A 5'4" girl can't help it, but with all of the magical elements of fall fashion from super layers to bulky sweaters to calf-high boots, a girl can't help but look munchkin-size this time of year unless you're a model from Nylon or i-D Magazine. But I don't complain....

... I kinda lie....

Remember when I call the back area of Ragstock a magical Narnia of clothingdom? Guess what, it still is... as I have found this lovely brown wool blend (my favorite kind of sweater) shrug for 8 dollars, using it as a pop of color against black. Black and brown together has made its grand comeback sometime last year. 

However, I do know the one thing that would save this outfit is in the pants -- color squishes a girl like me together so it would make sense to wear all black, elongating between the black of my undershirt (my trusty black studded shoulder scoop that I wear almost everyday!) and the legendary Lorenz 2.0 boots. 

Although if color stops right around the waist, it's more than forgivable because you have half of your body covered in black. And I actually love this silhouette on me and this is one of my favorite outfits because for awhile there it seemed like a very 60s silhouette (blame me and watching a fourth of the first few years of Dark Shadows, black and white shading in wrinkles in clothes fascinated me), the sweater stopping just a little above the part of the skirt that naturally ruffles.

Same rules apply to this situation, this magical situation completed with a 2.50 (TWO-FIFTY!) sweater from a consignment pop-up store in the five dollar bin that went on sale on a weekend (more outfits coming in the future), 8 dollar boots from Ragstock's back room and an adorable 3 dollar teal glasses necklace from Ragstock. 

I think it's OK to look like a munchkin if the clothes swallow you up in the right way, just try everything on and find what works and what doesn't.  

You can only pick ONE pair of colored jeans because there's no buy one get one half off discount? FAIL!

The perfect sweaters are a real bitch to find.

You can't find the right shade of gray polish that compliments your skin tone.

Weighing out how much sweater/scarf bulk looks on your summer-slimmed down body. (Damn you, weight loss since last fall!)

Realizing last year's fall wardrobe really sucks and you have to buy EVERYTHING again.

Budgeting on fashion boots. 

Really wanting a cute long sleeve dress when you know you need the fall essentials: sweaters, solid colored long sleeve t-shirts, jeans, heavy-but-light layered jackets (my current shopping list)

Overdosing on polka dots. (It doesn't sound like a problem but when you have too much of it...)

The great hunt for shoes that aren't fashion boots but fall appropriate with both jeans AND skirts/dresses.

Realizing there's never enough thigh-length sweaters/shirts... some days you just want to wear no-effort leggings and there's never a top to match!

Every fall there is at least those top five products or clothes you cannot live without - because fall in the long run is the most fashionable season (to me it is anyway...) From makeup to accessories, here is my must list for fall....

Girly fashion boots

An ultimate fashion outfit generally involves leggings, a longer shirt with a jacket on top. As flats are what summer is made of (well for girls who don't have high arches or bunions like I do) boots is a huge fall must and a perfect segue into winter considering texture. Biker boots, a staple in my own closet fashion, is just a must for any season, they can be girlified or blends something together as more femininely androgynous. And the frilly boots? Boots with that length are best worn with a thigh or knee length ensemble, varying its length.

Dark Leggings 

Leggings is always a staple for me in any season, but in the fall it seems more acceptable when you just don't have pin-straight leg jeans to wear boots with. So yes, that is my defense to jeggings (very left, texture washed out by the light a little) despite their bad wrap in pop culture. Black leggings always looks good both under skirts, dresses and shorts (for the confident), leggings seem to be at their best when moderately embellished, like the leggings on the very right with the gold buckles. Modesty is key with embellishment on leggings, please remember this ladies!!

Neutral to Dark Nail Polishes

(Left to Right, Essie's "Power Clutch", Confetti's "Happy Birthday", Confetti's "Moonstruck," Confetti's "Masquerade Ball," KleanColor's "Neon Sapphire")

 Essie was clearly the oracle of nail polish trends this year and I was a mere follower that found myself going back to the dark nail polish as soon as I saw the word "fall" enter pop culture just a few weeks ago. Handbag inspired colors such as Essie's Power Clutch is a collision of green and gray, finally booting out all greige colors (Confetti's Moonstruck) as a natural hue for fall/winter 2011, but there's nothing wrong with keeping out of season colors, just in case. And as for a night-out colors, dark gem colors such as Confetti's Happy Birthday (which actually comes out in natural light as a purple with gold and blue sparkles), KleanColor's Neon Sapphire, and Confetti's Masquerade Ball (my absolute favorite glittery polish with the ability to change between a russett to bright red with gold glitter). If it looks like a shade of chocolate on your nails, skin tone in mind, it's definitely a must.

Black/Charcoal Eyeliner

If someone was to interview me the question "What makeup would you have to have with you on a desert island?" I would have to answer eyeliner. It emphasizes your eyelashes and enhances your eye color (makes mine look more hazel). Which is probably why Wet n Wild's charcoal eyeliner is perfect, if done one way it can look well pieced together but can also be thrown on with a rocknroll fashion edge with a cat-eye which is also very much in style for the fall. 

Plaid Scarves

I generally hate plaid, but if its designed on an accessory and used with great colors, I'll wear it. For the past week I have been wearing the hell out of the second one because plaid fall colors are definitely a huge must for this fall, the occasional pop of color, like the pink or yellow, is needed later in the season when finally hitting the upcoming winter blah's.

Dear Zooey Deschanel Dress I just Bought Today,

I have looked at you on the rack at Revival over many many months - I thought you looked over-sized for my new figure, the color a little off for my skin tone, and too thin looking being just an overlay. But I have honored the detailing of your retro button trim and bow tie which I do promise I will learn how to tie more effectively without looking lop-sided. On the upside, I'm happy I brought you home with me like a good puppy and that the girl at the register was happy it was finally getting sold - in a good way. I knew you were worth it although I could have bought an accessory building t-shirt dress but as a primary rule of shopping at Revival, one should focus on statement pieces. So really, you were the better option. wizard. You will be the first outfit I publicly hula hoop in. I shall wear you to work on Monday, I don't care of the dress code. 

I'm yours.

Dear Amazing Biker Boots from Lorenz's

You were the most unexpected surprise, the only shoes that were close to good enough for my horribly disformed feet. I have always wanted biker boots... I have watched "Daria" far too much to know that you can do multiple things with biker boots, especially transforming everything somewhere between masculine and feminine. I have been waiting forever for you. But your "sister" the tan ankle boots are still waiting for me, your supervisor still has them on hold so hopefully you will see her very soon. 

I'm yours.

Dear Neck-Tie earrings from Ragstock,

I have no words. NO. WORDS. Oh my Blog.

I'm yours.