I was having dinner with some friends a couple weeks ago and a good friend of mine mentioned how she had unexpectedly run into her new boss on the weekend. Like many of us, she was running errands in her sweats and not exactly dressed to impress. She looked at me and said “I should listen to your advice and put on an outfit when I leave the house.” She said it in jest and I laughed because it’s almost inevitable that you’ll run into someone when you’re not ready.

So how do you “dress” for the weekend? Are you running your errands in leggings and sweatpants or your gym clothes? Are you living in leggings on the weekends? This isn’t necessarily a “bad” thing. The key to looking put together is knowing how to pair your items and adding structure to your outfit. Your pieces need to fit your body. Wearing oversized items can make you look “sloppy” on your weekend errands.

Now I get that it’s the weekend and all you really want to do is put on something comfortable. If you’re set on putting those leggings on then by all means please do! And if you want to look put together add a little structure to those leggings. How about a fitted tunic sweater and wedge sneakers? Layer on a quilted vest? How about a tank and long cardigan? You have options for how to pair leggings for a more structured weekend look.

Other options? Jeans are great for the weekend. They come in all kinds of styles and can be easily paired for whatever your weekend has in store. I’m a big fan of Athleta pants. These are comfortable, simple and easily paired. What about a pair of joggers or refined sweatpants? You have options ladies! Make them work for you!

Ok we focused on your bottoms, what about your tops? If you're wearing a tank, add a cardigan and a quilted vest or a t-shirt and a moto-jacket. Throw on a pullover sweater that fits your body. It’s less about what you wear and more about how it fits you. Add a structured jacket over a hooded sweatshirt. Whatever is in your closet can be layered and combined to create a great weekend look. Chances are you have something to build from and will not need to re-create your wardrobe just to get through the weekend.

Still unsure? Find a few inspirational pieces below.

Lou & Grey Signature Softblend Sweatpants

J. Crew Sophie Open-front Sweater Blazer

J. Crew Factory Button-collar Pullover Sweatshirt

Leather and Lace are trending this fall. The feminine look of lace can be offset by the edgy look of leather. Worn together or separate, these trends can go far in your wardrobe. One of the beauties of these pieces is that they are cyclical. This trend always comes back around every couple of years... which means that the pieces you purchase can be worn from one season to the next.

Right now, leather and lace are in retail stores everywhere. Leather skirts, pants and moto jackets are popular items. These pieces can be versatile in your wardrobe, making them worth the investment. Lace skirts/tops/dresses and accessories can be both feminine and sexy. Lace can bring out the sweet side of your outfit or tap into the more provocative depending on how it is paired. Lace can be daring or endearing. Leather can be harsh or subtle. The ability to influence the tone of each of these materials contributes to their popularity.

Take a for example... A blush lace dress: pure, classy, romantic

Now take a back lace over a nude fabric dress with a deep V and body hugging silhouette: alluring, formal, edgy

Depending on the context and use of lace, the result can be vastly different. The same goes for leather.

If you're looking to add these elements to your wardrobe or need some inspiration on how to pair the pieces that you already have, check out the images below. All of these are currently available at Intermix.

Derrek Lam 10 Crosby 2 in 1 Leather Combo Dress

Jonathan Simkhai Runway Lace Trumpet Hem Dress

Dion Lee Braided Black Leather Moto Jacket

Michelle Mason Exclusive Asymmetric Leather Mini Skirt

Step Up Your Weekend Wear

Trend Alert: Leather & Lace