I personally love outfit formulas. Getting dressed feels so much easier when I have a few reliable combinations to fall back on.
Ideally, I’d take it one step further and digitize my wardrobe into a spreadsheet or my Notes app—organized by season. I know that sounds absurd to the majority of people, but I’ve seen TikToks about this, and it always makes me feel less alone. The idea of logging everything means that on those days when you don’t know what to wear, you have outfits to choose from all in one place. It also feels like it saves me from pulling out a bunch of things from my closet or having to try a bunch of options on.
In the spirit of that, there’s one formula I always return to every fall: a sweater (often a turtleneck), a skirt, tights, knee-high boots, and a coat. I can’t think of a single time I’ve put it on and not felt good. It’s easy, timeless, and dependable.
Shop the Outfit Formula
Sweaters
Admittedly, my J.Crew Rollneck has been getting the most wear the past couple weeks. Beyond that, I tend to rewear my cashmere sweaters on repeat.
j.crew
2025 Rollneck Sweater
LOULOU DE SAISON
Bruzzi Oversize Wool & Cashmere Sweater
falconeri
Ultrasoft Cashmere Crewneck Sweater with Set-in Sleeves
Banana Republic
Cotton V-Neck Sweater
Gap
100% Cotton Oversized Sweater
j.crew
Perfect Cashmere Crewneck Sweater
Banana Republic
Lightweight Cashmere V-Neck Sweater
Skirts
It’s funny to see how my preferred skirt length changes with time. I was all about minis for years, then went full-length for the majority of last spring, and now I’m gravitating toward knee-lengths. There’s room for them all, but the latter feels particularly perfect this season.
Free People
All or Nothing Half Slip
Charlie Beads
The 90’s Bias Mini Skirt
Olga Joan
Bias Knee Skirt Pois Bianca
Tights
When it gets chilly, I wear 20- or 40-denier tights until the New York weather inevitably forces me to start wearing thermal ones. I’ve always felt most myself in a dress or skirt with tights, maybe from growing up dancing or my mom dressing me in them. Last year, I experimented with red and baby-blue tights; this season, I’m into the wild card micro-trend of argyle.
Swedish Stockings
Svea Premium Tights
Calzedonia
50 Denier Total Comfort Soft Touch Tights
MeMoi
Classic Large-Print Argyle Sweater Tights
Sheertex
Black Classic Sheer Rip-Resist Tights 4″ Waistband
Black Knee-High Boots
I was recently gifted the iconic Frye Campus Boots—the pair every girl I know in New York and L.A. seems to own. They’re the ideal durable boots for fall and winter. Another on my wish list are Vagabond’s Blanca Tall Boots.
Vagabond
Blanca Tall Boots
Tory Burch
Cap-Toe 55mm Leather Knee-High Boots
Carel Paris
40mm Starter Leather Boots
Coats
On warmer days, I throw this outfit on with a trench; when it’s colder, I reach for my Filippa Hägg wool coat. For a statement, I love the Florence by the British brand Josephine Jones.
Filippa Hägg
Oversized Coat
Peachy Den
The Cheri Trench
