Fall Looks We Love: The Elsa II Collection
Confession: While writing this on a 90-degree day in August, nothing sounds more inviting than the thought of fall. Layers. Socks. A hat whose purpose isn’t to block out the sun (and doesn’t make us sweat). But fall will be here soon enough, bringing all the unpredictable weather that comes with it.
Which brings up one of our favorite, evergreen trends: versatility. At KEEN, we want clothes—and shoes, obviously—that are ready for the spontaneous. Whether that’s an impulsive stop at a U-Pick apple orchard or a last-minute happy hour across town, we don’t want to go home to change first. Who has time for that?
And if there is any season that embodies the importance of being ready for anything—and any weather—it’s fall. Blustery days. Rain. 20-degree temperature swings (honestly, that sounds pretty lovely right about now). In anticipation of the big cool down, we wanted to share some of our favorite transitional outfits. Check out how our KEEN employees wear the Elsa collection into autumn and beyond.
THE LOOK: SEPTEMBER HEAT
It’s September, you’ve got new fall boots and you want to give off an autumn vibe…but it’s still t-shirt weather. What to do? One thing is for sure: don’t sweat it out in a sweater just yet!
Fall tip: For fickle fall weather, choose a lightly insulated boot that is seam-sealed and made from weatherproof materials.
For this look, we paired the Elsa II Chelsea WP boot (check out our new Elena Chelsea boot as another option) with a light maxi dress. By mixing a shin-grazing hem (a pretty hot silhouette right now) with low boots and low socks, you can project a fall feel without going full-on tights and boots. A statement necklace dresses the look up, and a jean jacket is perfect for chilly evenings (or that remaining office AC).
Put it all together, and you have the perfect outfit to shift from work to happy hour. It’s also an easy and comfy weekend look for everything from wine-tasting to errand-running. Oh, and September is the perfect time to get one last run out of your summery fedora.
MICHELA, KEEN SALES COORDINATOR
“I like how comfortable and versatile this outfit is! And I love this boot because it’s a hybrid between a rain and snow boot, making it my go-to, starting in the fall and all through the wintertime. And the little pop of pattern is super fun.”
THE LOOK: OCTOBER LOVE SONG
If you read our Spring Look Book post, you know our love for the Elsa sneaker. Versatile, comfortable, and endlessly packable. And come October, we’re hitting the last days of the farmer’s market in our Elsa II Quilted sneaker. It’s sporty meets cozy meets texture—and it’s one of our best sellers.
Fall tip: As things cool off, swap lightweight canvas sneakers for more insulated shoes—or invest in warmer socks.
This look is basically a love song for fall, with layers of varying lengths, textures, cuffed sleeves. To create it, we layered a long, cozy ribbed cardigan over a step-hem sweater (a sweater over another sweater? Oh, be still our perspiring hearts). Sticking with two neutrals, gray and olive, keeps things polished.
Since October is still fickle, we chose a v-neck sweater and cuffed the distressed jeans to offer some much-needed breathability. That dark felt hat, though, places this look solidly in fall. Stroll from work straight to a dinner party—no clothing swap needed.
AMBER, KEEN PEOPLE & CULTURE OPERATIONS COORDINATOR
“The relaxed style of this outfit is key! I love that I could wear this running errands or to a weekend brunch with friends.”
THE LOOK: NOVEMBER CHILL
November is solidly fall in Oregon. Heavier rain, chillier breezes—it’s the perfect weather for a longer jacket and taller boots. And this simple style is classic pacific northwest. The oversized short-sleeved red flannel and sturdy, dark wash jeans give this outdoorsy/street-style look, while the warm Elsa II Ankle Wool WP brings the cozy factor (check out our new Elena tall boot as another option). Headed outside? Toss on a hooded puffer jacket.
With warm, dry feet and a this PNW look, you can traverse November monsoons, hit the pub, or just pick up the kiddos in cozy warmth.
Fall tip: To keep your outfit from looking too lumberjack-y, choose boots with a sleeker, sneaker-like fit.
AMBER
“I like the updated style to the classic Elsa boot, with a higher ankle shaft for more warmth. This would definitely be my rainy day boot, perfect for work or walking the dog.”
THE LOOK: DECEMBERRRR
For our December look, we channeled our love for the outdoors and tomboy neutrals creating the perfect look for when the temperatures finally dip.
We’ll admit it, we were inspired by the orange laces and built this look solidly around the weather-ready Elsa Ankle Quilted WP boot. Our new Elena mid boot with a pop of plaid is another great option. But any boot that has a pop of color can make a stylish statement.
Fall tip: As much as we love slip-ons, always retie your winter boots each time you put them on. Not only will a tighter fit keep out the chill, it ensures you’re more sure-footed on slick surfaces.
To get this ready-for-the-mountain look, take your hiking boot’s dominant colors and match them with your accessories—in this case, a knit cap and vest. Using the neutral white flannel as the bottommost layer lends some brightness without overpowering things. And the vest is the ideal transitional accessory, functioning in fall as a light jacket and in winter as a second layer. Best of all, you can wear it under a heavy jacket, like this oversized faux fur-lined parka, without losing the mobility of your elbows (this is something we care deeply about). Maybe get one that matches your boots?
AMBER
“This would be my go-to winter boot. I love the green as a neutral with the pop of color. I’d wear this aprés snowboarding or around town on a cold winter day.”
Meet Elena: Our new sneaker boot collection