The Best Fall Shopping in Boston

Fashion blogger, Leigha Gardner, of The Lilac Press shopping all the outlets and factory stores for the new fall season at Assembly Row in Somerville, MA

 

Outfit Details:
Lace skirt & top: Ann Taylor Factory |  Silk scarf: Brooks Brothers Factory | Navy leather satchel: Brooks Brothers Factory | Suede d’Orsay flats: J.Crew Factory

 

For better or for worse, the fall season is here! I’ve been reluctant this year to turn over my wardrobe from summer to fall, but if the changing leaves are any indication, it’s time! With so many fall sales happening all around, it’s hard to know where to get the best deals. Luckily, if you’re in the Boston area, you have easy access to Assembly Row! The ever-expanding shopping center has so many of my favorite retail destinations, like J.Crew Factory, Banana Republic Factory, Brooks Brothers Factory and LOFT Outlet. More recently, one of my all-time favorites, Ann Taylor Factory opened up as well!  

 

Fashion blogger, Leigha Gardner, of The Lilac Press shopping all the outlets and factory stores for the new fall season at Assembly Row in Somerville, MA

Fashion blogger, Leigha Gardner, of The Lilac Press shopping all the outlets and factory stores for the new fall season at Assembly Row in Somerville, MA

Fashion blogger, Leigha Gardner, of The Lilac Press shopping all the outlets and factory stores for the new fall season at Assembly Row in Somerville, MA

 

Last week, my mom and I spent the day at Assembly Row. I have to say it was the best mother-daughter date in a while! My mom needed to find a dress for an upcoming wedding, and I needed a few fall pieces to refresh my closet for the new season. We started out at the brand new Ann Taylor Factory Store, where I picked out this lovely lace skirt and top set.

Plum and lilac are both very on-trend colors right now, especially for autumn.  I particularly love this purple hue paired with navy blue, so when I saw this lacey combo hanging up, I knew I had to try it on. It turned out to be a perfect fit for my style.

The pieces in this set can be worn together or separately. This skirt has proven to be a great complement to a crisp white button down for a business casual office. Alternatively, the top can be dressed down with a simple pair of distressed denim for a date night look.

 

Fashion blogger, Leigha Gardner, of The Lilac Press shopping all the outlets and factory stores for the new fall season at Assembly Row in Somerville, MA

Fashion blogger, Leigha Gardner, of The Lilac Press shopping all the outlets and factory stores for the new fall season at Assembly Row in Somerville, MA

Fashion blogger, Leigha Gardner, of The Lilac Press shopping all the outlets and factory stores for the new fall season at Assembly Row in Somerville, MA

 

Next, we moved on to Brooks Brothers Factory Store, where there are so many options for putting together a polished professional look. Immediately, this silk scarf jumped out at me to pair with my prior purchase.  I’m a fan of mixing patterns, and I love how the smaller scale paisley print contrasted with the larger-scale lace pattern. Plus, the colors worked well together with the shades of gray in the scarf really making the piece pop.

I even found this gorgeous navy leather satchel at Brooks Brothers as well. I couldn’t resist it, especially considering how far a dollar can stretch at Assembly Row. Miraculously, I got this whole look (shoes included) for well under $300! Plus, if you are a student (like I am now!), don’t forget to use your student discount! #savvyshopper

 

Fashion blogger, Leigha Gardner, of The Lilac Press shopping all the outlets and factory stores for the new fall season at Assembly Row in Somerville, MA

Fashion blogger, Leigha Gardner, of The Lilac Press shopping all the outlets and factory stores for the new fall season at Assembly Row in Somerville, MA

Fashion blogger, Leigha Gardner, of The Lilac Press shopping all the outlets and factory stores for the new fall season at Assembly Row in Somerville, MA

Fashion blogger, Leigha Gardner, of The Lilac Press shopping all the outlets and factory stores for the new fall season at Assembly Row in Somerville, MA

Fashion blogger, Leigha Gardner, of The Lilac Press shopping all the outlets and factory stores for the new fall season at Assembly Row in Somerville, MA

Fashion blogger, Leigha Gardner, of The Lilac Press shopping all the outlets and factory stores for the new fall season at Assembly Row in Somerville, MA

Fashion blogger, Leigha Gardner, of The Lilac Press shopping all the outlets and factory stores for the new fall season at Assembly Row in Somerville, MA

 

Speaking of shoes, our next stop was J.Crew Factory – one of my long-time faves. I love pretty much anything and everything J. has to offer, but I was on the hunt for accessories. My eyes basically beelined to this pair of light grey-blue suede d’Orsay flats. I had been wanting something fun, yet sophisticated that could be dressed up (as seen here) or dressed down with jeans. Luckily I found the perfect pair!

To make sure my mom found the perfect dress and accessories for the upcoming wedding, we bopped in and out of Banana Republic, LOFT, and Francesca’s. TBD on what she will end up wearing, but I think Ann Taylor Factory had the most likely contenders. She might even wear the outfit I’m wearing here.

 

Fashion blogger, Leigha Gardner, of The Lilac Press shopping all the outlets and factory stores for the new fall season at Assembly Row in Somerville, MA

Fashion blogger, Leigha Gardner, of The Lilac Press shopping all the outlets and factory stores for the new fall season at Assembly Row in Somerville, MA

Fashion blogger, Leigha Gardner, of The Lilac Press shopping all the outlets and factory stores for the new fall season at Assembly Row in Somerville, MA

 

After a few hours of shopping, we stopped for cappuccinos and lunch to reenergize at PAUL Bakery. We were lucky to have a warm, but not an overly hot afternoon to sit outside and enjoy our quiche and macarons. It was the perfect way to take a little refuge from the tiring work that shopping is… 😉 … and catch up with one another. Afterward, we were feeling properly caffeinated and nourished.

 

Fashion blogger, Leigha Gardner, of The Lilac Press shopping all the outlets and factory stores for the new fall season at Assembly Row in Somerville, MA

Fashion blogger, Leigha Gardner, of The Lilac Press shopping all the outlets and factory stores for the new fall season at Assembly Row in Somerville, MA

 

There were so many great stops that we didn’t even get to hit, but just by browsing along, I could see lots of wonderful new fall styles.

Plus, there is even a new Columbia store, for those of you looking to layer up before it gets colder!

We ran out of time on our shopping date, but I would have loved to end the day at the movie theater. This particular AMC is my absolute favorite because they have the all-time comfiest seats, and you can select them ahead of time. My boyfriend and I love to choose the pair of seats on the end because we can be separate from the crowd and we can put the armrest up in between to snuggle up. It’s just like watching a movie on your own couch, except with the giant movie screen.

If I haven’t convinced you to visit Assembly Row already, peep the giant and super insta-worthy lego giraffe behind me. I think he’s pretty cute!

 

 

Happy Shopping!
Xo -L

 

Thank you to Assembly Row for sponsoring this post!

7 Comments

  1. September 26, 2017 / 7:21 am

    I loveeee Assembly Row! My boyfriend always says he would live in the apartments there but I would be shopping everyday and it’d be very dangerous haha!
    xx Tess | Sequins are the New Black

    • October 5, 2017 / 10:16 pm

      My boyfriend says the SAME THING! It would be so dangerous!

  2. September 26, 2017 / 9:25 am

    That set is gorgeous! While I’m not from the Boston area, my boyfriend is, and we went to the movie theater at Assembly Row and it was amazing! I need to go back.

    Kendal // Life With Kendal

    • October 5, 2017 / 10:16 pm

      It’s such a good movie theatre! So fun you bf is from Boston – I hope you get to visit a lot!

  3. October 5, 2017 / 6:40 pm

    I love your outfit! Luckily, Connecticut has several of these stores too. The J.Crew Factory is a favorite of mine.

    Kim
    simplylovebirds.com

    • October 5, 2017 / 10:12 pm

      Thank you! And so glad you have J.Crew factory close by – I always have such great luck there!