The fall dressing menu, 2025

Unsolicited outfit ideas to set the tone for the season

When you’re not specifically paying attention to the qualities of life that are pulling you, the clothes you put on can reveal how: overwhelmed or relaxed or creatively connected you are. They say you should write so you can know what you think. I believe getting dressed can help you know what you feel.

These days I crave an ascension. Something that will lift me up over the tasks that keep me so planted so that I can float above them not to escape them but so that for one moment, I can be separate from them.

I forget how essential the sensation of levity is to the creative process. How difficult it is to surrender to it when it feels like the duties (groceries, kids’ dentist appointments, a baby and her bowel movements) of this realm are pulling you down. So there’s a chasm that keeps coming through the clothes, some wrestle between fantasy and reality.

Jacques Wei tiger print bodysuit, Khaite belt, Aflalo brown jeans, Liberowe fringe jacket, Bottega boots (old, from TRR)

Delia Wade jacket (great as a dress too), Doen ruffle cardigan, Aflalo surf pants, The Row thongz

A sensation that sits somewhere between pissed off and grateful, infuriated and in love. There is weight, it is light. I am both here and there.

But there are aesthetic shifts, marked by changing trends (and the season) contributing to the tension too. And what I can tell you as far as getting dressed, shopping and the season ahead is that:

• Suede feels more relevant than ever. Jackets, shirts, shoes, sometimes pants. It’s like denim, or a graphic tee in that it’s a breakthrough point that creates a component of laidback relatability within whatever outfit it hits,

  

  Toteme coat, Alex Eagle tank (the collab with J. Crew is so good), Giuliva Heritage pants, Louboutin navy loafers (we went over this in the loafer breakdown, but these/these are your best alt bet)

  and in particular, suede makes wool (trousers, sweaters) less dull, more color less impossible-feeling.

• To this point, I rarely want to wear basic jeans anymore. Exposed zippers, lace up flies, any sort of novelty is still fair game, but my tried and trues make me feel like I’ve given up. Lest I’m acting like it’s the early 2000’s and they’re paired with pumps and are long enough to make me look like I’m 8 feet tall —

  

  By Malene Birger henley bodysuit, Aflalo ‘Miller’ jeans (styled fall 1 and 2, lmk what you think!), Tory Burch pumps (I like these w the same look too), Jujuvera collar and dangling shell necklace; love the idea of the fish with the gold collar too

Or, alternatively, lest they’re bootcut —

Dries van Noten sweater that is dynamic enough to warrant solo wearing with simple jeans. The vibe is very Phoebe Buffet. Aflalo jeans, The Row thong heels, which are so impractical seeming (these make more sense given the season) but I can’t wait to wear them with sheer black tights and cropped pants/a sleeveless turtleneck.

I’m craving new bottom shapes. I keep visioning this lightweight low rise skirt that swings (kind of like this, or from J. Crew like this). I want to style it with a sturdy leather belt. It’s knee-length give or take an inch in either direction. Not maxi unless it’s this skirt.

Skirt styled with a sturdy belt, and a silk button down.

The other thing is feminine coats. Feminine coats styled with shoes or boots that have a goofy toe. Round and bulbous but not so huge, just not too refined either. These from The Row (as a reference point more than anything else), or for the more feminine pass, these from Dries are the Michelin standard of what I mean —

It’s the Jacques Wei tiger print bodysuit again, styled with Tory’s croc skirt and a By Malene Birger cape. Dries van Noten shoes; they come higher heel like this, wedge like this, or slingback like this too.

But as far as full vibe goes, this is the photo that sets the tone for the season.

Aflalo lightweight turtleneck knit (burgundy) and ribbed tank (grey), a similar skirt (shape) is this or this, Khaite’s jersey is a nice reference for fabric tho, Bernadette satin pumps (think they’re almost gone, look at these or these as an alt. This is the Prada portmanteau).

And our season of pearls is upon us. These r from an upcoming collection ~by me~ but I have long referenced this triple strand from Vivienne Westwood for FUN!

It’s got elegance thanks to the jewelry (LMC pearls are coming soon) and shoes, it’s trendy because of the layers, and a little bit makeshift and freaky thanks to the slightly sheer skirt, rolled over to fit low rise and slim. Inspired by The Row’s most recent homage to Armani. You could make the same look happen with a classic slip dress styled under a fitted, lightweight sweater. (Here’s the jewelry to pair with it.)

Diff diff, but same vibe. With a vintage Armani jacket, Arma’s suede shirt jacket and a white crew neck tee underneath plus a pair of balloon pants from By Malene Birger (Rohe makes a worthwhile, similar pair, or these from All Three are cut to make everyone look like a supermodel).

Khaite sunglasses (they’re finally on sale), Sophie Bille Brahe earrings, Savette bag

As far as color schemes, I’m towing the line somewhere between a sort of Rick Owens-y palette (as evidenced above), with muddy taupes and greys, and classic Ralph Lauren pairings like a rich navy and caramel brown.

Gwyn peacoat (this new arrival is a real cutie), Serena Bute polo, Aflalo jeans (low rise and boot cut and feeling just right), Marsell boots

The jewelry’s the breakthrough point. Jacques Marie Mage sunglasses, Lauren Rubinski red, yellow and green beads, Marisa Klass longer bead strand and a Jenna Blake ‘L’ pendant. The material on this polo is very flattering

Camel jacket here (and I love this peacoat), silk shirt here, Argent pants, Khaite boots; really like these ones (to my point about bulbous toes) too

What’s odd is that I don’t like grey. But lately, it feels just right. This must indicate some kind of fashion-trend progression that my stored preferences haven’t caught up to yet.

Arma jacket, Indress shirt, and I think velvet could be a good swap in for lurex when it gets colder. This from Jil is cut in such a dreamy shape. Plus: Aflalo’s surf pants have arrived!!!! Earrings here.

But what I can tell you is that I keep blending it with pastel colors like yellow and pink (I think it’s a sympton of the new Calvin effect) —

Arma jacket (for something longer, this on Vestiaire is interesting me), Flore Flore t-shirt, Ralph Lauren belt, Smythe pink trousers (they have a matching tunic and I can’t look away from this perfect sweater—), The Row’s Tyler booties (these from Toteme might be the winter equiv), Cordera bag and Khaite sunglasses

Sometimes the accessories are the whole outfit. In these instances, I often indulge my urge to add. one. more. thing.

This outfit may be the post’s piece de resistance. I’ve worn a version of it like 5 times since shooting, with Rescha’s raw silk buttonless shirt styled over the same Indress lurex shirt (here’s a similar one from Rosie), All Three white pants, good big boots for you here.

Lurex (lamé?) is the new poplin!!! I’m going with it. Miu Miu sunglasses. Here is the necklace.

The suede, meanwhile, is inclining me towards these lurex-y shirts that flow seamlessly.

Not quite lurex, but close. New Arrivals halter top, Toteme shirt (moody alt), Aflalo pants

By Malene Birger coat, Indress shirt, Giuliva Heritage pants, Ancient Greek Sandals slippers

Toteme coat, Rosie Assoulin top from TRR. Here is another one; this makes a good case too; this one is prob the most available, plus a jacket if you’re craving fancy — which reminds me to direct you towards Aflalo’s pass . I do also love this vest tho. Here are your jeans (but these trousers are worth consideration) and if you search ‘Bottega Veneta chelsea boots’ on TRR, you’ll find droves of these.

I mentioned big shoes earlier. It seems premature to want to wear massive boots already and yet —

Felt like the ecstasy the whole time I was in this one. Gwyn peacoat, Nili Lotan white top (I am rly craving a silk tuxedo shirt), Venroy shorts, Bottega boots (I’m so intrigued by these), Cordera bag, Miu Miu Sunglasses, Sophie Bille Brahe pearl earrings and here’s a long strand for your neck.

Christopher Esber sunglasses, Khaite top (old, but in dif colors, you can find on TRR) and The Row’s gala pants, also old. (The shape on these from Leset is nice; lightweight. Fluid pants with heavy boots are feeling great right now)

Here’s a portmanteau of the above two looks with the Gwyn peacoat, Versace top (not no!), Venroy shorts (a non-skort alt) and Bottega boots, plus a lip gloss fallen behind me. Are these our next black sunglasses to try?

For as much as I crave the fly away, I’m consciously choosing the weight. There’s a metaphor in there for me somewhere. But I still dip back out —

While we’re baring midriff, here I am in a Chloe crop top I bought on The Real Real; feel like this from Camille Rowe'/Ref collab is the right alt, with a Veronica de Piante jacket (I got this and this and this for you in its place; first one is my pick), Callas’ ‘Jules’ pants in green, and The Row’s ‘Tyler’ loafer. The bag is Dries! You can alternatively go for the tassels.

But if you prefer to conceal your naval, I offer this Armani jacket from TRR (I may go for the vest!) + an elaborate stack of bracelets w the same pants as two looks ago. Search collarless jackets across Armani and St. John or Oscar on The Real Real and don’t refine the sizing to your own. If it looks okay on the mannequin is an indication it’ll prob work on you. Sometimes they’re better big

Lieberowe dress (this is the top version. Wait until you see the jacket), Co sock boots (see also: these), Jacques Marie Mage sunglasses; these are much more reasonable.

Soeur henley, Khaite belt, All Three pants, The Row suede moccassins

Until I return, which I always do.

Hi Jojo. Rohe blue jacket, All Three white tank (shape of this cashmere tank is pretty sim), Argent red trousers (the same ones I always wear, now colored), Rosetta Getty clogs (still thinking about these; also love these)

Same jacket with a Ysso bangle styled over the sleeve on my upper arm (maybe this one next), with Callas ‘Lola’ trousers (basically the Jules, but higher waist, cropped and flare. So maybe not the same at all), Partlow cowboy boots.

One more time! With Aflalo’s burgundy tissue turtleneck (there’s a subtle shoulder pad, you don’t want to sleep on it) and Marisa Klass’ garnet beads. Like a chilled red wine. The sunglasses are Blenders

And that’s how its going these days.

Here in a white shorts suit (Dice Kayek — great Turkish brands but I think tariffs are making the prices cookoo bananas; these shorts from Veronica de Pinate are really good, would pair with tunic?), Soeur sunglasses, The Row’s ‘Emi’ clogs (I like them better with socks. These from Massimo Dutti are good too, but if you’d prefer these as an alt, I’m on board with that), J. Crew fisherman knit wrapped around my waist and the twinkle of an earring from my Aflalo collab at upper right

Still my favorite jumpsuit of all time (DVF), styled with a Giuliva Heritage shirt jacket and Christian Louboutin loafers. The bag is Khaite, the necklace is Nackiye

I’m ready for arm parties to come back

How are you thinking about getting dressed?

Signing off yours,

Leandra