October Outfit Ideas That Don't Require Selling Your Soul (Or Your Rent Money)
By Sienna — Spontaneous, playful, a little chaotic. Life's an adventure and I'm dragging you along. ·
Let’s Be Real: LA ‘Fall’ is a Lie
Okay, look. I know it’s October. I know the internet is currently screaming at us to buy chunky wool turtlenecks and knee-high leather boots. But we live in Silver Lake, people. It was 88 degrees yesterday, and Gerald (my Honda Civic, may he rest in peace if he doesn’t pass smog this week) is currently functioning as an oven.
I’m a Production Assistant. My life is 70% hauling gear, 20% avoiding craft service snacks that are definitely expired, and 10% trying to look like I have my life together. If an outfit isn’t comfortable enough to sprint across a studio lot but cute enough that I don’t look like a total gremlin when I grab a matcha post-shift, I don’t want it.
Here is how I’m navigating the ‘is it hot, is it cold, or is it just my existential dread?’ season without breaking the bank or looking like a basic pumpkin spice advertisement.
The ‘PA-Core’ Layering Strategy
When you work on set, you’re basically a professional onion. You need layers because you’ll be sweating in the sun at 10 AM and freezing in a sound-stage freezer by 2 PM. My secret? Oversized men’s button-downs.
I hit up the Goodwill on Hyperion once a month and hunt for XL flannel or striped cotton shirts. Leave them unbuttoned over a ribbed tank top. It’s the ultimate ‘I’m busy but I’m also aesthetic’ vibe. If it gets hot, tie the shirt around your waist—it hides the fact that you haven’t done laundry in a week, which is a major bonus. Pair this with some loose-fitting carpenter pants or baggy denim. If you can’t comfortably squat to pick up a C-stand, the pants are wrong. Throw them out.
Boots vs. Sneakers: The Great Debate
I love a tall boot as much as the next girl, but have you ever tried to run through a residential neighborhood in LA because your brother Cole ‘forgot his keys’ while wearing platforms? Don’t.
My go-to for October is a beat-up pair of retro sneakers—think vintage Reeboks or those New Balance ones everyone is obsessed with. They look better the dirtier they get. If I need to feel ‘fancy’ for a dinner date or a house party, I swap them for a pair of black ankle boots with a low, chunky heel. They’re sturdy enough for the cracked sidewalks of Silver Lake but look like I actually put in effort.
The ‘I Have No Time’ Accessory Hack
Look, when you’re waking up at 4:30 AM for a call time, you aren’t thinking about your jewelry. I have a rule: if it takes more than 10 seconds to put on, it doesn’t exist.
I keep a stash of gold-tone hoops and a couple of layered chains in the glove box of Gerald. I put them on in the rearview mirror before I step out of the car. It’s the ‘I didn’t just roll out of bed’ insurance policy. Also, a baseball cap. Find one that isn’t a corporate logo. I have one that’s just a faded forest green that goes with everything. It hides the dry shampoo struggle and makes you look like a mysterious cool girl who definitely has a secret creative project she’s working on. Even if you’re just going to buy more coffee.
Color Palette: Lean Into the Sunset, Not the Leaves
Since we aren’t getting any actual autumn foliage here (the palm trees are just… permanently green), don’t force the burnt orange aesthetic if it makes you feel like a costume. My October palette is all about ‘LA Sunset’ vibes—deep plums, dusty rose, sage green, and plenty of neutrals. It feels autumnal without being literal.
I recently found this incredible oversized sweater in a muted mustard yellow that I wear with denim shorts. It’s a bit chaotic, I know. It confuses people. But that’s the point. The best outfits are the ones that make people look twice because they aren’t quite sure if you’re dressing for a hike or a fashion show.
Building Your Own Adventure
At the end of the day, these are just clothes. Don’t let the ‘trend cycle’ stress you out. When I moved here at 19 with $800 in my pocket, I didn’t have a wardrobe—I had a suitcase of stuff I’d collected from thrift stores in my hometown. I learned that you feel the most confident when you’re wearing something that allows you to say ‘yes’ to whatever comes your way.
Whether that’s an impromptu road trip to Joshua Tree or just an extra-long shift that turns into a midnight diner run, you want to be ready. Dress for the person you want to be, not the person who’s stuck behind a desk. Take the risk, wear the weird color combo, and for the love of everything, wear comfortable shoes.
So, what’s your go-to piece this October? Are you team ‘leggings are pants’ or are you out here rocking leather? Let me know in the comments—I’m dying to hear how you’re styling the madness this month. Let’s chat!