If I had to describe myself in terms of a fashion collection, I would undoubtedly be an Autumn/Winter. While the first flowers of spring make my heart rejoice, the first snow fills me with a hope I can’t describe. I love cold weather that forces me indoors, inspiring nostalgia for the most blissful moments of my childhood: mornings spent ice skating, usually, or curled up at home, with a little book of paper dolls. Winter, to me, feels welcoming, warm, and safe—feels very much like home. Like the familiar lyrics of a beloved song, I do indeed “get a little warm in my heart when I think of winter.”
Beyond childhood nostalgia, I also associate autumn and winter with a return to elegance. As the leaves begin to fall, there’s a quietness, a sense of restraint, that prevails. With less attractions pulling us elsewhere, we turn inward– turn to the quieter arts of contemplation, reflection, and prayer. I keep a constant fire lit, and start to want to read classic literature again. Swann’s Way has an attraction in October that it just doesn’t in July. You know? Bored by summer clothes and the constant display of skin, I get excited to bundle up in things that feel elegant, modest, and textural—wool, cashmere, fur. Summer fashion reveals everything all at once, but winter’s allure is a whisper. In winter, my taste in just about everything gets more sophisticated. If I could transport myself anywhere, it would be the Swiss Alps, in December, staring wistfully out the window of a cognac-colored hotel lobby, wearing something après ski. As one does.
Not to continually harken back to my childhood, but I have to say, this was true of even my earliest years. When I decided, at 11 years old, that I wanted to be a fashion-plate, I asked for winter things. It was at that age that I adopted the black turtleneck, declaring it the height of elegance and self-expression (something I can’t argue against today). I loved a beautiful coat. Where, exactly, did I wear these things? Who knows. The fact of the matter is, a few days ago, we got our first snow of the year, and, when deciding on the proper outfit to wear to go vote, I chose a coat I got when I was 11 or 12– a beautiful little aubergine number with a fur-trimmed hood. (It’s a good thing I reached my full height by then.). I had to be onto something.
But of course, thank goodness, I’ve developed my interests and my wardrobe past childhood likes and dislikes. Regrettably, I’m not shopping for the Swiss Alps, but I have hit my autumn/winter stride, stylistically speaking. This season, I’ve found the most wearable and versatile item to be the sweater-dress. Whether I want to dress ‘equestrian chic’ or ‘winter bohemian,’ the sweater dress has been my answer. And because we all love a bargain, these are all under or around $50. Best of all, they’re cozy and sumptuous, a joy to wear. I really believe I look best when I have the most freedom of movement, when my clothes don’t restrict but rather serve my lifestyle. When it comes to the versatile sweater dress, the styling options are endless, but below are my personal suggestions for a playful twist on the autumn/winter staple.
ASOS roll-neck maxi dress in gray– $54.00
I love the midi length, which begs for a cool shoe choice. I opted for a creamy crocodile boot and ivory tote, and a delicate gold necklace– a little angel wing that I dearly love.
The dress makes complete and cohesive outfit on its own, but what is winter dressing without a little snow bunny magic? I wear this fur vest over *everything.* I love it thrown over a bohemian dress (there’s something so striking about the pairing of embroidery with fur) or dressed all the way up with a sleek black dress and a chignon. But paired with these sweater dresses, it strikes just the right balance between a little too much and approachable. Buy the gray dress here.
Maci Ribbed Midi sweater dress by Vici Collection– $62.00 (I follow Hunter Premo, who styles Vici Dolls so beautifully, and used her code HUNTER20 for a nice discount. Follow @hunterpremo to receive frequent Vici codes. <3)
This dress has two notable features: a beautiful low back and bell sleeves. It’s also attractively oversized; you can belt it if you prefer to nip the waist, but I like to keep mine as is. For an elegant flourish, the dress drapes in such a way that it can be worn off-the-shoulder. Leather accessories in a dark espresso upped the Ralph Lauren Collection feeling this dress was giving me. This look would be beautiful with a side ponytail (and velvet ribbon!) or a casual updo to emphasize the back. Purchase the dress here.
Pink Queen Oversized Wool Turtleneck dress from Amazon in Coffee– $34.99
This dress is deliciously over-sized, everything I want in cold weather fashion. The coffee color is rich and beautiful, but the dress is equally striking in black. It’s a bit shorter than what I normally prefer, so I pair it with black tights or a leather legging. To up the street style quotient, I would add chunky-heeled ankle boots, big hoop earrings, a baggy beret, and a fishtail braid or puffy side pony. Shop here!
ASOS cardigan dress in beige– $83.00
This cardigan dress is perfect for when you want to feel fall, but the weather isn’t cooperating. The fit is ideal, as the dress has a bit of breathing room but clings where it should. The beige color feels luxe in this piece, and looks classy with camel and leather accessories. While the price tag is a bit higher than the others, the dress needs little in the way of accessorizing and feels complete as a standalone piece. Purchase here.
ASOS roll- neck mini dress in beige– on sale for $26.50
Don’t let the word ‘mini’ scare you—this little dress has plenty of coverage, and it’s a dream to dress up with winter layers. The material is thin enough that it looks great under outerwear, not at all bulky. The drape of fabric on the body is beautiful, and I can’t even comprehend how great the price is. Find it here.
For styling extra credit, here are some reasonably priced accessories to add a little sparkle to your Autumn/Winter.
These extra-thin gold-plated hoops by Sirena are an everyday favorite. I picked my up from the boutique in Santa Barbara for around $26, but Sirena carries similar styles on the website and advertises them first on their Instagram account. While they’re an upgrade, I’m linking the pair I want to get next here!
The crown braid was inspired by @rachelsisneros, who has the most beautiful and inventive way of hair styling, and a wealth of tutorials covering everything from heatless curls to bespoke braids.
Lili Claspe designs my very favorite line of costume jewelry. The way each piece is styled is just so original, the Instagram feed is addictive, and although the pieces are costume, they feel elevated. (I feel like an OG Lili fan, because I found her pieces on Etsy nearly a decade ago, but I’m sure a lot of other people loved it “before it was famous” as well!) I’m always been looking for a big, oversized hoop that goes with everything, and these are really it. Last I checked, these appear to be sold out, but you’ll find no shortage of inspo on the website.
These ivory ASOS boots are vanilla-colored, wintery perfection, and the crocodile finish adds luxury to any outfit. I’ve seen lots of variations on the ivory boot on the really high-end fashion feeds, and was thrilled to find a reasonably priced version. Shop here!
