11 Fashionable Ways to Not Look Like You’re Trying Too Hard

The Katerina Button-Front Dress

My favorite thing about fall is the cozy color palette that comes along with it. This dress' floral pattern is flooded with warm oranges and serene greens that make matching it with your fave cardigans and jackets a total breeze. The v-neckline is universally flattering, too, while the buttoned waist hugs your figure in perfectly.

Maeve Short-Sleeve V-Neck Swing Mini Dress

Another must-have component for any fall dress is comfort. This swing mini keeps things very comfortable, since it's fairly free-flowing against your body. The contrasting stitching along the edges and pockets supply a good amount of structure, though, so you're not totally drowning. This pick would look so chic with a power duo of tall black boots with white socks peeking over the edges.

AFRM Aisla Mesh Midi Dress

For those warmer fall days, this mesh dress saves the day. It surely won't be missed anywhere you wear it, thanks to the bold polka dot pattern. Though bold in pattern, the neutral color palette sets the stage for endless pairing opportunities. This pick has some nice coverage all around the body, plus it arrives ready to wear with a light lining underneath!

Conditions Apply Chloe Maxi Slip Dress

Immediately yes. If you want to stun on your next date night this fall, this slip is the one! The silhouette is simple, but what really makes this piece shine is the swirly stripes of color. The deep jewel tones are fall's perfect fit! This dress comes with removable adjustable straps to let you customize your look, and you can dress it up even further with a chic leather jacket and neutral heels.

PAIGE Kelsee Sleeveless Mini Dress

Along with baggy jeans and denim jackets, I truly haven't been able to escape denim. Fall is *the* time to step out in it! This denim mini dress feels super playful for farmer's market outings or even a low-key day in the park. It has some nice structure to it, thanks to the multitude of pockets and the collared neckline, so it can easily be worn for more formal occasions, too. The tie belt is the real gem of this piece, cinching your figure in in the most flattering way.

Maeve Short-Sleeve Collared Button-Front Knit Mini Dress

This Anthro dress is oh-so retro and oh-so comfy. Its knit fabrication allows it to generously stretch and move with you, never once restricting your figure. The green and white colorway is quite a stylish departure from your expected fall oranges and browns, so your look will most certainly stand out. This mini buttons up all the way, giving you room to experiment with leaving one or two open at the top to perfect your get-up.

Pilcro Short-Sleeve V-Neck Smocked Babydoll Mini Dress

Peter Pan collars are already huge, and they're going to be everywhere once fall is officially in full swing. This plaid babydoll dress takes on the trending neckline with plenty of ruffles, eye-catching stitch work, and puff sleeves for a playful, yet sophisticated effect. It's made to boast a loose fit, so it's a no-brainer when it comes to picking out comfy fall 'fits. I'd absolutely style this pick with cowgirl boots and a knit cardigan to amp up the Western vibes.

The Tobie Button-Front Pleated Shirt Dress by Exquise

Leopard print is another major fall fashion trend for 2024, and there are tons of ways to style it in a polished (not gaudy) way. Case in point is this pleated shirt dress that acts as a statement piece all on its own. The pleats land right around the waistline, stylishly drawing in your figure where you might crave a lil' more definition. The top half of this design is refined by a collar and button-up styling before falling into a flowy midi-length skirt – the perfect pairing for ballet flats!

The Maya Ruched Cowl-Neck Dress: Textured Edition

I'm convinced that chocolate brown looks good on everyone. This Anthropologie dress is a great comfy piece to don for the office or happy hour, since it's high-coverage around the neckline. The leg slit along the side adds a bit of spice to your ensemble, making room for you to show off your go-to fall boots! This pick is stretchy throughout and flaunts a bit of ruching around the midsection to define your bod.

The Cecily Fit & Flare Sweetheart Dress by Maeve

This femme dress fits like a glove. It's undoubtedly vintage inspired, boasting adorable cap sleeves and a sweetheart neckline before falling into a flared skirt. The pattern highlights tons of tiny little raspberries, which will turn heads everywhere you take this piece. The fabric is fairly stretchy while still providing some structure to your look. For fall, wear it with a denim jacket and white sneakers for a no-fail casual-but-cute outfit.

The Fleur Strapless Maxi Slip Dress: Linen Edition

Everyone needs a reliable (and high-quality) black maxi. This linen pick is very straightforward in design, boasting a strapless look that'll look iconic with any fall layers you already have in your closet. From denim jackets to colorful cardis, this Anthro dress is a total wardrobe staple to pair with your faves.

Damson Madder Dion Leopard Carpenter Cargo Pants

Leopard print jeans are perhaps the lowest-risk way to try out the pattern, especially with this subdued pair. Where some leopard print pieces really boast the pattern with bright colors and high contrast, these are less flashy, but still noticeable. They flaunt a high-rise fit and wide cargo pant legs. I'd style these with a fitted black top and black ballet flats to tie the look together.

Reformation Bella Skirt

I fell victim to the great leopard print midi skirt trend back in 2019, and this piece definitely reminds me of its more mature, grown-up sister. This maxi-length skirt from Reformation falls all the way down to the floor, providing a very sleek and chic feel to your silhouette. It's a great contender for a 'night out' outfit – I'd wear it with simple kitten heels and a tiny tank to really up the pattern.

Dolce Vita Notice Stitch Sneakers

Not ready to rock full-on leopard print? Opt for some stylish sneakers like this pair from Dolce Vita. They boast the same sporty flair as the famed Adidas Sambas, but certainly have a bit more personality, thanks to the mixed materials and playful stitching. I'd wear these with some black wide-leg jeans and an oversized graphic tee to give real cool girl energy.

Mango Leopard Knit Cardigan

This leopard printed sweater is everything, and not just because of the foxy pattern. I think the clean-cut hems and slightly-cropped sleeve length really play up the spots in an elevated way, plus you can fuss around with the front buttons to find your utmost perfect fit. Wear this baby with some black capris and kitten heels to achieve a super chic model off-duty look.

A New Day One Shoulder Midi Dress

For an easy one-and-done, this midi dress is the way to go. It's made to have a bodycon fit, so it'll flatter your figure perfectly. As opposed to your basic slip dress, this one flaunts a fun one-shoulder shape with a bow tie at the top. Plus, you get a little bit of sexy edge from the leg slit on the side. A true statement piece! I think it'd look divine with dark red ballet flats and a lightweight black cardigan that you can leave on or easily take off, weather permitting.

Damson Madder Lily Carpenter Mini Skirt

Another denim leopard print iteration – I simply love to see it. Mini skirts are the most versatile garment you can keep in your closet cross-seasonally, since they look great styled with sandals and winter boots alike. This printed one boasts ample pocket space and an ideal length for sophisticated and casual moments alike. For fall, I'd style this skirt with tall riding boots, tights, and a crisp white button-up shirt to channel an office-ready 'fit.

Dolce Vita Silvie Shoulder Bag

The best part about this leopard print purse is that it's reversible – one side is covered in spots, and the other is solid black. This two-toned quality can come in super handy on days you don't necessarily want to wear all-out leopard. The print won't be the only thing turning heads, though. This bag is fitted with both silver and gold hardware as well as an asymmetrical body shape to make your look stand out from the rest. Since it's so bold, I'd definitely pair this piece with a classic little black dress or just jeans and a white tee to let the bag speak for itself.

Sézane Betty Cardigan

This Merino wool cardi mimics a jacket, but feels insanely soft. The collar, front pockets, and buttons polish the look up superbly. You could easily wear this pick alone or layered on top of a basic tank. I think it'd look so chic alongside some dark-wash wide-leg jeans and platform sneakers.

Gap Leopard Belt

For a small touch of leopard, this sturdy belt from Gap does the trick. It's an unexpected pop of pattern that'll work well against a monochromatic all-black 'fit.

Ganni Leopard Cotton Poplin Peplum Tie Blouse

There are so many iterations of this tie-together blouse out there, but Ganni truly did it first. They've certainly hopped on the leopard print trend with this piece that's all about flowy-ness. The puff sleeves, roomy round collar, and peplum silhouette make for an uber-comfy wear. I'd pair this top with black barrel jeans to shape the look even more, then finish everything off with some eye-catching sneakers.

Zara Animal Print Tulle Halter Dress

This halter dress has a sultry plunging neckline and an open back, so it's definitely the best fit for cocktail hour or a late-night party. The leopard print has some variation throughout the fabric, so it doesn't feel too repetitive or cheapy. I think some sleek heels and plenty of gold jewelry would work amazingly well with this piece.

When's the best time to do holiday shopping?

The best time to do holiday shopping really all depends on your personal shopping goals. Do you want to get a jump on items you know will sell out soon? Do you want to save the most money possible? Do you want to focus on handmade, personalized gifts? These factors will undoubtedly influence your holiday shopping schedule.

Shopping early can be advantageous for all of the aforementioned goals. A lot of retailers start promoting their holiday products early on, giving you ample time to snatch up that limited-time lip kit or fancy water bottle you’ve been eyeing way before the holidays.

Plus, some of the best deals for holiday shopping happen ahead of Black Friday and Cyber Monday – in 2023, Experian observed a surge in early spending in October, thanks to early discounts, a trend likely to continue in 2024.

Finally, shopping early can be especially helpful if your plan is to focus on handmade or personalized gifts, giving the artisan you buy from (or yourself, if you’re DIY-ing your gifts) plenty of time to craft the item with love and care.

Gallup reported in 2023 that one in four shoppers start shopping as early as September, a trend likely to continue in 2024 – so you might already be embarking on your shopping spree!

If right now is just still too darn early for you to start holiday shopping, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are some of the best times to shop since so many retailers offer their largest discounts of the entire year. Plus, the late November-early December timeline can feel a bit more appropriate for the gifting season opposed to late October-early November, when everyone’s still recovering from Halloween.

The only thing to consider during this time is the shipping timelines for the items you purchase – but most retailers will typically advise their specific shipping schedules, so you don’t risk your goodies arriving late.

Where should I shop for gifts?

You have three main options when it comes to where to shop for holiday gifts: online, in-store, and via our amazing gift guides. Of course, each method has its advantages and disadvantages.

Shopping in-store offers a tangible experience: the opportunity to hold specific items in your hands and gauge exactly what they’ll be like when you give them as a gift. The pitfall with shopping in-person is that it typically requires a commute and journeys through potentially very busy malls and shopping strips, which can add to the already-stressful holiday experience.

In-store shopping can be more physically exhausting, but it’s all about preference! Sometimes strolling through the stores that get all dolled up for Christmas is the best part of the season.

Per Google, 65% of those planning to shop for the holidays say they will shop online more. Shopping for gifts online can be super helpful since you can centralize your findings in your browser’s bookmark tab or via virtual cart(s). Plus, shopping online can pose more opportunities for saving some money: lots of retailers typically offer discount codes for online users, especially if you sign up for their digital marketing channels (like email and text) and make a purchase.

Shopping online isn’t just shopping, either. The internet can be a stellar research tool to help you vet whether certain products are worth it, where they can be bought, and when they’ll be available. In fact, Google reported that more than half of U.S. holiday shoppers who went into a store last year say they looked up product reviews online and/or located an item in-store by checking it online.

Last but not least, scrolling gift guides has to be our favorite place to shop for gifts – and not just because we write and publish them.

At their very core, gift guides help streamline the holiday shopping process, alleviating the stress that bubbles up when you’re wondering what the heck to shop for in the first place. Our gift guides are backed by real people, real experiences, and real opinions from our editorial team. We only promote products that we really love and believe in, oftentimes ones we’ve tested and reviewed ourselves.

We have gift guides for just about everyone on your list, with more on the way! Check ‘em out:

• Gifts for Him
• Gifts for Her
• Gifts for Foodies
• DIY + Handmade Gifts
• White Elephant Gifts
• Gift Sets

What are the best kinds of gifts to give?

The best kinds of gifts to give are thoughtful gifts that consider the giftee’s interests, wants, and needs. These gifts can be sentimental, practical, or both simultaneously. What matters most in a gift is that it’ll be meaningful to them past just the holiday season, whether it’s helping them get through daily tasks, reminding them of a memorable trip or event, or giving them small doses of joy.

“Shoppers are increasingly looking for personalized and unique gifts that reflect the recipient's personality and interests,” says Mia Anderson, Owner of ChicSew. “With the rise of online shopping, many consumers are opting for curated gift boxes or experiences that add a special touch.”

Gift boxes, personalized items, books of interest, self-care goodies, and even gift cards can all be thoughtful gifts depending on the recipient. If you have no clue what your giftee is into, it’s not a bad idea to ask them what they want the most!

“My idea of a great gift is something that is in tandem with the recipient's interest and offers something new to the person, be it learning a new skill, enjoying a calming activity, or simply spending quality time with the family,” says Alfred Christ, Sales Manager & Marketer at Robotime. “This season, we encourage shoppers to shift their focus on quality and the memories their gifts will create and not just merely material aspects.”

When is Black Friday?

Black Friday is always the Friday after Thanksgiving. This year, Black Friday lands on November 29.

When is Cyber Monday?

Cyber Monday is typcally the Monday after Thanksgiving. This year, Cyber Monday will land on December 2. Oftentimes, retailers and brands extend their online offers through the week (coined Cyber Week) after the event. Salesforce reported that 67% of shoppers in 2024 plan on shopping during Cyber Week!