It’s a chilling 58 degrees in Pennsylvania this week and, even with the promise of a few more days, I can’t help feeling like it’s time to pull out my Gilmore Girl fall aesthetic clothing and start rocking my booties. Honestly, today’s the first day it has truly felt like fall–it was cold and rainy and I had only TWO cups of tea today, which should be some kind of personal inkling that our good friend Autumn has arrived.
While the leaves have yet to change (and with the lack of rain in PA this summer, the colors in our fall foliage seem questionable this year), I definitely think that the season is upon us and it’s only a matter of time until the weather starts getting even colder.
So, what does this mean? For me, it’s trading in my #hotgirlwalk sneaks for cozy booties, a venti cup of my favorite peppermint Starbucks tea, and fantasy novels (and thrillers!) to my heart’s content. It also means putting all of my summer shorts in their sealed plastic tote, to be stored until the warmer months return in spring.
While I’ve slowly started the process of switching out my summer clothes in favor of sweaters, I’m finding that I have very few options this year–I’m not sure if I’ve just gotten tired of my fall clothes (since styles are definitely changing for millennials) or maybe nothing is just sparking my interest this year. What I really want? To look like a character from one of my favorite books. So, here’s a few autumn-inspired outfits that scream “go read a book.” I’ll definitely be picking up a few of these for myself this year!
Outlander-Inspired Garb for Your Favorite Ren Faire
Fall is the ULTIMATE time for Ren-faires, where you can live out your Outlander meets House of The Dragon themed fantasies, talk in lingo only bookish friends will understand, and enjoy a mutton leg down by the jousting ring. Honestly, if there are any trends for fall aesthetic clothing, Ren-faire is the first thing that I think of!
I’m loving this combo for fall. This vintage-inspired yellow dress reminds me of fall mums, and it would be entirely re-usable for other outfits throughout the season–pair it with an oversized band t-shirt and you can wear this one to the bookstore on the weekends, too!
For our Ren-faire inspired look, I paired this dress with a cute wicker bag (also super versatile), and this inexpensive cognac corset that matches the strap on the bag. I’d wear these combat-inspired ankle booties with the look, which will keep your feet warm and comfy, and will look great with jeans for a more casual look, too.
Adventure In A Pumpkin Patch…With A Book!
This outfit is giving me major Taylor Swift Evermore vibes—I’m thinking a good book, a corn maze, pumpkin picking, and warm drink with some pumpkin spice (or apple!). I’m loving these Levi 501 Crop Jeans lately. They are the perfect length for days that are still warm, but too cold to get away with shorts. And, they go great with this black crop top, which can be layered with a soft, warm fleece once the sun goes down.
I love these lug sole Chelsea boots for this look–they are so versatile and they are literally the most comfortable pair of boots I own. I have the beige color from last fall, but I will definitely be picking up a pair of the black ones for this year.
Finish off the look with a copy of your favorite classic novel–I’m loving this very fall-inspired cover of Frankenstein, which is one of my favorite books to read every fall, and you’ll be living out your closet’s fall aesthetic clothing dreams.
WWRGW (What Would Rory Gilmore Wear?)
This outfit aesthetic is giving me MAJOR Gilmore-Girls-The-Reboot vibes. If our favorite girl, Rory was living in 2022, living out her high-end journalist dreams, she’d definitely be wearing this outfit. I’m loving the monochromatic look here–this preppy sweater screams ivy league, but matched with this black silk skirt, the change in textures softens the look.
I went all out with the accessories on this one, starting with this incredible pair of square-toed Western Boots with a chunky heel. Western boots are really in this season and this nude pair will match with a lot of outfits, whether you want to dress it up or down.
I’m also loving this CLASSIC two-toned satchel handbag that is the perfect size for a book, plus all your other essentials. Paired with this cute wool panama hat and a square tortoise-shell claw clip (which are totally coming back), this outfit screams Rory Gilmore’s leveled up.
Read on a Porch Swing While Reciting Tennyson (or reading Sherlock Holmes)
Is it really fall if you can’t read outside and enjoy the warm weather, then hop in your car and visit some antique bookshops? (answer: definitely not)
I’m absolutely loving the cottage core look for fall this year. It’s very bohemian meets forest fairy and I’m here for it. This outfit features a lot of reds and browns, which I think are going to be VERY in this season. Plus, it will photograph wonderfully with the changing leaves, wherever you might find yourself this autumn.
This look features a simple white linen button down that’s elevated with this rust-colored high waisted midi skirt. The outfit wouldn’t scream fall without layers, so I’ve paired this look with a chunky neutral sweater. For accessories, I think a pair of rounded glasses and some boho dangly earrings make this look stand out.
This look isn’t complete without a bookish touch, so I pulled in this adorable Sherlock Holmes themed book-bag which exceeds all my funky purse pun expectations, and comes in a TON of cute prints (so you can find an adaptation of your favorite classic). Fill it up with your classic essentials, or fit your current book inside! I am really loving Mary McMyne’s The Book of Gothel for fall this year. It’s a fun fantasy that reads like a classic fairy-tale, but with action, adventure, and witches! You can read my full review of that book here.
What fall aesthetic clothing are you wearing this autumn? Which of these outfits are your favorite? Leave a comment below and let me know which one you would pick!