15 Closet Essentials For Fall 2020

It’s certainly no secret that I’ve got a huge closet. And while yes I’ve got enough clothes in it to wear something new (almost) every day, there are some pieces that I find myself reaching for time and time again. Upon popular request, today I’m sitting down to share my top fifteen closet essentials of the season. Whether it be for a typical school day or a full-on photoshoot, these are items I find myself styling over and over again.

1) Plaid Coat: I’ve been on the hunt for a good plaid coat for years now and I finally stumbled across the perfect one. Needless to say, I’ve been wearing it all the time since. Plaid coats instantly dress an outfit up, making you look polished and professional in no time. There are tons of different styles out there—a knee-length version is a must for me since it gets super chilly here in Ohio!

2) Mules: I’ve been getting tons of requests for internship/business casual attire lately and mules are a good starting point. These shoes are super affordable and very comfortable making them a no-brainer in every girl’s closet. I’ve got a few pairs in my collection but I find myself reaching for these white ones most often. These pair with everything so effortlessly and the gold hardware makes them look super chic. I also love the ones with fur for chiller days!

3) White Sweater:  I’ve got more white sweaters in my closet than I can even count and I wear them all fall/winter long. These are key in my closet because they’re incredibly versatile. I love layering bodysuits underneath or fun statement coats over top. I tend to reach for chunky turtlenecks as it gets chiller but for now, this cute v-neck will do!

4) Gold Jewels: Truly no outfit is complete without a few accessories. You’ll find me wearing this jewelry combination all year round: gold statement earrings, a dainty necklace, a watch with a few bracelets, and a couple of stacked rings. You’d be surprised how much just a few simple pieces transform your look! I don’t go a day without this combo.

5) Black Jeans: I’m a denim lover all year round and when fall rolls around I can’t resist a good pair of black jeans. I’ve got every style in the book: flared, cropped, boyfriend, straight leg, you name it. And yet the classic skinny jeans are hands down my most worn. Not only do they look cute cuffed with a pair of flats but they work really well with tall boots too.

Now simply put those five essentials together and bam, you’ve got one killer outfit! Although this outfit is made of rather simple pieces, the plaid coat really ties the look together and gives it a sophisticated, chic feel. If you are working in a business casual setting, this outfit would totally work for you! Add a belt and a cute bag to make this city-chic.

Outfit Details— sweater: SheIn, jeans: Express, coat: Romwe, shoes: Romwe, earrings: Walmart, necklace: The Silver Heron

6) Oversized Sweaters: I know I’ve already covered white sweaters but oversized sweaters are an essential in themself. I mean, who doesn’t love cozying up in something super thick and warm?! Whether you’re wearing one with leggings or tucked into a pair of jeans these are so effortlessly trendy and will never go out of style!

7) Leather Leggings: Oh gosh I could go on and on about my love for Spanx leather leggings. I swore I’d never hop on the blogger bandwagon but here I am, regretting not doing so sooner. Leather leggings are so much better than your average black leggings. You can dress these up or down, make them classy or edgy. There’s truly no outfit they don’t work with and they are such high quality, sucking you in at all the right places. I just got four new styles in the mail today if that says anything about my love for them, lol.

8) Snakeskin Boots: Every closet needs a little bit of animal print and if you think otherwise, you’ve come to the wrong place! I’ve grown out of my leopard sweater faze I was in last fall and have switched gears to snakeskin boots. These shoes instantly class up an outfit and will leave you looking and feeling right off the runway. You can wear them with jeans or leggings which make them even better!

9) Felt Hats: If you know anything about me you know how much I love this nude felt hat. I grabbed it months ago from Lulus and I’ve worn it hundreds of times since. I’ve always been a hat lover and am convinced there’s no outfit one can’t fix. They are such a staple in my wardrobe and truly are the perfect finishing touch to any look.

10) Neutral Joggers: Another must-have that’s sadly not pictured in today’s outfit ideas are neutral joggers. I’ve got blacks, grays, whites, and browns and wear them constantly while lounging around the apartment and getting school work done. My favorite place to purchase them is Boohoo and they are almost always running 60% off sales. Read this blog post for a little outfit inspo.

This is an outfit combination I reach for so frequently on school days. A sweater and leggings is a comfy yet cute option to wear while completing my online classes but by throwing on boots and a hat, I’m ready to go for whatever else the day holds: photos, dinner, or even a downtown stroll. In fact, I’m wearing this outfit in gray as I type. It really is a must for me!

Outfit Details— sweater: SheIn, leggings: Spanx, boots: SheIn, hat: Lulus, earrings: SheIn, necklace: The Silver Heron, watch: Fossil, bracelets: Mantra Band

11) Knee Length Coat: I know the plaid coat I shared earlier was knee length but I had to give this camel one a shoutout of its own. I have this coat in black too and it’s a style I can’t stay away from. There is simply nothing classier than a knee-length jacket. Not to mention they dress up a basic outfit in no time. I tend to switch to my parka come January but for now, I’ll be sporting this piece every chance I can get.

12) Solid Layering Turtleneck: If I had a dollar for every time I wore this solid black turtleneck I’d be a fricking millionaire. If you take anything away from this post, I truly hope it is this piece right here. I cannot even begin to tell you how much I reach for this bodysuit— it’s been with me through thick and thin. Whether I’m styling it on its own, layered with a sweater, or paired with a coat, I truly could not run Styled by McKenz without this baby and that’s saying a lot…

13) Sock Booties: I’m a lover of all booties but sock booties and I have become best friends this season. There’s something so effortless about them that gives me model-off-duty vibes every time I put them on. I’ve got a pair in black and nude and they truly are the glue to my closet. They go with dresses, skirts, jeans, and more. Definitely worth investing in a pair!

14) Cropped Flare Jeans: Me and cropped flare jeans were a match made in heaven. I’m on the shorter side at 5’2 and I swear these bottoms were made for me. They are incredibly flattering on a petite frame, so much so that I’ve added a dozen or so pairs to my closet over the last six months. These blue jeans are definitely my most reached for pair— I’m wearing a size 00 in the regular length.

15) Long Sleeve Crop Tops: I know cropped season is often associated with summer but I reach for my crop tops all year round. I recommend adding a long sleeve white and black version to your collection for layering and to pair with joggers. Boohoo and Pretty Little Thing have some of my favorite basics!

As boujee as this outfit looks, it’s really just a black top, jeans, and a pair of boots. The camel coat adds a classy touch and a few key accessories really tie the look together. Belts are another essential in my closet and this nude one is a recent addition to my closet. I went for a chunky gold necklace and threw my hair in a claw clip to effortlessly finish off this look.

Outfit Details— bodysuit: Romwe, jeans: Express, shoes: Pretty Little Thing, coat: Fashion Nova, purse: SheIn, earrings: SheIn, belt: Romwe

Building your dream closet doesn’t have to be scary or cost a fortune. In fact, with a few key basics, you can create endless outfit ideas for the fall time. I hope this blog post was helpful and gave you the outfit inspiration you were looking for! Let me know if you want to see a winter edition of this post and I’ll add it to the list!

With love, McKenz

Latest Post: Weekly Wrap Up #48 2020
Related Post: 10 Pieces You Need In Your Wardrobe This Fall
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