.png)
My Essentials for Fall: Wardrobe Staples for Women Over 40
- Anne Marie aka Baldgirlwilltravel
- 15 hours ago
- 5 min read
When the weather starts to cool, I always go back to my tried-and-true staples. For me, fall style is about looking polished without stress — and always staying comfortable. At 55, I’ve learned that if it doesn’t feel good on my body, I’m not wearing it.
In this post, I’m sharing the 10 wardrobe essentials I reach for every fall, with styling tips you can use whether you already own these pieces or are thinking about adding them to your closet.
Why Comfort + Style Go Together After 40
Here’s the truth: you don’t have to be uncomfortable to look stylish. You also don’t have to live in sweatpants or frumpy dresses just to be comfortable. You can absolutely have both.
At this stage of life, my style is built around three principles:
Ease: pieces that mix and match effortlessly
Comfort: fabrics and fits I can wear all day
Polish: just enough structure to look smart when I step out
Whether I’m going to brunch, grocery shopping, date night, or karaoke, these essentials keep me ready without overthinking.
🌟 My Essentials for Fall
1. Blazers
Blazers add instant polish. This season, you’ll catch me in my Black Zara Basic Blazer, and my Sam Edelman brown houndstooth plaid jacket (not available). They give structure without bulk and work perfectly with denim, dresses, or wide-leg pants.
2. Button-Down Shirt
A white burgundy and navy button-downs are timeless. Tuck it into denim, wear it open over a tank, or layer under a blazer — you’ll always look intentional. Here are some favorite button downs I love right now.
Zara Oversized Poplin Button Down Shirt (Burgundy)
3. Tank T-Shirts
Believe it or not, tanks are the foundation of my wardrobe. I stock up in black, brown, navy, red, and olive green. They’re perfect for layering under blazers, button-downs, or cardigans.
4. Statement Jewelry
Jewelry tells my story. I’ve had a layered necklace from Amazon for years, and it still shines. Then I add my favorite tear drop earrings (also found on Amazon) my favorite rings (sourced on my travels) and Voila a regular look is elevated! My favorite statement pieces right now are:
5. Boots (Ankle + Knee-High)
From cobblestone streets to chilly nights, boots are my fall must-have. I rotate between ankle boots for everyday and tall boots for drama. My Prada Monolith Chelsea boots and Michael Kors Cosmo croc-embossed boots are always in the mix.
💡 Travel pro tip: always wear your heaviest boots on travel days — it saves luggage space and weight.
6. Cardigans
Cardigans are the ultimate layering piece. My favorites are from J.Crew Factory (I always snag one during Black Friday sales). Wear them over tanks, tuck into denim with a statement belt, or layer under jackets when it gets colder.
My favorite cardigan is from J Crew Factory and here are my favorite colors right now:
Black
Red
Heather Green
Emerald Green
Navy Blue
Hot Pink
Periwinkle
7. Statement Jacket
When a blazer isn’t enough, I reach for a statement jacket. My go-tos:
A lightweight trench for cooler nights
A Denim Moto Jacket
A chocolate brown suede jacket (bonus: chocolate is trending this year)
A wool-blend jacket with gold buttons I scored from Zara (no longer available)
Items I really like right now:
8. Statement Denim + Everyday Jeans
Denim is the cheat code. I keep everyday classics in rotation alongside statement denim like python print, embellished jeans, and wide-leg leopard print. Right now, I’m especially into wide-leg silhouettes.
My favorite denim jeans right now:
9. Accessories
Accessories can transform a look. I personally love a statement belt with bold hardware.
My favorite belts right now are:
Pro Style Tip: match metals — silver buckles with silver jewelry, gold with gold.
10. Statement Handbag
A standout handbag bag finishes any outfit. This fall, I’ll be carrying:
Coach Rogue Fur Patchwork
Marc Jacobs Stam
Please note my Coach Rogue Fur Patchwork mixes black, brown, and beige and works with everything. This exact model sold out long ago and is only available occasionally on resale sites like eBay, but Coach continues to release new Rogue styles worth exploring at Coach.com.
My Marc Jacobs Stam is a pre-loved turquoise blue bag with gold studs I found for under $400 (even though it retailed for over $1,000).
Handmade Love, Cortnie bags — A Black woman–owned brand I’ve supported and collected for years. You can check out her full collection at LoveCortnie.com and follow her on Instagram @lovecortnie.
The point is: your statement bag doesn’t need to be designer or expensive. It just needs to stand out and make you feel fabulous.
Ready to Shop?
Now that you have the ultimate list of closet staples, it’s time to fill in the gaps in your wardrobe! I’ve linked all my top picks in my LTK shop, so you can grab the exact pieces I recommend.
Ready to refine your wardrobe for fall? I’d love to help you curate a closet that feels stylish and effortless.
Book a private styling session with me HERE
And don’t forget—subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch my closet staples series and see my top picks for all of these essentials!
Because style has no expiration date, and neither does your confidence.
✈️ Want to Travel in Style This Fall?
Book a custom travel session with me at:👉 baldgirlwilltravel.com/plan-your-trip-with-me
Hang out with me and some Fly 40+ Sistas in some cool places.
Visit my dedicated Meet Up Page to learn about my upcoming girls' trip for Fly 40+ women!
Interested? Link HERE for more details!
Grab a spot today! We are going to have a Time!!!
Thank You For Reading!
Check out these solo travel blog posts:
This post may contain affiliate links to things like tours, hotels, Amazon associates, and products. These help me earn a small commission at no additional charge to you.
Comments