What I Wore to the Finger Lakes
What I Wore to the Finger Lakes
📍 Aurora, New York
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Sweater || Jeans || Booties || Handbag
I have reached the point in fall when getting dressed for a weekend away might be almost as much fun as planning the trip itself. For my recent stay at the Inns of Aurora in New York’s Finger Lakes, I wanted to pack pieces that felt right for the setting without leaning too heavily into traditional “fall outfits.” The result was a small wardrobe of navy, cream, chocolate brown, tweed, plaid, and suede that worked for everything from exploring the area to a wine tasting in the parlor and a slow morning in our room. I was only there for one night, so I kept the packing list relatively tight, choosing pieces I could easily mix, rewear, and dress up or down. Below is everything I packed and wore for a very cozy October stay by Cayuga Lake.
Shirt || Blazer || Jeans || Booties || Handbag
A Day of Traveling to the Inn
For the drive to Aurora and our first afternoon at the Inns, I wore one of my favorite fall formulas: a white button-down, dark-wash wide-leg jeans, a tan tweed blazer, and brown suede ankle boots. It felt polished enough that I could arrive at the hotel and immediately start exploring, but nothing about it was uncomfortable for several hours in the car. The darker denim makes a white button-down feel particularly good this time of year, while the texture of the tweed blazer gives an otherwise very classic outfit a little more depth. I carried a woven tote with brown leather trim, which kept the whole look from feeling too serious and worked perfectly for tossing in everything I needed for the drive. This is exactly the sort of outfit I’d wear again for a fall road trip, a casual lunch, or a day spent wandering around a small New England town.
Sweater || Jeans || Booties || Handbag
Exploring the Finger Lakes
For exploring the property and the surrounding Finger Lakes, I went in a lighter direction with a cream cashmere sweater, cream jeans, chocolate brown suede ankle boots, and a chocolate brown bucket bag. I love wearing cream well beyond summer, especially when it’s paired with richer textures and darker accessories. The brown suede immediately made the cream jeans feel appropriate for October, while keeping the overall outfit light against all of the beautiful fall color around Aurora. A simple cashmere crewneck was also ideal for a day that involved plenty of walking and time outside by Cayuga Lake. It’s a good reminder that transitional fall dressing doesn’t always have to mean dark colors from head to toe. Sometimes swapping summer accessories for suede, cashmere, and chocolate brown is enough to carry your favorite lighter pieces into a new season.
Wine Tasting in the Parlor
Our wine tasting in the parlor called for something a little more dressed up, but I still wanted to feel like myself, so I wore a navy plaid poplin shirtdress with taupe suede loafers and a structured navy bag. The plaid and collared silhouette felt especially fitting among the historic interiors of the Inns of Aurora, while the loafers kept the look relaxed enough for an afternoon activity rather than making it feel like I was dressed for dinner. I particularly love the combination of navy and taupe here. It’s softer than pairing the dress with black and feels right for early fall, especially with suede adding another seasonal texture. A shirtdress is also one of my favorite pieces to pack because it requires almost no styling decisions once it’s in the suitcase: add a great pair of shoes, a structured bag, and you’re ready to go.
A Slow Start to the Morning
I will happily admit that pajamas are part of my vacation wardrobe planning, and this chocolate brown LAKE pajama set with matching knit layers and fuzzy brown slippers could not have been better for a chilly October morning at the inn. I loved waking up without immediately needing to get dressed, making coffee, and enjoying the room for a little while before packing up to leave. The rich chocolate color made the set feel particularly good for fall and also happened to work beautifully with the traditional room, floral wallpaper, and all of those cozy details that make a historic inn so appealing. Matching pajamas are a small luxury, but they make slow mornings away feel a little more special, and this set has officially earned a permanent place on my fall weekend packing list.
Sweater || Pants || Flats || Handbag || Sunglasses
Coffee and a Book by the Lake
One of my favorite outfits from the trip was also one of the simplest: a navy cable-knit sweater with navy satin wide-leg pants, chocolate brown pointed flats, tortoiseshell sunglasses, and a woven leather-trimmed tote. I love the contrast between the cozy texture of the sweater and the slightly dressier satin pants, especially in a monochromatic palette. It made the outfit feel pulled together without requiring much effort, which was exactly what I wanted for a quiet stretch of the afternoon with a book and a view of the lake. The chocolate accessories warmed up all of the navy and made the look feel distinctly autumnal, while the satin trousers were an easy alternative to reaching for jeans yet again. This is one of those outfit formulas I’ll be repeating well beyond this trip: monochromatic separates, contrasting textures, and a simple brown accessory or two.
The biggest takeaway from packing for the Inns of Aurora was that I really didn’t need very much. A white button-down, great denim, cashmere, a little plaid, a pair of satin trousers, and a few brown suede accessories gave me enough variety for an overnight trip without hauling around a suitcase full of outfits I would never wear. I also liked that nothing felt overly themed for fall. The season came through in the textures and palette rather than relying on an abundance of plaid or anything too literal, which made every piece feel useful beyond the trip itself. If you’re planning a fall weekend in the Finger Lakes, I’d start with the pieces you already love wearing and add a few seasonal touches like suede, tweed, cashmere, chocolate brown, or a classic plaid. Add a good pair of pajamas for coffee in your room, and you’re set for a very cozy weekend by the lake.
Love from New York,
Katie
Thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about my travels and style, be sure to visit throughout the week! Be sure to check out my exclusive adventures in NYC and New England.
