You walk through the Ayala gates and notice that the weather is below 75°, that the leaves are starting to turn red and orange, and that the air becomes filled with apples and cinnamon. You realize it’s that time of year, autumn. You drop the shorts and t-shirts and hop into something more cozy, something fit for fall. Here is your guide to becoming fashionably fall this year.

Fashion is personable

The first thing everyone tells you is to find your own style. Though this may seem frustrating at first because you just want answers, fashion truly is subjective. That is why there are so many different styles, aesthetics, and “-core”. They’re all derived from people wanting to find their own style, so they mix and match different pieces of clothing and accessories until they find the ones that they like the most or feel the most comfortable in.

Some aesthetics and styles for fall specifically, are cottagecore, downtown, grunge, or even indie. Each of these style categories, and a million more, carry their own staple clothing. For example, cottagecore would be more subject to cardigans, indie would have turtlenecks, while downtown and grunge have the leather jacket.

Each style is perfect in each way, and the key to finding that perfect style fit for each person is to try new things and experiment.

“I feel like all the fall fashion choices look good, and there’s no fall trend I think can be bad in fall,” Kayla Huizar (11) said.

Fall fashion necessities

There are many different styles that work perfectly for fall, but when one thinks of autumn outfits, they think of the necessities. These could be the classic Uggs, where their soft tan color goes with many textures and colors, or the more grunge-y Doc Martens, perfect for leveling up style and class.

“I personally love fall fashion, it’s one of the most versatile times to be creative with your outfits,” Huizar said. “My favorite element of fall fashion would be Doc Martens, even though I wear them year round, fall is when everyone starts wearing them out.”

Or perhaps you want something warm to wear for going to the pumpkin patch in the afternoon. Cardigans and knit sweaters are some of the most timeless pieces that can be worn. Just look at Rory Gilmore from “Gilmore Girls,” her long, white, knitted sweater and jeans combo have become a staple for many teen girls everywhere. Colors can range from white, ivory, sage green, brown, orange, or just any autumn color palette.

Along with these necessities, are the accessories. An outfit isn’t complete without accessorizing, whether that be jewelry, bags, sunglasses, hats, outerwear, it can really accentuate and elevate the outfit.

“I would say just to put on a plain hoodie or sweater with baggy jeans and some basic shoes and accessorize to make it more personalized and stylish,” Alicia Tse (12) said.

Balancing between style and comfort

To be stylish or to be comfortable? Why not both? Autumn is the perfect time to maximize on both of these as the weather cools down. 

Autumn is coined “sweater weather” for a reason, because sweaters come in a myriad of designs, and textures, which both allow one to be comfy and be stylish. The soft wool material makes one feel like they’ve just wrapped a blanket around themselves, and who wouldn’t love that feeling?

Clothes are meant to be mixed and matched, and a simple one-to-one ratio may not provide enough comfort from the weather. Which is why layering is so important. Whether that be different textures, colors, or accessories, layering is essential for both the style and the comfort.

“Layering doesn’t hurt unless the colors clash and it’s so, so easy,” Anaya Widjaja (12) said. “Throw on a simple hoodie and over sized t-shirt with baggy pants, and you got cute street wear for fall. Or if you want more cutesy, just get a simple cardigan, collared shirt, and jeans. All of these are very easy and so comfy, but you look stylish while wearing them.”

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Finding your style, especially in the midst of these “-ber” months is a journey like no else, a journey that results in a unique taste of style. Fashion in fall is a time where everyone wants to be comfy and cute, and being fashionably fall isn’t just a matter of physical appearance, it’s a matter of mindset.