Fall Must Have Items

Fall fashion can be created around a few staples. And you don't need to sell your first born to acquire these. I love to buy new clothes, but I hate to pay full price for anything. So I have learned that when I go shopping, I need to look for staple items that will work with everything. And I need to take advantage of sales!

Some of the best fall staple pieces include a great pair of jeans, tee shirts, a sweater or two (that can be used again as a winter and possibly spring staple) scarves, shoes and a few great accessories. If you must buy these all at once, shop the sales and you can do it for under $350.

First the jeans, one or two pairs will be enough. You need to find a pair that fits you shape perfectly, and it may take an afternoon to do this. Once you find the perfect pair, buy a dark wash and a light wash. Make sure that there are not "trendy marks", such as holes or embellishments on the jeans because that can limit future wear ability. My personal favorite is the Boyfriend from American Eagle, you can pick these up for around $50 and many times they have a 2-fer sale.

Tee shirts are the perfect staple for fall. Buy a few in different colors and maybe add a cami for layering. Old Navy has great layering tees for around $12.50 and you can pick up a few basic tanks for under $10 each. Make sure you pick colors that will accent your skin tone as well as the overall mood of fall. Think dark, bold colors!

Old Navy also offers great layering sweaters to throw over your tee. Depending on the sales and your preferred style, you can get them for $20. Pick up at least two, brown and white. And opt for a zippered or tie sweater you can use as a jacket. The colors should blend with your other staple pieces as well as those you decide to throw in from your own collection.

You can never go wrong with a scarf. Lightweight scarves are symbolic of fall. Use the scarf to accent your plain tee-shirt. Wal Mart has a variety for under $10!

For fall, think chunky shoes or stick with your flip-flops. I am a firm believer that the right person can make flip flops work with anything! But you need to look stylish not white trash, so make sure that you buy a new pair for fall (because if you are like me the ones you got for summer have had the life worn right out of them!) If you are not a flip flop aficionado, opt for leather sandals. Doc Martens are my fave! These babies hold up forever and the right color works almost all year, when there is no snow. Choose a deep brown to match you fall color scheme. If you find the right sale, a few stores have them marked down around $25 a pair. This is unheard of with the retail value being at least $100.

Accessories for fall should be bold! Opt for jewelry that is show stopping, but only wear one or two pieces at a time. A good rule for fall is a necklace and ring with simple everything else or earrings and a bracelet with simple everything else. Claire's has many differed looks and most of their necklaces are around $20. Pair silver stud earrings with a chunky beaded necklace and ring that matches your shirt. Or go for decadent hoops, a simple silver chain necklace and a chunky beaded watch or bracelet.

If you spend $70 on jewelry, $50 on shoes, $20 on scarves, $100 on sweaters, tees and cami's, and $100 on jeans, you can buy all the fall must haves that you need for $340!