OOTM: Outfits of the Month - October

I have a particular weakness for a (mostly) monochromatic look, especially when it is all black. Perhaps it is the New Yorker in me, or perhaps black simply has a draw that other colors don’t. Either way, Caroline demonstrates the power in keeping the palette narrow and the details interesting.

The side lacing on her pencil skirt adds a touch of corsetry, while the grommet belt brings in a harder, almost punkish edge. Then come the Maison Margiela Tabi shoes, lending the outfit a little Antwerp Six sensibility.

My favorite detail, however, is the baby pink accessory that breaks up all that black. The soft color introduces some contrast without disrupting the look's otherwise simple palette. This is the beauty of dressing in one color. Without a mix of hues to carry the outfit, texture, proportion, and accessories get to have their moment.

As a model herself, Adeline knows a thing or two about the art of off duty dressing. The look has a kind of ease, where classic staples, good denim, and a few well chosen details come together. It is a formula I have been gravitating toward this fall, and one that proves you do not need an entirely new wardrobe to make getting dressed interesting.

Adeline’s take on the Canadian tuxedo is a perfect example. Denim on denim has a long history of being both a fashion provocation and a wardrobe staple. The difference is always in the styling. Adeline keeps things relaxed, letting the combination do its job. There is something very nineties Kate Moss about the result.

The accessory that really pulls it together is the Western belt. Western references have been cycling through fashion for seasons, from the cowboy inspired styling at Ralph Lauren to the more polished, house coded interpretations appearing across luxury collections. Dior's recent take offers a fashion week approved option, while a vintage piece from Double RL has that worn in character that is difficult to manufacture. Personally, I see very little reason to choose between the two. A good Western belt adds structure, breaks up the denim, and gives an otherwise familiar outfit a little more attitude.

The Canadian tuxedo is an outfit that can be hard to perfect. Get the washes right, add a belt with some personality, and resist the urge to accessorize every inch of the look. Adeline’s look is a reminder that the best off duty outfits are the simplest.

One of my favorite parts of fall dressing is, without question, the handbags. Between the rich, almost edible color palettes and textures like suede, croc embossing, and supple leather, Fall/Winter accessories are where designers really get to flex their creative muscles. A good bag can do more than finish an outfit. Sometimes, it gives the entire look its starting point.

In the look above, Merys creates a beautiful story in layering, built around a standout Saint Laurent handbag. I have always loved her bag selections, but this one deserves particular attention. It calls to mind the accessories at Saint Laurent under Anthony Vaccarello, where rich materials and a Parisian touch tend to do more than overt embellishment ever could.

What I particularly love is the way Merys works with different shades of grey, allowing each layer to contribute something of its own. It is a combination that feels right at home alongside the layered neutrals seen at The Row and Toteme.

Layering is one of those skills that looks deceptively simple on the runway but becomes considerably more complicated in front of your own closet. Too many competing textures and the outfit starts to lose its direction. Too few, and it can fall flat. Merys look is a good reminder that sometimes the best wardrobe updates come from changing the way you put your existing pieces together, with one very good bag leading the way.

That wraps up October’s Outfit of the Month. From clever styling choices to pieces worth investing in, these looks are a reminder that inspiration is everywhere if you know where to look. Until next month, I'll be taking notes.