Paige Lorenze dresses for fall like someone who actually spends weekends outdoors: New England prep on top, country work layers over it, a feminine detail somewhere, and denim that looks lived in. What I like about copying her approach is that it reads polished without tipping into formal. The backbone is short and easy to find: a barn jacket, a textured knit, a rugby shirt, vintage-cut jeans and boots you can walk in. Earthy browns, olives and faded navy carry most of it. Every look below can be adjusted for your height and shape by changing hem lengths, where things tuck and how heavy each layer is, and I've noted where I'd make those changes.
Pulling the Country-Prep Base From Your Own Closet
Before buying anything, I lay out what a client already owns and sort it into three piles: outer layers, knits and bottoms. This style rewards repeats, so you're looking for pieces that work together in brown, olive, navy and cream rather than one dramatic item.
- One structured outer layer: a barn jacket, waxed jacket or trench. If you own a utility jacket in khaki or olive, it can stand in for now.
- Two knits with real texture: a cable or waffle knit and a striped or plain crewneck. Thin, shiny knits look out of place here.
- Jeans in a vintage straight or bootcut leg. Skinny jeans fight the boxy jackets, so I'd move those to the back of the closet.
- Brown leather in two forms: a boot and a belt. The belt shows up in nearly every look below, and a wide one with a plain buckle does more than a thin dressy one.
- One collared shirt, white or plaid, to layer under knits so a collar shows.
If you're missing one thing, I'd fill the outer layer first, because a barn jacket or trench pulls even plain jeans and a tee into this look. The knits and shirts are easy to borrow from what you already wear.
1. Paige Lorenze Barn Jacket Outfit
If you only copy one piece from her closet, make it the barn jacket. I look for a relaxed cut in olive, tan, chocolate or faded navy, ideally with a corduroy collar, because that contrast collar is what makes it read as country prep rather than generic workwear. Underneath, a fitted white thermal or a thin crewneck keeps the bulk down so the jacket still hangs straight. Medium-wash flares offset the boxy shape, and brown leather ankle boots finish it. A structured shoulder bag, small gold earrings and a cap keep it casual. The one fit check I always do: lift your arms. Waxed and canvas barn jackets are stiff when new, and if the shoulders bind now, they will still bind after a season of wear. Want more waist? Pick a slightly cropped version or wear it open over a tucked shirt.
2. Paige Lorenze Rugby Shirt Outfit
A striped rugby shirt fixes the day when a sweatshirt feels sloppy and a sweater feels too dressed. It comes straight out of vintage sportswear and East Coast campus dressing, which is why it sits so comfortably in this wardrobe. I size it slightly oversized in navy, forest green or burgundy and wear it with straight-leg jeans and suede loafers. That white collar is the whole point, so let it show. A brown belt, canvas tote and small hoops are plenty. Rugby jersey is heavy cotton, so it hangs rather than clings, and that weight can swallow a small frame. Petite wearers should French tuck the front; taller wearers can leave it long and loose.
3. Paige Lorenze Quarter-Zip Fleece Outfit
Misty mornings call for something that feels like loungewear but survives a trip into town. Start with a roomy quarter-zip fleece in brown, cream or a deep green over a fitted thermal, then add straight-leg cargos or relaxed utility trousers. Retro sneakers keep it sporty; hiking-style boots make it trail-ready. Ribbed socks, a canvas cap and a big leather or nylon tote finish it. Fleece is the piece I warn people about: it pills where a bag strap or seatbelt rubs, so carry a crossbody on the other side or accept some fuzz by November. Oversized fleece wants slimmer pants. If you prefer room everywhere, go wide-leg and let the fitted base layer do the defining.
4. Paige Lorenze Cable-Knit Sweater Outfit
Nothing says cozy Lorenze faster than a chunky cable knit. Cream, oatmeal, soft gray or deep navy all work, and I pair it with a faded denim midi skirt. A front slit makes walking easy and lets tall brown boots show. The leather belt matters more than it looks: a heavy knit over a long skirt can turn into one shapeless column, and the belt breaks it at the waist. Keep the bag suede and the jewelry fine so nothing fights the cable texture. In real cold, add a thermal underneath and a wool coat on top, but check the sleeves first; a thick cable knit can bunch inside a fitted coat sleeve. An A-line denim skirt gives extra room through the hips. Foliage walks, campus days and slow weekend lunches all suit it.
5. Paige Lorenze White Button-Down Outfit
A crisp white shirt surrounded by autumn browns always looks fresh to me. Tuck an oversized cotton button-down into dark bootcut jeans and add a substantial brown belt with a plain metal buckle. Draping a camel sweater over the shoulders brings warmth while keeping the outfit light enough for September. Pointed ankle boots, a structured leather bag and simple sunglasses finish it. White shirt, denim and a good belt is about the cheapest route into this New England look, and that's why I recommend it first. For more coverage, choose a longer shirt with side slits and leave it half out. If you want a closer fit, stretch cotton follows the body without pulling at the buttons, which is where a rigid shirt usually gapes.
6. Paige Lorenze Plaid Shirt Outfit
Plaid stays modern only when everything around it is plain. Pick a soft flannel in forest green, burgundy, navy or brown and wear it open over a fitted white tank or ribbed long-sleeve, with vintage straight jeans and suede clogs or ankle boots. When it turns colder, a cropped waxed jacket goes over the top. A leather crossbody, small earrings and a ribbon-tied low ponytail are the finishing details. One pattern only; the plaid is the point. Flannel softens with every wash, which is great, but cheap ones shrink in the sleeve, so I buy them a touch long. If an oversized shirt hides your shape, roll the sleeves and tuck one side. Apple picking and road trips are where this one earns its place.
7. Paige Lorenze Trench Coat Outfit
On wet days I reach for a classic trench before anything else. Tan or khaki over a fitted turtleneck and dark straight jeans is the version I'd copy. Leather loafers are fine for a dry drizzle, but on puddled sidewalks swap to waterproof Chelsea boots; smooth leather loafers spot and stiffen once they soak through. A patterned head scarf, a structured top-handle bag and slim sunglasses give it that old-school Americana feel, and the scarf with a trench and a layered knit is a combination she clearly loves. Leave the coat open for a long vertical line, or knot the belt loosely behind you for gentle shape. Knee length suits most heights, while petite frames usually look better in a hem that stops just above the knee.
8. Paige Lorenze Suede Jacket Outfit
Suede gives a plain outfit the earthy texture that makes it look thought through. I'd pick a hip-length jacket in tobacco, camel or dark chocolate and layer it over a cream waffle-knit shirt, with medium-wash straight jeans and pointed Western boots for a quiet country nod. A narrow belt, slouchy bag and a small pendant are enough. Hold the palette to cream, denim blue and warm brown so the suede stays the focus. A lightly structured cut sits well over curves without adding bulk at the hip. The honest trade-off is weather: real suede darkens and can water-mark in rain, so if you can't check the forecast before you dress, faux suede is the smarter buy. A cropped cut gives more waist definition, and the look moves easily from a casual workday to dinner.
9. Paige Lorenze Overalls Outfit
Overalls are the piece most likely to look like a costume, so the layers underneath do the heavy lifting. I go for dark denim, faded blue or brown canvas with a relaxed straight leg, a cream thermal or fitted striped long-sleeve underneath and a cardigan when it drops cold. Leather clogs, lace-up boots or retro sneakers all suit the shape. A canvas tote, wool socks and a cap finish it. Roll the hem once to show the shoe; that single cuff makes the line much cleaner. Check the bib length before you buy: on a short torso a standard bib sits too high and pulls at the crotch, which is why adjustable straps matter. If classic overalls feel too loose, a tailored pair with a defined waist is the fix. They suit errands and farm-stand runs while keeping that nostalgic Americana mood.
10. Paige Lorenze Slip Dress Outfit
Don't pack your summer slip dress away yet. A midi in cream, chocolate, navy or a tiny floral print can carry on under an oversized crewneck, with the dress showing below the knit so it still moves. Knee-high leather boots ground it in fall and keep your legs warm. Add a compact suede bag, a gold pendant and a barn jacket for the evening chill. Wearing a shirt or casual knit over a slip dress is one of the most repeatable ideas in her wardrobe, because it mixes the feminine half of this style with the outdoorsy half. Satin slips cling to sweaters, though, so a quick anti-static spray or a slip in a matte fabric saves a lot of tugging. A thin belt under the sweater, with the front hem tucked into it, defines your waist without visible bulk.
11. Paige Lorenze Plaid Skirt Outfit
A plaid skirt is where this aesthetic leans most preppy. I start with an A-line or softly pleated plaid mini in brown, forest green or burgundy, then add a fitted cream turtleneck and an oversized herringbone wool blazer. Sheer tights and knee-high riding boots give coverage and one long, unbroken leg line. A structured shoulder bag and small gold hoops keep it tidy. If a mini isn't for you, a plaid midi with ankle boots works just as well. Pay attention to blazer length: one ending below the hips gives a relaxed contrast with the short skirt, but on a petite frame it can cover the skirt completely, so a cropped jacket makes more sense there. It's polished enough for lunch out yet still has that approachable New England feel.
12. Paige Lorenze Striped Sweater Outfit
Very few outfits get worn as often as a striped sweater and loose jeans. Navy-and-cream, green-and-white or brown-and-oatmeal in a slightly oversized crewneck all work, paired with straight or baggy jeans and soft leather loafers. A white button-down underneath adds collar and cuffs for a preppier result. A roomy suede tote, a leather watch and a cap finish it. Hem length is the detail I'd fuss over: the jean should skim the top of the loafer, never pool or drag, because dragging denim frays at the heel within weeks. Wide stripes widen the body, so if that bothers you, narrow stripes or a sweater with color only near the neckline is the better choice. Travel days and coffee runs suit it.
13. Paige Lorenze Knit Dress Outfit
For something dressier, a fitted knit dress keeps the relaxed New England feeling but sharpens it. I'd choose a ribbed midi in chocolate, charcoal, cream or deep burgundy, with a cropped suede jacket or a tailored wool coat over it and knee-high boots on a low or medium heel. A leather shoulder bag and small earrings keep it refined. A structured waist, or a narrow belt under the jacket, adds definition. Ribbed knit shows every line underneath, so I always suggest no-line underwear and a heavier gauge; thin rib clings and stretches out at the seat after a few wears. A heavier A-line or column cut gives less cling. Add tights and a long coat for colder weeks, and it holds up for dinners and dressier daytime plans.
14. Paige Lorenze Cashmere Sweater Outfit
This is the quiet-luxury version. Build it around a soft cashmere crewneck in oatmeal, pale gray, navy or camel, loosely tucked into high-waisted chocolate trousers or tailored cords. Dark brown loafers keep it calm; pointed ankle boots dress it up. A structured belt, small top-handle bag and minimal gold jewelry are all it needs, with a long wool coat on top when it's cold. Cashmere and simple sweaters are how she keeps fall clothes comfortable but still pulled together, and the fiber deserves a little care: it pills under the arms and at the wrists early on, which a sweater comb clears without damage. Flat-front trousers give a streamlined line, while pleats leave more room through the hips. Office days and travel both suit it.
15. Paige Lorenze Denim-on-Denim Outfit
Denim on denim belongs in any fall wardrobe built on American workwear. I wear a medium-wash denim shirt with dark bootcut jeans, and I insist on two clearly different washes; when the shades are close but not equal, it looks like a mistake rather than a choice. Tuck the shirt and add a wide brown belt to mark the waist. Western boots, a suede shoulder bag and a barn jacket give you the full country layer. For a looser take, wear the shirt open over a white tank. A roomy shirt balances fitted or gently flared jeans, and with baggy bottoms a cropped denim top keeps the proportions from going heavy. It's sturdy, easy to make your own, and right at home at fairs and outdoor markets.
Waxed Cotton, Suede and Cord After a Muddy Weekend
This wardrobe is meant to be worn outside, which means it gets dirty, and the fabrics behave very differently once they do.
Waxed jackets
Never put a waxed jacket in the washer or dryer; hot water strips the wax and leaves it patchy. Let mud dry, brush it off, and wipe the rest with a damp cloth and cold water. When the fabric starts looking pale at the shoulders and elbows and stops beading water, it's time to rewax. That usually happens once a season if you wear it hard.
Suede boots and jackets
Spray suede with a protector before the first wear and again every few weeks. If it gets soaked, stuff boots with paper, let them dry away from a radiator, then brush the nap back up with a suede brush. Heat is what cracks and shrinks it, not the water itself.
Corduroy, flannel and fleece
Wash cords and flannel inside out on cool, and skip the high-heat dryer; cord loses its wale and flannel shrinks in the sleeve. Fleece pills least when washed inside out with other soft things, never with jeans that have rivets and zippers.
Sizing Boxy Layers on Petite and Curvy Frames
The roomy jackets and fleeces in this style are cut straight, and straight cuts behave differently on different bodies. On a petite frame, the jacket hem is the thing to watch: if it lands at mid-thigh, your legs look short, so I aim for a hem at the hip bone or just below. On a curvy figure, a straight jacket hangs from the bust and tents outward, so I either leave it open to make two vertical lines or choose one with a drawstring or belt at the waist. Tall wearers have the easiest time with oversized pieces but should check sleeve length, since a barn jacket that stops at the wrist bone looks borrowed. In every case, the slim piece underneath, a thermal, a fitted turtleneck or a tucked shirt, is what keeps the outfit from looking like it belongs to someone bigger.
Start With the Barn Jacket and Brown Boots
Everything here comes back to the same few ingredients: practical layers, well-worn denim, warm natural colors and a few nostalgic New England details. You don't need a new wardrobe to get there. Begin with a barn jacket, jeans you like, one textured sweater and brown leather boots, then add a plaid shirt, a head scarf, a rugby top or a vintage belt as you go. Keep checking proportion, so every oversized piece has something slim or defined next to it. And dress for your actual weather and routine, not the photo. Built that way, these looks carry you from muddy weekends to casual workdays for the whole season.
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