Traditional fall outfits for busy mums: 5 pieces – 10 looks

Fall is one of those seasons where I love the idea of getting dressed, but actually getting dressed can be a little more complicated.

One minute it is chilly in the morning, and a few hours later you are wondering why you put so many layers on. As I am writing this, the day started around 17°C and is expected to reach 24°C. That is quite a difference when you are trying to decide what to wear!

I also find that fall brings more pieces into the mix. Instead of throwing on a simple summer outfit, suddenly you are thinking about shirts, blazers, cardigans, jackets and shoes.

So, I decided to challenge myself.

Rather than buying new clothes for fall, I wanted to see how many outfits I could create from just five pieces I already own.

The goal was simple: 5 pieces, 10 looks.

I wanted these outfits to feel classic but casual, comfortable enough for a busy mum, and easy enough that I could get dressed in about five minutes.

And honestly, after putting these outfits together, I realised I have a lot more outfit combinations than I thought.

Why I Chose These Five Pieces

For this challenge, I wanted five clothing pieces that could work together but still give me different looks.

I also wanted to add more colour. Most of my wardrobe is black, so I deliberately chose pieces that would give me some variety.

My five pieces are:

• Black yoga pants
• Navy dress pants
• Blue animal-print top
• Red blouse
• Beige/tan blazer

The shoes don’t count as one of the five pieces. I used my black sneakers, black flats and black ankle boots to change the feel of the outfits.

I also chose these pieces because they work for different parts of my life. Some outfits are more casual, while others are suitable for work or when I want to look a little more polished.

1. Black Yoga Pants + Blue Animal-Print Top

Shoes: Black flats

This is probably the outfit I would reach for most often.

My black yoga pants are comfortable, have a traditional yoga-pant shape and are especially good for those days when I just don’t want anything restrictive around my stomach. We all have those days!

Adding the blue animal-print top gives the outfit some personality without making it complicated.

I normally reach for this top anyway because I like the fit, and I really like that the animal print is blue rather than the more traditional brown or black.

I would wear this for a casual day, running errands or simply when I want to be comfortable but don’t want to feel like I have made no effort.

The flats keep it comfortable, too, which is always important to me.

2. Navy Dress Pants + Blue Animal-Print Top

Shoes: Black flats

Now we have the same top, but the outfit feels completely different.

Switching the yoga pants for my navy dress pants makes the animal-print top look much more polished.

These navy pants have a stretchy waistband, which is one of the reasons I like them. They are comfortable enough for a full day but still look appropriate for work.

This is one of those outfits that reminds me that changing just one piece can make a big difference.

I would wear this to work, especially on a day when I want something simple but a little more put together.

3. Navy Dress Pants + Red Blouse

Shoes: Black flats

I have to admit, I had never tried this colour combination before.

The navy dress pants with my fire-engine red blouse isn’t something I would have automatically put together, but I actually really like the contrast.

The red blouse is comfortable enough to wear all day, and I like how the colour looks against my skin.

Red isn’t a colour I wear all the time, but I do like adding it every so often.

This outfit would be another good work option. It feels classic without being boring.

I wouldn’t necessarily call the colours traditional fall colours, but the individual pieces definitely have that classic feel I like.

4. Black Yoga Pants + Red Blouse

Shoes: Black sneakers

This is a good example of how you can take a blouse that feels a little more polished and make it much more casual.

The black yoga pants immediately bring the outfit down a level, while the red blouse adds some colour.

I would leave the blouse loose rather than tuck it in. I am conscious of my stomach, so I feel much more comfortable wearing looser tops rather than having everything tucked in and fitted.

Add black sneakers and this would be a great outfit for a shopping trip or a busy day when I know I will be doing a lot of walking.

It is comfortable, but I still feel dressed.

5. Navy Dress Pants + Blue Animal-Print Top + Beige Blazer

Shoes: Black ankle boots

Now we are adding the blazer.

The beige/tan blazer is one of my favourite pieces for this challenge because it gives the outfit a more polished look without making it feel too formal.

I can see myself wearing this to work, but I could also wear it for going out.

The blue animal print adds some interest, while the navy pants keep everything grounded.

This is also a good early-fall outfit because you can wear the blazer in the morning and simply take it off later if the temperature rises.

That is something I definitely need to think about during early fall. The weather can change so much throughout the day.

6. Black Yoga Pants + Red Blouse + Beige Blazer

Shoes: Black sneakers

I really like the mix of casual and polished in this outfit.

The yoga pants are comfortable, the red blouse adds colour and the beige blazer pulls everything together.

I think this is one of those outfits that works particularly well for a busy mum because you aren’t sacrificing comfort just to look put together.

I could wear this to work or even for a shopping trip.

The black sneakers make it much more casual, but the blazer stops it from feeling too basic.

And if the day gets warmer, I can simply take the blazer off.

7. Navy Dress Pants + Red Blouse + Beige Blazer

Shoes: Black ankle boots

This is probably the most polished outfit of the ten.

It is still very much me, though. I don’t feel like I have dressed up as someone else just because I am wearing a blazer and dress pants.

I really like the red with the beige blazer. The beige softens the red and works nicely with the navy pants.

This would be a great work outfit for me.

It could also work for an occasion where I want to look a little more polished without wearing anything uncomfortable.

8. Black Yoga Pants + Blue Animal-Print Top + Beige Blazer

Shoes: Black ankle boots

This is a slightly more polished version of my first outfit.

The yoga pants and animal-print top are still comfortable, but adding the beige blazer changes the overall look.

I could see myself wearing this for errands, lunch or appointments.

This is also where I think the idea of a five-piece wardrobe really starts to make sense. You don’t necessarily need a completely different outfit for every occasion. Sometimes adding one layer can change the way an outfit looks and feels.

The blazer gives the yoga pants a more intentional look without taking away the comfort.

9. Navy Dress Pants + Red Blouse + Beige Blazer

Shoes: Black sneakers

I wanted to see what would happen if I took one of the more polished outfits and added sneakers.

I don’t always choose sneakers with dress pants and a blazer, but I do like the idea of it for a busy day.

The sneakers make the outfit feel more casual while the dress pants, blouse and blazer keep it looking pulled together.

I would wear this for work or on a particularly busy day when I know I will be on my feet more.

It is a good reminder that you don’t always need to choose between looking polished and being comfortable.

10. Navy Dress Pants + Blue Animal-Print Top

Shoes: Black ankle boots

This is a simple combination, but the ankle boots give it a much more early-fall feel.

Compared with the same outfit worn with flats, the boots make it feel a little more polished and seasonal.

I would wear this on a cooler early-fall day, especially when I want something easy but don’t want to wear a blazer.

Again, it is about having pieces that can work in more than one way.

What I Learned From Five Pieces

The biggest thing I took away from this challenge is that I have a lot more outfit combinations than I thought.

I tend to look at my wardrobe and think I need something new, especially when a new season starts. But when I actually stopped and looked at the clothes I already own, I realised I could create quite a few different looks.

I also liked seeing how much of a difference one layer or a different pair of shoes can make.

The blazer, in particular, can take a very casual outfit and make it feel more polished. On the other hand, sneakers can take a dressier outfit and make it feel much more relaxed.

Dressing for Early Fall Weather

Early fall is probably my favourite time to use this type of wardrobe because the weather can be so unpredictable.

A morning can start at 17°C and then reach 24°C later in the day. That makes dressing a little tricky.

I don’t necessarily want to start the day in a heavy outfit if I know I will be too warm by the afternoon.

For me, the easiest solution is layering.

I’ll put on a blazer or cardigan when I need it, and then take it off when the temperature rises.

That is why I like having pieces like the beige blazer in my wardrobe. It gives me an extra layer without requiring me to completely change my outfit.

Comfort Still Comes First

I think this is worth mentioning because there are so many fall outfit ideas online that look great but don’t necessarily look comfortable.

For me, comfort is always going to be important.

I prefer loose tops and clothing that doesn’t feel restrictive. I don’t want to spend the day adjusting my clothes or thinking about whether something is too tight.

That doesn’t mean I don’t want to look put together.

I just want to find the balance between comfortable and presentable.

And yes, sometimes that means wearing yoga pants.

Sometimes you have a fat day. Sometimes you are bloated. Sometimes you simply don’t feel like wearing something fitted. That doesn’t mean you can’t still put together an outfit that makes you feel good.

You Don’t Need to Buy a New Fall Wardrobe

One of the reasons I wanted to do this challenge was to get more use out of the clothes I already own.

It is very easy when a new season arrives to start thinking about what you need to buy. New sweaters, new pants, new boots, new jackets…

But before buying anything, I think it is worth looking at what you already have.

Try taking five pieces from your wardrobe and seeing how many combinations you can create.

You might be surprised.

That is exactly what happened to me.

I started this challenge thinking I would have to work hard to create 10 outfits from five pieces, and I ended it realising that my wardrobe had more possibilities than I had given it credit for.

A Simple Way to Make Getting Dressed Easier

I usually decide what I am wearing in the morning, so I don’t want to spend a long time standing in front of my wardrobe trying to figure it out.

Ideally, I want to be dressed in around five minutes.

Having a few reliable combinations makes that much easier.

I can choose my base, add a top and decide whether I need a blazer. Then I can grab my flats, sneakers or ankle boots depending on what I am doing that day.

If you like accessories, you could also add a simple necklace, earrings, watch, scarf or handbag to any of these outfits. I don’t normally wear many accessories myself, but they are an easy way to make the same outfit feel a little different.

Final Thoughts

I really enjoyed doing this 5-piece, 10-look challenge.

Not every outfit is going to be for every person, and that’s okay. The point wasn’t to create a perfect capsule wardrobe. It was to see what I could do with clothes I already own.

For me, the biggest lesson was that I have a lot more outfit combinations than I thought.

I also like that these outfits don’t rely on jeans. Jeans are such a common part of fall outfit inspiration, but I don’t wear them. I wanted to show that you can still create classic, casual fall outfits with other pieces.

So before you go shopping for your fall wardrobe, take a look at what you already own.

You might already have more outfits hiding in your closet than you realise.

And if you are a busy mum like me, anything that makes getting dressed easier in five minutes is definitely a win.

 

I share more real-life moments from single motherhood, Ontario adventures, everyday style, food finds, and behind-the-scenes blogging over on Instagram. 

Come say hello: @lifeofgem28 

 

If you liked reading this blog post as much as I loved writing it, you may like one of these other blog posts:

Summer Fashion: A Single Mum’s Practical Approach

Fall Mum Fashion: Practical but Stylish

Fashion on a Budget: How to Look Chic Without Breaking the Bank