I’m Accessory Obsessed — These 16 Must-Haves Will Make Your Fall Outfits Shine

1. Tall boots

Tall boots are just that girl when it comes to winter outfits. They truly wear well alone, but for wintertime, they look especially stunning when you layer ‘em up with leggings or tights.

There are quite a few variations in design when it comes to tall boots, so you could snag them in a moto, cowboy boot, or sleek style.

Whatever tall boot style speaks to you the most and will be most practical for your needs will be perfect!

2. Snow boots

Snow boots are honestly non-negotiable if you live somewhere, well, snowy.

Snow boots are designed with the cold in mind, so they’re often expertly insulated and boast reliable textured soles that won’t fail you on slippery ice.

Sorel, UGG, Hunter, and Blundstone make some of my favorite snow boots since they still look effortlessly stylish, all while keeping your feet safe and warm!

3. Clogs

Where would I be without my clogs?! Seriously – they’re super helpful if I need to run a quick errand or take my dog for a brief walk outside. The best part about clogs is they’re extremely easy to put on and take off – no time for traditional laces over here!

I thoroughly enjoy this gardening-inspired pair from SeaVees because the soles are fitted with a good amount of traction to keep me from slip-sliding when I have to go out in the snow. They’re also waterproof, keeping my feet dry with every step.

Puffer styles like these are especially great if more warmth is what you’re seeking this season.

I also can’t recommend these Chacos clogs enough, since they’re remarkably durable and perfect for year-round wear.

4. Reliable sneakers

Sneakers are a must no matter the season, but having a pair for winter can really depend on your season-specific needs. Whether it’s a running sneaker that’s primed for the gym’s treadmills or a more fashion-forward design that you want to rock with all of your ‘going out’ outfits, there’s a winter sneaker for everyone.

I tend to shop sneakers for winter in more toned-down color palettes, since I typically wear more monochromatic ‘fits when the weather’s gloomy. I really adore my New Balance 530's since I can easily take them from a workout to a night out.

5. Cozy house shoes

Finally, cozy house shoes should be a given when it comes to winter. I surely spend more time at home around this time of year, and when I’m hibernating, my toes get annoyingly cold! I know I'm not the only one, too.

That’s where a good slipper or house shoe comes in – they exist to protect your feet from the elements, ensuring you stay cozy all season long.

1. Barrel Jeans

We have a love/hate relationship with barrel jeans because some of them can make us look frumpy. That's not a word we like to use often so that should be a hint at how complicated this fashion trend is for us. Still, we saw an increased interest in this and can't be mad at how great some people styled it.

Our favorite outfits included a plain button-up top, balloon jeans, flats, and a cute coat to accessorize it.

Try this style:H&M High Rise Barrel Leg Jeans

2. Oxford Loafers

Wearing loafers is never a cause for burning down the fashion industry, but we didn't think the clunky versions would be a shoe of choice for anyone. Some of us can't forget wearing penny loafers with our school or church outfits, but we never thought we'd see modern versions of a shoe we were forced to wear.

P.S. Can you picture the plaid dress or skirt with thick white stockings stuffed into black penny loafers? Or, is that just us?

Try this style:Dr. Martens Adrian Virginia Leather Tassel Loafers

3. Mary Jane Flats

Fashion trends aren't supposed to make us sigh and roll our eyes before admitting we love them, but Mary Jane flats elicited that response from us. We truly didn't know we'd see them so much in 2024, but they were another surprising popular style.

P.S. We have a pair in our closets too so you're not alone.

Try this style:Old Navy Mary Jane Square Toe Ballet Flats

4. Metallic Studs Galore

This really shocked us because we thought people were leaning towards minimalism. As far as anyone can see, there isn't anything subtle about strategically placed metallic studs on a garment or shoe. But, guess what? The girls loved it.

We can't say that we gave into the hype, but we're glad people enjoyed playing around with gaudy pieces last year. For all we know, someone will still love wearing this trend in 2025.

Try this style:Madewell The Greta Ballet Flat

5. Sequins Everywhere

We don't think this trend went out of style, but we saw how many people rushed to wear sequins during the holidays. We even gave in to it ourselves and we're kind of proud of it. However, we remember how annoying it was when some of our sequins popped off and rolled away into some unknown abyss.

Try this style:ELOQUII x Kate Spade New York Sequin Column Dress

6. Mini Bubble Skirts

Some of us were unable to participate in this fashion trend because of the way we're shaped, but we weren't complaining. This is probably the most confusing trend that we kept seeing, making us question what year we were living in.

Somehow, mini bubble skirts were one of the trendy styles to wear in 2024, but we really wish they would go back to wherever they crawled from. Sorry, not sorry!

Try this style:A New Day Bubble Hem Mini Skirt

7. Androgynous Neckties

It's not that we hated this trend back in the day, but we didn't think people would start wearing neckties again. It's one of those trends that felt easy to forget until you saw someone wearing one.

Try this style:Luckyvestir Tie

1. New Years Eve

December 31 may have come and gone, but there's always more NYE events to come. It's just one of the worst days to have your wedding. No, I mean it. Abbott suggests this isn't the time to pack two celebratory events into one. As the owner and creative director of Amy Abbott Events, she's helped plan luxurious weddings for some of Hollywood's top celebrities and athletes — including Simone Biles!

So, why no fabulous wedding on NYE? She says, "You’ll end up paying almost 50 percent more as vendors typically charge much higher rates." But, that's just the tip of the iceberg. She also adds, "For destination weddings during this time of year, hotels often enforce 5- to 7-night minimum stays, with hotel rates being nearly double. This can make it almost impossible for your guests to commit to attending your wedding." Even if you think money isn't an issue, she advises "it's just a very costly option."

That's not the only issue you could face. "To add to the challenge, some of the best vendors often take the entire holiday season off, making availability a significant issue." This just made our jaws drop because we didn't know this! But we can imagine this feels like one of the times they get to catch their breath before prepping for such a huge moment in people's lives so it's not unbelievable!

2. Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is such a romantic day that deserves to be reserved for celebrating how much you're in love. But, please don't think your wedding has to be on February 14. Vezzetti says this day along with NYE "may sound romantic," but they're not in "reality."

She says, "These dates are super popular for weddings and other celebrations, which means venues and vendors charge a premium." And guess what? She says you're not even considering "future anniversaries."

Her advice if you decide to forge ahead is: "Good luck booking a cozy dinner reservation when everyone else is celebrating too."

3. Super Bowl Sunday

Another thing Fay says couples "often forget about" are "major sporting events." Her rule of thumb is to "try to understand the guest list and audience" so her team can be "conscious of their experiences."

It's the reason she's against have a wedding on Super Bowl Sunday. She says, "It may leave guests less present at your event, even if you're not a football fan. So we [the Tara Fay Events team] try to be conscious of big cultural and sporting events like this."

Always be aware of times close to major holidays. If guests have to travel distances and be away from their families, that may impact your rsvp’s. Plus, it’s typically more expensive to travel those times of year. Don’t forget about international holidays as well, Diwali for example.

4. Labor Day

Vezzetti also discourages scheduling a wedding on Labor Day. The rule used to be that you couldn't wear white after this holiday passed, but now you need to rethink your plans if you plan to trade 'I Do's" on this date.

"Long holiday weekends may seem ideal for travel, but they also come with headaches. First, heavy traffic," says Vezzetti. She and her team "have seen travel times TRIPLE on Colorado roadways during these holidays." This fact alone made our hearts skip a beat because we caught of a flash of you potentially being late your own wedding!

Also, Vezzetti says you won't be the only person in town for a holiday like this. "Because everyone else is traveling, lodging and restaurants are hard to come by, especially popular mountain retreats in places like Colorado."

5. Memorial Day

Sigh... We don't know why anyone would want to have a wedding on Memorial Day, but personal preference always plays a factor in decisions like this. The issue, Vezzetti warns, is that you're risking a lot by doing so. "Before you set the date, do a little research as to local annual events," she advises.

For example, Boulder, Colorado is a "great destination with amazing scenery, warm weather, and world-class dining" according to her. "But Memorial Day in Boulder, Colorado brings more than 50,000 runners into town. So definitely check the local calendar for your wedding destination and make sure you aren't going to share your special day with thousands of others."

Can you imagine having an outdoor wedding where your guests are torn between watching you emotionally exchange vows as marathon runners sprint nearby?

I'm kind of scared I'll choose the wrong date. What are good days or months to have my wedding?

This sounds like a "how-to" guide of everything you shouldn't do when choosing your wedding date, but there's still a large window of opportunity! "The best months to get married for tropical destination weddings are October 15th through July 15th," Abbott says.

But, there's a catch. "Once you go beyond that, you risk running into hurricane season. Even if you're fortunate enough to avoid a storm, the intense heat and relentless bugs can take away from the enjoyment of your day," she adds. All in all, "it's simply not an ideal time of year" because "the weather can significantly impact your overall experience," according to her.

Fay agrees with this by adding "major weather events are important to consider" at all times. She also added you should "take note of monsoon months" along with "hurricane season." She knows no one can really "predict bad weather," but she wants you to "aim for months that more often provide the experience you're looking to have."

Vezzetti says "popular dates in Colorado are the summer months (June-September) because of the scenic outdoor backdrops and warm weather." But she knows there are "trade-offs" like "venues and vendors" booking early, plus the chance "you might pay higher prices" even though the "gorgeous sand makes it worth it!"

The truth is that your special day should feel as seamless as possible. Something is sure not to go according to plan, but it shouldn't involve something interrupting the entire date you've chosen to have your weeding. Fay's final piece of advice, "If you want to get married in Europe, be aware of when Europeans go on holiday and try to avoid August which is the busiest time for major European countries.

But, the trade-offs are that venues and vendors book early and you might pay higher prices (but it's gorgeous sand worth it!). But, if you want to save, In Colorado late spring (April–May) and late fall (November) are excellent for the value. Plus, venues and vendors often have more availability. This concept can be applied to other destinations, but they may have seasonal variations. So, be sure to check the seasonal highs and lows in whatever area you are planning to tie the knot.

A tip you may not have considered is doing "a little research on when courthouses in the destination issue marriage licenses." Vezzetti suggests doing this so you're well-prepared and can "plan with enough travel time so you are not scrambling to get your legal documents."

Not sure when to go? Vezzetti says, "In most States, courthouses are only open during banking hours (Mon-Fri, generally), and while the process may quick (in Colorado, expect 15 minutes, tops), couples without a plan might find themselves in panic mode." Didn't we say we don't want you passing out before your big day even arrives? Take Vezzetti's advice and "do a little research" so you can "plan to arrive a day early!"