Finally! It seems that the general consensus in most places is that fall has arrived! I took this opportunity to frolic in the only pile of leaves I could find…I’m sure everyone was thrilled about the leafy mess I left behind, but seriously, how could I pass up that kind of fun?
Anyway, I greeted fall in my favorite way: in a dress with leggings! It was just warm enough to go without a blazer/cardigan and just cool enough to wear leggings. Let’s chat about this dress, shall we? I found it for $5 at Ann Taylor in the “final clearance” section, and thought it was a perfect dress for fall, though it likely was marketed as a summer dress.
The dress had a nice purple tribal print, so I simply belted it and added a tribal necklace in a bronze tone.
In keeping with my love of mismatching, I added turquoise flats to the ensemble.
Dress: Ann Taylor Loft ($5 marked down from approx $60)
Leggings: Old Navy ($10)
Necklace: Forever 21 (approx $5)
Belt: Urban Outfitters ($5 marked down from approx $25)
Shoes: Dolce Vita at Marshall’s ($20 marked down from $100)
Fashion Huntress tips:
1) Final clearance is a magical option when shopping, as long as you try on the items before you leave the store. Generally, final clearance cannot be returned, which can be intimidating. Fear not, though. Try on any final clearance items before you leave to ensure their fit, and then you don’t even have to worry about returning them! Generally speaking, final clearance items are not subject to additional discounts, so the price on the tag is likely what you will end up paying. The stores where I tend to find final clearance items most frequently are: Gap, Banana Republic, and Ann Taylor. The final clearance racks tend to be a bit hidden, but they often have a sign on them, so look around to see if there is one in the store!
2) Seriously, I’m pretty much obsessed with dresses and leggings this time of year. You don’t need to have a ton of leggings to get through a full season. Currently, I only have two pairs of leggings that I rotate throughout the week as I do laundry. If you invest in a good pair that can be washed a lot, then you won’t need more than that. I used to think that my outfits would look too similar throughout the week if I was wearing leggings a lot, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. The last thing people remember about an outfit is the leggings, so make the dress your statement piece, especially if you also like wearing this type of clothing throughout the week. I get my leggings and tights at Marshall’s, TJ Maxx, Nordstrom Rack and Old Navy.
Anyone else living in leggings lately? Loving final sale items?
Thanks for stopping by, readers! Hope everyone is having a good start to the week and enjoying the fabulous weather!
the fashion huntress 
I love the color of this purple. I need to be brave like you and work with opposites more often, my fear is that I can’t do it correclty and I’ll end up looking like a box of crayons. I really like how you put all of your items together! I’m jealous that you have fall leaves on the ground, all of our leaves are clinging to the trees here, it’s okay thought because I’ve already started drinking hot cocoa and brougt out the pumpkin spice scents! eeee oh and I have like 12 pairs of leggins *grumble, if only it crossed my mind to invest in just a few good pairs that don’t easily tear at the you know where.
Xo GS
http://middayspritzer.wordpress.com/
Fall Trends: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cyux5s2FXtk
I totally hear you! I used to feel the same way…and definitely still do some days! I think the trick is just to wear what you love and people will get on board for whatever you’ve got on. Some days, I just tell myself “just own it” and then I leave my house! It’s funny because the outfits that I’m most “on the fence” about tend to get the most positive comments, so I guess it’s about just going with what you like.
And yes! Leggings and tights can be weird when they run/split/tear- that makes me so crabby when it happens while I’m out/at work. These days I try to look for pairs that are reinforced and thick. I tend to have the most tears in the toe area, so I started looking for tights with reinforced toes to stop that from happening!
xoxo enjoy fall!!
So true! Usually what you don’t like other people love, I’ll never understand that hehe. Great philosophy!
Thanks!! It seems to work out when you follow it, right?! 🙂
I love this chic/bohemian look! Very cute dress and I love how the flats act as a pop color! 😉
Thank you! I love the bohemian look for sure- especially when I can mismatch in bohemian looks…that’s my ideal :)!!
I like the pop of color of that flats
Thank you! They are so much more versatile than you would think- I end up wearing them all the time!
So true about shopping final sale! You can really find some gems in there. I do, however, need to heed your advice to try on. I got an adorable pair of black dress shorts on final sale at Loft, and neglected to try them on. Thankfully the broken zipper was an easy fix, but it also doubled the cost of the shorts.
XO
Yes! That kind of thing has happened to me before; though, you only make that mistake once, right!? A repair can end up costing double what you paid originally! Sometimes I don’t mind, but other times I decide it’s not worth it! xo
So true…I live in leggings most of the Fall. Love the dress..what a score at $5!
Right!? $5!? Final sale at Loft is amazing for that very reason- it’s about a $5-$20 price point. SOLD! 🙂
Omg leaves already on the ground? It looks great on pictures, just sad that summer is gone! I love that purple dress, you look fabulous as always.
-Vogue&Heels
http://www.vogueandheels.com
Thanks, girl!! I appreciate it! I know…I had to really search around for a file of leaves. I looked for some for my pics today, but alas, couldn’t find any!! xo
Love the print and how adorable do you look!!! I love a good legging, its always so comfy and easy to wear with anything..
Thank you!! Yes, I would live in my leggings if I had enough dresses!! 🙂
I love purple and turquoise together!! Such a pretty dress 🙂
Thanks, Veloria!! I’m channeling your color inspiration these days :)!!
LOVE the dress! You can find some great clearance deals at Loft!
You really can! Loft has awesome deals- especially lately! I find some total steals there!! xo
The turquoise flats are perfect with this outfit!
You know I’m a sucker for anything turquoise!! 🙂 Thanks, hun! ❤
I love the look!! Very cool combination of colours! 🙂
http://www.littleprettymess.com
I love fall jewel tones…they seem to be universally flattering and fun to combine different colors! xo
LOVVVVVE this look! And love the pictures of you and the crunchy leaves 🙂 I have to thank you for your comment about leggings. I love a good pair of black leggings with dresses and chunky sweaters and just like you said – I thought, too much?? Leggings to often? Thanks for the confidence boost and tip that “the last thing anyone remembers about an outfit is leggings” – love it! xxx
🙂 it took a few shots to get a good one of the leaves…the outtakes are pretty funny and involve leaves in my hair. I should have an outtake section somewhere but they would be pretty embarrassing! And yes! Leggings all day every day is my motto! Seriously, if I had enough dresses and long sweaters, I probably would never wear actual dress pants! xoxox
Love the dress u look fabxx
Thanks, girl!! I loved your autumn post the other day! The fashion blogging world is fully embracing fall :)!
The colors of this printed dress are gorgeous ! The turquoise shoes perfectly match, especially as these are 2 cold tints ! XXX
Thanks!! You know I’m crazy for prints of any sort…as I mention on your blog practically every time you post a print! haha!! xoxox
And God knows how much I love your comments ! XOXO
🙂 xoxox!
Love the dress! I never hit the Loft at the right time, but always hear of these $5 items! Fun photos… Oh, leaves – not fun to rake!
My office is about a block from the Loft (also dangerous, seriously have to stay away from the shops some days!), so I can peek in and do a quick look around. Sometimes I see the Loft $5 stuff for a few weeks in a row, but then other times there’s nothing for weeks. I don’t quite know the rhyme or reason yet…but if I figure it out, I will post it!
Beautiful color on your dress and fun photos 🙂 xx
🙂 Thank you! I don’t normally have super “fun” photos, though I decided that I need to have more! If only I had endless props!! haha! Thanks for visiting!! xo
What a great color on you.
And I am obsessed with your hair.
LOL that makes me laugh because my hair drives me crazy a lot of days for being way too flat- but, when I get the curls just right, it’s got good body! …there’s just not many of those days! But, thank you!! I’ll tell my stylist 😉 he will be thrilled!
I love that scenery the leaves on the ground. I haven’t seen them yet over here. The dress is beautiful and what a great Fall color. I love leggings I wear them all Fall and Winter.
The leaves made the whole photo session for me- it was so fun! The outtakes are even funnier. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll post a few! Anyway, I love leggings too. I just feel so much more comfortable in them than in dress pants!
lol I can’t wait for enough leaves to gather so I can do some frolicking of my own! The color of your dress is so rich and gorgeous–perfect for fall.
I went to look for more today for my photos, but alas, there were not many. I think you all should be prepared that I will be tossing leaves in all of my fall posts, if possible. Lol!
I love the bright colors of your dress and flats – so pretty!
xo jen
Pearls & Lace
Thank you!! The flats are definitely one of my favorite pairs of shoes lately!
I love the color and print of the dress!!! You got all your items for quite a bargain too!
I can’t even tell you how much I agree with you about the final sale tip. Some of the best items can be found there!
By the way, the color of your shoes is also to die for 🙂
I know! I used to shy away from final sale, but then I realized the absolute best deals are always in that section!! And yes, I love those shoes…lately I haven’t really been taking them off! 🙂