I can hardly hide my excitement. Even though there’s still one month of summer left, fall finally seems close, and I’ve never been more excited to shop and put together outfits for the new season. While I love wearing dresses for a quick and easy look, there’s something about styling different jackets, pants, and long skirts that feels more polished.
With all this anticipation, I’ve been scrolling through my three favorite sites—H&M, Nordstrom, and Saks Fifth Avenue—bookmarking and adding expensive-looking finds to my digital cart. While I want to save these items for myself, I thought I’d be doing my fellow fashion lovers a disservice by gatekeeping them, so I decided to style these items, creating chic outfits to kick off pre-fall. I did the hard work for you—you’re welcome. Keep scrolling to shop the five outfits that will get you just as excited for the new season as I am.
Outfit 1
(Image credit: Nordstrom)
This elevated denim look can take you from the office to post-work drinks with friends. It features Nordstrom’s new single-breasted blazer that the entire Who What Wear fashion team is obsessing over, a simple white tee, dark-wash straight-leg jeans, and the tried-and-true Open Edit flip-flop kitten heels that we all can’t stop recommending—they’re that good.
Shop the look:
Nordstrom
Slim Fit Blazer
Nordstrom
Pima Cotton Blend Crewneck T-Shirt
Nordstrom
High Waist Straight Leg Jeans
Open Edit
Tori Kitten Heel Sandals
Outfit 2
(Image credit: H&M; Saks Fifth Avenue; Nordstrom)
The foundation of this outfit—the pleated skirt, short-sleeve knit, and cap-toe ballet flats—is simple yet elegant. However, layering a thin belt over the sweater like fashion people in Paris, London, and Milan are doing creates a modern look that feels very 2025. Trust me. Don’t overthink it. Just try this new styling trick and thank me later, especially when you start receiving all the compliments.
Shop the look:
Nordstrom
Pleated Midi Skirt
Saks Fifth Avenue
Cap-Toe Leather Ballet Flat
Outfit 3
(Image credit: H&M; Saks Fifth Avenue; Nordstrom)
Stop scrolling. I know the pedal pushers may look intimidating, but hear me out. If you style them with an oversize jacket, like H&M’s suede blazer, buttoned to the top and a shirt or no shirt underneath, it’s an easy and flattering way to try out the pant trend. Then add pointed-toe shoes, which will elongate your legs, and a textured bag that adds depth and interest to the overall look. I love this outfit so much that I will be wearing it during New York Fashion Week in September.
Shop the look:
Almina Concept
Jersey Pedal Pusher
Reformation
Sofia Suede Tote
Outfit 4
(Image credit: Nordstrom; Saks Fifth Avenue; H&M)
My 62-year-old mom asked me to put together an edit of expensive-looking fall pieces fitting for her age along with styling ideas. This is one of the outfits I created, and as a 29-year-old, I would wear this look too. Not only do I love the collarless blazer, but I also love the contrast of the black and brown accessories against the light-wash jeans and white jacket.
Shop the look:
Nordstrom
Collarless Twill Blazer
Nordstrom
High Waist Straight Leg Jeans
Aimee Kestenberg
Unity Large Hobo Shoulder Bag
Outfit 5
(Image credit: H&M; Nordstrom; Saks Fifth Avenue)
The trend of tying a silk scarf around one’s waist isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, so if you haven’t tried the look yet, give it a shot this fall. Pick any printed scarf and pair it with slim-fitting black trousers, a white tank top, and closed-toe kitten heels. In the end, you’ll have a look that takes just two minutes to style but looks like you hired a stylist.
Shop the look:
Theory
Slim Fit Stretch Wool Trousers
SILKSILKY
100% Mulberry Silk Scarf
SARTO by Franco Sarto
Ryan Square Toe Pumps
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