Ribbon Jeans Dress

Ribbon Jeans Dress

Falling Into Autumn - Fall Trends on a Budget

Just the other day I was driving by the mall, getting nostalgic about those fall hang-out-at-the-mall shopping days. You know the ones. The big Saturday trip to all your favorite stores, bags of sweaters and new jeans and maybe a funky T-shirt or two, a stop by the Food Court with your mom for a slice of pizza. Those were the days, eh? (Who's with me?)

Well, I don't know about the rest of you, but those days (and Dad's deep pockets) are gone for me, and a brand-new fall wardrobe every year isn't an option anymore. Luckily, there are some easy ways to carry some of your summer favorites into fall, and some tricks for making old pieces seem new again. Read on!

Dressing Up

We all know how nice it is to throw on a fluttery dress and some ballet flats and head out for a walk or a bike ride on a warm summer's day. But, no need to pack that dress away until the snow melts. Take your favorite summer dress and throw it on over a pair of jeans. Just make sure your jeans are nice and tight and your dress is knee-length or shorter. Also avoid wearing dresses that are too formal either in style or fabric. Jersey knit and cotton dresses work the best.

Throw on a turtleneck or other long-sleeved shirt under the dress, or a long cardigan over it, (or both!) and complete the look with a wide belt, a must-add for fall that will make your summer staple look and feel brand new.

Longer dresses can also follow you into fall. Pair them with a kitten heel slingback, ballerina flat or even stylish, heeled boots.

A Leg Up

No need to kiss your mini-skirts (especially denims) good-bye. Instead, put them on with a pair of dark-colored leggings or tights, your favorite sweater and a colorful coat to carry you through the dreary winter. Finish off the look with a flat boot, ballet slipper or pointy-toed flat.

Or put on your favorite walking shorts or cotton capris over a pair of textured tights.

With a collared shirt and well-fitted jacket on top, you have the perfect autumn outfit for work or play.

And, if the right pair of leggings is hard to come by, cut off the feet of an old pair of tights and wear them as leggings. Cut them off so they hit approximately an inch below the knee. It's a perfect way to save some cash while cashing in on items you already have.

Layering it On

Layering your shirts is one of the best tricks you have up your sleeve. It helps you get more mileage out of the pieces in your wardrobe and helps mix up any outfit.

Put that summer tube top over a slim turtleneck, or throw on your favorite graphic tee over a button-up. Your sheer summer shirt will look great under a sweater vest and that tank top you can't live without is the perfect thing to complement a winter cardigan.

Layering your light-weight summer sweaters with a tank top or camisole helps you bring two summer trends with you into the next season. Pull it on over a pair of jeans or wool pants and finish it off with a pair of boots for a fresh, autumn look.

It's all about the accessories

Probably the simplest way to change the look of any outfit is to switch up your accessories. Add a scarf to your favorite short-sleeved shirt, or trade your bright, chunky summer beads for gemstone jewelry or thick cuff bracelets. And don't get rid of your gold link jewelry or stacks of gold bangles. Pair them with rich, fall colors like chocolate brown, plum or grey.

You can also use pieces you already have in a new way for a new season.

Take a long necklace and wrap it around your wrist as a bracelet instead. (This works especially well with pearls.) Use a spare piece of ribbon, or your favorite summer bandana, as a headband. And moving that chunky belt from your low-slung hips up to your ribcage can totally change the way an ensemble looks.

Overall, don’t be afraid to be creative!

About the Author

This article is co-authored by Athelia Woolley and Emily McCormick , the founders of Shabby Apple. Shabby Apple offers women's dresses and girl's dresses - dresses that make dressing simple. Shabby Apple dresses are a return to what dresses were always meant to be - a one-piece outfit. No need to add anything...no tank tops, no cardigans, nothing (except accessories, of course!). A perfect accessory to complement that fall look is the stacks of gold bangles bracelet.

Should I change My plans?!?

I planned my outfit tonight for going out to dinner but my boyfriend told me he's making me dinner...I was wearing skinny jeans with chunky black & Gray stin pumps and a strappy above the knee dress black with gray spots and a black satin waist high ribbon...should I not be so dressed up to stay at home? Should I suggest we go out after dinner?
Oh i wasn't planning on not eating it! I think its precious that he's doing this!!! Just wondering if I'll seem out of place dressed up at home

if your bf has the heart to cook you dinner, you need to eat it. I see no reason that you should not dress up. It is Valentines Day!

Gordon Lightfoot- Ribbon of Darkness/Sundown