Whether or not the temperatures feel like Fall, it’s nonetheless the season when kids are back in school, pumpkins are appearing on porches, and fall fashion is on the runway and store racks. For many, the ongoing summer heat, social media micro-trends, and numerous fashion displays beyond the fall and spring collections (resort wear, anybody?) have created confusion as to exactly how to dress and what to buy- if anything. The Wall Street Journal recently posited that the goal this fall should be to “borrow from the best of the old days” (perhaps not a poodle or mini skirt) and strategically embrace what’s new, if at all. The article states that Americans now buy 53 new items of clothing a year (4 times as much as 2 decades ago!), but for many of us, we’re buying second-hand or vintage, for reasons of style, quality, and cost. Many of us already have the basics that we need, and the strategy is to just add an item or 2 to insert a pop of “modern” or contemporary in your otherwise adequate wardrobe. For those who are not well stocked with “the basics,” New York magazine’s The Strategist recently created a list of the 100 basic items that should be in every woman’s wardrobe. And if you’re wondering whether a beloved item you’ve kept in your closet is “dating” your look, NY Times fashion columnist Vanessa Friedman suggests the problem may be more about where you’re at in your perception of yourself than what era the clothing signifies. 

However, if you’re worried that your wardrobe is dating you, there’s always the option of slight tweaks of contemporary styles to make you feel more in the present. For example, you might think about tailoring an outfit that no longer fits just so, or updating your eyewear to make yourself feel more in sync with the times. Or perhaps add a pop of color to your otherwise neutral fallbacks. Speaking of neutrals, the “in” color this fall appears to be all shades of brown, from camel to taupe to chocolate, as a new neutral rather than the standard black or navy. Even a brown shoe will modernize your look, whether it’s a fresh version of the classic penny loafer, the old standard Ugg booties or maybe a sneakerina, which is just what it sounds like- a combination of a sneaker and a ballet flat.

If you are a bit more on trend and fashion-conscious, you may want to replicate some of the looks recently displayed on older female celebrities, such as the double denim look on actress Julianne Moore or the leather jacket modelled by actress Jennifer Connelly. But if your parameters are comfort and cost with some classic styles, then perhaps follow the wisdom of 50-something fashion influencer Cristin Bryant, who has over one million social media followers hanging on her every word (and hanging her recommendations in their closets). Her selections are stylish without breaking the bank, and can be found in such stores as Old Navy, H & M, and even Walmart. To take a look at the fall dresses she recommends, grab some hangers and click here.