Recently Rebecca from PhD in Clothes posed a question about having seasonal amnesia – i.e., forgetting what to wear when the temperature suddenly changes.
My initial thought was, “Absolutely not – I have lived through enough seasons of life to pinpoint exactly what to wear for every 10° increment.”
Well, until we had an out-of-character cold snap here in Charlotte last week.
Talk about a slice of humble pie. That left me scrambling through my wardrobe, sweating in my heavy winter wear and freezing in my lighter pieces until I nailed a few cozy outfit combinations (the key, my friends who may have also forgotten, is layers that breathe).
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In line with the changing of the seasons and relearning how to dress for fall, today I’m sharing a few cozy pieces from Pact – a brand I’ve long admired for their commitment to using organic cotton in their clothing. Their mission to put planet and people first aligns with my values, and I’m excited to bring these seasonally-appropriate garments to the blog (if you’re new around here, I’m extremely picky when choosing to work with or share brands on wayward).
Looking for more honest style reviews? Check out my index of reviews, sorted by brand
Before diving in to talk about each piece, I feel like I should share my current measurements. Talking about size can be incredibly challenging (yes, they’re just numbers, but gosh those numbers can make me feel vulnerable), however, I know it is incredibly helpful when shopping and I’m committed to being transparent in this space. So, for reference, I’m 5’4″, and my current measurements are 35″-28″-40.5″.
As always when selecting items for my wardrobe, I look for items that are high quality, versatile, and manage to fill any gaps. Here’s why I chose the Honeycomb Knit Crew Sweater, Woven Twill Safari Jacket, Airplane Colorblock Pullover, and Airplane Pant – as well as my thoughts on each:
Honeycomb Knit Crew Sweater
Honeycomb Knit Crew Sweater℅ Color | Sandshell Size | Small Materials | 100% Organic Cotton Also Wearing | Jeans℅ | Boots℅ | Ring℅ | Necklace | Earrings*
This sweater is the very essence of coziness. As a novice knitter, I find myself drawn to unique knits beyond my capabilities, and this pattern is just so visually striking (psst… does anyone know what this stitch is called? I’ve searched but haven’t found it yet!). Based on other 100% cotton sweaters I own I expected it to be a little rough to the touch, but it’s made of the softest organic cotton. The color, Sandshell, looks a smidge darker in person than on the Pact website, but it still reads as a beautiful goes-with-everything neutral. I took a size small, but I likely could wear an extra-small, so if you’re between sizes I would size down.
Thanks to the unique knitted pattern, I can just make out the outline of my bra underneath when worn alone, but I always recommend wearing a tee or tank underneath sweaters to extend the time between washings. With its oversized, drapey fit I’ll mostly pair this with slim/straight pants, but I also want to play around with styling it over skirts and dresses. Struggling to tuck an oversized sweater? Try tucking it into your bra or a belt placed at your waist. It takes some getting used to, but it does wonders for the overall silhouette!
Woven Twill Safari Jacket
Woven Twill Safari Jacket℅ Color | Black Size | Small Materials | 97% Organic Cotton, 3% Elastane Also Wearing | Sweater℅ | Jeans℅ | Boots℅ | Ring℅ | Necklace | Earrings*
The Woven Twill Safari Jacket falls in the same category as the super-trendy shackets and chore coats but is a decidedly more classic style. What drew me to this one in particular, though, are the pockets (four pockets – imagine all the snacks I could store!) and the waist-cinching cord. In timeless black, I envisioned myself throwing it on to run out the door for errands, topping my casual clothes for walking around my neighborhood, and attending all the fall bonfires in it.
So how does it stack up to my imagination? Well, it checks all those boxes and more. It’s roomy enough to layer over this oversized sweater, but I don’t completely lose my shape thanks to the cinched waist. It’s surprisingly sturdy, yet lightweight enough to move with me easily. The fit is a smidge snug in my hips – my widest point – compared to the rest of the jacket, so if you’re curvy like I am you may need to try two sizes to find the perfect fit. And as always, I have to cuff the sleeves to free my hands; thanks to that fun pop of orange, I’m happy to oblige. I’m glad to have finally found a jacket in this style that works for me, and I only have a few small recommendations that could knock it out of the park: I’d love an inner pocket for cash and cards, a packable/removable hood, and shorter drawstrings (though that’s an easy DIY fix – I’ve simply cut and re-knotted them). Even without these additions, this jacket is ready for those damp, hazy fall days and I’m considering a wash-in waterproofing agent for extra protection.
Airplane Colorblock Pullover
Airplane Colorblock Pullover℅ Color | Wheat Heather/Saddle Heather/Black Size | Small Materials | 100% Organic Cotton Also Wearing | Pants℅ | Shoes | Mug
If you live in my Charlotte neighborhood, chances are you’ve seen me out walking in this pullover several times over the past couple of weeks – which is saying a lot as a person who only owns and wears a handful of sweatshirts. This is because my personal style isn’t formal, but it isn’t very casual either. I appreciate that this pullover is visually interesting thanks to its color blocking (the sleeves are different colors!) and drawstrings. From the front, it looks like a hoodie – except it’s not. This makes it a little more comfortable to layer under other jackets or toppers to fight the chill. Speaking of comfort, this pullover is ultra-soft. You know that college t-shirt you’ve washed a million times and reach for at every opportunity? This is that kind of lived-in cozy. The only things that detract from the cocoon factor are the seams; naturally, there is a bit of tautness at the color merges that isn’t present throughout the solid sections. I don’t personally find them bothersome, but if you have some sensory issues with clothing texture, you’ll likely notice them.
As for sizing and styling the Airplane Colorblock Pullover, I find it runs true-to-size. I’m wearing the small here, and it’s the right size for me to layer a thin tee underneath and a jacket on top. This garment comes in three colorways (with blocks of gorgeous green and plum), but this neutral one stole my heart for its ease of pairing with black or brown, or denim. Plus, I appreciated the swath of black at the base – my prime area for spills and stains – and for its ability to pair with the Airplane Collection pants. This brings me to…
Airplane Pant
Airplane Pant℅ Color | Black Size | Small Materials | 100% Organic Cotton Also Wearing | Pullover℅ | Shoes | Mug
The perfect companion to the Airplane Colorblock Pullover (the black dye is an exact match!), the Airplane Pant is an on-trend athleisure take on the wide-leg pant. Pact designed the Airplane Collection to fly, but I’m getting a lot of mileage out of these pants at home. When shopping for loungewear, I’m always looking for clothing that is as comfortable as my pajamas while feeling put-together enough to answer the door if someone stops in unexpectedly – and these pants fit the bill.
The double-rib knit means the inside is as soft and smooth as the outside, so these don’t have your typical terry or fleece lining (personally, I’ve never been a fan because neither seems to stay soft very long). The pockets are such a nice touch, but I would worry a bit about my phone falling out while hustling through an airport. The fit is exactly as I’d hoped when worn at my natural waist – curve-hugging but not baggy, and the perfect length. If you’re looking for something a little baggier, you could easily wear them a little lower on your hips. Because I’ve been wearing them at home so much, I haven’t had the opportunity yet to style them for the outside world. But when I’m not pairing them with the coordinating pullover, I’ll likely wear the Airplane Pant with t-shirts and sneakers on warmer days and top with a fabulous wool coat on cooler ones (love an outfit of contradictions!).
*this item is no longer available and I've linked a similar product
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How do you define your fall style?
That pullover perfectly matches your East Fork mug!
Yes! It’s the coziest combo 🍂
The honeycomb sweater is everything I love about Fall!
You look awesome!
Superb! Looking so cozy and comfortable. Love this honeycomb sweater. Thanks for nice post.
Isn’t it great? The honeycomb sweater is everything I want to wear when the temperature drops!
Thanks for reading along!