How to Avoid Looking Frumpy in Fall Fashion This Year

Fall fashion can go frumpy fast, and it usually isn’t because your clothes look “old.” It happens when layers add bulk, fabrics lose shape, and proportions start fighting each other. You might reach for comfort as the weather cools, then feel like your outfit looks heavier than you wanted.

Here’s the key misunderstanding: avoiding frumpy style doesn’t mean you need tight clothing or trendy pieces. You need structure in the right places. A sharper coat, a cleaner hem length, and intentional footwear can change the whole outfit, even if you wear the same knits and jeans. Most people over-layer without a plan, or they choose oversized on top and bottom at the same time, which removes definition.

In this article, you’ll get practical ways to keep fall outfits streamlined while staying warm. You’ll learn how to balance volume, pick flattering silhouettes, and choose fabrics that drape well. You’ll also get simple outfit formulas that work for everyday life, so you look polished without sacrificing comfort.

How to Avoid Looking Frumpy in Fall Fashion This Year

Styling Oversized Shirts

Oversized shirts are kind of an it-girl statement. We see beautiful images on social media and editorials, and they’re a great way to be comfortable while adding layering to your outfit. However, it’s REALLY easy to get it wrong because there’s so much fabric – it might even feel like you’re wearing a lab coat!

To make it look the absolute best and not frumpy, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Pick slimmer, more form-fitting pants. Whether that’s a flare-leg that has that very last moment flare right at the ankle (helps you look taller and gives balance), or something more fitted. You don’t want to be swimming in fabric on both top and bottom!

Show a little skin. When you have baggy on baggy, the easiest way to prevent looking frumpy is by showing collarbone, wrists, and ankles if possible. Provide a focal point for your waist so the eye can instantly see where your waist is – you don’t look like you’re drowning in your outfit!

Layer intentionally. This shirt is prime real estate for layering, but if you don’t layer intentionally, you’ll potentially look lumpy! Think Ralph Lauren layering – where they somehow put the vest, shirt, crew neck, blazer, and jacket with a belt all together and it WORKS. It works because we can see the actual layers of every single thing. Worst case scenario? Roll up your sleeves or show a little collar!

Choose Your Cozy Wisely

You’ve got to choose your cozy! If you have ONE cozy piece, it looks intentional and approachable – like you’re doing a really nice high-low mix. However, if you have the oversized shirt, the hoodie, the leggings, the Uggs, and the beanie? Then it just starts to look like pure comfort mode, right?

The key is that no one should know you’re wearing the most comfortable clothes ever!

Other ways to balance those comfort pieces? Add something refined like a metal hair clip or brooch, a nice glossy crossbody, or polished loafers or smooth boots. These refined touches elevate the whole look!

Oversized Pants Done Right

These go in and out of style, and right now fashion is very polarized – you’re either doing skinny cropped tailored pants OR the oversized cool-girl street style look!

The simple fashion principle: If you have oversized pants, you want a more form-fitting top. Very simple way to balance your outfits!

Belt it! Belting is a great tool to provide an anchor for your eyes so we can tell where your waist is, where your legs start – you don’t just look like a big cloud walking around!

Try a cropped blazer or jacket. If you don’t want such a snug top, a cropped blazer or jacket works perfectly! These have been everywhere for the last 3 years, and I think brands are finally understanding that maybe we don’t want tunic sweaters (which, by the way, are FRUMPY – get rid of them unless you’re doing something awesome with them!).

Pick the right inseam! If you don’t have the right inseam, it’s going to look like you either shrank your pants or you’re a little kid wearing your mom’s pants. It just looks sloppy! More and more companies are providing different inseam options, which is amazing.

Denim Mistakes to Avoid

You have to be Goldilocks when it comes to denim! You can’t have it be too stretchy, and you can’t have it be too stiff. Both will sabotage your style. 1-2% elastane is the sweet spot when it comes to finding jeans.

I’m at a point where I have to be somewhat comfortable – I have to be at least at an 80% comfort level. Can deal with a little beauty pain, you know?

Watch the zipper flap! If your jeans’ zipper flap is crinkled or wrinkled, it looks like clearance rack right off the bat. Easy fix? Sometimes you can iron it out!

Baggy ankles? Ouch. This is a really easy way to crush your look! Unless those baggy ankles are tucked safely underneath knee-high boots where no one can see them, leave those baggy ankle jeans for times when you wear knee-high boots.

The Plaid Skirt & Chunky Knit Combo

One of my favorite combinations for fall/winter is a plaid skirt with a chunky knit. Oh, this lights me up! I feel English countryside and refined!

It’s easy to get wrong because these chunky knits sometimes have nowhere to go. If it’s a statement roll-neck sweater, that’s all your outfit needs! When wearing it with a plaid skirt, you want to wear a cropped sweater. This instantly tells us where the waist is – it’s a cozy look that doesn’t look frumpy, especially when paired with flat knee-high boots or a suede kitten heel.

Another way this outfit looks phenomenal? Pick a really snug shirt so that the A-line skirt can really shine!

Quick Tips for Fall Fashion Success

Deal with pilling: This happens to the best sweaters! Use a sweater shaver – amazing technology that just shaves your sweater clean!

Combat static: Moisturize your skin and stick your clothes in the bathroom while you’re taking showers. The steam adds hydration to the fabric. Static happens when the air is so dry!

Show skin strategically: When wearing oversized pieces, showing collarbone, wrists, or ankles provides balance and prevents that drowning-in-fabric look.

Lead with your shoes: A lot of times it helps to build your outfit from the bottom up because the occasion, comfort level, and everything starts with the shoes!

How to Avoid Looking Frumpy in Fall Without Dressing Uncomfortably

Fall outfits can look frumpy when layers add bulk without shape. You can stay warm and still look sharp when you control proportion and keep one clean line in your outfit.

What causes the “frumpy” effect:

• Long tops under long sweaters under long coats with no waist definition

• Thick knits paired with wide bottoms, so everything looks heavy

• Shoes that feel clunky compared to the outfit’s vibe

Fix it with these moves:

• Create one clear shape. Try a half-tuck, a belt, or a cropped jacket.

• Pair bulky with sleek. Wear a chunky sweater with straight jeans, or wear wide trousers with a fitted knit.

• Choose better fabrics. Wool blends and structured knits hold shape better than thin acrylic.

Common mistakes:

• You size up in sweaters, then sleeves swallow your hands and shoulders droop.

• You wear leggings with a long top and bulky shoes, and the outfit loses structure.

• You ignore hem lengths, and your layers cut you in odd spots.

If you want a fast upgrade, swap your shoes. An ankle boot with a clean toe or a sleek loafer instantly sharpens fall layers.