The Ultimate Trend Guide to Update Your Look This Fall/Winter
Need a Wardrobe Update? Nothing in Your Closet Fit You After Becoming a Mom? Same Girl, Same! Here are all the wardrobe pieces to invest in for Fall/Winter 2023
My staple wardrobe pieces for years have been coloured skinny jeans, flow-y tops, boots and blanket scarves. I loved my skinnies and held on to them for as long as I could. But, after becoming a mom and expanding in ways I didn't know possible, my favourite jeans no longer fit. I opted for living in leggings and flowey shirts, but as a former fashionable gal, I was not ready to retire looking polished, on trend and fashionable. I realized it was time! Time to do a serious overhaul and update of my wardrobe.
I ruthlessly went through my closet and tossed anything and everything that was out of style, from my pre-preggo days that no longer fit, no longer made me feel good about myself, or that no longer suited my lifestyle as a mom. Tight fitting shift dresses are not very mom friendly attire. As I looked at all those empty hangers remaining in my closet, I knew I had my work cut out for me. Styles had changed. Plaid was no longer cool. Silhouettes had totally changed and I needed to replenish a lot of wardrobe staples. Slowly but surely I started purchasing pieces that were on trend, looked high-end and fit better. With research and intentional purchasing I built myself a fall/winter wardrobe that makes getting dressed in the morning fun again.
If you’re in the same boat this blog post is for you. Here are all the pieces you need to update your wardrobe and starting feeling polished and stylish. We all deserve to feel that way.
I think it is worth noting, that I realize I am very fortunate to be able to order new clothes and build a new fall/winter mom friendly wardrobe. I realize not everyone has the means to do this. If you are able to and want to, there are ways to keep it budget friendly and cost effective. I recommend keeping an eye out for sales from your fav stores. Don't be afraid to shop amazon fashion either, you can find some great stuff on there for low price points. Another way do an update on the cheaper side of things is keep an eye out for trends and looks from outlets and lower cost stores. Places like H&M, Reitmans, Target, Walmart, Joe Fresh, Old Navy have lots of on-trend pieces that look just as high-end as some of the more expensive places like Abercrombie, Artizia and Zara. It doesn't matter where it came from as long as it looks and feels good on your body.
Below are the pieces I recommend. I have personally ordered some of these pieces for my wardrobe and can attest to their value. But, I have also provided some different options and not ordered all the pieces (click on the numbers below the images for the links).
The High Neck Tank -- Get these in a few colours and styles. They are a modern version of the traditional camisole and are great layering pieces.
The Workwear Pant -- The modern work wear pant is a roomier cut. Try them in neutral tones and go for this falls coveted achromatic look, or get a pair in a fun bright on-trend colour such as barbie pink.
Go for ankle grazing, tapered or wide leg. We are moving away from the tight silhouette work wear used to have. We are doing oversized. Worried you will look larger in a wide leg pair of pants? Play with portions. Meaning pair something oversized with something form fitting.
For shoes, try a classic loafers or dad sneakers for an extra cool look. If you want to be on the cusp of a new trend try tucking them into a pair of shaft or slouch boots like Stranger Things heroine Nancy in Season 4.
The Classic Blazers -- I had a closet full of tight form fitting blazers. I didn't get rid of all of them, I did purge quite a few. I opted for a more updated silhouette because like pants, blazers are following suit (Ha! see what I did there!) and are more oversized these days.
To style, pair the oversized blazer with some straight, ankle length, dark wash jeans and heels or with an oversized shirt and a mini skirt (on-trend) with some western style or shaft boots. Stick with classic colours you'll get more mileage out of them and you'll be able to throw them on top of any outfit.
The Cardigan -- The cardigan for 2022/23 fall winter is boxy or light and textured. These gems were in style when I was in high school. Oooof! I just dated myself. Anyway, these are lovely to wear, especially in the winter months. The updated version of the cardi comes with a coordinating tank or camisole or with nothing underneath. In other words, the cardigan is the shirt.
I prefer my cardis in a neutral colour so I can wear them with a variety of bottoms and tops.
Sweater Vests -- Look out Chandler Bing we are stealing your look! The sweater vest is a fun preppy look that is on trend and work friendly. Try a nice neutral colour and pair with an oversized shirt, a mini and boots.
The Button Up
A classic needed in every wardrobe. I got an oversized version for proportion play, and a fitted version for wearing under sweater vests, with an oversized blazers or some wide leg pants.
Satin Dresses and Skirts
This trend is so lux and perfect for an upcoming holiday gathering. You can get a skirt and pair with some oversized knit sweaters or get more bang for your buck and get a dress which you can still pair with an oversized sweater or an oversized blazer for date night.
Minis
I used to be a mini skirt wearer back in the day. But as a new mom, I find myself rarely grabbing a skirt to throw on, let alone a mini skirt. But, that doesn't mean I don't love the trend. One of my fav trends is the leather mini and I did have a version of it in my slimmer days. For active moms and moms on the go there are options if you don't think you can do a mini. For example, instead of a mini-skirt, opt for a mini-skort. It looks like a mini skirt but will be less butt baring if you want to bend over and pick up your little one.
Simple, Understated Jeans
The skinny jeans days are over and done. It's sad. Yes! But it's time for a change. We are opting for straight cuts that graze the boot, with little to no tearing or holes. Keep it clean and simple for jeans. Go for a darker wash or black, especially for work. I like to keep it mid to high rise for now. I haven't jumped over to the low rise trend yet, either because I still have PTSD from the first round of low rise jeans in the 2000's, which were my college years. Lots of butt cleavage my friends, lots of butt cleavage. I'm not ready to go back, yet.
Leather Pants
I love this trend. It's a modern body inclusive take on the leather skinnies that were so popular a few years back. Also, known as the Melina pant, this trend is very chic with a white button up or a classic boxy cardigan. You can go for a wide leg cut or straight, in a cognac or black.
The Striped Shirt
This trend popped back up this season and it is such a classic look. You'll only need one striped sweater or top so choose one you would feel comfortable wearing and pair with jeans or leggings for those chilly fall/winter days.
Ribbed Knits
This trend harkens the early 2000's and has been popular for a few seasons now. Get yourself a few pieces of ribbed knit wear such as a dress, top and/or skirt.
Boots and Shoes
Boots and shoes are my love language. I love a good boot. But, boots and shoe trends have changed in the last few years and my boots and shoes were looking behind the times. I had to retired some of my favourites, including my Hunter rain boots, and now only use them for gardening and bush walking. Because, boots trends are veering towards lug soles, in more muted colours. The shafts of boots have expanded and are more structured and less form fitting. Western boots are very on trend right now and are done with upscale pairings, and not country dresses. High heels and pumps are chunkier with bit of curve to them. Loafers are a big fashion forward move. The dad sneakers aren't just for dads anymore, they are cool. Oh and those short little uggs from your college days are a cozy trend to jump back on, if you remember them. If not, introduce yourself to them and into your wardrobe.
Personally, I have been easing back into wearing heels, after pregnancy and postpartum. I started updating my shoes with a chunky sneaker, loafers, an updated chelsea boot (no Blundstones) and some light beige lug sole boots. You don't have to go for every trend, just do what works for your wardrobe and your lifestyle.
Outerwear
What do you need for an updated outer wear wardrobe? You can go a bit nuts here if you choose and get some uber trendy pieces and get a shearling leather jacket or a jersey jacket. But, I like to keep my outdoor wardrobe on the classic end. I have an oversized trench, a classic updated wool coat and an oversized lengthy puffer jacket. I would like to add a quilted coat and perhaps a leather blazer or trench. But I have a leather moto-jacket that I invested in years ago and thankfully it has remained a fairly trendy and timeless wardrobe staple. Here are my top picks for updated outer wear finds.
Purses and Bags
I have a few really big totes I use as purses because they carry everything I need for the day in them. Well, gone are the days of oversized bags and with it we welcome the resurgence of the little shoulder purse and over the shoulder pouches.
I will say, I was a little reluctant to loose my big, big tote purse but after making the switch I can not talk it up enough. These smaller purses are compact, and lightweight. With so much less to carry, you can chase after toddlers, go riding around on your bike or for a walk and you don't feel like you have a cumbersome purse strapped to you. Have fun with this trend and buy a few that have fun designs elements and add some poppin' colours to your wardrobe.
Gold Jewelry
Jewelry is the final piece of any outfit. The jewelry accessory of the moment is the chunky chain. Pair one with some chunky earrings and your outfit is complete, street wear ready and up-to-date.
Updating an outdated wardrobe is no small task, but with some planned and intentional purchases you can get your look back on track. We all deserve to look stylish, polished and good. When you look good, you feel good. Hope this guide helps get your wardrobe back on track and just that, feelin' good.
Now, that you have your wardrobe updated, you'll be needing some inspiration for styling those outfits. Look out for the next blog post from @houseofgabrielleco which will feature inspiration for styling some of the pieces from this guide.
Until next time, my lovely readers.
Cheers,
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