During most seasons, you’re forced to make some style compromises. I wouldn’t dare wear anything other than a sleeveless top in summer, lest I want to ruin it with sweat stains, and in winter, I put everything except my sneakers and boots in the back of my closet. While fall might not have the same extremes, there’s one thing I’ve found myself giving up; between the oversized knits that dominate fall and this year’s trending baggy jeans, I was ready for a season of shapelessness. But then Kerry Washington stepped out in a monochromatic fall ‘fit and proved that this doesn’t have to be the case.

While in New York City, the actress bucked fall’s fashion norms. Washington traded traditional autumnal shades for highlighter yellow — the surprising color we’re seeing on everyone from Gigi Hadid to Martha Stewart — and opted for a more fitted silhouette. While wide-leg pants might be everywhere, she went with straight-leg trousers in a sleek, satin fabric and a chunky, cropped turtleneck.

Free People Easy Street Crop Pullover

Reformation Garrett Cashmere Cropped Turtleneck

Chunky knits are something I grab because they’re warm and cozy, not because they’re flattering. But with one simple outfit, Washington proved me wrong. Crop tops can be tricky — they can feel too revealing or too “young” — but Washington expertly paired her mini turtleneck with high-waisted trousers. Where one ended, the other began. No skin was showing — which, for me, is a non-negotiable in fall — but it still accentuated her waist. All that to say, the proportions were perfect.

What I love even more as someone who tends to shy away from bodycon pieces is that she didn’t have to go super-tight to achieve the look. Her sweater was still loose and oversized, with extra-long sleeves, offering ample comfort without drowning her in a pile of wool. It was what I needed to see ahead of my fall shopping, because while it looked perfect with her more fitted trousers, I’m also excited to pair it with casual, high-waisted jeans and even a silky slip skirt.

Shop more cropped sweaters inspired by Washington’s below.

Get the Look:

Anthropologie Cropped Mock-Neck Sweater
Shop now: $118; anthropologie.com

Prettygarden Cropped Sweater
Shop now: $34; amazon.com

J.Crew Cashmere Shrunken Cable-Knit Sweater
Shop now: $178; jcrew.com

Open Edit Crewneck Cropped Sweater
Shop now: $49; nordstrom.com

Madewell Cable-Knit V-Neck Cropped Sweater
Shop now: $74 for Insiders (Originally $98); madewell.com

Free People Sandre Pullover 
Shop now: $148; freepeople.com

LouLou Studio Tima Cropped Button-Front Sweater
Shop now: $305; bergdorfgoodman.com

AllSaints Claude Cropped Turtleneck Sweater
Shop now: $102 (Originally $329); saksfifthavenue.com

Topshop Turtleneck Cropped Cable Sweater
Shop now: $65; nordstrom.com

Jumppmile Cropped Sweater
Shop now: $30 with coupon (Originally $39); amazon.com