DIY Fall Fashion: How to Stretch Your Wardrobe and Your Pocketbook

by Melissa Esplin on October 14th, 2010 | 2 Comments »

Fall is one of the best seasons for fashion, in my opinion. The weather is cooling down which means LAYERS are in, which means more interesting ensembles are possible. It's the perfect time for tights, cardigans, blazers, shorts (yes, shorts), skirts, open-toed shoes, and boots! Below are a couple of my fall outfits and breakdowns of how much I spend on them.

This whole outfit cost me a grand total of $25:

top: thrift store $4
cardigan: DownEast Basics $15 (on sale)
belt: hand-me-down from Grandma
skirt: thrift store $2
shoes: thrift store $4

Adding cardigans, tights, and scarves makes any look more appropriate for fall. Cardigans don't have to be expensive, they just have to show some variety: animal print, stripes, black and a couple of solids in your favorite colors.

This outfit cost me $11.50:

scarf: thrift store $3
cardigan: thrift store $3
top (unpictured): $2.50
skirt: ModBod (gift)
tights: Gap (gift)
shoes: thrift store $3

Like the first outfit, this one is based on a knee-length skirt and top/cardigan combination. Adding brown tones (a must for fall!), opaque tights, a thick cardigan, and scarf gives it a fuller fall feel. Tights are also a must for fall/winter wardrobes. Gap tights are adorable, but can run a tad tight. Buy a size larger if you're looking to buy them. Hanes tights are FABULOUS, but if you're lucky enough to live near an H&M, STOCK UP! Their tights are the best thing since sliced bread. Scarves are also a great way to transition a summer look into fall. Thrift stores are a great place to find funky scarves that you wouldn't ordinarily see anywhere else.

This outfit cost me $55:

earrings: Payless (gift)
blazer: thrift store $4
top: The ModBod (gift)
belt: thrift store $1
shorts: Puramania $20
tights: Hanes (gift)
boots: Forever 21 $30

This is the quintessential transitional outfit. The shorter, colder days aren't really lending themselves to shorts, but with a pair of rockin' colored tights, who cares? Wear 'em anyway! See why tights are so important for a fall wardrobe? Dress up your shorts by pairing them with a blazer. This particular blazer was found in the boy's department of one of my favorite thrift stores. Another DIY fashion tip: don't be afraid to wander outside your designated department. You never know what you'll find. I've found blazers in the Boys section & women's dresses in the Girl's department! I've even wandered the teen aisles of H&M, Target, & Walmart with great success. Try it sometime.

Here's a little list of my go-to places for inexpensive fashion:

DownEast Basics
Deseret Industries (D.I.)
Forever 21
H&M
Uber Chic for Cheap - a fashion blog devoted to finding the best looks for less
Kmart
Target

Have fun experimenting with layering this fall!

Melissa Esplin is the author of IS•LY (I Still Love You): an art, craft & design website devoted to all things crafty & on-the-cheap. Check out her weekly series, Thrifty & Chic, where she shares rad stuff she's found on the cheap. IS•LY is also a great source for tutorials, free printables & great before & afters.