From Day to Night: 3 Fall Transitional Outfits for Every Occasion!
Introducing the September Lively Lady: Margo Cassidy!
Meet Margo!
Margo has always had a love for the ocean. The sound of waves breaking on the sand, the smell of the surf, and the feeling of being near the water. After spending her childhood in Florida and her 20s and 30s in California, she never imagined she would eventually call a small mountain town far above sea level home. Her journey to Durango began somewhat by chance. When a planned family summer vacation was canceled because of a work conflict, Margo needed to find a new destination on short notice. She remembered reading an article about Durango, Colorado, in a travel magazine and decided to give it a try. After two weeks of rafting, horseback riding through the aspens, and soaking in the welcoming small-town atmosphere, she was hooked. Two years later, Margo, her husband Jack, and their two teenage daughters traded San Jose for Durango, and 32 years later, it remains their happy place. This year, Margo and Jack celebrated an incredible 50 years of marriage. Their daughters, Megan and Heather, are now grown and both live in Washington state. Megan is an RN who spent many years as a traveling nurse, exploring the world between contracts. Heather, who lives in Washington with Margo and Jack’s two grandchildren, is a retired Navy JAG and continues to work for the Navy as an environmental attorney. While their daughters would love to convince them to move closer, Margo and Jack aren’t quite ready to leave Durango. Instead, the family makes the most of trips together and frequent visits.
Margo studied vocal music in college before leaving to marry Jack and, soon after, start their family. Being a stay-at-home mom became her primary career, but throughout the years, she also found a passion for giving back to her community. While she occasionally worked in retail, much of her time was devoted to volunteer work which is something she has found incredibly rewarding. In Durango, Margo has contributed her time and talents to numerous organizations and causes. She coordinated silent auctions and fashion shows with Friends of the Arts, helped with fundraising events for the Women’s Resource Center, and supported servicemen and women and their families. Her volunteer efforts included packing boxes of essential items for troops overseas, organizing public letter-writing events to thank those who serve, and helping coordinate memorial gatherings for Western Slope families who had lost loved ones in combat.
These days, Margo enjoys a slightly slower pace, filling her time with some of her favorite things: reading, hiking, kayaking, and baking. One of the things Margo loves most about Durango is its vibrant and ever-changing downtown. Over the years, she has watched new businesses become part of the community, and one of her favorites is lively. She remembers walking into Johnna’s store when it first opened and immediately being excited by the selection of fun, fashion-forward clothing. To Margo, lively brought an urban fashion influence to Durango that she previously had to travel elsewhere to find. But what has kept her coming back goes beyond the clothes. Margo loves that shopping at lively feels more like stopping by to visit friends. The women at lively genuinely want their customers to feel confident, look their best, and leave loving what they’re wearing.
Over the years, lively has also helped Margo discover new sides of her personal style. She rarely wore jeans because she struggled to find pairs that were both flattering and comfortable until she was introduced to Dear John and KUT, which have since become go-to brands in her wardrobe, along with Sanctuary. Some of her favorite shopping moments happen when the lively team encourages her to try something she never would have chosen for herself, only to discover that she loves it. For Margo, fashion is about more than simply finding something to wear. It’s about continuing to explore her personal style, stepping outside her comfort zone, and feeling confident in what she puts on. With a little encouragement from the ladies at lively, she has found just that!
You can shop Margo’s lively looks in the blog below.
Photos by Niki Bryant Photography.
Fall dressing is all about finding that sweet spot between the warmth of summer and the cooler days ahead. It’s the season for rich textures, lightweight layers, classic denim, and versatile pieces that can easily move from one part of your day to the next. Whether you’re keeping things casual, heading into the office, or getting dressed up for a night out, these three lively looks make transitioning into fall effortless.
Everyday: Easy Denim + Lightweight Knits
For those everyday fall moments: running errands, meeting a friend for coffee, or strolling around town. You can’t go wrong with great denim and a lightweight knit! A soft, short-sleeve cable-knit cardigan paired with cropped jeans creates a look that feels relaxed while still looking put together.
The lighter knit gives you a hint of fall texture without feeling too heavy for those warmer September afternoons, while classic denim makes this an outfit you’ll reach for again and again. Finish it with a simple sandal while temperatures are still warm, then swap in a loafer, ballet flat, or ankle boot as the season cools down.
Shop the Everyday Look:
Work: Polished Layers + Fall Plaid
Transitioning your work wardrobe into fall is all about layering. This tailored blazer paired with dark plaid trousers strikes the perfect balance between professional and seasonal. The darker tones and plaid pattern bring in that unmistakable fall feeling, while the lightweight layers keep the outfit comfortable when the weather hasn’t quite committed to cooler temperatures.
We especially love the subtle denim detailing on the blazer. It adds a little personality to a classic workwear staple and makes the entire look feel fresh and unexpected. Wear it with a simple cami underneath or transition to a fitted long-sleeve top or lightweight sweater later in the season.
Shop the Work Look:
Going Out: Rich Chocolate Brown
Chocolate brown is made for fall, and this dress is the perfect way to start wearing the season’s richer color palette before the temperatures drop. The sleek silhouette and cowl neckline give it an elevated, feminine feel that’s perfect for date night, dinner with friends, an event, or cocktails downtown.
Paired with a simple heeled sandal, the look still feels appropriate for those lingering warm evenings while the deep brown shade instantly brings it into fall. When cooler nights arrive, add a cropped jacket or blazer and swap the sandals for a closed-toe heel or boot.