We couldn’t agree more with the styling tips in this video post from Refinery29 – the oversized sweater is a do, for work, play, and, above all else, comfort (which is absolutely necessary when you’re also wearing 5-inch stilletos). Here’s how we’re taking on the trend in the Rue offices:

Size Up – While many designers are making sweaters extra large this season, try on both your regular size and one size larger. Then choose your desired level of slouchiness.

Check Your Shoulders – A drop shoulder (one that falls a couple of inches below your natural shoulder line) is great – if the sweater is designed that way. Watch the shoulder seam if the garment is not designed with a drop shoulder – if you go too big and the seam creeps too low, you risk looking like you got swallowed by a loom.

Style It – Try a collared shirt peeking out from the neckline. Wear it with skinnies and heels. Or show some leg and anchor it with a mini.

Tuck – Not the whole sweater! Just a corner tucked up into the waist lends some shape when needed.

And Roll – Try a jumbo sweater with sleeves that hit somewhere between the elbow and wrist. If the sleeves hit the wrists, roll or scrunch to show a little skin.

Now, for goodness’ sake, get out there and get cozy.

One of the things that makes winter feel so long, in my opinion, is wearing the same heavy coat day after day. Here in New England, the first chill hits and suddenly it’s full-blown parka-and-peacoat season. Not quite ready to be swaddled in wool or down feathers, I made the executive decision to in-vest this season. Yes, this fall I fell for vests of every kind – from fur, to leather, to denim. Look out jackets, I may never go back.

Drawing inspiration from the two-tone motorcycle jackets and contrast-sleeve utilitarian jackets that took over street fashion pics from NYFW, I decided to strategically layer up using vests and some pieces I already had in my closet. The great thing about vests (and one of my favorite things about fall) is all the layering options they present. With a denim and leather vest and an assortment of lightweight jackets, there are countless looks you can rock to suit any fall occasion, from apple picking to a night out in the Big Apple.

Perfect Pairings:

Leather vests – An army green anorak with a leather motorcycle vest has become my daily go-to. But the same vest can be worn with a light wash denim jacket, black skinny jeans, and heels for a night out. I also love the way a tough leather vest looks when paired with a delicate piece, like a long-sleeve lace cocktail dress.

Denim vests – A denim vest over a brown leather jacket will have you looking as retro-cool as Mila Kunis in That 70s Show. Or, pair it with a red flannel and a pair of bean boots and you’re hayride-ready.

Fur vests- I like to wear something more form-fitting underneath my fur vest (let’s be honest, it doesn’t create the most flattering silhouette). Opt for a long sleeve black bodysuit or fitted turtleneck with a pair of dark wash skinnies and boots for the perfect après-ski ensemble.

By Grace Romanowsky of Valenki By ACE, Staff Writer

How did your road test fare? Share it in the comments below or tweet us @ruelala.

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Photo credits: bugaboo, mini, mr & me, Under the Table and Dreaming, and  Happy Mundane

I’d never dream of advising you to forgo the season’s requisite candy corns and pumpkin micro-brews, but I, for one, plan to add a few new recipes and unexpected decor upgrades to my fall favorites list this year.

Rather than embark on an overambitious carving endeavor (last year, I tried to carve an octopus swallowing a tall ship), I’m opting to put my fashion knowledge into play and accessorize this, well, red-headed cousin of squash, with some of the season’s “it” trends.

Decoupage
Big in decorative home accents, this technique is the art of applying paper cutouts and then coating with several layers of finish. Use tissue paper, newspaper, magazine cutouts, and liberal amounts of Modge Podge to create your own en vogue pumpkin, as seen in Country Living.

Studding
This hot trend isn’t just for shoes and handbags. Paint your pumpkin a solid white or black base then embellish it with silver thumb tacks to give it some of that “grit and glamour” look.

Colorblocking
How seriously rad do these colorblocked neon, grey, and white pumpkins look? I’ve never wanted to accessorize a fruit with a pair of heels… until now (and yes, pumpkin is a fruit!).

First decoupage pumpkin didn’t turn out well? Before you do anything hasty, remember there are lots of super-tasty recipes for both the seeds and the pumpkin itself. Obvious go-to’s would be pumpkin pie and baked seeds for snacking, but these pumpkin dumpling and pumpkin seed smoothie recipes are healthy and unexpected takes that I can’t wait to try out.

By Grace Romanowsky, Staff Writer

Do you have a unique way to decorate fall’s favorite fruit? Share it in the comments below or tweet us @ruelala.

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From straw fedoras in the summer to wool trilbies in the winter, berets, cloches, and a couple of wide-brimmed floppy styles, my hat collection runneth over. And then there’s that lone baseball cap that’s never seen the light of day, let alone the fluorescent light of a gym (or even the lights of a night game).

Sporty Spice, I am not, and a baseball cap is something I would never consider wearing. That is until it started popping up on runways and blogs du jour, worn not with sneakers and a Sox tee, but actually styled. And just like that, I’m suddenly thinking about taking the game-changing chapeau for a spin, like Shirleyne does above.

1. Mix it with feminine hair. Long, loose waves or our beloved side braid look chic with this boyish topper.

2. Add a sharp statement coat. Even if you’re wearing that ball cap with boyfriend jeans, there’s something about the addition of a tailored coat or jacket that elevates the look.

3. Think beyond the sports team. While showing love for your hometown fave is always a do, a sleek leather-look cap and dark, solid colors will translate this style into fall.