Every closet could use a simple yet stylish outfit recipe – one you can turn to when you’re not inspired. It’s the equivalent of keeping your freezer stocked with a frozen meal (or two) from Trader Joes; it will take five minutes and will hit every time. For some, including Lana Condor and Hailey Bieber, this outfit formula is an elevated matching set that requires no additional styling. For others, like Selena Gomez, it’s a combination of timeless and trendy pieces that makes for an ultra-chic look, a formula that Taylor Swift has recently made her own as well.
While out in New York with Blake Lively, the two teamed up in long beach waves and statement mini skirts. But while Lively went a little bolder with her look — bright colors, patchwork denim and tweed — Swift kept it very simple and remarkably stylish. The singer-songwriter wore a classic black cardigan, a pleated mini skirt and a timeless pair of block-heeled riding boots.
Madewell crew neck ribbed cardigan
Madewell
Noisy May – Thea pleated mini skirt
Nordstrom
Madewell The Monterey high boot
Madewell
The three-piece outfit was the reminder I needed that some of fall’s best looks build on the basics we already have in our wardrobe. Swift’s black cardigan is an easy knit that most of us already own and can easily be dressed up or down. But rather than going totally casual, she took a page from Gomez’s book and elevated the wardrobe staple with the mini skirt and heels.
Mini skirts have been a staple piece over the past couple of years, worn by everyone from Julia Roberts to Rihanna. And while the style is often sexy (or can be so micro as to be impractical), Swift has masterfully shown how to make it more polished; her gray, uniform take on the trendy style took it from sexy to sophisticated. Additionally, heeled riding boots minimize the leg and balance the fashionability of the skirt with a timeless touch. They also brought the whole look back to fall, making the formula a must-have this season.
Swift’s simple three-piece outfit will definitely be my official uniform this fall. Below I’ve found more skirts and boots to help you recreate the look yourself.
Get the look:
Anthropologie Pilcro Pleated Denim Mini Skirt
buy now: 98$; anthropology.com
Tory Burch high banana boot
Buy now: $548; nordstrom.com
Sea Jamie pleated twill mini skirt
buy now: $285; amazon.com
Gap Stacked Heel Knee Boots
buy now: $66 (originally $118); gap.com
Wayf – Mini skirt with exposed pockets
buy now: $79 with code AUTUMN20 (originally $99); shopbop.com
Coach Lilli leather boot
buy now: $266 (originally $350); zappos.com
Free People Pleats to Meet You Mini Skirt
buy now: 88$; freepeople.com
Franco Sarto – Tribute knee high boot
buy now: $121 (originally $170); amazon.com
BP pleated tennis skirt
buy now: $49; nordstrom.com
Evangee Vince Camuto Boot
buy now: $239; dsw.com
