Late yesterday afternoon we sat on our back porch on new Adirondack-ish chairs that James had just assembled for us. As evening approached, the air was so cool that I had to bring out a lightweight blanket to put over my shoulders. Ahh, fall is fast approaching! But you and I know it will undoubtedly waffle at first. We’ll have warm days and cooler ones. Those wavering temperatures can frustrate or we can navigate them with style. Today I’m sharing the third piece you need now for fall…even before it officially gets here.
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What is that essential third piece? A stylish lightweight jacket will help you create so many fabulous outfits now and deep into the fall. Today I’m sharing four outfits I’ve created with the L’Agence Janelle jacket in two different fabrications. This feminine, tailored and modern trucker jacket is 25% off right now, but only through my special link and with code JANELLE25. This offer lasts just through August 25th, and I’ve actually never seen them mark these cult favorite jackets down before. Of course you can create similar looks with other stylish lightweight jackets. But I’ll share more about why I took the plunge and purchased my first Janelle last year.
Date Night Outfit with the Third Piece You Need Now for Fall
For the first few outfits I’m wearing the Janelle denim jacket in biscuit. Having a stylish lightweight jacket in a color other than denim will give you so much flexibility. By the way, I wear a size large in the Janelle denim jacket for a very comfortable fit. The 98% Cotton, 2% Polyurathane fabric has nice stretch and the slim fit is beautiful and flattering.
One of my favorite outfit formulas to work with my jackets in the fall is blue jeans topped with a contrasting color jacket and a top in the same color. Doubling up that color in your top and jacket will always give you great results. So make sure you have a tank, camisole or t-shirt in the same color as your favorite stylish lightweight jacket.
Here I completed my date night appropriate outfit with soft brown accessories. I like to create outfits with minimal contrast in intensity to reflect the low contrast in my physical attributes (hair, skin and eyes). For more information on working with contrast intensity to create the best outfits for you, check out this video. (It’s about summer outfits, but I’ll make a similar video soon with fall and winter outfits.)
An important key to creating outfits with that essential third piece is that you have to think about how you’ll wear the outfit throughout the day or evening. If there’s any chance you’ll want to remove the third piece, make sure your outfit looks complete and feels good for you without it. As beautiful as it is, I don’t really care to wear the L’Agence camisole in cappuccino without my jacket, so that’s why a lightweight jacket is the best choice here.
Casual Daytime Look with the Third Piece You Need Now for Fall
Next I created a casual daytime outfit with that same Janelle jacket in biscuit. Because I still wanted the contrast in intensity to be low, I reached into my closet for a button-front t-shirt in similar coloring.
My soft gold sneakers complete the casual outfit, but I could have worn white here, too.
Column of Color Outfit with the Third Piece You Need Now for Fall
Another favorite outfit formula to work with your stylish lightweight jacket is to create a column of color. In this case I created a column of black under my biscuit Janelle jacket. You could create a similar effect with other colors or neutrals, but I love wearing black so this works for me.
Of course the contrast in intensity is high here. But we make trade offs sometimes to accomplish different style goals. Mainly I wanted you to see how sharp this combination is. But I could create a similar low contrast outfit with grey jeans and a grey tank, or even white and white.
Here I’m wearing a black tank under my Janelle jacket because it was blazing hot the day we took these photos. But as we move into cooler temperatures I would probably opt for a short sleeve t-shirt so that I could remove the jacket if needed and still feel confident and pulled together.
I completed the outfit with black sandals for this warm day. But later you can finish off this column of color outfit with loafers or booties.
Ecru Jeans Outfit with the Third Piece You Need Now for Fall
Finally, I created an elevated everyday outfit with the Janelle denim jacket in the color Authentique blue. This smart looking denim jacket fits just the same as the other and I wear a size large comfortably. So I do suggest sizing up if you are between sizes. I actually used the Size Predictor at L’Agence and it gave me the accurate size.
For my final look I topped ecru jeans from Talbots and an ivory based floral silk blouse with the blue denim jacket. In essence, this is another column of color outfit, but worked with a print top. I’m looking forward to wearing this outfit in real life.
I wore soft toned shoes to keep the leg line uninterrupted, but carried a brown bag and wore a brown belt to add depth to the combination.
Do you have a stylish lightweight jacket (or two or three) for the fall? I truly think it is the must-have third piece you need now for fall. It doesn’t have to be a denim or cotton jacket, by the way. But for a casual lifestyle a denim jacket will give you great versatility. If you already have a blue jean jacket, you might want to consider adding a denim jacket in another neutral (ivory, tan, trending brown or black) to your wardrobe. I’ve collected some stylish options from other brands (as well as L’Agence) for you to peruse (and perchance shop) below. But hopefully this post has also inspired you with some options for wearing the lightweight jacket you already have in your closet.
DON’T FORGET to use code JANELLE25 for 25% off if you shop any of the Janelle Jackets at L’Agence. Have a great day!
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Blessed for My Day
Are you worried? Do you fear that you won’t have something that you need? Whether it be good medical care, companionship through a hard time, the right words to say or the fortitude to handle something difficult, I have found that most of the time when I worry…it’s because I fear I will lack something I need. But I shouldn’t be anxious about such things. I have a heavenly Father who provides generously for every need.
When I was growing up I never had to worry about whether my parents would feed me, clothe me or care for me. I always felt safe in their home and under their care. Why? Because their track record and their character assured me of daily provision for my needs. Whether you experienced that kind of security growing up or not, you can know it now as a child of God. His track record of faithfulness and generosity and His proven character of love and power assure us that we have no need to worry that we will ever lack what we need.
He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? ~ Romans 8:32
Tell us about the purse you’re carrying.
Hi Kathleen. Which one? I think I showed several in this post. And unfortunately none of them are still available. The final one was Tory Burch. The first one is Talbots. The second one is Rag & Bone and is available in suede: https://go.shopmy.us/p-23511960 and the black one is Veronica Beard but no longer available.
All cute outfits on you. I like the last one the best. White jeans, print blouse with brown accessories and denim jacket. So smart looking.
FYI: In today’s email, the link goes to yesterday’s post rather than today.
Oh no. Thanks for letting me know.
Love all these outfits. I think I can recreate the looks with pieces from my closet. Thanks for this informative post, Kay.
What lovely outfits I really like them both. You have me thinking about my 3rd piece now! Lol
I think I missed the two must haves for fall?
By “third piece” I mean the third piece of your outfit. 😉
I love the devotional message. I have a weakness for jackets so I have many. I’ve been reading blogs that say fitted jean trucker jackets aren’t trending. I’m keeping mine because they’ll be back.
It’s true that the fitted trucker jacket is not as fashion forward right now. But the silhouette is a classic so you won’t look out of style wearing it. I’ve tried and tried the more current boxy fit jackets and they just don’t work for me. I tried one at JCrew yesterday and wanted it to work so badly because it’s really cute. But it just didn’t. So in the end I think it’s much more important to wear the jacket silhouette that works for your body.
They’re more flattering on me too. Boxy jackets are more tricky especially on petites.
Love all of these looks, Kay! The column of black is stunning!
Each and every one of your looks were a WIN for me! They were for you too, obviously! The clothes was gorgeously put together and I would wear every one of them!
Thanks, Vicky. 😊
I love all of these outfits because this is how I really dress for my very casual lifestyle! The pattern matching on the placket of the silk floral blouse is amazing! I know it is an expensive blouse, but details like that are seldom seen anymore – it really is lovely.