Cool weather always generates certain cravings—apple cider, cozy soups, decorative gourds… and, of course, PLAID.  Before the first leaf hits the ground you can usually see half of your city covered in tartan flannels and buffalo check scarves.  But what if you’re… you know, employed, and need to keep a certain level of professionalism to your obsession with seasonal styles?  Friends, I give you the Theory Super Cinched Blazer, a closet hero (if ever there was one) in vintage houndstooth that I recently discovered at Nordstrom.

I admit I am a hoarder of blazers.  I openly acknowledge and accept this.  I think there are an additional 47 other blazers currently in my Nordstrom shopping cart.  But, perhaps this obsession (compulsion?) just goes to show you how truly spectacular a blazer must be to really ‘wow’ me at this point.  And, I’m telling you, this blazer wow’ed me.

Many people (especially my petite friends) are nervous about the oversized blazer trend and if that sounds like you, try this one.  The cut really accentuates your waist which helps with proportions, no matter your size, making it the perfect foray into the oversized blazer trend for anyone who’s worried about being swallowed by their own clothes.  It’s incredibly feminine, something not always available in a good blazer, and the delicateness of this pattern lets you play around with cold weather faves without going the full Paul Bunyan at the office.

I’ve paired my new blazer best friend with a matching set from Vince, a silken, slightly drapey skirt and blouse pairing in a copper color I’d like to live in until 2037, thank you very much.  The flow of these pieces really complements the structure of the blazer, creating an outfit with balance and an appealing play on textures. The gorgeous color of course makes me feel like a walking, talking Pumpkin Spice Latte and nods to the coziness of the season. And coziness is a word, I checked.

Important lesson I learned the hard way: This skirt is a perfect length for most professional environments, but it does have a slit that you probably want to tack slightly lower if you’re donning it to the office.  You can take it to a tailor, but honestly it’s super easy—just literally add a few stitches so that it doesn’t open up quite so high.  Walking to the office in the wind made me realize just how high it can open, so I ducked into Duane Reade and got a sewing kit.

It is possible for your workwear to feel decidedly fall without looking like you should be brandishing an axe and toting a bushel of apples.  Think rich jewel tones, delicate versions of classic cold-weather patterns, and cozy textures.  The worst thing you could do would be to skip a sartorial season that you love, but the second worst thing would be to look unprofessional.  Find the right way to do both.  And sip as much cider as you want.