Since it’s time to start updating those wardrobes for fall, let’s talk about what makes a great outfit. When putting together an outfit, there are several different elements to try and incorporate. These are things that add dimension and flair to your outfit, so your look is more “complete.”

How many of these elements you should use will depend on the occasion you are dressing for, as well as what is available in your wardrobe. Not every outfit needs all of these, but if you want to put your best foot forward, a general rule is to try and incorporate at least one of these into every outfit that you wear.

1. Prints

source: Blonde Expeditions

source: Mr. Kate

For a bit more of a punch, go with a statement piece for your outfit. A statement piece will be the only piece you wear in a print, so that it stays as the main focus of your outfit.

You can see a great example of this over at Mr. Kate.

source: The Teacher Diva

One more way to incorporate a print is to wear one piece, like a maxi dress, in a print. Since a focal piece in a print is meant to draw attention, you don’t need to add much more to your look.

Head over to The Teacher Diva for an example of how to keep your print the focus of your look while also adding accessories.

2. Textures

source: Lace & Locks

Fall is a great time to try wearing different textures. Chambray, corduroy, velvet and knits are all great examples of fall textures you could include in an outfit. Any texture is fair game, however, as long as it adds to the depth of your look.

Kim of Lace & Locks does a great lace & denim look that is fun for fall. She’s also rocking a front knot in her shirt, which is one of this season’s biggest trends.

source: Elegantly Dressed & Stylish

Even moms in the 40+ age group can look fabulous mixing textures.

A velvet skirt and tweed jacket, worn by Jess of Elegantly Dressed & Stylish, is an example of how to do this. I love the spunk of this outfit, and her confidence is so inspiring.

source: SashaDoll Fashion Closet

 What’s really great about textures in an outfit is when they are also in seasonal colors. You don’t have to wear seasonal colors, but incorporating them makes you look up to date and trendy.

Take a look at SashaDoll Fashion Closet for a look that uses fall colors, as well as mixes suede, satin and knits.

3. Pop Of Color

source: Brighton The Day

I love doing a pop of color with my outfits. It’s such a fun way to draw attention without making too bold a statement. The best way to do a pop of color is by using a contrasting shade for a semi-colorful look, or punching up a mostly neutral look with any color that will give your ensemble personality.

I’m really diggin’ the way Brighton of Brighton The Day added a pop of red to her gray and white outfit. You can use one piece to add color, or a few different ones, like she did with her heels, nails and handbag.

source: Selective Potential

A simpler way to do a pop of color is demonstrated here by Tieka of Selective Potential. She went with a bright teal bag to add character to her basic jeans and sweater look.

source: Itsy Bitsy Indulgences

A statement necklace can add a pop of color to your look, as well as draw attention upward towards your face. If the necklace is also a different texture from your outfit, and has a stylish design, that’s even better!

Check out the way a bright floral necklace can brighten up a black and white outfit over at Itsy Bitsy Indulgences.

4. Accessories

source: North Of Manhattan

I like to say that accessories are the “salad dressing” of style. Just like dressing adds flavor to your salad, accessories add flavor to your outfit. How much flavor you want to add is up to you. That’s where personal style comes in. Examples of accessories include scarves, sunglasses, belts, watches and jewelry.

Several accessories were incorporated into Lauren’s look on North Of Manhattan. Each one brings its own flavor, and they all coordinate perfectly. She gets bonus points for tying in prints and a pop of red color!

source: Bought & Beautifully

Sometimes all your look needs is a small dose of dazzle. If you are more simple with your style, a set of shimmery bracelets with small embellishments will dress up your look without being too dramatic.

Take a look at how to accessorize with minimal effort over at Bought & Beautifully.

source: Stylishlyme

If you’ve got a small (or large) collection of hats in your closet, the good news is that you can easily add flavor to your look by topping it off with a hat. The bad news is that…well, there’s no bad news. Hats are great for accessorizing with and most of them are versatile enough to wear with multiple outfits, so any collection of hats that you have is worth adding to.

Find fall hat style inspiration by visiting Stylishlyme, where you can see how a fedora can spice up an outfit and add color and texture.

5. Mixing Prints

source: Glamour Zine

One of the scariest ways to make a bold statement with your style is by mixing prints in an outfit. Many women just aren’t sure how to do it, and don’t feel comfortable in such a dramatic look. But it can be done, and it definitely looks great when done right.

Take a look at the way Kristyn Ann of Glamour Zine does stripes and florals together. With common colors and different scaled prints, she shows how to pull off the mixed prints look.

source: Memorandum

When mixing prints, you can tone down your look by keeping your accessories and other pieces in the same color family as your outfit. This ties the look together while also downplaying the drama of the prints contrasting,

Head over to Memorandum to see how this is done using pieces in the blue color family.

source: Jay Miranda

How gorgeous does plus-size fashion blogger Jay look in her mixed print ensemble? She sticks to the same color family throughout, and throws in a solid colored blazer to take things down a notch. She offers some great tips on print mixing over on her blog, Jay Miranda.

6. Consistent Color Palette

source: Sequins & Things

Playing around with colors, textures and prints can be fun, but if your style is more casual and simple, you can easily create a cohesive, fashionable look by sticking to an all warm or all cool color palette. This, of course, is best done when you choose colors that reflect your individual coloring. For more details about determining your best colors, head over to The Style Spectrum for an in depth analysis.

Fashion blogger Alyson of Sequins & Things sticks to a warm color palette using shades of camel, tan and gold, and also incorporates a small pop of turquoise with her necklace. The additional texture of her cardigan, as well as the sunglasses, completes her look, proving that simple style can also make a big statement.

source: Vogue Haus

A consistent cool color palette can also bring an outfit to life. Sticking to colors that are in the gray, white, silver or muted tones family will bring out a cool woman’s best features.

Take a look at the way Barbora of Vogue Haus does a cool colored outfit, which also mixes textures and accessories in.

7. Mixing Different Styles

source: Walk In Wonderland

When we put together outfits, we usually try and stick to pieces that are all of the same “level” of dressiness. For example, jeans and sneakers (both casual), or dresses and heels (both dressy). But the truth is, combining different styles (dressy, casual, etc.) is really fun and can actually look quite stunning.

One example of style mixing that would work for fall is a casual pair of sweatpants with some sassy heels. Add a button down shirt to the mix, and you’ve taken your look to a whole new level. If you don’t think this combination of pieces would work, take a look at Walk In Wonderland, where you’ll see a leopard and stripes outfit worth copying.

source: A Girl With Curves

As moms, comfort is important when it comes to style. But we also like to feel feminine and pretty sometimes. The solution? Wear sneakers with a dress. Run errands, have lunch with your friends, or attend a PTA meeting in this outfit. You’ll be comfortable, stylish and totally in tune with what’s trending.

Get inspiration for this tomboy look by visiting A Girl With Curves.

source: oh, hey vivienne.

Take a fashion risk by pairing your feminine heels with some rugged ripped jeans, and add a print with a fun kimono. You’ve got girly, you’ve got edgy, you’ve got feminine and you’ve got masculine. Basically, you’ve got it going on!

Check out how cute Vivienne is in her kimono, jeans and top knot over at oh, hey vivienne.

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Leena Kollar

Contributing Writer at Life As Mama

I'm a wife, mother and everything else associated with domestic life. I can often be found hiding from my kids to sneak treats (especially ice cream). I love rainbows and naps, and I find any excuse to go to Target. When I actually make it out of the house in real clothes, I document my outfits on my fashion blog, Leather & Lip Gloss. My love for fashion also inspired me to start my own comprehensive style website, The Style Spectrum.

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Leena Kollar