1. All shades of purplePop all of your staples with purple! No matter the shade (orchid, violet, heliotrope, mulberry or Jimi Hendrix-adored psychedelic purple), this hue will surely bring your look up to date. A purple blouse (worn with gray voluminous wide-leg trousers), a purple pointy-toe pump (pair them with your skinniest jeans and a structured blazer) or an oversized satchel (that can hold everything from books to blush) are affordable buys that won’t break the bank.
2. Pencil skirt (below the knee)Designers brought back ladylike grace, glamour and elegance to fashion this fall with the below-the-knee pencil skirts that dominated the runways. The demure length is subtly offset by their figure-hugging shape-and ideal mix for the stylish college gal on the go.
3. Statement necklaceAccessories are the quickest and easiest way to infuse upgrade your look, and with this season’s crop of statement pendants, chains and beads, it will be hard to stop after buying one. With these, less is more: Ground the energy the eye-catching necklaces exude by styling them with simple t-shirts and dark denim-allow them to serve as your outfit’s showstopper.
4. Ankle bootsFall’s ankle boots are the key to opening a door of countless options to mix and match your go-to items you’ve worn season after season. Case in point: a sexy peep-toe ankle boot paired with the aforementioned pencil skirt and a solid turtleneck commands attention in a fun, unstuffy way. Or grab one of your summer dresses, layer it over a pair of opaque tights and slip into your soon-to-be favorite shoe of the season. Just because I stopped at two combos doesn’t mean you have to-see how many looks you can develop with this versatile piece of footwear.
5. Durable denimThere are so many cuts of denim on the market: The cuffed, boyfriend jean, the universally-flattering dark straight-leg jean, or the trendy wide-leg trouser jean. But jeans aren’t the only article designers used denim for their fall collections. Denim jackets, shirts, handbags and even shoes have made an appearance this season.