Fall Fashion Week! What to wear: Guest Post By Kiki! Fashionista and Shopping Professional!

 

When One Fabulous Mom asked me to write a Fall Fashion post my first thought was, “WHAT?!?!”  I am after all, not a “fashion blogger” though I’d like to be, I’m also not the ideal size of a fashionista, though I’d like to be and I definitely do not have the budget of said fashionista, though I’d like to.

But then I thought about what I love is just beautiful clothes, clothes that make me feel good about myself, that transform me into whatever I may be feeling like at the moment.  I love that when I am helping someone shop and they come out of the fitting room in something they feel good in...they light up.  That moment....I love that moment.

So for Fall I thought about what I love most is layers, denim and warmth/coziness in my clothes.  I love tights with booties and skirts and volume on top and narrow at the bottom and I collected items I think reflect not only what I’d like to wear but at prices I felt were reasonable.

The dress above is a rusched sweater dress from Target, I’m sorry I didn’t copy the price but the pic is straight from their website.

The next item, a classic trench, from Target, in a darling plaid, is waterproof and so unexpected from me-I shy away from prints normally but where a coat like this is concerned I might have to ignore my own rule.  The only thing I wish about this coat, is that it were lined with some pink fabric....wouldn’t that be perfect?

The last jacket is also Target and military inspired, layered with a bright scarf, skirt, tight and booties or boots = perfection!!

So on to denim and full disclosure:  I work for Gap, I’m the GM of a small store in the South and have worked for the company (started in NY) for the past 23 years.  So it should go without saying that where denim is concerned I’m all Gap, all the time.  I’ve explored the other brands and guess what....they just cost more.  I’ve worn Gap jeans forever and I love them.  Of course if you have a brand that you are loyal too-I get it- shape, cut and fabric are what we are looking for here.

These jeans are the Italian Denim legging, at $69.95 I think they are amazing.  The fit and style is incredible and remember-I’m curvy and still love these!! 

Long sleeve tees are my go-to for every day....I swear by the Gap because they have a little bit of modal in them which helps them hold their shape and wash beautifully!!!

Ok...here is the deal with these jeans...they are my favorites-but not the way they show them.  I buy them a little big, like a size too big and cuff them so they look kind of boyfriend-y.  The Real Straights at Gap are definitely in heavy rotation here, done with a ballet flat and  something like the sweater below.

So in love with this...I’m all swoon-y over its sweetness/girliness/coziness!!!  Found on Piperlime, mostly because I love that you can shop so many different businesses without ever leaving the site-then easy checkout for EVERYTHING!!!

And note the arm prettiness.  I’m constantly on the lookout for new bracelets to layer with my old school men’s Timex watch. 

This bag is Melie Bianco...which I had never heard of until I was on another blog and the girl was posting her OOTD and was holding this bag.  Since the Birkin that I lust after is unaffordable this bag gives me the look I’m going for.  Plus, I love BIG bags, I’m a big girl, I feel like I need a big bag!!!

Via Spiga shoes.  Found on Piperlime.  Not in the budget but so lusty, no?

This skirt is absolutely going to be my Fall/Winter staple...I LOVE it!!!  So soft, so comfy and easy to wear!!!  Again, at Gap and completely affordable.  I think its between $35 and $40.

The Gap Ribbed Tank.  If you wore this tank in the past and were disappointed....don’t be fooled.  Gap took note and redesigned it and brought it back this year better than other tank out there!!!  Pinky swear.  Get one and you will not regret it, the perfect mix of stretch and comfort-LOVE!

So here I am in two of my fave Fall outfits and I realize I left out a great blazer on my collection but honestly...I find it hard to find one that fits my body and my (apparently) ridiculously long arms.  This was the boyfriend blazer from Gap last year, striped long sleeve tee, boyfriend-y jeans and ballet flats-such an easy outfit to wear all day at work!!

Again....an outfit from last year. 

I DO NOT WEAR TURTLENECKS.  EVER.

But a cowl...that’ll I do in a hot second.  This one was a tee shirt material and I bought it in every neutral color there was, again in cuffed jeans.  I love this top because it is so lightweight and easy to layer and wear with jeans or skirts-I’m excited to pull these outfits out of storage and get to wearing the comfy cozy-ness that scream FALL!!!

So friends, what are you looking forward to?  The outfit you rely on when nothing else is working and where do you shop when you want to feel really good??

You can follow Kiki and her adventures on her blog: http://kikbee.blogspot.com/