how to style plaid for fall!

With the falling leaves and the chill in the air - plaid is a given for fall.   It's perfect for layering or dressing up or down…

Here I styled it up four ways for whatever fall event you have on tap these days.  I love the idea of dressing plaid up with black jeans and flats for a night out on the town - just add red lipstick to complete the look!  Are you heading out to the apple orchards or pumpkin patch this weekend? If so, pair a plaid top with shorts and moccasins for the perfect laid back fall look. If you are a mom on the go grab a plaid top, denim jacket and a pair of army green pants for a simple and stylish look.  Lastly, layer up your plaid top with a cardigan and pair it with ankle boots to cheer for your favorite football team.

get the looks:

plaid top

girls night out: black jeans (or less expensive), cream cross-body bag (or less expensive), black flats (or less expensive), blue earrings

fall weekend: shorts (or less expensive), moccasins, earrings, burgundy tote (or less expensive)

soccer mom: pants, denim jacket (or less expensive), sneakers (or less expensive), cream tote (or less expensive)

football game: cardigan (or less expensive), ankle boots (or less expensive), black tote, ring set (or less expensive), jeans (or less expensive)

or shop the pieces below...

my everyday style: the ultimate fall cardigan 3 ways with Modcloth!

When the calendar clicks over to September… my mind instantly goes to plaid and cozy sweaters with a little more plaid thrown in.  I just can't get enough of it this time of year… and granted the weather is still not getting the "fall" vibe so much, but when the temps drop I will be ready!

Today I am partnering with Modcloth to feature their new namesake label… we all know and love Modcloth and the amazing indie labels they carry and now they are adding their own Modcloth Label Collection to the mix!  Inspired the shoppers that love the brand and love the attention to detail and stand-out style that Modcloth is know for.

This snuggly plaid cardigan is going to be a fall staple in my wardrobe for sure.  Here I had some fun styling it up three different ways for early fall into early winter.  I love how the pop of red makes itself right at home in my neutral based wardrobe.  This cardigan will be perfect for fall and winter and definitely into the holidays as well.  See how I style it below and make sure to pop on over to Modcloth to check out their new private label… there is something for everyone there! (this sweater comes in white and black too!)

Layered with a tee and shorts is perfect for these late summer days where the mornings and evenings can be chilly…

(cardigan - ℅ Modcloth, sunglasses/similar, tee/similar, shorts/similar, sandals, bag)

Paired with a striped top and ankle boots this cardigan is perfect for crisp autumn days.

(cardigan - ℅ Modcloth, striped top, bag/similar, ankle boots/similar, jeans/similar)

Ready to get really cozy? Pair this cardigan with a chambray top and leggings for a chilly fall day!

(cardigan- ℅ Modcloth, sunglasses, earrings, necklace, chambray top/similar, leggings/similar, ankle boots - ℅ Modcloth, clutch/similar)

Shop my top picks from the new Modcloth Private Label here:

wear it now and later: boyfriend jeans!

I walked into my closet the other day totally, over the top, forget about it sick of summer shorts and found this pair of boyfriend/girlfriend jeans that I had completely forgotten that I owned.  Don't you love it when that happens?!? It seriously made my day.  Then I wore them for multiple days straight.

Yes, it's hot here.  And really, really humid. Like you walk outside and your whole outfit and body feels soaking wet instantly.  But the past few weeks have been heads-down-g.s.d. days so I am mostly in AC all day.  Otherwise jeans wouldn't be possible at all.  But this is the thing with where I am at with summer right now. My kids still don't start school for three weeks (kill me!) and I am swamped with work (I've got some super fun projects coming to the blog soon!) and fall sports are in full swing.  So we are at max capacity.  I'm over shorts. So I let myself wear jeans. I'm over being the camp counselor mom promising fun and action at every turn. So I let my kids run wild with the neighbors. My house is a disaster from neglecting it all summer. So I let it just go, or try to (I'm not good at letting this one go).  We've been traveling every weekend. So I let dinner planning go out the window, cereal anyone?

My point is that boyfriend jeans are just what I need right now… maybe you need them too? Maybe life is feeling a little upside down for you like it is me and these slouchy devil-may-care jeans are just up your alley right now too.  If so, I've got good news… you can wear them now and later.   These boyfriend jeans are perfect with a little lace top for hot days now… then layer them with plaid and a vest and some cute little boots this fall.  Voila!

wear it now: boyfriend jeans (or less expensive option), lace top (or less expensive option), wedges (or less expensive option), earrings, tote

wear it later: boyfriend jeans(or less expensive option), plaid shirt (or less expensive option), ankle boots (or less expensive option), fringe clutch (or I love this one!), vest (or less expensive option), earrings

obsessed with: red plaid!

For me a simple red plaid top or scarf wraps up the cozy and festive feelings of the winter and holiday season all into one.  Layering up with plaid is one of my favorite ways to dress in the winter.  Here I rounded up several plaid looks from the archives for inspiration on how to style your red plaid pieces this winter.

Shop a few of my favorite red plaid picks below!

my everyday style: flannel for the win!

I never was a super huge fan of flannel until this top came along (plaid, yes; flannel, meh)… but this is the softest and most flattering flannel I've ever laid eyes on or wore.  Yes, flattering! It's thin and the shirt is cut just right.  I seriously wear this top all the time! (I even wore in on Instagram yesterday, here! Also, seen here…)

For this outfit I layered it up with a cropped sweater - there are literally a million ways to wear this plaid flannel top and I plan on finding out all the variations! ;)

(photos by Jennifer Ketchum)

Details:

Sunglasses, Warby Parker

Coat, J.Crew (less expensive option)

Sweater, Banana Republic

Flannel Plaid, J.Crew (less expensive option)

Jeans, Gap (less expensive option)

Flats, Dolce Vita

Bag, Madewell (similar)

Or shop more options below…

my everyday style: it's plaid from here on out!

This is a fall outfit of favorites… these four pieces: leopard shoes, distressed jeans, plaid top and army jacket are probably four of my most worn pieces in my closet.  So combining the four of them into one whopper look is a win in my book.

On a personal note… today is my son's tenth birthday! It's so cliche but I feel like we just brought him home from the hospital to our tiny little first home in Eastown, Grand Rapids yesterday.  With all his teensie tiny baby blue clothes and huge swings and carseats and highchairs that filled our entire home.  Now he is turning into a little man that is thoughtful, athletic and a little (or a lot) crazy! His tenth year on this Earth also marks ten years since I became a mom.  It's crazy to think back how young and clueless I was, and in a lot of ways how simple life was back then.  They say little kids, little problems and I always thought that was silly.  But it's true.  Standing on the edge of the teens as a mom is somewhat scary… but also exhilarating.  Our family's sweet little past and our hopeful future is exciting  to think about. Someone's getting lots of extra hugs today… I'm sure he will just love it (wink!).  

(photos by Jennifer Ketchum)

Details:
Jacket, H&M (similar or similar less expensive)
Plaid Top, J.Crew (similar, similar or similar)
Jeans, Gap (similar or similar)
Shoes, Madewell (similar or similar less expensive)
Bag, J.Crew (similar or similar less expensive)
Necklace, Gorjana via Rocksbox (I'm totally hooked on Rocksbox! Check them out!)