Casual: The Ladies’ Top 10 Fall Essentials Check List

2. The Casual Shirt: A couple weeks ago, we talked about the importance of plaid shirts this season, and really, for casual wear, having one is a must. You will love putting on this cozy flannel version from Splendid on a weekend day with your favorite jeans (or skinny sweatpants) for a casual day of errands or time with the family. Splendid has made a few great color options – the red is a fun pop, and the white/black is super versatile. We also like that it’s not too long, but loose-fitting, so you can leave it untucked and not look messy.

3. The Casual Pants: For an essential casual pant this season, there are a couple of musts – jeans and “athleisure” pants (aka, nice sweatpants). True Religion brilliantly paired the two concepts into one of the most comfortable pair of pants we’ve put on our bodies. True Religion is a contemporary brand, but this fit is very easy (if you are between sizes, size down). The wash is dark and the fabric is stretchy and thick. They are the perfect blend of jeans and sweats, with jean back pockets and a drawstring waist. The cuffed hem (like a pair of sweatpants) looks great with sneakers, booties, or menswear inspired shoes. And they pair with everything – your favorite button-down, tee, sweater, or sweatshirt. Feel like you’re wearing sweatpants, but look like you’ve tried so much harder. (Tip: If these are too long for you, any local tailor can easily move the cuff up.) XCVI does a similar style of blurring the lines between pants and sweats in their stretch poplin and jersey version that is a great, relaxed fit. You can wear them the same way.

4. The Casual Skirt: We love when denim skirts are back in style, and this season we get to play up our casual 70’s fashion flare. This one from BLANK denim – a contemporary denim line at a great price– is a fun take on a pencil skirt. It looks amazing with tall boots (heel or not, your choice) and a simple turtleneck.  The Gap also has a pencil version in a large array of sizes. Just make sure you try one.

5. The Casual Blazer: With menswear and plaid being such important trends this year, a great blazer that reflects these is a must have – and a basic that never goes out of style. This houndstooth plaid is the ideal matchup to a pair of boyfriend jeans and easy tee on a weekend day. It’s slightly shrunken fit keeps the look tailored – and, of course, you’ll easily be able to wear this to the office with navy wool trouser or a pencil skirt. In a large array of sizes (including Petite & Tall), in J. Crew’s modern fit, this is amazing quality and value for the price.

6. The Casual Dress: Ella Moss has always been a Mark Shale favorite for knits and feminine casual style. The fit is contemporary, but flowy and easy. Combining this, with the importance maxi dresses and graphic, tribal-inspired prints this season, and we’ve found ourselves the perfect dress. The fit is so flattering on most body types – the surplice neckline works whether you have a small or large chest and you won’t need to add a cami underneath. The skirt is lined to the slit, and the elastic waist hits at the smallest part of the torso. Add a black belt and your favorite black flat boots and be amazed at how good you look.

7. The Casual Coat: Sometimes a style is iconic and timeless. Sometimes a style conveys a trend of the season. And when you get a quilted jacket from Burberry this season, it will do both. Quilting is big this season, but when it’s from Burberry, it’s always been “in” – and always will be. So, it’s worth the investment – and it’s important to choose a style that you’ll love for years. This is a great casual option for fall that will look great with jeans or any pants (even, all the refined sweats we are starting to work in to our weekend wardrobes). We love that the hood and belt are detachable, to give you even more versatility. Like all Burberry styles, this does run on the smaller size, so like Nordstrom, we suggest sizing up.

8. The Casual Bag: There is no ignoring the return of the backpack. And it’s so practical, we don’t want to. We do, however, think this is a handbag style that has to be done just right for us to be won over. It shouldn’t look like your backpack from college – it should be streamlined and modern, and have a feminine feel. Kate Spade delivered with this sleek leather option that is not puffy and lies smoothly flat when you wear it on one shoulder (which we recommend). There an interior pocket as well as the one on the flap, perfect for easy access to your phone and keys. It’s great for a weekend day of running errands, as you can even put some of your shopping finds in your backpack and keep your bags to a minimum. And if you have kids, well, we know, you’re carrying more things than we can list here. We also have to mention this amazing priced fabric version.

9. The Casual Boots: Boots are always a big fall trend, and this season, high boots - even over-the-knee versions- continue to be important. And they should be. They look amazing with skinny jeans, slim ponte pants, leggings, and skirts. Now, we know over-the-knee boats are certainly not for everyone (or most people, really), but a flat boot just to the knee is incredibly flattering – yes, even if you are petite. There are a couple of petite women in the office here that have been known to have their boots shortened. Any cobbler can do it – we tailor our clothes, why not our shoes? This version from Aquatalia really has it all. The classic, yet fashionable styling of the almond toe and sleek shaft are simply beautiful. And, as Aquatalia is known for - they are waterproof. A dream for any casual day when you are out running errands. You’ll also note there is elastic goring and a full zipper to get these on and off easily. Worth every penny.

10. The Casual Hat: Fedoras are the hat shape of the season. And that delights us because it’s a shape that really does work on all face shapes. This Eugenia Kim (one of today's premier hat designers) is the perfect option – the brim is not oversized, nor is the crown – just timeless. It’s the deepest of navys, which looks great on most everyone and all hair colors, but it’s also extremely versatile – you can wear it with black, and we absolutely love it with a khaki trench or heavy camel sweater for a casual day out before it gets seriously cold out. If you have a small head, go with this tweed smaller version.