There’s something about the first cool morning that makes us want to pull out the sweaters, grab our favorite jeans, and start planning fall outfits.
But fall dressing can also bring questions.
What do I wear when it’s chilly in the morning but warm by afternoon? Can I wear an oversized sweater without feeling swallowed by it? What jacket should I put over a dress? Which jeans work with ankle boots? How do I layer without feeling like I’m wearing everything in my closet at once?
At Love Marlow, these are exactly the kinds of questions we love helping women answer.
As a size-inclusive boutique specializing in mid and plus-size fashion, we believe great fall style isn’t about following a list of rules for your body. It’s about understanding fit, proportion, fabric, and how different pieces work together; then choosing what makes you feel comfortable and confident.
Here’s our guide to making fall dressing easier.
Start With a Few Fall Outfit Formulas
You don’t need an entirely new wardrobe every September.
Instead, create a few outfit formulas you can repeat with different colors and pieces.
Fall Outfit Formula #1: Jeans + Elevated Top + Cardigan
This is one of our favorite everyday combinations because it works for so many situations.
Start with a pair of jeans you genuinely enjoy wearing. Add a blouse, fitted tee, lightweight sweater, or knit top and finish with a cardigan.
The key is varying the proportions.
If your cardigan is oversized, try a base layer with less volume underneath. If your blouse is flowy, you might prefer a cardigan with a little more structure.
There isn’t one universally “flattering” combination. The goal is to prevent your clothes from competing with one another.
Love Marlow favorites, jeans!
Love Marlow outfit formula, cardigan!
Can Mid-Size and Plus-Size Women Wear Oversized Sweaters?
Absolutely.
The better question is: How do you want your oversized sweater to fit?
Oversized shouldn’t automatically mean buying several sizes larger. Look at how the garment was intentionally designed.
Pay attention to:
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Shoulder placement
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Sleeve volume
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Sweater length
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Fabric thickness
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Side slits
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Hem shape
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What you plan to wear underneath it
An intentionally oversized sweater can provide plenty of room while still looking polished.
If you have volume on top, experiment with different bottoms. Straight-leg jeans can create one look, while wide-leg denim creates an entirely different silhouette.
Neither is wrong.
Your body doesn’t have to earn the right to wear a trend.
How Do I Transition My Summer Clothes Into Fall?
Before packing away your warm-weather wardrobe, look at what can be layered.
A sleeveless dress can work beautifully under a denim jacket or cardigan. A short-sleeve blouse can be paired with jeans and a lightweight jacket. Tanks become useful base layers underneath cardigans and button-downs.
One of the easiest ways to transition into fall is also through color.
Swap bright summer combinations for chocolate brown, burgundy, olive, navy, rust, cream, camel, or deeper denim.
You can look seasonally appropriate without dressing for 40-degree weather when it’s still 70 outside.
Shop our Outerwear Collection for the perfect denim jacket.
Want to know about colors for the season? Check out our blog: What Colors Should You Wear This Fall?
What Fall Clothes Should I Buy First?
Before buying anything, look at what’s missing from your current wardrobe.
We recommend starting with pieces that can create multiple outfits rather than buying an item simply because it’s trending.
Consider:
1. A Great Pair of Jeans
Your fall denim should be comfortable enough that you actually want to wear it.
Think beyond size. Look at rise, stretch, inseam, leg shape, wash, and how the waistband feels when you sit.
Straight-leg, boyfriend, bootcut, wide-leg and skinny jeans can all have a place in a fall wardrobe.
Check out our blog: What Jeans Work Best for Different Body Shapes?
2. A Lightweight Sweater
Lightweight knits are fall wardrobe workhorses.
They’re easy to layer, easier to tuck than chunky sweaters, and can often be worn alone on warmer fall days.
3. A Cardigan
Choose one that works with several pieces you already own.
Think about where it hits your body, whether you prefer it open or buttoned, and whether the sleeves have enough room for the tops you’ll wear underneath.
4. A Versatile Jacket
A denim jacket, lightweight jacket, blazer, or shacket can turn a basic outfit into a finished look.
Before buying, try it over an actual outfit, not just something you wore into the fitting room.
That helps you determine whether there’s enough room through the shoulders, arms, and bust for layering.
5. An Elevated Everyday Top
A beautiful blouse or knit top can make jeans feel completely different.
This is especially useful if your wardrobe needs to move between work, dinner, appointments, school events, and weekends.
Shop our beautiful blouses!
How Do You Layer Fall Clothes Without Feeling Bulky?
Think about fabric weight and proportion.
If your first layer is thick and oversized and your second layer is also thick and oversized, the combination can feel cumbersome.
Instead, experiment with contrast.
Try:
Fitted tee + relaxed cardigan
Lightweight blouse + structured jacket
Tank + button-down + jeans
Dress + cropped or hip-length jacket
Lightweight sweater + denim jacket
The best combination is the one that gives you the movement, warmth, and look you want.
Need help with this idea? Check out our blog: How to Layer Clothes Without Feeling Bulky.
What Should I Wear for a Casual Fall Day?
Here are five easy formulas:
Coffee + Errands: Straight-leg jeans + graphic tee + cardigan
Casual Workday: Dark denim + blouse + lightweight blazer
Weekend: Boyfriend jeans + lightweight sweater + denim jacket
Dinner: Dark denim + elevated blouse + statement jewelry
Fall Event: Midi dress + jacket or cardigan
Save these formulas and substitute pieces you already own.
That’s how you build a wardrobe rather than a collection of unrelated outfits.
Do I Have to Wear “Flattering” Clothes?
At Love Marlow, we’d rather help you find clothes that fit the way you want them to fit.
Sometimes you may want waist definition. Other days you may want an oversized sweater and relaxed jeans.
Fashion should give you choices—not another list of things your body supposedly isn’t allowed to wear.
Learning about proportions can help you create the look you want, but those ideas should be tools rather than rules.
The Love Marlow Fall Style Philosophy
A great fall wardrobe should make getting dressed easier.
Start with pieces you love. Add layers intentionally. Pay attention to how fabrics and proportions work together. Invest in jeans that feel good sitting as well as standing. And don’t be afraid to experiment with silhouettes you haven’t worn before.
Most importantly, remember this:
You don’t need to change your body to wear the outfit. The clothes need to work for you.
At Love Marlow, we specialize in helping women find clothing that fits, feels comfortable, and makes getting dressed fun again. Shop online or visit our Sioux Falls boutique and let us help you find your fall favorites.
Shop Love Marlow's Fall Fashion
