As we step into the fall season that often prompts us to assess our wardrobes, add new items and polish up what we already have and love, here at TSLL we’re shifting our focus as it pertains to the ‘trends’ of the fall (and spring too) season in the annual shopping guide posts.

Various fashion columnists, most recently Vanessa Achara of WSJ spoke to this new reality in her article “A Guide to Creating Your Ideal Fall Wardrobe“. In fact, the physical paper’s title (they choose different titles for online and print versions) stated “Are trends dead?” Essentially, while indeed we need different types of coloring and yes, even colors for different seasons, what we also need is to stray away from fast fashion and reflexively thinking that we have to add more every single fall and spring or even summer and winter, but instead buy better clothing that suits our lifestyle needs and signature style so not only will it last, but it will complement the gradually and thoughtfully built capsule wardrobes for each season we live our life (the literal seasons, but figuratively as well).

Unsurprisingly, I appreciated the awareness of a most helpful, yes, time-saving, as well as budget-saving in the long-run, approach but also more enjoyable approach to shopping for our wardrobe. Because here is what I have learned over the years: It takes time to build a reliable wardrobe that supports the life I love well. But distraction occurs when we become persuaded to add the new trend in some form or another because that takes the limited financial resources we have away from purchasing a quality investment item that we will reach for year after year. In other words, we reach our destination of a desirable wardrobe when we dismiss trends and always shop with our lifestyle, silhouette, color tone, and signature style in mind.

As someone who has dresses and shoes I will wear in autumn in my closet that are 10 years old and still in fine condition, timeless in their design, yet flattering on my silhouette, I am grateful everyday that I chose them over what was ‘hot’ at the moment, or a cheaper or lesser quality item. Having shared many times before, many, if not most of my higher end items (mid-luxury), were not purchased at full-price but rather on sale when the collection or season’s ‘newness’ was long past. Yet still, and this is a wonderful test, the season didn’t matter (because autumn will return again) and absent adhering to a trend, the pieces were timeless and suited my tastes.

All of this is to say, moving forward, here on TSLL, the fall and spring wardrobe will instead of listing the seasonal trend and shopping to them, will do what essentially I have been doing in the past, but more directly and plentifully so, shop the trusted brands, scoping out their new collections and showcasing the items that would be timeless and worth your perusal and perhaps purchase.

Below you will find items organized by type – shirts, sweaters, pants, accessories, etc., and you will also seem some collages organized around an entire brand. The brands TSLL shops for all of its posts are either brands I trust having their clothing in my own closet, or brands I recommend based on my knowledge of its ethos. The price points shopped again will be what you have become accustomed – mid-luxury, alongside J.Crew/BR/etc. And sometimes a luxury brand at a great price. And always items that can be worn to be the supporting act in your life, not the star, because the star is you as you go about living your unique simply luxurious life.

Now before we get started, a reminder to grab the savings if it is available. As we find ourselves here in the states in the middle of Labor Day Weekend, the sales are seemingly everywhere, so be sure to add the promo code or search for one before you purchase. Also, use Rakuten to bring back a bit more savings down the road. Lastly, and as always, whatever you find and love but isn’t in the budget at the moment, be sure to save to KarmaNow.

Instead of listing all the places that are having a sale, the list would be never-ending, be sure to find items that you love, and then if it happens to be on sale, which it likely is this weekend 😉, do a little happy dance. If not, assess, and you can always save it to KarmaNow and wait until the ‘season’ rush is over and the brand is shifting to creating the new collection and need to clear stock.

And after you shop this annual Shopping Guide, continue to look forward to the monthly Outfits of the Month post that is shared on the second Wednesday of each month. Explore past Outfits of the Month here.

~How to Shop this Guide: Simply hover over the image of the item you want to explore further, and then click through when the ‘+’ appears with the item’s details. If a ‘+’ with details does not appear when you hover, I have listed and linked that item just below the image.

Let’s Get Cozy

~Jumper 1234 Cashmere Ragland VeeNeck -midgrey and navy seen above (more colors)

~Staud Betsy Cashmere Sweater (truffle or ivory)

Button-Ups

~Figaret Irisa blue hidden buttons placket shirt

~Staud Traverse Bodysuit Linus stripe, other colors

Blazers as Staples of Style

~Temperley London’s Maye Jacket, dark denim w/belt

Stylish Outerwear

Bags of Function and Beauty

~LaParmentier Yucca Soho Top-Handle Shoulder Bag (four colors available)

~LaParmentier Yucca Suede and Leather Shoulder Bag (many colors)

~Bembien Carmen Bag (many colors)

~La Parmentier Thais Suede and Leather Satchel (many colors)

~Sessùn Divicam Bloo (blue) purse

Autumnal Footwear

~Staud Sebastian Kitten Heel Boot, knee-high (three colors)

Shirts & Simple Layers

~CO Loose tank (white) in slub jersey

Extra Details

~LaParmentier Chain Motif Silk Square scarf (more color ways)

~Staud Eugene Jacket Houndstooth

Pants, Denim & other Extras

~CO Corduroy Wide Leg Pant, camel

Dresses

~Staud Marcel Silk Dress Sangria (red)

~Staud Scout Dress Static (grey)

Nila Lotan

~Nila Lotan Helah Quilted Parka

~Nila Lotan Balzac Short Duster Coat

~Nila Lotan Shagan Sweater

~Nila Lotan Mitchelle jean, black

~Nila Lotan Diane Blazer, black

~Nila Lotan Cariline Cashmere polo

~Nila Lotan Tessen cardigan

~Nila Lotan Joan Jean, dark denim

~Nila Lotan Mitchell jean, Simon wash

J.Crew

Veronica Beard & Julie Vos

~Julie Vos Dolce ring

STYLE Posts from the Archives

~Explore all of TSLL’s Style Inspiration (look for a new Outfits of the Month post later in September and every month thereafter), and Signature Style posts in the Archives