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Casual Early Fall Outfit with a Sleeveless Cowl Neck Top

Hello, friends! Welcome back to 26 Days of Fall Fashion! Charcoal and plum is one of my favorite color combinations for fall and winter, so when I saw these pieces hanging in my closet, I knew instantly that I wanted to put them together in this casual early fall outfit.

Casual Early Fall Outfit Inspo: Charcoal + Plum featuring Two By Vince Camuto Sleeveless Cowl Neck Top, Paige Verdugo Ankle Skinny Jeans in Aubergine, Tory Burch Heidi Ballet Flats and Convertible Leather Crossbody Bag

This Sleeveless Speckled Slub Jersey Cowl Neck Top was one of the first pieces I picked up at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale last month. It is such a great transition piece and will be perfect for layering under jackets and cardigans when the weather gets cooler. Unfortunately, it is . . . (you know what’s coming, don’t you???) sold out.

Casual Early Fall Outfit Inspo: Charcoal + Plum featuring Two By Vince Camuto Sleeveless Cowl Neck Top with Paige Verdugo Ankle Skinny Jeans in Aubergine | Fashion Over 40

I know it’s frustrating when I feature items that are sold out, but I know many of you shopped from my #NSale recommendations, so I hope it’s still helpful for me to style some of those pieces even if they’re sold out now. Of course, this is a color combination that is easy to replicate, and I do have some similar items to suggest.

For a similar look, this sleeveless turtleneck comes in a charcoal grey, and it is currently stocked in all sizes. It’s more of a traditional cut, but it would be a great layering piece this fall. And this sleeveless cowl sweater is $$$ but sooo cute.

Early Fall Outfit Inspo: Charcoal + Plum featuring Two By Vince Camuto Sleeveless Cowl Neck Top, Paige Verdugo Ankle Skinny Jeans in Aubergine, Tory Burch Heidi Ballet Flats and Convertible Leather Crossbody Bag

I saw these Paige Verdugo Skinnies in Aubergine in the pre-Sale catalog and immediately put them on my must-buy list. I have the Verdugo in mint and pale pink, and they are some of my most comfortable jeans. These did not disappoint. The color is perfect for pairing with all shades of grey and beige, and they also look great with a denim jacket. They are so soft and stretchy and comfortable. I swear, I feel like I’m wearing pajamas when I pull these on.

Early Fall Outfit Inspo: Charcoal + Plum featuring Paige Verdugo Ankle Skinny Jeans in Aubergine,

These ankle jeans have a 29″ inseam with a 10″ leg opening and a comfortable 8 1/2″ front rise. The Paige Verdugo styles that I have in my closet both have a 28″ inseam, but I much prefer the 29″ on me. I can’t seem to find any other Verdugo styles that have the 29″ inseam, so I’m not sure what’s up with these, but I love them! That extra inch helps to visually elongate the body and creates a better overall proportion — especially when the top is long, as this one is.

Everyone has a different sweet spot when it comes to the length of jeans, so when you find yours, write it down so you know what to look for! If they’re too long, they can always be hemmed, but if they’re too short, then you just have to make do. (I still wear ankle jeans that have a 28″ inseam, but I usually cuff them to give them more of a cropped look, and they work perfectly with most ankle boots.)

For similar jeans that are less expensive, the NYDJ Ami Colored Stretch Jeans in Brandy are a nice choice for $114, and Caslon makes a pair in Red Cordovan that are marked down to $39!!!

Early Fall Outfit Inspo: Charcoal + Plum featuring Two By Vince Camuto Sleeveless Cowl Neck Top, Paige Verdugo Ankle Skinny Jeans in Aubergine, Tory Burch Heidi Ballet Flats and Convertible Leather Crossbody Bag | Jo-Lynne Shane

Speaking of sweet spots, you also have a sweet spot for the length of your tops. It is a range, and it varies depending on what you are pairing with it on the bottom. In this case, this top is too long, and it throws off my proportion, making my legs look shorter and my hips look wider than is ideal. It would be more flattering if it was an inch or two shorter, or if I had on heels to make my legs look longer.

I know that it is meant to be longer, almost tunic-length, and it has the side slits to give it a more relaxed fit, and it’s okay, but it’s not the most flattering top in my closet. I know this, and I kept it anyway because I like the style and it’s comfortable, but I figured it was a good object lesson. See, once a teacher, always a teacher! Haha!

I wore a long silver pendant to break up the front of the top and silver wire hoops (these are similar.) My necklace is from White House Black Market, but I can’t find it online. For a similar necklace, this Kendra Scott Mystic Bazaar Aiden Pendant would be nice with this outfit.

Early Fall Outfit Inspo: Charcoal + Plum featuring Two By Vince Camuto Sleeveless Cowl Neck Top, Paige Verdugo Ankle Skinny Jeans in Aubergine, Tory Burch Heidi Ballet Flats and Convertible Leather Crossbody Bag | Jo-Lynne Shane | Wearable Fashion for Women Over 40

Finally, my Tory Burch ballet flats were another #NSale fave that will go with so much this fall and winter. Pewter or silver ballet flats have actually been on my wish list for a while, so when I saw these, I was thrilled. I love the snakeskin detail. It sets them apart from plain ballet flats and definitely ups the style quotient. They are marked down 33% off, and sizes are getting depleted. I suspect they’re going to be phased out so if you’ve had your eye on them, don’t wait around to order yourself a pair.

I did have to size up to a 9 in these, by the way. I normally wear an 8 1/2. They are comfortable, but they do rub a spot on my heel on one foot. It might just be the pair that I have, though, because the other shoe is fine.

heidi-ballet-flats-1

If you’re looking for super duper comfortable leather ballet flats that are less than $100, I cannot recommend the Sam Edelman Felicia Flats highly enough. They’re like wearing slippers from the moment you put them on. They don’t even require a breaking-in period.

Unfortunately, they don’t have pewter, but they have lots other great colors including this fun snakeskin print.

Sam Edelman Felicia Flats

I love this outfit for those early fall days that are still warm in the afternoons but the mornings have a bit of a nip in the air. It doesn’t seem like it at the moment, but those days are coming! When it does, this will be perfect for wearing to the kids’ school activities and casual days about town.

Early Fall Outfit Inspo: Charcoal + Plum featuring Two By Vince Camuto Sleeveless Cowl Neck Top, Paige Verdugo Ankle Skinny Jeans in Aubergine, Tory Burch Heidi Ballet Flats and Convertible Leather Crossbody Bag

Sleeveless Speckled Slub Jersey Cowl Neck Top (similar sleeveless turtleneck) // PAIGE ‘Verdugo’ Ankle Skinny Jeans (Aubergine) (less expensive options HERE and HERE) // Tory Burch ‘Heidi’ Ballet Flats (or consider the Sam Edelman Felicia Flats) // Tory Burch Crossbody Bag (I also love THIS)

I hope you’re all having a lovely weekend! So far so good over here. I hung out with friends last night, and this morning is the kick-off to this year’s women’s monthly Bible study at our church. We’ll be studying Titus, and I’m excited to delve into that short but rich book. We’re also hoping to shoot an outfit or two before that, so I’ve got a full morning.

Enjoy the rest of your Saturday, and be sure to visit Cyndi and see the fall outfit she’s styling today!

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11 Responses

  1. Well you already know I love this because I’ve already worn my top a couple times! I love how you paired with the colored jeans and will definitely have to try it. I know what you mean about the fit on the bottom though. I really had to play with mine to get it where I liked it. I almost sent it back. Once I tried the little side half tuck on it though, love!
    By the way, thanks so much for continuing to style some of these nsale pieces! I did grab quite a few of your recs, so I’m thankful you’re going to keep styling at least some of them.

  2. While it’s not ideal to have the item(s) sold out, I’m glad that you still post them. I sometimes find similar items in the stores around me (which are limited) or purchase something when you post about it early, like with the #NSale. It is always nice to see how you style it, even if I don’t have the exact same piece. So thanks! Enjoy your weekend! I’m off to a cross country meet in the rain!????

  3. I’m always impressed about how you mix colors that I would not have thought of putting together and still they look so good on you. I’ve always liked Aubergine colored pants but typically end up not buying them for fear of not having enough to wear them with, especially living here in the south. Definitely teaching me to leave my comfort zone. That charcoal top is very pretty and although the turtleneck is cute too, I cannot stand that type of collar (fortunately is too hot here year round anyway)..

  4. Great outfit Jo-Lynne! While reading this post, I started thinking about the jeans I should wear with my booties from PayLess. Should the legs be tight & short, long & flailed, etc. What do you suggest?

    Have a great weekend!

  5. The ballet flats are so cute!!! And I love the aubergine skinnies too. I just wish they were a longer inseam (I need at least 30″- I’m 5’9″ )
    Do you know of any other brands that have that same color with a longer inseam?
    Thank you!

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