There is something about chocolate brown, creamy white and plaid that just says fall to me! Give me a soft sweater, a comfortable pair of pants and a great pair of boots, and I am ready for cooler weather.
This outfit is made entirely from Coldwater Creek pieces, and I love how everything works together without feeling overly matched. It is cozy and comfortable, but I still feel polished and put together.
And that is exactly what I want from my clothes these days. I don’t want to choose between comfort and style — I want both!
Start With Comfortable Brown Straight-Leg Pants
I started this fall outfit with the Coldwater Creek Anywhere ShapeMe Straight Leg Pants in this gorgeous chocolate brown.
These have quickly become one of those pieces that I can see myself reaching for again and again. The straight-leg shape gives me a nice clean line, and they’re comfortable enough to wear for hours.
In fact, these pants would be perfect for my Italy trip in October!
When I’m packing for a trip, especially when I’m trying not to overpack, I want pieces that can do double duty. I can wear these with sneakers and a casual top during the day and then change into a pretty sweater, scarf or jacket for dinner.
They’re a great alternative to jeans when I want to look a little more polished but still want to be comfortable.
The Cream Ribbed Turtleneck Is a Great Basic
Next, I added this cream ribbed turtleneck, and I think the lighter color makes such a difference with all of the rich brown in this outfit.
It’s a fine-gauge ribbed knit that’s soft and comfortable, and it’s designed to keep its shape without clinging.
I want a layering top to skim my body rather than grab onto every little thing.
I also really like having the cream color next to my face. It brightens the whole outfit and gives my eye a place to rest before all that beautiful plaid.
This is one of those basics that could easily become a workhorse in a fall and winter wardrobe. I could wear it under a blazer, denim jacket, vest or cardigan, or simply wear it on its own with jeans or trousers.
The Long Plaid Cardigan Is the Star
Now for my favorite part of this outfit — this plaid cardigan!
The boldly scaled plaid is so pretty for fall, and the sweater is incredibly soft and snuggly. It has an open front, an oversized collar, and a longer, easy layering length.
And yes…it has pockets!
The pockets give it that relaxed chic cozy feel that I love.
I especially like the longer length on me. Worn open over the cream turtleneck, it creates two long vertical lines down the front of my body. Pair that with the straight-leg pants, and the entire outfit feels long and streamlined.
It’s almost like wearing a lightweight coat, but it’s soft enough to keep on when you’re indoors.
I can also see wearing this cardigan with black pants, jeans or even over a simple knit dress. I love finding pieces that I can style several different ways instead of buying something that only works with one outfit.
Brown Leather Booties Finish the Look
Let’s talk about the boots because cute shoes are wonderful, but comfortable cute booties are even better.
These Western-inspired leather booties are made from ultra-soft Italian leather and have a 2-inch stacked heel. They also have cushioned footbeds and arch support for extra comfort.
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That immediately gets my attention!
The back zippers have ring pulls, which add just a little extra detail.
I love the brown leather with the brown pants because there isn’t a harsh break at my ankle. It keeps that longer line going all the way down.
And Then There’s This Brown Suede Bag
This brown suede crossbody bag might be one of my favorite accessories for fall.
The suede adds another beautiful texture to the outfit, and it has leather trim, one suede tassels and an adjustable buckle strap.
There’s also a magnetic flap closure, a lined interior and an interior open pocket.
I like that I can carry it as a crossbody when I want my hands free, which is especially helpful when traveling, or adjust the strap depending on what I’m wearing.
The rich brown suede looks so pretty with the leather boots and chocolate pants.
Why This Fall Outfit Works
One of the things I’ve learned about getting dressed is that a simple color palette doesn’t have to be boring.
This outfit is really just brown, cream, black and taupe, but look at all the different textures going on — soft knit, ribbing, plaid, leather and suede.
That’s what makes a neutral outfit interesting.
The proportions work for me, too. The straight-leg pants create a clean base, the cream turtleneck brightens my face, and the open cardigan creates those long vertical lines.
I added a beautiful long fall necklace to continue that vertical line and bring a little sparkle to the outfit.
It feels cozy without feeling frumpy — and that is always the goal!
Why I’m Packing These Brown Pants for Italy
You know how much I love Italy, and this October I’m going to need clothes that can handle a lot of different activities.
We’ll be walking, sightseeing, eating out, traveling between towns and spending plenty of time outdoors. I don’t want to pack something that can only be worn one way.
That’s why these brown straight-leg pants have earned a spot in my suitcase.
I can picture them with this turtleneck and sweater on a cooler day, with a simple tee and sneakers for something more casual, or dressed up a little for dinner.
When you’re traveling with limited suitcase space, versatility wins every time.
Easy Ways to Recreate This Fall Outfit
You don’t necessarily need these exact pieces to recreate the look. Start with a few basics you may already have in your closet:
- Chocolate brown or black straight-leg pants
- A cream or ivory turtleneck
- A long plaid cardigan
- Brown ankle boots
- A brown suede or leather bag
- A long necklace for a little extra interest
You could also swap the brown pants for dark-wash jeans or black pants. Or wear the plaid sweater over a cream column of color with cream pants and a cream top.
That’s what I love about classic fall pieces — they play nicely with the rest of your closet.
Fall Style Over 50 Should Still Be Fun
I think sometimes we hear so many “rules” about what women should or shouldn’t wear after a certain age that getting dressed starts to feel far too complicated.
A great way to dress up a basic outfit of brown straight leg pants and a ribbed turtleneck is add a fun necklace like this fall leaf necklace from Coldwater Creek and a pretty animal scarf!
I’d rather concentrate on how I feel in my clothes.
Do I feel comfortable?
Do I feel confident?
Do I feel like myself?
In this outfit, the answer is yes.
It’s cozy enough for a chilly fall day, polished enough to wear out to lunch or dinner and comfortable enough that I could actually spend the day walking around in it.
That’s my kind of fall outfit.
I’d love to know — are you wearing brown this fall? And are you a turtleneck girl, or do you prefer a crewneck or V-neck?
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