Easy Ways to Be Chic

The trick to late-fall dressing is to prolong that first-cold-snap excitement by wearing the fun stuff first and saving the wilderness-survival stuff for later. (Because we all know "I'm out of sweaters" doesn't come far behind "it's FINALLY wear-more-than-two-layers weather.") Here, find five no-heavy-lifting-required styling tricks to help you sail through this week just a little bit chicer.

1 - WEAR KNITS AS OUTERWEAR

Probably because going out without a coat = certain death in many American households, wearing your sweater and *only* your sweater as an outer layer feels pretty darn revolutionary. Obviously don't attempt this when there's snow on the ground, but for now (with a fitted shirt or two underneath), this version of onion (read: layered) dressing is the way to go.

2 - TURN YOUR BLAZERS BACK TO FRONT

Points for making the suit your holiday-party-circuit uniform; extra points for wearing the jacket backward for an elegant exit. Hair gathered to the side and a lariat necklace—with the dangly bit swinging along your spine—are also nice here.

3 - COP GUCCI'S NEW AESTHETIC FOR REAL LIFE

You most likely have everything in this picture—the duster coat, a slip dress, buckled shoes—but have you put it all together in an eclectic, I-live-above-an-antiques-shop way? It's simultaneously modern and timeless.

4 - LAYER A BUTTON-DOWN OVER A TURTLENECK

You heard it here first: #putaturtleneckunderit is the new #putaneggonit. An oxford can be too flimsy for these temps (the wind flapping beneath your half-tuck—shudder), but layered with a slim roll-neck, it's business on top, cozy on the bottom.

5 - LEAVE YOUR SLEEVES UNROLLED

I know, I know—just when you'd learned the Jenna Lyons sleeve-roll. But plenty of street-style regulars are arguing for flappy cuffs, which are even more insouciant/ideal for showing off a contrasting print. Wear alone or unbuttoned under a jumper—just be sure to watch yourself around any sauces.