I spend most of my days wearing comfy loungewear and cardigans, but I enjoy whenever I get a chance to put together a “real outfit.” Back when I was in school (the last time I went to a place daily/on the regular), I LOVED putting together my outfits every day. Each outfit could be wildly different from the day before, which drove my mom crazy, but each outfit was its own thing to me.

I took inspiration from several places at the time, from magazines like Vogue and Nylon to the vintage items my mom still had in her closet from her teenage years in the mid 70s. I loved the popular “bohemian” trends of the mid to late 2000s like paisleys and florals and peasant-style tops, but also loved finding a unique item of clothing to build an outfit around.

A true personal aesthetic

The classic 70s style of fitted tops and flared culotte-style bottoms has stayed steady with me over the years, and this outfit surprised me, because it reminded me that this style feels so me (remember I don’t wear “real outfits” a lot these days).

These pieces, like the cutout denim jumpsuit, are all fast-fashion, newer items, but all purchased knowing that I’d get a lot of wear out of both and cherish the items. Any new pieces I buy for my wardrobe are carefully considered (you can read more about that here), and I’ve wanted a retro-style, classic jumpsuit for a long while.

Some notes on this jumpsuit (not affiliated) and why I got it:

• I don’t usually go for lower cut tops like this, but I liked the overall proportions and fit, and knew I could layer with bralettes, tank tops, tees, etc. however I wanted.
• I like that it can easily be dressed up but also looks super cute styled casually with tennis shoes.
• It’s so comfy!
• LISTEN: IT HAS -ACTUAL- POCKETS, as in, not tiny useless “pockets” that most womenswear has. These pockets are big enough to comfortably hold my smartphone with PLENTY of room to spare.
• A note on fit: I am smaller up top and have bigger hips – a typical pear shape, if you will – and could have gone with a medium or large based on the info online from the size guide and the reviews, but went with a medium since the legs flare and seem to have a lot of space instead of being tight on the hips. Ultimately, I’m glad I went with the medium since I think the large would have been loose on my top, but I also thought this jumpsuit had a zipper placket, which it does not. It has a shirred elastic back on the top and it’s stretchy enough that I can pull it on and off, but it does take a teeny bit of careful shimmying. Just something to be aware of if you’re interested in this jumpsuit and have a wide hip-to-top ratio like me.
• On that note, this jumpsuit has slash pockets, which I highly prefer when it comes to having wider hips over side inseam pockets with a fitted waist garment.

Let’s talk about styling this jumpsuit for chilly autumn weather.

I bought this jumpsuit months ago in the summertime but hadn’t had an opportunity to wear it or style it yet. I was so excited when I realized I could wear it for our small Thanksgiving plans this year.

I kept it simple by just layering it over a long-sleeved appropriately autumnally-colored burnt orange tee (it’s reading more reddish in these pictures than in real life, think more pumpkin spice) with a v-neckline that compliments the neckline of the jumpsuit.

Then, I finished out the styling with my brown suede lace-up ankle boots for a more casual look. I debated wearing some mustard yellow clogs with socks which I think would have looked good, too, but ultimately chose the boots for more comfortability.

Finally, I added my staple shell pendant butterfly necklace and hummingbird flower double ring, which you can see in detail a couple of pics below. I’ve had both of these pieces of jewelry for over ten years now and wear them both often. The ring is actually from Forever 21 of all places, but it just goes to show that finding the right pieces for yourself and your wardrobe and holding onto, even if they’re fast fashion, makes a sustainable wardrobe.