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.

1. Actually Use Your Planner In 2025

We're not buying pretty planners just so they can collect dust on our desks or coffee tables anymore. Corry Frazier and Melissa Pepin want you to get serious because they feel "it starts with planning." They don't mean the kind you eventually flake on either.

"Effective planning is key to maintaining balance and reducing burnout. Whether you're mapping out tasks, meetings, or events, dedicated time for preparation ensures focus and reduces stress," they say. In other words, "the more intentional you are in planning, the more productive you'll be," according to them.

Ever since I've been blocking out my tasks by hour in planner, I've been able to get more done without feeling overwhelmed by splitting my time between writing and being in mommy mode. Frazier and Pepin suggest that you "set weekly planning sessions" that consist of "30-60 minutes each weekend to map out your upcoming week."

This eventually "reduces decision fatigue, fosters a sense of control, and helps you start Monday with clarity and purpose," they add. Yes, this is a sign that you'll be breaking up with the dreaded 'Sunday scaries' if you follow their advice. "You'll feel proactive and grounded rather than reacting to the week as it unfolds," they agree.

2. Embrace A "Fake Commute" When Working From Home

One of Kayla Baum's tips is to switch up your routine if you're a remote worker. Rolling out of the bed at the last minute before logging on for work sounds appealing until you realize you're uninspired by your days. But, what is a "fake commute?"

"It mimics the structure of a traditional commute to establish a boundary between work and personal life. This could mean taking a walk around the block, doing a 10-minute guided meditation, or even just changing clothes at the end of the day," Baum mentions.

Based on her experience, she's found that "it works because it provides a psychological buffer, helping to separate work and home life." She feels it's "crucial for positive mental health and boosting productivity at work (and at home)."

You can also create a separate work space that's not in your bedroom to get work done! That's helped me tremendously so I'm not sleeping and working in the same area.

3. Focus On High-Impact Tasks

Similar to planning your work days as best as you can, Frazier and Pepin want you to "prioritize the tasks that align with your goals." To minimize distractions, they want you to ask yourself:

• What is the most effective use of my time right now?

4. Stop Making Daily Decisions Hard

Tasks like your morning routine or figuring out what you'll eat don't have to take up a chunk of your time anymore. "Use productivity hacks, such as pre-planning meals or laying out weekly outfits," suggest Frazier and Pepin. They feel that "small routines like this eliminate unnecessary choices" to "make mornings smoother."

According to them, it's "especially helpful for families juggling multiple schedules." I couldn't agree more because I've spent so many frazzled mornings trying to make decisions about what myself and my toddler would wear or eat instead of planning them. With the help of my fiancé, we've cut so much time in half by being prepared ahead of time instead of 'winging it' before work.

5. Understand What Your Boundaries Are And Set Them

Worried that you'll be considered 'mean' if you tell your manager or coworkers what your boundaries are at work? Depending on your environment, it's 100% understandable. However, you're human and there's no reason you should be over-performing to your detriment. Frazier and Pepin say, "Set boundaries and communicate clearly. Adopt Brené Brown's mantra: 'To be clear is to be kind.'"

They encourage you to not only "be upfront about your schedule to manage others' expectations," but it's also so you can "avoid over-commitment." Say it with me: I will not make false promises just to appease others. Why?

Frazier and Pepin say, "Don't be afraid to say no to side projects or anything that doesn't align with your goals."

6. Ignore Emails Sent After Your Work Hours

I've been guilty of sending an email after work to acknowledge that I saw something, but I never expect other people to feel obligated to respond until the next business day. On the flip side, I've felt pressured to answer something that feels timely and I've gone to sleep thinking about the sender's potential follow-up email.

"Just because a coworker chooses to work late at night doesn't mean you must answer. One helpful trick is to include your working days and hours in your signature, explaining that responses may be delayed outside of those times," Frazier and Pepin say. They even have a prompt you can use if you're not sure what to type:

• "My working hours are [Your Working Hours, e.g., 9 AM - 4 PM ET]. Please note that these may differ from your local time zone. I appreciate your understanding and will respond to emails during my working hours."

I can't wait to start utilizing this...for research purposes only 👀.

7. Please, log off from work when it's time.

Unless you're scheduled to work late, take the time to log off from work and not think about it until the next day. Baum says, "Commit to fully logging off once the workday ends—no 'quick email replies' or sneaking in work over the weekend." I'm eyeing you Ms. "I just need to send a quick email" while you're on vacation or spending time with your significant other.

Baum says creating this separation works because "fully disconnecting allows your mind to reset and recharge" which ends up "making you more efficient, creative, and focused during actual work hours." According to her, you'll eventually "improve personal well-being" and "enhance long-term work performance."

As soon as my work day is over, I make a beeline for the shower so I can decompress. After that, I take my time with my skincare routine and keep my phone out of reach so I'm not tempted to look at anything work-related. I'm not always successful, but I've noticed a difference in my mood since making this shift.

8. Speak Up When You're Feeling Overwhelmed

And if you're 100% drained because you've been trying to tackle work tasks during and after hours, Frazier and Pepin want you to speak up. "If you're feeling overwhelmed with your workload, approach your manager with honesty and a focus on solutions," they suggest. Here's another prompt of theirs you can use:

• "I've been noticing that my workload has extended beyond regular hours, and maintaining balance is becoming challenging. Could we discuss prioritizing tasks or adjusting expectations to ensure I can deliver quality work without compromising my well-being?"