We all know how I feel about color. I shy away from it like a vampire from the sun. A peek in my closet reveals rows of black, white, grey, and the occasional splash of navy. But with Autumn landing smack-dab on the center of our doorstep, I’m in the mood for shift towards the more dramatic looks of the season. After all, true self-expression lies in taking a risk and opening yourself to new possibilities—and even in fashion, the greatest risk yields the greatest rewards!
Accessories are, of course, the best way to explore beyond your fashion comfort zone. Take this petite crossbody bag from the new Coach Swagger collection as an example. It provides a mega dose of color with its snappy mix of blush, tomato, and lipstick red. Yet its compact size makes for an easy entry point to the trend for a color-phobe such as myself, and it can be as prominent as you like depending on how you carry it. In other words, this bag is like the gateway drug to daring fall style!
Since taking the plunge and trying a new style on for size can be unnerving, it helps to have someone hold your hand—and Zappos is the ideal source for the Coach Swagger collection and its rainbow palette of sophisticated brights. From the site’s multi-angle product close-ups to the to-scale illustration of the bag on a human body, I knew exactly what I was getting myself into. And with Zappos fast, free shipping, I was able to order my little red bag and have it in hand the following day. It’s the online shopping equivalent of ripping off the bandaid before you can have second thoughts!
As for the rest of the outfit, I was feeling so emboldened by my colorful bag that I decided to sample another fall trend I’m loving: dark florals! A clean-lined shift dress with embroidered blossoms picks up the pink of the purse while still providing a strong (and safe!) foundation of my beloved black. I threw on a chunky sweater coat to offset the sweetness of the dress, then added pointy ankle boots for a bit more edge. I’d wear this look to a work meeting or an afternoon of shopping with my gals. My closet just got a little more interesting, for sure!
Photography: Echo and Earl. Additional Outfit Details: Dark Floral Dress, Zara. Black Sweater Coat, COS. Freda Salvador Ankle Boots. Disclosure: This post was created in collaboration with Zappos. I received compensation in exchange for developing, styling, shooting, and sharing this content, but all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that enable me to continue bringing you fresh inspiration daily!