From the American prairie to the British countryside, influences of rural, even rustic, living were all over the fall runways. In a society obsessed with city-dwelling lifestyles, this is possibly the most refreshing and inspired of recent trends. Now is one of the key times per year that we long to get away from the drudgery of pavement and metal for a walk through a tree-lined avenue on a brisk autumn day, so to have at least the fantasy through our outfits (if not the reality) is gratifying indeed. Keys to these looks have to do with color palette, neon accents are out of the question, fabric, and shape. When you have it in mind to channel your inner "hometown" girl, you'll have to leave your slouchy boyfriend-inspired pieces in the closet. While some designers played with menswear inspiration in a country atmosphere, they made it tailored and chic, so that femininity stayed firmly in the equation. You should too. Here are some of our favorite looks to inspire you.
Lady Does It: Perfect Country Style Inspiration for Your Perfect Fall Wardrobe
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Lumber... Jane
Michael Kors is one of the America's designer sweethearts. He speaks to our love of simple luxury. This season he took it way back to our roots with melange knits and blanket skirts that look as though they were thrown together out of Paul Bunyan's wardrobe. Though he kept it all feeling upscale with close attention to fit and maintaining feminine movement and shape.
Image: IMAXtree
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Newsboy
Yes, the newsboy cap can be worn in the spirit of a 20th century street urchin selling papers in the city — but its origin comes from Great Britain and paired with a knee-length trench from Burberry, there can be no denying it's meant to invoke feelings of country gentry. Feel free to add a tweed topper like this to a regular khaki trench for a less obvious iteration. Keep that waist nipped in!
Image: IMAXtree
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Parka
Don't have a trench? No problem. As seen here, a parka with a belt around it, paired with a sweater and skirt combo can be a more casual way to try out your ode to country dressing. After all, pictures abound of the royal family in similar looks throughout the 20th and 21st centuries while "roughing it" at Balmoral castle.
Burberry image: IMAXtree
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How Shapely
Sometimes all you need is the right silhouette to pull off this style. An elegant country lady wouldn't dare leave her house without being "dressed." That is without her fitted jacket buttoned all the way, her pencil skirt, stockings, and T-strap heels. Keep it simple by keeping your colors dark, add texture with a "rustic" material like boucle and you're good to go.
Ralph Lauren image: IMAXtree
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Open Season
This cardigan could have been taken from your grandfather's closet and thrown over a school uniform to quickly milk the cows. My point: it screams rustic chic. The burnt orange color is perfect for fall and the dress underneath evokes a trend also seen on Spring 2013 runways: stripes.
Rodarte image: IMAXtree
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Crop It
As you can see here, two trends in one look isn't always a disaster. This cropped sweater and high waisted pant combo is a must-try for fall.
Rodarte: IMAXtree
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Glamour Girl
We know that the country evokes earth tones, but a stunning, albeit natural, color like this blue collar adds a touch of glamour to an otherwise demure jacket, gloves, and pleated skirt number.
Douglas Hannant image: IMAXtree
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Chunky Knit
This look speaks for itself and out of all of them is the most readily attainable. Cable knit sweater dresses are all over the stores this season and only need a pair of tights and riding boots to evoke cabin life.
Douglas Hannant image: IMAXtree
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Lady of the Ball
We couldn't leave you without presenting at least one red carpet-worthy look. Plaid silk taffeta makes us think of Braveheart, Scotland, and proudly bearing your country's heritage, which is something Americans know all about.
Douglas Hannant image: IMAXtree
