3 Transitional Outfits Starting With a Column of Color
I’ve always believed that style shouldn’t feel like a struggle, or require the mental effort of solving a quadratic equation. “Effortless style” may look spontaneous, but it actually comes from doing a little groundwork: building a cohesive wardrobe and knowing your go-to outfit formulas. One of my favorites is starting with a simple column of color. Today I’m showing you three transitional outfits, all built around the same base: a brown sweater vest and corduroy pants.
Look 1: Early Fall with a Sweater Vest
My sizes: Vest – Medium, Pants – Petite 29
This lightweight sweater vest and corduroy pants are perfect for these still-warm early fall days. These are the new “slim-wide” leg corduroy pants from J.Crew in “French Press.” Several other colors available in Regular, Petite, and Tall sizes. (I sized up for a more relaxed fit.)
Some may disagree, but to me the pieces don’t have to match exactly to create a column of color effect. As long as the colors have a similar shade and depth, the look will still be unified. (And I need to add: the pants look more reddish in these photos than IRL. They’re closer to the vest color than they appear here.)
When it’s too warm to layer, accessories can add those finishing touches. Here I’ve added a silk bandana, but you could alternatively do a belt in the same color scheme, or add more jewelry. During the early fall weeks, I like to swap out my summer bag for a leather one, but keep the color lighter.
Look 2: Layering on a Lightweight Jacket
One of the benefits of a cohesive wardrobe is that you can do more with less, and build your options over time. When the weather starts to cool, I’ll add a lightweight jacket. The one I’m wearing here is a few seasons old; here are some similar styles from Talbot’s, Caslon, J.Crew, LL Bean, Everlane, Uniqlo, Jenni Kayne. I’ve had these Paul Green metallic sneakers for a couple of years, they’re still available HERE in a bunch of colors.
Look 3: Leather Jacket + Fun Loafers
To dial up to a Smart Casual look, I added my favorite leather jacket and a pair of leopard print loafers. If you’re leopard-curious but want to try it in small doses, footwear can be a great starting point. There are loads of good-looking leopard prints out there this season. Check out these loafer & ballet flat styles from rag & bone, Birdies, Vionic, Cole Haan, Blondo (waterproof!), Vince Camuto, Talbot’s, Boden.
Building a few go-to formulas makes getting dressed so much easier, especially during seasonal shifts. Column of color dressing is one of those strategies that always feels pulled-together, without a lot of fuss. Whether you’re layering on accessories, adding a jacket, or swapping in different shoes, these pieces show just how versatile a tonal base can be. I hope these ideas inspire your own transitional fall outfits that feel both effortless and chic. Let me know your favorite go-to formulas in comments!
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I like my column in navy or black for fall/winter, with a pop of one of my winter jewel tones in a jacket, cardi, shoes, jewelry, and a berry or red lipstick.
You look so good in brown. Love all the outfits.
Very good examples. I just bought a BROWN pair of vegan leather trousers. Only this week I commented that I wasn’t going to buy brown items haha.
Greetje
Susan,
Excellent post today! I am an autumn, so all of these outfits are in my wheel house. I love the DeMellier Bag, I am hoping to receive one as my Christmas gift!
Cindy
I LOVE this idea! I often wear a column of navy, blue or beige but somehow haven’t thought of doing it in brown. I have been reading your blog for several years and appreciate your fresh ideas! You’ve helped me to find an authentic style: natural explorer–solid colors with texture, ease and quality. I am grateful to you!
I like your point about a column of color not having to be the same color family (what artists would call hue). Instead they should be same/similar in value. What I mean by this is if you took a black and white copy, would both items appear as a similar shade of grey? Something I will keep in mind, will expand more options with items I already own.
How do I order some of the colors Brian discussed in your video?
Hi Holly, you can order the lipsticks here: https://bybrian.shop/collections/lipstick
Hi Susan,
Great post. I love the column of color look….and as an autumn I am loving all the brown in the stores right now.
As a Summer I struggle with the fall retail offerings, and even winter, but my column colors are teals, purple berry colors, grey, taupe, and in mid-winter, off white.