PRE-FALL

What to Wear: Pre-Fall

Credits:

Photography: Chandler Hart

Modeling: Emma Funk & Katie Short

Whether or not you are ready to head back to school, fall is almost upon us. Even during a pandemic, the leaves still change, and the temperature begins to drop (at least in the Midwest). Undoubtedly, this fall will be different for your closet. Sweats are a necessity for logging into your zoom classes slightly hungover, or while working half-asleep from home. Investing in new, cute masks that won’t clash with your outfit will be considered worth the money. You won’t be able to dress in your school colors for the kick-off tailgate, and your frat shoes will get lonely (and possibly moldy) in the back of your closet. Regardless, there is still nothing that cheers me up more than putting on a great outfit and feeling f*cking hot. And since we all have ample time now, why not take the opportunity to look good? When in a quarantine funk, take off those worn-out sweats and try a daring new look. This is possibly the only thing that is keeping me sane.

Another way to kill time in quarantine? Instagram. While conducting my daily scroll, I fell in love with the new Jacquemus Ready-to-wear line. Although it is for Spring 2021, his line no doubt reflects some of the biggest trends for transitioning into fall. Or as I like to call it, the most challenging time of year to pick out an outfit. It’s not hot, yet not cold. It’s not summer, yet not fall. To tackle that issue, I believe Jacquemus offers a simple solution: warm neutrals. Stay safe by wearing colors that can never fail you -- beige, chocolate brown, black, and white. You may think “how boring!” But think again, it’s all about the styling of those colors. 

What brings out these neutral colors are the details of the fits themselves. Asymmetrical hems and necklines will make your outfit pop. A square cut or slanted neckline will highlight your collar bones (who wouldn’t want that?!). On top of the fundamental pieces, layering is never a bad idea, especially in the pre-fall season. Over a dress, throw on a cropped jacket. Or, do the opposite: layer a dress over a collared shirt or a tee with poofy sleeves. Have fun with it! If you want to try something new, my favorite trend right now is the sweater-vest -- a.k.a the layering essential. They are usually an easy find in your local thrift store or on Depop.

Even these detail-oriented additions to your outfits will spice up neutral colors and there is nothing that compliments those tones better than gold. Trust me, Jacquemaus knows. His collection is full of statement pieces that radiate a gentle warmth, adding life to each outfit. From chain necklaces to floral shaped earrings, each jewelry piece looks handcrafted from gold wire, making them all delicate, yet bold. The easiest site to find similar looks that won’t break the bank is definitely Etsy. Simply type “gold jewelry” into the search engine and voilà! You will find a new necklace perfect for this fall. My favorite is “FullCircleGift” which has a variety of funky shaped earrings, including faces, nudes, and hands. There are so many amazing artists to support, and when looking for a cute face mask for your coffee runs, I would check out Shami Oshun and Second Wind. Both offer stunning masks in neutral tones designed by WOC. 

To contrast your delicate gold jewelry, go leather (faux, of course). I just bought a pair of leather pants, and trust me, I did not feel one ounce of buyer’s regret. Oh, also a leather blazer. Both add a badass element to a feminine cut top. If leather isn’t you? No worries. Try a bold shoulder instead to achieve the same boss-ass-bitch attitude. To top off every look, don’t forget a mini bag. Jacquemus still reigns king of the petite accessory. My best luck during bag searches has always been at vintage stores. They are perfect for storing your masks and hand sanitizer at all times. Stay safe out there, and until next time, bisous <3.