Closet Confessions:
Fall always has been fashion’s most evocative season. As temperatures drop and routines settle back into place, wardrobes undergo a subtle yet meaningful transformation. Layers are added. Textures deepen. Colors shift. For many, there’s a quiet ritual in reaching for that one familiar piece, the item that feels like a seasonal necessity, comforting and reliable amid the changing days.
Closet Confessions: Fall Edition explores the go-to fashion pieces of women across a range of industries, professions and creative paths. From the arts to health care to corporate leadership, each woman shares the item she relies on when autumn arrives. These selections span timeless apparel, meaningful jewelry and fabulous footwear. They reflect not only personal style but also the realities of everyday life, capturing moments both big and small.
A fall favorite might be a tailored coat that boosts confidence, a cozy sweater that feels like a warm embrace or a pair of gold hoops that have accompanied someone through years of personal and professional change. Others express seasonal style through soft knitwear, worn not just for warmth, but for the calm and comfort it brings to a hectic day.
Whether practical, sentimental or purely stylish, each piece reveals something unique about how a woman experiences and embraces the spirit of the season. These items are not driven by fleeting trends or fast fashion. They are chosen with intention, worn with memory and often rediscovered with fresh appreciation year after year.
These staples move effortlessly with their wearers through the rhythm and demands of fall, carrying them from early morning meetings to late-night dinners, from brisk walks to quiet reflections, from transitional moments to the vibrant pace of daily life.
Perhaps it serves as a reminder that the item that feels most like fall already may be hanging in the closet, familiar and comforting, patiently waiting to be worn again.
Chief Strategy Officer: Emily T. Lane, The C-Suite
Emily loves the quiet power of her whole-garment knitted dress by Alexander McQueen. With technical precision and emotive artistry, it blends feminine elegance and bold structure, featuring an alluring red blossom. “It reflects the balance women in leadership navigate. Embracing strength while remaining attuned to the deeper nuances of the world around them.”
Interdisciplinary Artist: Yvonne Osei
Jewelry is the first thing Yvonne reaches for when the air shifts and colors turn. While others pull out sweaters, she layers necklaces, earrings and bangles. “I am layered, intentional and full of story, just like fall. Jewelry reflects my love of layering, storytelling and honoring symbolism.”
Fashion Designer: Shanna Britta
Shanna loves the versatility of the sweater coat. She pairs it with jeans or layers it over business looks, sometimes belting it or adding a brooch or a kilt pin. “I designed this as an easy, elevated layer you can throw on over anything.” See ShannaBritta.com.
Boutique Owner: Alyson Garland, Dot Dot Dash Boutique
Alyson’s favorite fall item is a long, denim jacket with faux fur cuffs and collar. Tailored yet casual, she wears it with kick flare jeans and long-sleeve tees. “It suits my on-the-go lifestyle. Comfortable for daytime but stylish enough for a night out.” Visit DotDotDashBoutique.com.
Attorney: Chioma P. Chukwu-Smith, Carmody MacDonald
Chioma loves this Calvin Klein statement dress for fall. She throws a blazer over it for court and then heads to happy hour. “Red communicates confidence and ease with the power I bring into a room, something that matters as an attorney representing high-profile clients.”
Registered Nurse: Susanne Hoernschemeyer, Celcius Medspa
Susanne’s favorite fall go-to is her black Tecovas boots, a birthday gift from her husband. As a med spa and recovery room nurse, she loves trading scrubs for a night out. “I love putting on my boots in the fall. They make me feel young and alive.”
Sweater Weather Hacks:
1. Layer light for warmth without the bulk.
2. Choose stretchy knits for comfort and movement.
3. Oversized sweaters: add a belt to define your waist.
4. Prevent pilling by washing inside out and air drying.
5. Add statement brooches or pins to change up the look.