My Autumn, Brace-Friendly, Back-to-School Wardrobe

Guys, autumn is finally here, and not that I’m wishing the warm beach days and beautiful sunsets away or anything, but I’m very excited. Coats are back in stock, the air is crisp, and, in California, the weather is hitting low 70s. It’s exciting stuff.

When it comes to back-to-school shopping, however, finding the right clothes that are cute while work with a brace can be a bit difficult. Although the wooly knits are filtering back through onto the racks, you’re still in danger of melting if you’re wearing a layer of plastic around you; so I propose that there’s a sweet spot somewhere in the middle that we should be aiming to hit - that perfect, gray area that we all dream to attain. So, today I’m providing my share of items that fit this sometimes clammy, sometimes chilly summer/autumn transition.

Sweatshirts     My favorite. Sweatshirts are the perfect comfortable-but-still-somewhat-put-together item. Not only can you find them pretty much anywhere, but they are perfect for covering up the brace in the back if you size up. You would not believe the number of sweatshirts I own - without completely exposing myself, I’ll just say that even for me, it’s too much. It’s just too easy to fall into the spiral of sweatshirts - the possibilities are endless! Any color, pattern, brand, logo? The one I’m wearing is from Ivory Ella...pricey, I know, but I justified the purchase because of the good cause (who can’t resist donating a bit of money to saving those cute elephants and getting a cute sweatshirt? Good marketing.)

Sweaters     Sweater weather is the best weather. Similarly to my sweatshirts, I seem to have a black hole of a closet when it comes to sweaters. I just swallow them up like there’s no tomorrow. Sweaters are perfect for those colder days when you want a little extra warmth - not to mention that they are another great option for hiding the brace. Need I say more?

Denim     Is there ever a bad time to buy denim? I think not. The backbone that glues everything together and whenever I challenge myself to break out of my comfort-zone for a couple of days I always come running back to denim, with it feeling like home once I’m snuggly zipped back in. My holy grail clothing piece are these Topshop High-wasited Jamie Jeans. If you are going to go out on a limb and spend on a new piece for fall, I would recommend these jeans 110% of the time. The perfect length, stretchiness, size selection. The perfect jean. They fit right above the lowest strap of my brace, so they never slip down, and they are thick enough to conceal my brace without getting too hot.

Patterns     My secret tip for hiding the brace? Patterns. You’ve probably seen a trend up until here that I have patterns in almost everything I wear. Not just because I love patterns, but because patterns distract from the little plastic parts poking out that might be more noticeable. Patterned pants like these Urban Outfitters ones are perfect for providing a distraction (and in my mom’s opinion, a bit of a headache).

Cardigans     Here in California, we may still have a couple of days of camisole-wearing weather left, and perhaps even a few more short-sleeve tops, so, for those days, I like to throw on a lightweight cardigan. Cardigans are great because you can get them extra cozy or lightweight, and they are such an easy add to an outfit. I was channeling my inner Santa Claus with this Topshop purchase, but I still have no regrets. Bold colors are a great distraction from the brace. And who doesn’t mind a little  reminder of Christmas in October? Personally, I’ve been playing my Christmas playlists since June.

Jackets     My trusty denim makes a second appearance in the same article? Can you say you’re surprised? Trucker and denim jackets seem to be making a comeback this fall, and I can’t say I’m disappointed. Big, oversized jackets like this Topshop Oversized Denim Jacket are another great option for concealing the brace. They are long in the back, and work with almost any outfit. I must say, I was definitely attempting (and failing?) to channel my inner Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears in this denim on denim outfit.

Wearing your brace loud and proud is great, but we all have those days where we just want to wear normal clothes and don’t want people asking why there is a hunk of plastic sticking out at our hip, so hopefully my share of items and tips help you to find something that suits you. And underneath all the layers of denim and wool, remember we are bent, not broken! :)