It’s here — our favorite time of year to shop and dress! Leading up to the official start of the season, we’ve shared essential fall wardrobe staples and delved into fall fashion trends making a comeback for 2023. Now, we’re enlisting the help of Nashville wardrobe stylist Carson Love to bring it all together with some serious outfit inspiration sourced from Southern boutiques.
We spent a crisp morning playing dress-up at Reunion Bar in East Nashville (formerly Vandyke Hotel), showcasing some of our favorite pieces from local boutiques around town. Reunion’s moody interior and breezy outdoor spaces provided the perfect backdrop for a fall-inspired shoot. Read on to see the gorgeous results, along with styling tips and tricks from Carson!
**********
9 FALL FASHION TIPS FROM A SOUTHERN STYLIST
Invest in versatile sets.
As a personal stylist, I’m constantly focused on maximizing the versatility of my clients’ wardrobes. If an item is going to take up valuable real estate in their closet, I want to know that it’s earning its keep! This bronze slip skirt and tank from Oak Hall is a perfect example of this concept. The matching skirt and tank act as a blank canvas for so many different styling opportunities and occasions. Here, Mary Kathryn’s outfit can go seamlessly from a long workday to a chic cocktail hour.
Watch how we styled this set three ways!
View this post on Instagram
Develop an eye for balance.
Here’s a little insider tip: When stylists are putting together looks, one of the elements they’re constantly analyzing is BALANCE. While skinny jeans and oversized sweaters were the fall uniform in years past, I think flipping those proportions can offer a more balanced look. These dark-washed, wide-leg jeans pair perfectly with this sweater’s slightly more tailored fit (both from Emerson Grace). Just be sure to style your wide-leg jeans with a shoe or bootie that has a bit of a heel for a little lift and to contribute to that overall balance!
This dressier look is another great example of keeping an eye on the overall balance of your look. The fun, voluminous sleeves and high neckline of this dress don’t feel too overwhelming because it’s visually balanced by the shorter hemline. I love contrasting the dramatic pattern of this gorgeous dress from Emerson Grace with an unexpected shoe pairing, like a Western-style boot.
Choose dressier “third pieces” to elevate otherwise casual looks.
I think Rachel is walking straight down the cross-section of style and comfort in this elevated everyday look. Few things are more classic than a t-shirt and jeans; here, they act as the perfect base for adding a couple of seasonal third pieces. (A “third piece” is kind of like the icing on the cake — a final item that elevates a simple combination.) The slightly unstructured fit of this plaid blazer makes a t-shirt and jeans feel effortlessly polished. A logo-less ball cap like the one pictured here is one of my favorite accessories for an elevated casual look.
Love thy layers.
Here in the South, we often go through “fake fall” or “fool’s fall” before we actually get to the real thing! Adding a layer, like this beautiful camel moto jacket, to a midi or maxi dress is one of my favorite transitional uniforms when temperatures are still sporadic. To stave off a slight chill in the air — and look effortlessly chic — you can always simply drape a favorite jacket or blazer over your shoulders.
Don’t be afraid to dress up!
Whether you’re craving a full night of rooftops and dancing or opting for a happy hour and in-bed-by-nine kind of night, this fall, I encourage you not to shy away from getting DRESSED UP with your friends! After climbing out of an era of loungewear, I think it’s about time the pendulum swings in the other direction, and feeling fabulous can totally be a team sport.
Definitely wear white after Labor Day.
Whoever came up with the “no white after Labor Day” rule must have never had the pleasure of meeting a winter white suit. Take neutral to another level by mixing tones of the same color throughout the whole outfit.
As I previously mentioned, versatility is always top of mind for me! I had so much fun styling these great ivory trousers from e.Allen multiple ways. Suit separates are fabulous for professional settings and after-five events while pairing the trousers with more casual elements like t-shirts and relaxed sweaters — and yes, another great leather ball cap — transforms these pants for all kinds of occasions.
Monochrome is in.
Red is undoubtedly this fall’s trendiest color. It could be spotted boldly walking down many runways throughout the fashion weeks. Mary Kathryn goes all in here with a monochromatic red look from e.Allen, keeping the overall color story cohesive with pops of orange and deep brown booties.
Supporting a school or team? Think outside the box!
It wouldn’t be fall in the South without a fair share of ball games, tailgates, and parents’ weekends. I promise you — there are many other gameday apparel options than an oversized jersey or old t-shirt (not that there’s anything wrong with either of those)! You can still rep your home team colors while injecting your personal style. I love using the team’s color to inspire the overall look rather than feeling restricted to a single color scheme or logo.
I couldn’t resist putting our local French icon in this adorable “OUI” ball cap from Emerson Grace! If her team’s color is navy, she’s in perfect form for game day — no logo in sight.
Warm and cozy does NOT have to be dull and boring. Outerwear inherently feels heavy, so I love finding warm pieces in bright, light color palettes and fun textures, like this awesome green velvet puffer coat and impossibly soft lavender beanie from Oak Hall.
And, as always, stay true to your personal style!
Finally, allow me to briefly slap my “warning label” on all information surrounding trends right here: Not all trends are for everyone, and there should never be any pressure to adopt one into your own wardrobe. One of the beautiful things about fashion trends is that if you don’t resonate with any this season, there’s always a fresh batch right around the corner! Like clockwork, there are always new trends to consider, so please don’t ever feel the need to incorporate any you don’t love.
**********
Another huge thanks to our fabulous location and crew!
Photography: Mackenzie Ryan Photography
Location: Reunion Bar
Boutiques: Oak Hall + e.Allen + Emerson Grace
Makeup: Leslie Moore of The Cosmetic Market
Styling: Carson Love
Models: Mary Kathryn Hudson of Therapy Systems + Guenievre Milliner of Little Gourmand + Rachel Penn of Lillian’s Floral Studio
**********
Looking for more fall fashion inspiration? Be sure to check out our deep dive into trends that are BACK for fall 2023!
