4 Closet Staples You Need This Fall, According to Stylists

If fall is your favorite season, then you're in good company: Kyla Flax, Head of Styling at Anthropologie, and Jordan Foster, celebrity wardrobe stylist and Style Director at Favorite Daughter, couldn't agree more.

"I'm just not a summer person," says Foster. "Cover my arms, cover my body, and I'm a happy person."

"I think fall is everyone's favorite season because of the options," says Flax. "It's the must-have third layer for me."

We met up with the dynamic duo for a special "Fall Drop" event in NYC, where they showcased the must-have pieces everyone should have in their closet this fall – and how to style them. Here's what they had to say:

---

Kyla Flax: My first hero piece is the wide-leg pant. I love the proportion of a wide-leg. It feels easy to wear, and I love it in navy blue. For me, this outfit has a couple of pinch-hitters. For example, I really love the vest, which feels like you borrowed it from your boyfriend/husband/whatever. I like it layered over a tee as well, it kind of gives it a 90's feel. I also have to mention the mixed print, which is admittedly more sophisticated and advanced styling-wise.

Jordan Foster: Do you have a formula for mixing prints?

KF: Not at all. This one came more innate to me. If you don’t know (where to start), find some inspiration.

JF: We both don’t believe in formulas. There’s really no easy way to explain when something just feels right. Find a picture of someone wearing it, and copy the whole thing. It doesn't matter. Not everyone has to be a stylist, we all just want to look good and feel good. So find inspiration, save those photos, and go with it.

KF: The other must-have item here is a trench. And then I finished it off with blue New Balance sneakers, so she feels chill and can run around. Also, the big bag is back! This one’s Reformation.

JF: The next hero piece is a cargo pant. I was a late adapter to this trend, but it’s been around for a few years now. I like this one especially because it feels a little bit more military-inspired. It’s got this brushed cotton fabric, the color contrast on the pocket, the pleat in the front, and the cinch on the bottom. I un-cinched it here with a boot, but you can cinch it up and wear it with a sneaker for a more casual vibe. I also styled it with a plain black sleeveless top because I feel like when you’re wearing a trendy piece, you should keep the rest of the outfit simple.

KF: Anthro has loved cargos for a while. I particularly like this pair because of the novel pocket. Trends come and go, but it's a bonus if you wait on a trend: More and more interesting versions of it come out.

JF: If you haven’t tried a cargo yet, this is a great first option. I added a silver statement earring, but you can wear gold, too. I’m a big fan of mixing metals. I don’t think there’s a rule when it comes to wearing silver versus gold versus rose.

JF: Similar to a trench, you really should have a bomber in your closet. I don’t think people think of it as a wardrobe essential, but it keeps coming back, and it's here to stay.

KF: I love the color of this one, too. We are at a point when bombers are everywhere. So guess what? We get more novel options and colors, and we get to play a little bit more. This season, invest in something that feels special and completes your outfit.

JF: I wanted to show that you can wear the bomber in other ways than just casually. If I’m going out to dinner, I’ll usually wear a black slip dress – this one’s pretty sexy and cute – with a bomber jacket to tone it down a little bit. It’s an easy way to make a look extra cool. Then, I put layered necklaces on and boots. These premade sets that Anthro has are three necklaces in one, and they're perfectly layered. It’s a really good intro to layering necklaces.

KF: Another staple at Anthro is our Bennet Buttondown, and we love to size up. I’m obsessed with men’s shirting.

JF: What did we wear before men’s buttondowns? I wear one every single day. I’m wearing that shirt right now.

KF: Pro tip: If you find a piece that you love, fits you, and works well with your style, play with the sizing because it can totally change your look. For example, I styled this shirt as a dress to align with the no-pants trend for fall. She's not showing too much skin here, but it would be cute with tights, too. If you show up with a great earring, a statement bag, and this shirt, you're definitely the most interesting person in the room.

KF: This shirt can be worn with denim in a much more casual way, too. We can’t talk about fall without talking about denim, right? So, what’s the trend right now?

JF: I feel like anything kind of goes right now. It’s about dressing for your body. You shouldn’t be forcing your body into something that doesn’t work for you.

KF: My choice would be a super-long wide-leg from AGOLDE (I love this brand!) that comes with an exaggerated cuff. My narrative throughout these styled looks is if you’re going to get something new for fall, I want you to feel super special about it. I would buy a new pair of jeans as my outfit-maker.

JF: Also denim skirts are back – maxi, micro. Denim dresses. Denim is everywhere and it is all acceptable.