This post was sponsored by Lane Bryant
There are so many reasons to celebrate the fall season, here in Michigan as the days turn colder and the nights grow longer it almost feels bittersweet. Like we all know what is coming, the COLDDDD weather is coming and its now its our job to get out and enjoy every bit of nice weather left to soak up. So! I teamed up with Lane Bryant to share my favorite Fall date day/night spots here in Michigan and a couple of ultra chic outfits. A little bit educational, a little bit fashionable this post has been so fun to put together.
Lets get started.
Day Date
HANDS DOWN my favorite day date in the fall is to tour the Pioneer Wine Trail. This is a driving tour of nine wineries(we never make it to all nine LOL). We like to go and have a tasting and snack at each winery and then purchase a bottle from each location, this stocks our cellar for a few months and each bottle has a memory to go with it. The wineries are all located around and between Jackson and Tecumseh MI, we opt to take the back roads and enjoy the colorful foliage.
When Keith and I were first married(in the fall) we toured the Pioneer Wine Trail for our first anniversary. We purchased a bottle of wine from the last winery and decided to save it for our 10 year wedding anniversary. At the time it felt like a lifetime away, and this year we celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary. We joked that we will be drinking that bottle in no time, and how funny it was that time has passed so quickly when we truly thought it would take forever. 🙂
My favorite outfit combination for a day full of fall themed outdoor activities is simple. Jeans, cute blouse, adorable outerwear, comfortable shoes. You are guaranteed to be comfortable, super cute and able to move about with ease. Lane Bryant just recently released their new line of super stretch skinny jeans that are so trendy, they have so many styles to choose from and they totally got in on the distressing game. Which is so exciting, plus size women need more easily accessible fashionable items Lane Bryant really went above and beyond with their skinny jeans.
Fit tip- these skinnies run a tad long(I’m 5′ 6″), and with the nature of distressing each pair is a little different from the next. Go to the store and try these on, the SA’s there will be able to help you get the right fit. I own two pairs, the ones in this photo are a 14 and the other pair I have are a 16.
Statement sleeves are all the rage right now, this one stands out from the rest for a couple of reasons. The stretchy fabric and the versatility. This kind of top is one that gets so much wear, its perfect for a day date touring wineries or tucked into a skirt at the office. I have been stalking this military inspired vest since I first noticed it on the website, I love the olive color and the soft sweater knit. Dusters have become increasingly popular these past few seasons and this year they are still popping up on almost every brands Fall/Winter rollout.
Style Tip – When styling a knee length or longer topper really consider the proportions of the rest of your outfit. Often times garments that go past your knee can have a “drowning effect” on the person wearing them. My trick is to always pair a long topper with a fitted pant and a heel. This gives me height and helps my shape to still show through.
Night Date
When the weather starts to turn I want to be cozy. I find myself pulling out all my comfy knit leggings and soft blankets at home, but that look doesn’t necessarily translate to a fun date night look. For my date night look I wanted to share a twist on the usual sweater and riding boots look that so many women fall prey to this time of year.
My favorite date night spot in the fall is a restaurant that offers patio seating with fire places or open fire pits. Keith and I frequent a local brewery that has the best biergarten, we usually dine somewhere within walking distance and then enjoy an evening stroll over to the brewery to enjoy a pint and cozying up by there fire places on the patio. This is a social place, we love meeting new people by the fireside and just enjoying the romance of a fall evening.
I styled this tie sleeve sweater with a merlot pleated skirt and my favorite block heeled sandals. I love how cozy this sweater is, the skirt lends this whole look a feminine ultra chic feel, and the heels amp up the sexy factor without having to show a ton of skin. I am a big fan of heavy and light fabric working together, I think it creates a really chic balanced look that women usually don’t go for.
Fit Tip – Its all about balance when playing with heavier knits and silky polyester blends. You want the look to have that cozy feel but you don’t want to get lost in the fabric, don’t be afraid to size up or down to achieve the desired look. When I first pulled this outfit at Lane Bryant I had my sizes opposite. I pulled a size up in the sweater and my usual size in the skirt. After working with the stylists and playing for a bit I ended up leaving the store with a size up in the skirt, and my regular size in the sweater.
The sleeve detail on this sweater is adjustable, which I really appreciate. This sweater just went from something for date night or the weekends, to a piece that I can adjust and wear to work with slacks or skinny pants. I am not a under tank layering girl, so I didn’t add a layer between my bra and this sweater. It doesn’t bother me that my bra shows through a touch. To make this sweater more versatile you can always add a tank between the sweater and your bra.
Guys…..this is my third pleated skirt, each one is a little different so its not a hoarding issue right? LOL pleated skirts have been a part of a chic girls closet arsenal for years, but just recently have been popping up in ALL THE FUN COLORS AND FABRICS. I love the fall feel that this one has, and its so easy to wear(no spanx needed). Lane Bryant is offering this skirt in both merlot and black, the polyester blend lets this skirt stay super light and versatile.
Style Tip – Pleated skirts are being offered in a variety of fabrics and patterns this year, as the weather get colder don’t be afraid to add fun tights and booties. This type of skirt is so versatile that you can really play up your accessories to create a unique look.
What is something you love doing in the fall before the weather gets to chilly? Let me know in the comments below!
For more about the winery tour head HERE
For more about the brewery go HERE
This post was sponsored by Lane Bryant, all opinions are my own.
Janice says
Beautiful