If you had asked me a few weeks ago what items I'm most anticipating buying this fall, absolutely nowhere on that list would you have found the word Blazer. I actually would have laughed in the face at anyone who might have even had the gall to suggest I might soon be investing in a blazer, much less eagerly wearing one. But like the day I met one of my best friends in a Freshman Lit class after she straight up told a guy that his critiques were sexist, I saw this blazer on a hanger and curiously decided, "Hey, I kind of like you." That's because the second I tried on this glen plaid gem, I recognized the possibility to style something so classically corporate in a way that's distinctly not (the most) safe for work. I'll just leave you to the photos above and the words: hiking boots, baby tee and fishnets-- to fully understand what I mean. As always, shop the look below.

Dressing for early fall weather can be tricky. It's both difficult and awkward because of the various changes in temperature you encounter throughout the day. You know from experience that there WILL be the classic shift from brisk mornings to balmy afternoons. The one that'll have you putting on your favorite pants in the AM only to have to cut them into shorts in the PM. Don't fall for it. You'll probably hate them and immediately regret it because frayed, black hot pants don't have quite the same effect as skinny, black jeans, and now you're out a pair of pants.

Instead, save yourself the trouble and think about compensating for the heat fluctuation in two parts: your top half and your extremities. Consider meeting the perplexing weather with something equally confusing, like this cold-shoulder sweater. When you're cold, you can remind yourself that you're wearing a turtleneck. And when you're warm, you can remind yourself that this same turtleneck has breathable cutouts. On bottom, leave the pants and take the cannoli. I mean shorts, take the shorts. Finally, the most important element to cheating the struggle of fall weather comes in the shape of a shoe, or two. The major key is to ALWAYS go for the boot and NEVER go for the sandal. If your feet are warm, your body is warm, at least that's what I just read on a message board called, "Ask A Scientist: Feet Keep Us Warm." Don't worry, it seemed legit. Now that we've given you the secret to fall dressing, shop the look below.