♡ Bella's Fall Fashion Must-Haves ♡

Here in southern Indiana, it didn't quite feel like we got to really transition into fall weather--it just kind of happened. After weeks and weeks of high eighty- to mid ninety-degree temperatures, we suddenly and finally hit a cold front, which left me rooting through my closet full of summer clothes for some comfier and cozier pieces. Now that I've had a chance to settle into the new climate, I've identified five key clothing items that are helping me get into the trends of this year's season while still letting me express myself authentically. If you're as excited to read about them as I am to tell you about them, just keep on scrolling!

1 ♡ THIGH-HIGH BOOTS

I think thigh-high boots have already been a hot topic in the fashion world for about a year or more, but I was never really drawn to them until this year. Why?

One word: embellishments.

Don't get me wrong--the solid color boot is a classic look as well as highly wearable and versatile--but I always look for a little something extra when it comes to choosing my clothes, and this year, I got it, in such a way that fits me to a capital T. These boots from GoJane are like any other pair of thigh-highs until you get to the heel, which is made up of a row of shiny, creamy pearls set into gold. If you know anything about me, you know I'm a pearl girl through and through, so I had to grab these for myself.

I know that this trend is currently blowing up across a variety of styles of shoes, including ankle booties, sandals, and heels, and while I'm here for all of them, I think that the thigh-highs are the way to go, especially for the fall-time. Their length makes a dramatic statement while their neutrality in color makes them usable, and the pearled heel adds that point of interest that will make your outfit stand out. Best of all, they're one of the most comfortable pairs of shoes that I've ever owned. I wear these almost every day to work and get compliments each time!

While this specific pair that I have is unfortunately sold out, I found a pair that is essentially identical for the same, great price! If you wanna check them out, click on the pictures below!

rue 21

Ego Shoes

Missguided

2 ♡ PLAID SCARF

 

I think we can all agree that nothing screams fall more than plaid. I'm not sure what it is about it, but it just has a certain quality that makes it so much cozier than any other pattern (save for that of an ugly Christmas sweater, but it's too early to start talking about that, no matter what Macy's says). However, every other season of the year, I'm personally not too big on having plaid in my wardrobe, which is why this big, comfy blanket scarf was the perfect way to go.

I work at a Versona Accessories, where I bought this scarf from, and as soon as I saw it come out of a shipment box, I was in love--it's so rare, or so it seems, to find an item of clothing that has not one but both of my favorite colors, pink and baby blue, incorporated into it. After a couple weeks of asking myself if I really had to have it, I finally decided that yes, I did, and I'm so glad that I did.

Like I said, I don't really ever wear plaid, so I didn't want to invest in a plaid top or jacket that I wouldn't wear once warmer weather came back around, and if you feel the same way, I highly recommend a scarf like this one. The plaid pattern is trendy and stylish, and it's so warm and insulating that you know your money went to good use. Throw it on over an outfit you own already and you're instantly prepared for fall! Linked below are some similar ones that I think you should take a look at.

Kohl's

Magnolia Boutique

Charlotte Russe

3 ♡ FITTED SWEATER

When I say "fall," you say "sweater weather"!...and so will everyone else when they think of fall. And while it's usually the big, chunky knit sweaters that come to mind when considering what is confined within the boundaries of sweater weather, I think it's time to show fitted sweaters some love. While it may seem rare that "comfy" and "flattering" can be used in the same sentence, I promise that both are true of this baby blue ribbed long-sleeve from Boohoo.

Fitted sweaters are definitely the way to go if layering is your thing in the fall time. While I was taking the pictures for this post, I obviously chose to wear it with the scarf that I mentioned (as well as with another piece that you'll see further down!), but I can totally see sweaters like this one being worn with a fluffy fur vest or even a cardigan if you want to double up on your sweaters. They're also a lot easier to work with than your standard snuggly sweatshirt if you're trying to pair them with a pair of bottoms that requires tucking into, as you can see with my skirt in the above picture.

The sweater in this picture is sold out in this color, but it is still available in pink, which I, of course, had to add to my cart as well. I'll have that one linked below, alongside a couple other fitted sweaters that I think are worth the purchase.

Boohoo

Fashion Nova

Miss Pap

4 ♡ STATEMENT NECKLACE

Now that I've talked to you about why fitted sweaters are gifts to the world, let's get into what's wrong with them: they're plain. If you don't try to dress them up a little, they're pretty much thicker long-sleeved T-shirts. The good news is that a statement necklace is all you need and more to bring any plain tee to the next level; there's nothing that can better break up a stretch of solid color than large, eye-catching jewelry. Bonus points in my book if it's sparkly!

As I said before, I'm all about pearls, as you may be able to see in the necklace I have on here (you can get a better look at it in the pictures below), but statement necklaces come in so many designs and patterns that the world is your oyster when it comes to choosing one, which is part of why I really like the concept of statement necklaces--they really give the wearer a chance to express themselves through one piece alone.

I do want to say, though, that if you decide to go with an off-the-shoulder sweater like the one from Fashion Nova that I linked earlier, I recommend that you go with a longer, pendant necklace rather than a shorter bib or collar, and the same goes for V-neck sweaters as well. I have some great recommendations for both types of necklaces, including the one that I'm wearing in the picture, that you can pick up yourself for pretty wonderful prices!

Charming Charlie

Versona

Altar'd State

5 ♡ WOOL COAT

While coats are an obvious staple for cold weather in general, I think that wool coats like this pastel pink duffle coat from ASOS are perfect for fall weather specifically. Though it has, admittedly, gotten to be almost too cold for my liking around where I live, it hasn't yet hit the biting cold that comes with midwest winters, leaving me high and dry to find a happy medium.

Enter the duffle coat. 

What I like the best about coats of this material is that they're super lightweight, so you don't feel like you're weighed down or wearing too much if you pull one over a sweater or pair it with a thick scarf, but its lining is what does its job by keeping you warm and insulated. Plus, they give off a very classic, retro, and almost romantic vibe, something I always strive to accomplish through my clothing.

The coat that I have on in this picture is also available in gray and camel, but for the sake of not being repetitive, I'll only have the pink one linked below, as well as a couple of other options. I wanted to include more pictures of pastel colored coats just because that's what I'm personally drawn to, but I've seen some really beautiful ones in more autumnal shades like camel, mustard, and eggplant, all of which can intensify any outfit, if you're more into darker tones. Let me know in the comments if you have a wool coat or plan to get one for yourself, and if so, in what color!

ASOS

Dezzal

Romwe

♡♡♡

That's all I have for you today! I really hope this post can help you out with your fall wardrobe or inspire you to pick out your own fashion must-haves for this season. I had a lot of fun putting this together, and I'm already excited to get started on my next idea! Thank you so very much for taking the time out of your day to visit me here at La Salle Belle, and I'll talk to you soon!

Tout l'amour,

Bella♡

NOTE: None of the pictures in this post (except for the ones of me, which were taken by my boyfriend, Riley) belong to me, nor did I take any of them. All of them are the property of their respective websites, which are linked to each picture.