Fall Wishlist: Part VI

3. Sturdy chic shoes

After months of strappy heels and delicate sandals, there's something nice about a big chunky shoe to help ground your fall looks. I like something that's a little tough, a little nerdy, and a little airy. A kind of boot/shoe/sandal hybrid, like this:

DKNY Rayna Monk Strap Ankle Boot -- a tough little biker chic boot, perfect with pants and dresses. The heel height (and little toe platform) make them really walkable.

3.1 Phillip Lim 'Claridge' Bootie -- these are an investment piece for sure. I love the pretty feminine twists on a menswear inspired boot -- the stacked wooden heel and lattice work detail are great touches.

Thakoon Bassy Clog Sandal -- I may have mentioned these one or twenty times. They are perfect and would be in my closet except for the height. At almost 5'9", I really don't need to be tottering around on a 5" platform. Could I bring them to Home Depot and have someone saw a couple of inches off?

M. Gemi Urbano -- I haven't seen any M. Gemi shoes in person but I've heard good things, and this chic bootie seems worth a shot.

All of my guy friends are obsessed with fantasy football right now, but I like thinking of my blog as my fantasy fashion league. Let's pretend those gorgeous Thakoon sandals were sitting in my closet...

I could put together a million office-ready outfits around these shoes. They're perfect with your favorite polished separates -- I like to mix in some of my favorite warm weather pieces, like this pale pink blazer, to lighten up fall looks . They're also great party shoes. You could also bundle these up a for a great nighttime look later in the year -- add tights, a full skirt, and a fitted velvet blazer and you're party-ready. And very, very tall.

4. Cozy Weekend Top

I live for fall weekends -- they're always a great mix of running around outside enjoying the cool temps and fresh air and hunkering down inside for good eats, good books, and football. You'll need a few cozy tops that will let you partake in all of those activities -- here are some good ones:

Banana Republic Colorblock Jacquard Sweatshirt -- this sweatshirt has a very cool texture, I'm dying to see it in person.

J. Crew Factory Intarsia Wraparound Dachshund Sweater -- totally adorable, particularly if you have a doxie in your life. This sold out quickly online but sizes pop up every so often -- check for it in your local store, too.

Alexa Chung for AG Scarlet Cotton Sweater -- simple and perfect.

Loft Lou and Grey Mixup Cardigan -- I bought something similar at Forever 21 last year and I adore it. Very cozy and relaxed, you can throw it on over just about everything.

There are plenty of ways to wear a comfy, cozy top without looking sloppy. My test is always asking myself "what if I ran into Tim Gunn in this outfit?" before leaving the house (that made a bit more sense when I lived in New York, but you get the drift):

For the laziest of days, you can wear a cozy sweatshirt with some leggings and cute sneakers -- just make sure the sweatshirt fits really well and your leggings are nice and thick. This is perfect for spending the afternoon at home, and maybe making a quick run to the store for more snacks. When you need to bundle up for a football game or some pumpkin picking, swap the leggings for toothpick jeans and add a peacoat and boots. Tim would approve.

Three Ways: Cashmere Cardigan

Current status: daydreaming about fall 

Even though I may not be partaking in the usual fall shopping frenzy (at least right away), I love seeing what's hitting the stores and I'm putting together a little series of posts with the must-haves on my fall shopping list.  Nothing says fall more than a cozy cashmere sweater, and Uniqlo does affordable cashmere well. I'm really digging this pretty Elsa-esque blue color -- it's unexpected for fall (and would easily transition into winter and spring), and it's the kind of shade that's almost universally flattering.

Late Night Ice Cream Run:

Last night we enjoyed a rare treat in Central Florida: a clear, cool evening. Now that summer is starting to wind down, you may find yourself needing an extra layer once the sun goes down. Throw on your new cardigan over a cute tee and relaxed shorts for a late evening stroll (preferably right over to the ice cream shop). I don't always like to drag my purse everywhere, so a cute wallet is perfect here. And I love the combo of bright pink with bright blue -- these sandals are almost sold out, but you should absolutely grab them if your size is still in stock.

Best in Cubicle:

Some days, you just want everyone to take notice. These wide-leg red pants are very bold and super awesome. Pairing two bold primary colors might feel a little Kindergarten-esque, but a patterned blouse in a softer color palette is the bridge to a sophisticated and very grown-up look. I'd stick with accessories that are simple but not at all boring: a chic, sturdy shoe, gold studs, a totally practical gray satchel, and my favorite chunky gold watch with a black dial.

Gallery Hopping:

This funky librarian look is perfect for low-key evening plans -- checking out your friend's show at the local art gallery, perhaps. This printed shift dress is so timeless (a great little wardrobe workhorse) though perhaps a bit short for a tall girl, so I'd wear with tights to avoid endless fidgeting. This peacock colored necklace is really pretty and different. A cute mini satchel backpack is a fun twist on a classic style. And finally, my beloved chunky sandals would be just darling here.

Wednesday Wishlist: Clunky But Cute

Growing up, my best friend's mom was a fun, free-spirited hippy mama. She did things differently than other moms, and that included wearing her favorite chunky clogs in all seasons. These were authentic Swedish clogs, and they were hideous but fabulous. I didn't have the vocabulary then, but they had that amazing jolie laide quality that lots of the most memorable fashion trends possess.

Chunky, clunky clogs are perfect for summer -- a good pair is comfortable enough to walk in for miles and provides a nice contrast to your light and airy warm-weather wardrobe.
clockwise from l to r:

Topshop Lauren Cross-Stitch Clogs ($80) -- this pale tan leather will read as nude on a lot of skin tones, which will give you a nice leg-lengthening effect. With a nice platform, these seem really walk-friendly.

Old Navy Women's Criss Cross Clogs ($26) -- a really affordable way to add a fun summer shoe to your wardrobe. I wouldn't expect these to be the most comfortable shoes ever, but the bright red color is fun.

Thakoon Addition Bassy Clog Sandals ($475) -- of course, my favorite pair is the most expensive. Sigh. I love these with my favorite black romper, or maybe a sleek little mini dress at night.

Zara Leather Studded Clogs ($99) -- a nod to those classic studded clogs that our moms wore in the 70s.

Swedish Sandal Clogs by Hannah ($62) -- practical but fun. The gold metallic leather keeps things from getting dowdy.

Swedish Hasbeens Braided Skyhigh Clogs ($90+) -- you'll see Swedish Hasbeens everywhere in NYC in the summer, I really like the braided detail of this pair, perfect for showing off your summer pedicure.

Anthropologie Gee Wawa Paige Clogs ($168) -- here's a slightly dressier option that would be great for outdoor weddings, graduation ceremonies, vacation date nights, etc. The sky blue color would be so pretty with a soft pink dress, right?