Better Than Basics Fall week is here! This week is dedicated to helping you dress well for fall in outfits that are BETTER than just basics.
Need some help with your fall outfits?
I’m so excited to share another BETTER THAN BASICS series with you this week! This is truly one of my favorite pieces of content to create. (See my Summer BETTER THAN BASICS series HERE).
One of the biggest challenges I hear from you is that your outfits are too boring or too simple, so this guide is to give you ideas of how to mix basics clothing items and better than basic clothing items together to make GREAT outfits.
Since it’s the Fall of 2021, I wanted to put together 21 fall outfits, and challenge you to put together 21 great outfits this fall. I’ll be issuing a formal challenge on Instagram later this week, so stay tuned for that!
What to expect the rest of the Better Than Basics week
Throughout the rest of this week, I’ll be sharing lots of shopping ideas with better than basic pieces so you can add a few to your closet for fall.
But today, I want to show you my 21 outfits and break them down to show you why they’re better.
Copy or be inspired by these outfits
These outfits are meant to be an inspiration. Not every outfit may work for you or your style – that’s ok! Try copying some, or using some just as inspiration for pieces in your closet. Or use them as a base and then adjust things to fit your style.
You’ll see mixes of classic pieces, modern pieces, better than basic pieces, and simple pieces. In order to make a great outfit, you should have at least one better than basic piece in your outfit. I have an entire post dedicated to fall closet essentials HERE.
I could show you about 10 variations for each of these outfits, swapping out the shoes, accessories, jeans, etc, but I wanted to make as many different fall outfits as I could in these 21 outfits. So don’t forget to play around with them and do variations to make lots and lots of outfits.
Let’s break it down for each outfit.
21 Better Than Basic Outfits for Fall 2021
PINK SWEATER | PINK PANTS | CREAM BELT | HEELS | BAG [use code Merrick for 10% off]
This is a fantastic fall work outfit, and I’m obsessed with the ombre effect as you move down the outfit.
The fact that it’s monochromatic/ombre makes it a better than basic outfit on its own. But the puff sleeve and the pleated pants, mixed with the chic gold belt, makes this a killer fall outfit.
If you need more warmth as we head into the colder part of fall, add a blazer or a coat!
You could also add a pop of print with the belt or the shoes.
SWEATER | BLUE SKIRT| BAG [use code MERRICK for 10% off] | SHOES
I about died when I saw this skirt. I’m obsessed with pleated midi skirts, but the velvet and the blue color are just perfection.
Since the skirt is so bold, I kept the rest of the outfit very neutral, with a cream top and brown leather flats.
You could also dress up this outfit with a blouse and heels, or try a fitted turtleneck or bodysuit with it. You could even do a striped or floral top if you wanted to add more interest.
BEANIE | SIMILAR TUNIC | LEGGINGS | BOOTS
This tunic sweater is one of my all time favorite fall pieces. It’s a great oversized kind of sweater that you can wear with leggings.
If you wanted to boost the Better Than Basic factor, swap the regular leggings for a faux leather pair!
The boots here definitely make a statement, so adding a hat helps balance the outfit and draw attention up to your face.
If you wanted to dress the outfit up, you could swap the casual beanie for a felt fedora!
SWEATER | STRIPED T-SHIRT | BELT | SIMILAR JEANS | SIMILAR OTK BOOTS | BAG
I love layering shirts and sweaters during the fall and letting the shirt underneath peek out just a tiny bit. This is a perfect way to add some interest and some extra warmth.
Also the pop of print brings some interest to the outfit and helps draw attention up from the over the knee boots, which are definitely a statement!
SUEDE JACKET | SHIRT | JEANS | SIMILAR LEOPARD BOOTIES | BAG
These leopard boots are such a fun Better Than Basic piece! If you want a great statement boot, look for something leopard.
With a bold pair of shoes like that, you want to keep the rest of the outfit fairly neutral, but have something that balances the outfit. If the outfit was all black, the shoes might be TOO much. The suede jacket helps balance the look because of the details, structure, and lighter color.
DRESS | CARDIGAN | SIMILAR BOOTIES
Sometimes you can take simple pieces and create a Better Than Basic outfit with the color combo!
The dress, with the polka dot print and tie are definitely better than basic, but I could have added a tan or gray sweater and kept it super neutral.
But the green sweater helps the outfit feel even more Better Than Basic with a bold color combo.
Since the outfit has the bold color, it’s best to keep the shoes neutral.
A fun oversized cardigan is a great better than basics outfit. Varsity sweaters are really popular right now, and this one is simple but special.
I paired it with basic skinny jeans and flats, but you could definitely do leggings and boots instead!
DENIM JACKET | SHIRT | JOGGERS |SNEAKERS | BAG
This outfit is definitely a classic fall outfit – joggers, denim jacket, and sneakers.
But the color of the top, the waffle weave fabric, the henley neckline, and a pair of fun glitter sneakers turn this basic outfit into anything but basic!
T-SHIRT | LEATHER JACKET | SKIRT | SIMILAR SNEAKERS | BAG
I love dressing this skirt up with a sweater and heels, but you can totally dress it down and wear it for fall with sneakers and a tee!
The graphic tee makes the outfit feel better than basic, and a leather jacket adds a layer if it’s cold and some great texture.
You could do boots with this outfit, but I went with sneakers for a casual feel.
HEADBAND | SWEATER | JEANS | BAG | LOAFERS
The color and shape of this cardigan make it definitely better than basic. Also the oversized buttons make it really fun!
I paired it with neutral jeans and flats to keep the focus on the sweater, and then added a fun headband for a bit more visual interest.
BLOUSE | CARDIGAN | SIMILAR SUEDE SKIRT | BOOTS
I love a suede skirt outfit in the fall, and adding layers keeps you warm even with your legs showing!
The combination of the rust and green color definitely makes this outfit feel better than basic, but addition of the floral top underneath definitely takes it up a notch.
You could wear this with low cut ankle boots, but a tall suede boot makes the outfit feel super better than basic.
SWEATSHIRT | COAT | LEATHER LEGGINGS | SNEAKERS
Leather leggings are a great better than basic item…they add instant glam to any outfit!
To keep it casual, I paired them with a fun graphic sweatshirt and a classic tan wool coat. It’s the perfect way to make the leggings feel classy.
DRESS | BELT | SIMILAR BOOTIES
The color of this dress makes it better than basic, but also it has little ruffle details at the sleeves and the neck that make it even more special.
With sweater dresses, it’s nice to define your waist so you don’t look shapeless or lumpy, and a chic belt is the perfect way to do that.
Since the outfit has no prints, I chose better than basic neutral boots so they didn’t compete but still added a bit of interest.
HAT | PUFFER JACKET | SWEATSHIRT | JEANS | SIMILAR SNEAKERS |BAG [use code MERRICK for 10% off]
If you’re wearing a neutral outfit but want to add something special, add a fun coat!
This burgundy puffer coat is perfect for adding a pop of color and a bit of visual interest to an otherwise neutral outfit.
BLAZER | SHIRT | BELT | JEANS | MULES | BAG
This is a great fall outfit for a nice day out or a casual day at the office. This blazer is super better than basic with a great fit and gorgeous plaid.
We want the blazer to be the focus, so I kept the rest of the outfit neutral but classy with the addition of the belt, the bag, and the flats in that rich, brown leather color.
DRESS | DENIM JACKET | OXFORDS
A Better than Basic dress is a fun thing to wear during the fall, but a denim jacket helps keep you a little warmer.
You could go with really simple, neutral shoes, but since the outfit is simple, I chose an oxford flat that feel a little Better than Basic.
HAT | SWEATSHIRT | JEANS | SNEAKERS
Again, we have a color combination that helps this really simple, casual outfit feel better than basic!
Also the pop of leopard print on the shoes is the perfect Better than Basic addition to an otherwise basic outfit.
SHIRT | SIMILAR JOGGERS | LOAFERS
I love a basic striped tee, but the puff sleeves on this top take this to the next level!
Since the top is still very neutral besides the sleeves, I paired it with Better than Basic pants — these amazing satin joggers!
And since I couldn’t resist making this a little extra Better Than Basic, I added some leopard flats. Go big or go home sometimes!
STRIPED SHIRT | SIMILAR PANTS | SIMILAR BOOTIES
A pair of colored wide leg pants are a perfect Better Than Basic choice! This rust color keeps is bold but still easy to wear with lots of other colors.
To balance the boldness of the pants, I chose a bold striped top, and then kept the shoes neutral so they didn’t compete for attention.
SWEATSHIRT TOP | JEANS | SNEAKERS
This is such a fun Better than Basic top that you could wear while it’s still a little warm. The color and the quilting make it feel special!
I paired with neutral jeans and then added a pair of Better than Basic sneakers to complete the outfit and balance the bold top.
SHACKET | BODYSUIT | JEANS | MULES
This is another plaid blazer, but totally different than the other one. It’s a little less bold, but the length and the print make it Better Than Basic.
A neutral bodysuit and simple jeans let the blazer be the center of attention.
Tomorrow I’ll be sharing 21 better than basic top ideas – don’t miss it!
IF YOU LIKED THIS POST, YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE THESE POSTS
I read this with a big interest. Lovely ideas to give the classic outfit a twist. Thank you
Love them all – went to order the Loft sweater dress and the color online looks a lot lighter than in your picture…can you comment on which color is more accurate? thanks!!
A fun variation of the multiplayer knockout game genre that is well-liked by young people today is Stumble Guys. Stumble Guys, an action spin-off of the well-known game Fall Guys, with gameplay that is quite similar to that of the original while also featuring many intriguing upgrades. Stumble Guys offers you thrilling and compulsively engrossing knockout matches with a variety of obstacles and stages. 32 players can participate online at once in this game. The multiplayer mode allows you to play with pals while battling your way through levels as the mayhem intensifies. All you have to do to win is keep command of the last character standing.