Sunglasses: J Crew Factory
Cardigan: Barefoot Dreams – wearing XL
Denim: NYDJ Alina Ankle – wearing size 16
Booties: Eileen Fisher
Clutch:  Sole Society
Necklace: Etsy 
Belt: Old (Similar)

One word: BOOTIES. I can think of a lot of summery outfits that could be made fall-friendly just by adding booties. I did that with a cute summer dress here. Whether it’s a dress, jeans and a tank, or shorts, booties say “fall” to me. I can hear the leaves crunching under them now. If those booties are a beautiful neutral tone, like tan, taupe or even olive they can ground the all-white fall outfit.

Warm it Up With Accessories

Accessorize for autumn. I pretty much wear these same earrings all the time! To say I love them is an understatement.

When I was styling this look I realized I might need to get a new necklace or two. I don’t wear a lot of jewelry but I love things that are simple, and I always like leather and suede pieces. Wouldn’t this look cool if the leather necklace was about as dark as the booties?

The hat is a fun addition to a fall outfit (similar hat, same brand). It can pull double duty to conceal a bad hair day. Or, it could cover your gray roots should you be growing out your natural color like I am. 😉 It’s getting to a hard stage, my friends. I hope I can stay strong.

So will you be clinging to the whites in your wardrobe a little (or a lot) longer? Could you think of a way to wear white all winter long? Maybe that’s my next challenge.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves, I’m still sweating it out ’til fall,

Paula

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