How do you mark change when everything appears the same? And practically speaking, how do you transition into fall fashion when you live where summer is an overstaying houseguest, extending its residency long past October?
Finding Fall in Fabrics, Colors, and Rituals
I’ve always loved the fall months, the awaited for dissipation of the heat (though I waited impatiently for it to arrive just months earlier), chilly early mornings that molt into sunny afternoons inviting the shedding of a layer, the color transformation of tree leaves that seem to paint a new canvas overnight, a dusk that sneaks up on you now well before night, apples, pumpkin, pomegranate, and butternut squash, the smell of bonfires and school supplies.
And then there is the fashion. The fashion that marked beginnings – school years, rhythms, fresh notebooks, a renewed energy post summer break, the fruition of harvest, the marking of time. And fall fashion is here for it, expressing the change with the return of thick September issues of fashion magazines after the anemic editions of July/August, plaid patterns – Prince of Wales, houndstooth, and buffalo check, tactile textures of buttery leather and cozy cashmere cardigans, tall boots, and the nonchalant knot of a trench coat belt tied behind.
Honoring Transitions
In her book Bittersweet, author Susan Cain notes how the changing seasons of winter and summer solstice were honored traditions, marked by ritual or festivals across many cultures for millennia. Marking these transitions also honored growth, hope, or simply the cycle of life. And I believe that when there is change, whether it’s change we welcomed or resisted, created or was given to us, we naturally long to give voice to it, needing to give expression to the change whether to honor, or even just acknowledge.
When I was still in my 20’s, my boss returning from her first maternity leave remarked to me how disorienting she found her re-entry. “Everything is changed in me, she said, but no one knows, because on the outside I look the same.”
Whether the change of season ushers in changing priorities, a new schedule, events or conferences to juggle, weekend getaways, a year-end deadline now in full view of striking distance, or simply a change of light and hours, how do you usher in a new season of outward expression and wardrobe when every day of the week’s forecast looks like a repeating pattern of an Argyle sweater – hitting a high in the 90’s!
Practical Fall Fashion in Warm Climates
Here are a few tips for indulging in some of the richness and plenty of fall fashion when you live somewhere where the heat does not abate much before Thanksgiving:
Cashmere for All Seasons
Cashmere is known for its breathability, not simply warmth because the fibers are hollow and so allow air to circulate. This means cashmere can offer warmth in colder temperatures, but lighter weight pieces can also be comfortable by wicking away moisture to prevent overheating in warmer temperatures. Pair a cashmere T with just about anything or a sweater set that allows for layering when you’re in the office or hotel conference ballroom.
Bootcut Jeans: The Shape of Fall
While bootcut jeans can be worn anytime, they particularly cheer fall to me. Maybe it’s because of fall fashion movies from the 70’s like Annie Hall or Love Story or the street style photos of Carolyn Bessette Kennedy in her bootcut Levi’s and red coat that seems eponymous fall. And when it’s still warm outside, opt for an ankle boot.
Moody Colors and Seasonal Pairings
Cottons and silks in fall’s color palette can feel like a transition into the earthiness of fall. A silk blouse in Bordeaux red or chocolate brown expresses autumn. The “hot’ colors for this fall are mocha, “slime” green (a more yellow version of lime), shades of blue, chili pepper red, aubergine purple, and powder pink. Another key to curating an outfit that feels more autumnal is how you pair colors. For example, a short-sleeve powder pink silk blouse with a mocha pencil skirt gives earthy vibes whereas that same powder pink blouse paired with a cream wide-leg trouser emotes another self, another season. Slime green with grey or olive reflects a fall forest. And while slime green isn’t a color that pops on everyone, try it in a shoe, bag, or skirt.
Vests: A Transitional Wardrobe Hero
Vests – or “waistcoats” if shopping British brands like Boden or Smythe or drawing inspiration for fall fashion from British “uni” films – Chariots of Fire, Theory of Everything, or the very recent, My Oxford Year – are a perfect transitional piece for fall when the weather is still warm. Whether worn sleeveless without layering underneath, or over a simple tank or tee, a white or striped shirt, a vest works as hard for you as a blazer, with endless styling options. Fabrics like twill or crepe will remain cooler, but even denim, leather, or a lightweight wool can still allow for comfort while also a full expression of fall dressing. With vests and waistcoats having a moment you can find so many cuts from double and single-breasted, to wrap, one-shoulder, and asymmetric styles.
Outward Style for Inward Shifts
How do you embrace fall fashion in endless summer? Or perhaps no matter the weather, you’re ready to make a wardrobe change to express your own personal season of change. Whether you’re looking to revive your self-expression in the richness that fall fashion has to share, create a soft place to land in all the textures, or you’re simply ready to shed summer and embrace all that the new season offers, fall fashion is one of the ways I find joy in change—and I’d love to walk that journey with you.
In-Form and Fashion 
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