Channel your inner Hillary Banks this fall with some Autumn outfit inspiration
Hello Everyone
It is finally Autumn (or, as some call it, Fall!) My favourite season for so many reasons, though mainly fashion related. To compensate for the lack of spring/summer content, I will bombard you with plenty of outfit inspo this Autumn. This outfit is one of my all-time favourites. I always refer to this as my ‘Hilary Banks’ outfit as I feel I am channelling her whenever I wear it (which is a lot). If I had to describe my style with one look, it would be this one, so let’s get right into it, and I hope you love it as much as I do.
Pleat-y Please…
So, let’s address the elephant in the room, yes, this skirt again! I love it, and you may remember it from one of my earlier posts; well, it is finally available to order again, so be sure to add it to your basket before it sells out again (link below)!
Whenever I wear this outfit, I feel girly, glam, and, as mentioned, like I am channelling Hilary Banks. I owe that to this skirt; I have said I love the silhouette this faux leather skirt creates, which still stands true. Pleats are one of my favourite effects, and half of my wardrobe is pleated at this point. Last time I paired this skirt with a pair of tights but this time round, I opted for bare legs; it is long enough but you can wear with pantyhose for extra security.
Bodysuits & Blazers
This time round, I paired the skirt with this black square neck slinky sleeveless bodysuit. I love the simplicity of this bodysuit; being sleek and basic, it ties the outfit together without doing too much. I was drawn to the square neck in this look because when I don’t wear tights with a skirt, I like to have another element of bare skin elsewhere to balance the look.
I reached for a standard-length blazer; this may sound contradictory because I previously said I liked to wear cropped blazers with this skirt to avoid a bulky look. However, this blazer is relatively thin and nicely layers over the pleats. I wanted the pleats to peak out underneath the blazer to create some dimension to the back of the outfit; therefore, opting for standard length and not a longline blazer. Although early Autumn is not freezing, the blazer added a much-needed layer of warmth while adding to the aesthetic. I also love the gold buttons and the effect they add to the outfit; besides the buttons, everything is black, so the gold added a pop of contrast without removing the monochromatic colour approach.
Say Yes to OTK
I featured another of my favourite things: over-the-knee boots; I love OTKS, and I wait all year round for acceptable OTK weather every year, and you best believe I pull them out if I feel even so much as a slight breeze. I love the look of a mini skirt, OTKs and bare legs, so when the weather allows for it, I skip out on the tights together and rely on a pair of my trusty OTKs to keep my legs warm.
These block-heeled boots are short enough to be worn all day comfortably. The only thing I would mention is that they are quite a slim fit, so if you have wider feet, I suggest maybe sizing up a half size to accommodate. These boots also stay up; there is nothing I hate more than OTK boots that fall down and need to be pulled up throughout the day. They also have ties at the back that add a cute element to the back of the boots and can be fastened/loosened so you can create your perfect fit.
It’s In The Bag..
I love this black leather shoulder saddle bag. It is very minimalist and the perfect size to keep your essentials in. It is easy to open (and close) and never looks bulky, no matter how much you put in it, ensuring you maintain a clean, sleek aesthetic. Additionally, the detailing adds dimension to this all-black outfit. The gold details on the handles complement the blazer’s gold buttons, and the tie knot detailing gives the bag an edge.
Jewellery, Hair & Makeup
I opted for a medium pair of chunky gold hoops and a simple gold cross necklace. This necklace was a layered chunky necklace, but I liked the idea of the cross by itself, so I removed it (or broke it?) from the bigger chain as the complete necklace would’ve been too much for the outfit (necklace is clearer in perfume picture below).
I went for a natural makeup look (as always) but skipped out on eyeshadow altogether. I went for a nude lip gloss but did not use a brown lip liner on this occasion. I chose a low curly bun hairstyle; super easy, super quick to do but also hard to get wrong, the messier it looks, the more I love it.
Scent Check...
Finally, perfume: the perfect finishing touch piece to achieving your aesthetic.
I chose Dolce & Gabbana’s The Only One Intense; I am not going to lie; the black and gold bottle felt very fitting for this outfit as it matches the colour-way of the aesthetic, so that is a partial reason for my reaching for this bottle.
But I love this scent and think it is perfect for this look: it is creamy and sensual, sweet and dark simultaneously, which is also how I feel about Autumn! It is an easy-reach fragrance for me, and I find it is a unique scent. It smells sophisticated and expensive, which is the perfect combination for this look.
That’s all for now!
As always,
Remember not to put too much pressure on yourself; style is about what you feel comfortable in.
You don’t have to follow all the trends and wear things just because other people wear them. So, feel free to (or not) take inspiration from this outfit and add your own uniqueness, so it is more catered to your taste.
Stay safe, have fun and remember there is only one you, so celebrate that!
Until next time fashionistas,
Unique.
Outfit Links
Skirt – PLT – Black Faux Leather Pleated Skater Skirt
Blazer – Shein – Notch Collar Double Breasted Blazer
Bodysuit – Boohoo – Black Slinky Skinny Strap Bodysuit
OTK Boots – Shein – Tie Back Over Knee Block Heeled Boots
Bag – Boohoo – Knot Detail PU Shoulder Bag
Perfume – Dolce & Gabbana – The Only One Intense EDP
