Plato’s Closet
Style Blog

It’s officially Fall, which means it is time to swap out our summer staples for some new fall fashion! Here in California, it’s not quite cold enough to bundle up yet, but we can still enjoy some of the latest trends this season! Hopefully, these outfits will give you some inspiration as you update your wardrobe for the new season or simply try to transition from your summer styles into fall fashion!

Browns and Neutrals:

A neutral, monochrome look is always an easy way to look stylish. Fall is the perfect time to experiment with wearing more earthy colors and jewel tones such as; tan, ivory, and emerald green. For this look, I paired some cream wide-leg jeans with a neutral colored floral tank. I also added my favorite brown, every-day sandals from Plato’s Closet and finished off the look with a dark jewel-toned bag. By simply swapping out your summer shorts for a pair of thick jeans, you can continue to wear your favorite summer tanks as you transition into fall!

Midi Dresses and Strappy Heels:

Simple, strappy sandals have become one of my favorite current shoe trends. They pair well with just about anything, from dresses to jeans and a graphic tee. If it’s still slightly warm in your area, you can still wear your favorite summer dresses into fall by simply adding a denim jacket or cardigan over them. Leather jackets are also another fall staple that you could easily add to your dresses. I typically go for autumnal shades, such as this sage green.

Tennis Skirts and Bulky Sweaters:

When I think of the top fashion trends this season, at the top of the list is certainly tennis skirts. These sporty little skirts have moved from the court into mainstream fashion, and I am obsessed! For this look, I threw on an oversized sweater and finished the look with some platform converse for some extra height. Following the preppy vibes, argyle sweaters are another trend this fall and pair great with tennis skirts. This look is totally customizable depending on the climate too. For colder days, layer a collared shirt under the sweater, this will add a preppy detail and keep you extra warm! If you have a black tennis skirt, layer some black tights underneath with matching black shoes and you’ll have another great (and warm) outfit!

Textured Handbags:

Another major trend I’ve been seeing this season is crocodile-patterned or snakeskin-textured handbags. These bags are the perfect accessory to make any outfit look more put-together. I recommend accessorizing with fall colors like this burnt orange. Jewel tones are always a staple in any fall wardrobe, look for emerald green, ruby red, and amethyst purple accessories to finish off your looks!

Cardigans and Bold Prints:

This fall, bold patterns are definitely popular, from gingham to patchwork denim. This cropped zebra print cardigan is a great example of how you can easily incorporate bold patterns into your wardrobe this fall. I kept the rest of the outfit simple and opted for this red bag to tie the look together and add a pop of color.

Hopefully, these outfits give you some inspiration as you transition from your summer styles to fall fashion!

Blog By: Ember Sierra | @essentiallyember

Hey girl! Are you loving the chillier fall weather yet? I’m not a fan of the freezing cold, but I do love the chillier weather so I can finally wear my turtlenecks and layer all of my favorite comfy clothes! Today I’ll be sharing 3 of my favorite trendy & classic transition outfits for fall with you.

Outfit 1: Black & White

I am a sucker for black & white everything, seriously. I am obsessed with this pair of straight leg white denim and straight leg full-length denim is all the hype right now! I love the classy look of the white denim, and I paired it with my favorite black turtleneck that I tucked in! I also wore this outfit with my favorite tan jacket. Shackets are also ALL the rage, have you been on Pinterest lately? Trust me, they’re definitely in trend!! And what’s an outfit without a classic pair of Air Forces? You can’t go wrong with white sneaks!

Outfit 2: Blazer All Day Every day

Do you own a statement blazer yet? If you don’t yet, girl you need to get one ASAP! They make any denim and top combo instantly classy and high fashion! Pair your top/denim combo and blazer with simple accessories or jewelry, and voila: an easy and trendy fall outfit! To further tie together the outfit, I paired it with my classic black Docs and tan hair barrette!

Outfit 3: Turtlenecks On Cardigans

Oh, how I love myself a good turtleneck ... I pair those bad boys with almost everything for the fall and winter months! I love pairing my turtlenecks under dresses, tank tops, jackets, and of course ... cardigans! Layering elevates every outfit; you just can’t go wrong! I threw together my black turtleneck, my tan cardigan, my straight leg denim, and a pair of Docs! Did you notice the straight leg denim again? I told you I was obsessed! I also threw on a chunky gold chain to add a little extra touch because who doesn’t love a good gold necklace?

What did you think of my 3 trendy & classic fall outfits? I hope these outfits give you some inspiration or something fun to look forward to during your fall shopping! Make sure to take a swing by your local Plato's Closet and see what awesome trends you can spot this cold-weather season! As always, thanks for reading!

Taiya Maddison | @taiyamaddison

Summer is coming to an end and we are moving toward fall in a hurry. Is it just me or has summer gone by super fast? Now is the time to break out some of your transitional clothing pieces. But before summer fully wraps up, there’s one more thing to look forward to, Labor Day Weekend! It’s truly the last hoorah of summer! Here are some of my favorite Labor Day outfits for all occasions.

Outfit 1:

Now is the time to wear all of your favorite white clothing pieces! I decided to wear my favorite flowy white dress paired with simple gold jewelry. I paired this dress with sneakers, but you could also rock this look with your favorite sandals. This simple and classic look would be perfect for a nice dinner celebrating the end of summer.

Outfit 2:

If you’re celebrating the holiday weekend at home or at your cabin, this look is perfect for a laid-back weekend. I chose to wear my favorite pair of jeans paired with a blue tank. Now is the time to wear those tank tops as much as possible before we transition into the colder months. I chose to wear a pop of color to remind me that summer isn’t quite over. And then, of course, I topped it off with my favorite pair of sneakers. For those chilly, end-of-summer nights, you could add a flannel or an oversized hoodie.

Outfit 3:

It’s time to soak up the last days of wearing summer dresses! This look is super fashionable and comfortable! Grab your favorite mini dress and sneakers and you’re ready to go! I chose a fun pop of color to wear before we transition into fall!

Outfit 4: 

This last outfit is perfect if you’re going for a cute and casual look for this upcoming Labor Day Weekend! Grab your favorite shorts, white top, and sneakers and you’re all set! Enjoy your last summer days on the lake or trips into town for ice cream!

Hopefully this helps you pick out the perfect Labor Day Weekend outfits!

Blog By: Grace Myler | @gracemyler

Shoes have the power to change the entire vibe of an outfit. Pair your favorite midi skirt with a pair of heels and you’re ready for brunch, opt for some sneakers and you have an everyday casual look! That is why having the right assortment of shoes is so important, they can elevate your outfits and make them suitable for different occasions. Today I’m going to be sharing some essential shoe styles that everyone should have in their closet.

1. White Sneakers

While they are very simple, that is what makes them a staple! White sneakers are versatile, comfortable, and always in style. My white Air Force 1s and platform Converse (pictured above) are definitely my most worn shoes. You can pair them with just about anything in your closet for an easy casual look.

2. Everyday Sandals

During the warmer months, a simple pair of slip-on sandals are a must. Nude or white sandals are perfect since they are so versatile! I got this pair from Plato’s Closet for a great deal! Always look for sandals that have a little bit of cushion in the bottom so that they last all summer long! You can wear them when you're heading to the beach or throw them on with sundress for a brunch date.

3. Ankle Boots

As we transition from summer to fall and the weather cools down, ankle boots are going to become a wardrobe staple! They are so cute and stylish, plus, the chunky heel makes them practical and comfortable! Opt for a pair of leather, or faux-leather, booties for a chic, and weather-proof shoe. White or black booties are the perfect addition to simple jeans and sweater outfit! You can also pair them with a floral maxi dress for a perfect fall transition outfit.

4. Patterned Sneakers/Shoes

Although simple shoe styles are always a wardrobe staple, patterned shoes are just as important! Having at least one pair of busy shoes is great for those days when you just want to wear jeans and a plain tank top. These colorful gingham sneakers add the perfect amount of pattern and pop to any simple outfit. Patterned sneakers are my favorite way to turn a plain outfit into something super fun and stylish!

5. Strappy Sandals

Strappy sandals have been so in-style recently and gained a lot of popularity through spring and summer. Luckily, this is an essential shoe that you can style all year! Unlike your everyday flat sandals, these can be paired with a more formal or casual look. Throw these sandals on with jeans and a blouse for an effortless but put-together look! You can also pair these with a maxi dress, or any formal dress, for a nice dinner or brunch. The chunky low heel also makes these shoes comfortable and easy to wear all day!

I hope you guys found some inspiration for the next time you go shoe shopping! Remember to check secondhand stores for shoes before you splurge on a new pair! You would be surprised how often you can find almost new shoes for a great deal!

Blog By: Ember Sierra | @essentiallyember

It's that time of year again ... Back-to-school shopping begins! August always seems to creep right up on me every year, and once August 1st hits, I completely stop shopping for summer and completely transition over to fall. I know you guys love it when I share looks from Plato's Closet, so I was happy to go shopping there and see what I could find for those going back to school on just a $50 budget!

Back-to-school shopping, or just shopping for fall in general doesn't have to break the bank. At Plato's Closet, you'll find a huge selection of trendy and designer items at a fraction of the price! Trendy, gently used brands like American Eagle, VS PINK, Free People, Nike, Kate Spade, and many others are always found there. Whenever I head into my local Plato's Closet, I am always looking for amazing deals such as items still with tags, gently used, or major brands like Free People and URBN.

Each time I walk into the store I am always greeted by a friendly employee near the front who's happy to see me. With COVID going on right now, I wasn't sure how inventory was going to look and I was pleasantly surprised to see they had more inventory than I thought! The selection of jeans, shoes, and sweaters for back-to-school shopping was so fabulous my bag filled up very quickly. 

I was also glad to see a lovely employee was waiting by the fitting rooms to let me in to try on some items I found. From there I had a ton of decisions to make, I'm not kidding when I say I took at least 12 items in! However, I ended up going home with five items in total, so that I could stay under budget.

One of the items I found and loved, was this gently used Abercrombie and Fitch mom jeans. They are so trendy, and you can barely tell they were worn! Don't they look so cute with this URBN thermal?! I'm obsessed! All in all, it was hard to narrow everything down, but below are the 5 items I ended up going home with for $50!

First, I came across some like-new Universal Thread booties from Target. These were marked down to just $12! Smaller ankle boots, like these, are the perfect transition from summer to fall and as a back-to-school bootie. The darker brown tones give me all the fall vibes, and it's a great idea to look for a lower heel like these for walking across campus, or through the halls. You are sure to be comfortable all day!

One of my favorite finds would have to be this Universal Thread t-shirt dress! It is currently still being sold in regular retail stores for $15, but I snagged it for just $8 at Plato's Closet! You can never go wrong with a basic t-shirt dress, and I love that there are so many ways to style them as we transition through the seasons. Pair them with sneakers, or sandals, a jean jacket, or a hat, and you're ready to be stylish and comfortable all day. A dress is always an easy outfit to create.

My next find is this adorable eyelet babydoll top and some light wash distressed jeggings to go with it. When I first saw the top, I instantly pictured something like this as a great "First-Day Look" top. Something like this is dressy, girly, chic, but can also easily be dressed down with jeans and sandals for an adorable first-day photo-op to send to mom! The best part is, I found this top for just $8!

When browsing through the denim section these light wash distressed jeans stuck out to me. They are American Eagle jeggings from 2018 and were only $16! I loved that they had a slight acid wash tone to them. Acid wash is extremely trendy right now and is sure to give any look an instant 90s vibe. They were barely worn, the distress in the denim was still perfect, and they fit like glove! Just roll up your jeans and pair them with sandals for a simple back-to-school look.

Next up, I came across this boxy, tie-dye thermal. Thermals make such a great piece for those days when the AC in your classroom is just a little bit too cold, yet it's still a bit warm outside. This makes the perfect little outfit with some shorts! I've always loved the long sleeves and shorts look together. Plus, tie-dye has been one of the biggest trends of 2020 so far, so you can't go wrong with adding some to your wardrobe! It's crazy how it always comes back in style!

Overall, I personally love shopping at Plato's Closet because you can find some extremely trendy pieces at very low prices; sometimes there are even items with their tags on them still that are WAY less than half the cost! I love being able to also sell my gently used items and get cash when I need it too! Every time I walk into Plato's Closet I always leave happy with my purchases, or happy with the amount of cash I receive for the clothing I've recently outgrown. If you're looking to head back to school in style and stay on budget, check out Plato's Closet for some similar finds! 

Blog By: Serena Tomalis | @serenaajoyce