Classic Fall Fashion for Home & Garden : Plaid Wool Skirt, Leggings & Boots

The home and garden are workplaces as much as places of rest. So our wardrobe must be for our work at home, which means looking as put together as feeling comfortable!

Every fall I would receive a Lands End catalog in the mailbox and page through every look over and over analyzing my favorite pieces. The classic lines and sturdy fabrics made the approaching Autumn feel even more Autumnal. I deliberated over all of the coats, cardigans and plaid skirts finally circling the few for which I would place an order. Catalogs are a thing of the past now, replaced with scrolling and online ordering complete with delightfully fast shipping. This is a world of difference to the weeks or even a month or more of waiting for that package to finally arrive. This was after mailing in the carefully written order form with a check in the mail. A CHECK. I feel a bit like a piece of vintage past reminiscing about how different planning and ordering clothing was 30 years ago. But some things remain the same: we must layer the right pieces in the right fabrics for the cold season. Fleece lined leggings, wool skirts, densely knitted tops, and good quality boots are still the best pieces. And they still catch our attention, whether in paper catalogs or digital photographs. Classic fashion has that kind of timelessness.

If I could tell you the five items to a classic fall wardrobe, these are them, starting with a thin sweater top. This is a key piece in a cold weather wardrobe. They tuck into skirts without adding bulk to the waistline. Thin sweater tops are more svelte than a regular knit sweater. They lay like a regular long sleeve top without being so thin and flimsy. The sweater aspect is warmer than a long sleeve top, but the thin knit keeps it flattering. They work tucked into skirts, as a top for jeans, layered under heavier sweaters or jackets. A thin sweater top is one of the most essential classic pieces for a cold weather wardrobe.

When working at home, I must change my shoes 20 times per day. I am always inside and then outside, back and forth. I keep my rainboots by the door and just slip my feet into them to clomp around outdoors. My rain boots are my property footwear, outdoor armor that keeps the wet and cold off my feet. When I come back in, I slip back on my slender black booties which are wonderful as an indoor shoe. They are light weight and look put together. These booties are my footwear for going to town as well, since they are comfortable and feminine for shopping outings.

This time of year means collecting beautiful pinecones and branches for decor but also for kindling. It is such a beautiful collection and when stacked in a nice bin or bag they can make lovely porch decor for outdoors.

A knee length wool skirt is my next recommendation. Are you making your list? You can find these beauties at thrift shops or in retail stores like J. Crew, which carry more classic styles. The knee length wool skirt adds much warmth even as a shorter skirt and acts as a beautiful topper to leggings. This combination is ladylike, warm and comfortable allowing for movement and bending when working. These shorter skirts will have a slit either on the side of the leg or in the middle seam on the back to allow for maximum movement. The higher hemline would be too short without the leggings, and the leggings would be too immodest without the short skirt. These items compliment each other well.

Fleece lined leggings are one of the best leggings to own for the colder season. They are absolutely essential to staying warm in any outfit whether under jeans, skirts, dresses, or just with long sweaters with boots!