As the fall season begins, the changing of the seasons force the changing of the leaves, cooler weather, warmer clothes, and the celebration of our favorite fall holidays. While the warm weather allowed for beach trips and enjoying the summer sun, transitioning into the fall season brings new opportunities, fashion, foods, decor, and activities that are sure to make this season a good one! Here are some of the best ways to get into the fall spirit.
Dress for the Occasion
As the chilly fall nights continue to get colder, it's time to reach for your warmer sweaters and flannels instead of your tank tops and sundresses. While fall fashion trends change every year, some fall colors and pieces never go out of style. When constructing the perfect fall outfit, you can never go wrong with taking inspiration from the leaves, as neutral browns and beiges, reds, yellows, oranges, and muted colors will help any outfit feel more like fall. Patterns like plaid and stripes using these colors on shirts, scarves, or other accessories will also help bring your fall outfit to life. When fall is in full swing, the cooler weather will be the perfect time to embrace warmer fabrics like knit sweaters and denim jeans and jackets. Trade-in your flip flops and sandals for a simple sneaker or leather boot to go perfectly with your jeans and sweater combo. Whether you are apple picking with friends, walking to work or class, or enjoying a night in with your family, take some inspiration from the fall outfits below and wear what makes you feel confident and comfortable!
Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice
Just as summer brought us fresh fruit, popsicles, barbeques, and iced tea, the fall brings delicious seasonal vegetables, spices, and snacks that will be sure to get you in the fall spirit. A great way to warm up on a cooler day is to embrace one of this season's most famous spices and incorporate it into your drink of choice. The pumpkin spice was developed in the 1950s to be used in pumpkin pie or in other recipes to make them taste similar to this famous fall dessert. Now, it is a consumer favorite as coffee drinkers await Starbucks and other coffee companies to bring back their pumpkin spice lattes at the beginning of every fall season. This spice has since been transformed into seasonal snacks like cookies and pretzels, as well as cereals, teas, ice cream, yogurt, and more.
If you're not a fan of pumpkin spice, there are several other fall food specials that you can try. As fall is prime apple harvesting time in America, food staples like apple cider, apple pie, and other apple infused recipes topped with a little bit of cinnamon also do a great job of keeping the fall food traditions alive. If you are looking for some healthy fall options, vegetables like butternut squash, cauliflower, pumpkin, and eggplant are all in season and ready to be enjoyed in a warm soup or as a side in your favorite recipes. No matter what types of food you like, you'll be able to find a seasonal food or drink that gets you into the fall spirit!
Fall Decor Galore
Like when picking out an outfit, it is easy to give a fall touch to your indoor space by incorporating fall colors and prints. Adding a seasonal throw blanket or some throw pillows to your couch or bed is a simple way to add a touch of warmth to the space. Another way to warm up your space (no pun intended) is to light a seasonal candle. Scents like apple, pumpkin spice, cranberry, or vanilla chai will instantly make your space smell like the season. If you are really in the fall spirit, adding table centerpieces, signs, and other decor items with leaves, pumpkins, and other fall colors and symbols will definitely bring the space together.
If you have an outside space to decorate, even if it is a balcony or window, there are many decor options to make the outside of your home feel as cozy as the inside. Popular outdoor decor during the fall includes pumpkins, cornstalks, sunflowers, scarecrows, mums (a seasonal flower), and fun fall signs. Window decals are also an easy way to celebrate the season, especially as it nears Halloween. The closer it gets to Halloween, the more spooky decor you can incorporate, including carved pumpkins, spider webs, and other Halloween decor!
Take a Hike (and other fall activities)
Not only does the transition to autumn bring good food, trendy clothes, and fun decor, but it also brings new seasonal activities! With the presence of COVID-19 forcing necessary restrictions on large gatherings, there are many fall activities that can be enjoyed while also being safe. While you can hike pretty much all year round, the cool weather and fall foliage make this the most comfortable and scenic time of the year to enjoy the great outdoors. If you are looking to make your scenic hike into a longer trip, this is also a great time of year to go camping with friends and family. Pitch a tent at a local campground and spend your weekend unplugged from technology and enjoying nature. If long stays outdoors aren't really your style, daytime activities like apple and pumpkin picking are another great way to get some fresh air and partake in a fall tradition! Grab a pumpkin to carve and turn into decor for your home, or pick a bag full of apples to bake into a delicious fall recipe. After a long day of hiking or picking fruits and vegetables, another great way to get in the fall spirit is to sit around a campfire and roast marshmallows with friends (don’t forget your mask!). The cool weather makes sitting by a warm fire hanging out with loved ones a fall-favorite activity!
Celebrate and Give Thanks
While there are several holidays celebrated in America during the fall season, Halloween and Thanksgiving involve the greatest celebration. While Halloween is on October 31st, it is a holiday celebrated the entire month of October. Spooky decorations, candy and treats, themed events, and costume parties are popular ways to get in the Halloween spirit. On Halloween night, make sure you are prepared to hand out candy to local trick-or-treaters when they knock on your door!
Thanksgiving, celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, celebrates the harvest, family, and things to be thankful for throughout the year. A Thanksgiving feast is typically shared with loved ones, with staple foods such as turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pie, and other seasonal foods. Because the presence of COVID-19 will most likely make gathering with others difficult this year, making Thanksgiving dinner and decorating for the holiday's with your roommates or close family is still a great way to celebrate these two special fall holidays!
No matter how into the fall spirit you are looking to get, there is something for everyone to make these next couple of months enjoyable and fun. Whether you are looking to spend more time outside, try some new recipes, redecorate your space, or celebrate the holidays, grab some friends and celebrate the changing of the seasons however you see fit!
Vocabulary list:
Constructing (v.): to build or create something
Full Swing (idiom): at the highest level of activity
Galore (adj.): In large numbers or amounts
Unplugged (adj.): not using technology
Partake (v.): to be a part of
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hailey Womer is a third-year student at Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York pursuing a dual major in Public Relations and Political Science. With interests in communications, public diplomacy, and politics & government, she hopes to use communication to grow the passions of the public and advocate for others. In her free time, you can find her editing social media content, engrossed in the fashion trends of the season, catching up on the latest political buzz, or on a philanthropic mission to make the world just a little bit brighter!