I’m breaking down your fall essentials over the next few weeks, and this post is going to include all the tops you need for this season. I’ve included my favorite button downs, lightweight sweaters, blouses, tees, turtlenecks, and sweatshirts.
For me, tops are usually the first thing I choose when I’m picking out my outfit. I have way more tops than any other piece of clothing in my closet so this post will be the longest of my fall essentials series. Next up, I’ll be sharing my favorite bottoms, outerwear, shoes, and accessories for fall.
Fall Essentials: Tops
Button Downs
I used to think button downs were too preppy for me, but I’ve since changed my mind. I think that it’s all in how you style them. I like to leave the top 2-3 buttons undone, apply some fashion tape to open up the neckline and expose a little décolletage, and also roll the sleeves. My favorite button downs include this color blocked one from Darling, these relaxed oxfords from Everlane, and these high quality classic fitting button downs from Sézane. For a more oversized option and one that you could wear untucked, the Max Shirt from Sézane has the perfect fit, and these oversized lightweight poplin shirts from Madewell are a thinner material and nice for warmer climates.
Sweaters
As the weather cools, you’ll need some lightweight sweaters and cardigans. I like having one to wear in the morning that I can take off and throw over my shoulders in the afternoon when the weather warms up. My favorites include this alpaca crewneck sweater from Everlane, this oversized cashmere cardigan from Quince, this chic cardigan sweater from Sézane and this casual striped henley cotton sweater also from Sézane. I also just purchased this beautiful black knit with buttons on the sleeves that I would recommend as well.
Blouses
I consider a blouse to be a dressier shirt option that isn’t a tee (so technical, right?) I like having at least one blouse for each season to pair with jeans. If you have to dress business casual for work, you could pair yours with trousers or pants. Some of my favorites include this modern collared shirt from Darling which I included in my fall capsule wardrobe. I also own this affordable silk blouse from Quince and this Chlo Shirt from Sézane which is a dream. Both of these come in a ton of color choices. I’m also linking some new blouses for fall that caught my eye below.
Tees
A functional wardrobe is built on good quality tees. I have three brands of tees that I wear. First, and the most affordable, is the Everlane Box Cut Tee. I recommend sizing up one or two sizes for a more drapey fit. Next up is the Sézane Conrad T-Shirt. While I own this tee in three different sizes, I think I like the fit of one size up the most. Lastly, is the ABLE Maria Boxy Tee which is a more heavyweight cotton tee that I like wearing when I’m not layering up.
Turtlenecks
Turtlenecks are another staple I find myself reaching for when the weather gets chillier. I own a couple from J.Crew, one of which is their tissue turtleneck. It’s super lightweight and good for transitional weather. FYI, the lighter color options are a bit transparent. The other place to shop for turtlenecks is Everlane. I own this ribbed version in gray, but I also think this cotton one is another good option.
Sweatshirts
My mom uniform is a sweatshirt, jeans, and sneakers, and that is what you’ll find me wearing most weekends. I absolutely adore this cream graphic sweatshirt and this hooded one from Sézane, but I know they are pretty pricey. While they won’t last you as long, I’ve also purchased several sweatshirts from H&M, and I’m linking some of their current options below. I like styling my sweatshirts with more elevated pieces like my trench coat.
To see how I’m stying my favorite tops, check out the Daily Looks page of my blog where I share all my real life outfits.
