As I sit here in the throes of a very humid NYC summer, I can’t help but dream about the cooler temperatures of a crisp fall day. We’re going to ignore the fact that I begged for warm weather throughout winter because it’s hard to live in the present when I’m always looking to the sartorial season ahead. Don’t blame me—blame my job (and the fact that my AC unit is on its last leg). But thankfully, we’re already seeing the release of fall collections, a signal that the change in season and a new batch of trends are near.
My mind is already spinning with all the fall looks I’m ready to style. I’m still on board with the “stealth wealth” aesthetic because the outfits require little effort to put together but result in very polished looks. The key pieces include luxe basics (such as the Khaite jeans below), pointed-toe slingbacks, and coordinating suit sets. No one accomplishes this vibe better than our associate director of special projects, Kristen Nichols, so I’ve tapped her to share three fall looks she’s shopping at Saks, including a chic desk-to-drinks ensemble and a pretty date-night outfit. Her looks prove that “less is more” is the only rule of thumb for fall dressing this year. Browse through the videos below and keep scrolling to see where Kristen would wear each look.
“What’s one of the pieces I’m most excited about for fall? Flats—specifically polished flats. We’ve been seeing pointed-toe slingbacks on the rise, and I predict they’ll be one of the most in-demand shoe styles this season. (Saint Laurent’s bow-adorned Anaïs flats are a standout.) The sweet shoes are perfect for a fall museum date when styled with jeans, a tank, and a tailored leather jacket. Denim is a core part of my wardrobe, and I have an ever-growing collection of jeans, but Khaite’s Danielle jeans (a style beloved by celebs) are the pair I reach for more than any others. I first ordered them for New York Fashion Week last year, and I own them in several shades, but I’ll be wearing this black pair throughout fall.” — Kristen Nichols, associate director of special projects
“If I’m heading out on a date night to the theater, I love to build my look around a great dress and heels. I usually gravitate toward pieces that have a timeless, year-round quality, which is what drew me to this dress from Helmut Lang. The elegant silhouette makes it the perfect LBD that will work for endless occasions while the open back adds a talking point that makes it stand out. It also hits on one of this year’s biggest trends since halter necks are a the major silhouette of the moment. I love adding a statement accessory to punch up the simplicity of this look, so I immediately added Gucci’s showstopping rhinestone-embellished kitten heels.” — Nichols
“Date night often falls after a day at the office, so I plan looks that can transition from a workday to a night out for cocktails. Toteme always nails perfect suiting that blends timeless silhouettes with modern design details. For fall, the brand launched a dove-grey pantsuit that immediately caught my eye. While I would wear this suit to the office with an easy pair of flats, Saint Laurent’s strappy, pointed-toe heels make it feel primed for an evening date. I’ve been eyeing the heels for months now and can confidently say they’re about to be a core part of my wardrobe. They’re the go-with-everything shoes my closet has been missing.” — Nichols
