August 17, 2022
Here in Chicago we felt it yesterday – that sense that autumn is coming. We all know that there will be sweltering days ahead, but we were reminded…
image – Tokyo Pony
For me, that early cool day reminds me that I might want to check my wardrobe for upcoming autumn weather. This is a good time to start looking for the accent cashmere sweater that you will wear every week for six months, the scarf that you will cherish for years to come, or the warmer trousers that you need to replace the ones that you’ve worn to pieces this last few years…
Dusty rose heather cashmere sweater – L.L.Bean; pearl earrings – CC&Co. by Catherine Canino; vapor plaid shirt – Orvis; coal grey corduroy pants – J.Crew; cashmere scarf – YJKIS; boots – Eileen Fisher
Even if you live somewhere that doesn’t get a lot of snow, you might still need a warm outfit or two!
Pale seascape cashmere sweater – J.Crew; black onyx earrings – Rivka Friedman; ivory shirt – J.Crew; ivory corduroy pants – J.Crew; silk scarf – Collettesilk; loafers – Lifestride
This leaf perfectly conveys where we are, right now!
Image- Reddit
When I was putting these images together, I started with the 6 sweaters, and then went back and found all of the other pieces. For this following outfit, I went to one of my super-secret search spots (SSSS, for short!) and searched for “corduroy pants.”
These were the very first ones that appeared! I wouldn’t normally think of a “head to toe” outfit like this, but who am I to argue with the gods of search engines?
Larkspur blue cashmere sweater – J.Crew; earrings – all we are; corduroy pants – Isabel Marant; scarf – Un Poco; white shirt – Lands’ End; scalloped penny loafers – AGL
Don’t be afraid to add grey pants to a mostly “warm” wardrobe – they are far from your face, and with the right scarf they will look perfect!
Camel cashmere sweater – J.Crew; pearl and gold earrings – CC&Co. by Catherine Canino; snow corduroy shirt – Orvis; jeans – Noend Denim; Pied Piper of Hamelin scarf – Pig, Chicken & Cow; loafers – Tod’s
For those of you who have a chance to walk through forests, look for the small signs of approaching autumn!
Image – Woodlandtrust.org.uk
I love rust or barn red pants in cooler weather – they truly go with everything!
Deep olive cashmere sweater – L.L.Bean; earrings – Kendra Scott; white chambray shirt – J.Crew; sunflower scarf – Emily Carter; rust corduroy pants – Orvis; olive loafers – Eileen Fisher
Maybe your neutral sweater needs to be mended, or ever replaced! This is the time to start pulling things out of storage and giving them a good “once-over”!
Navy cashmere sweater – L.L.Bean; earrings – Isabel Marant; plaid shirt – Orvis; fireplace red cords – J.Crew; scarf – Echo; navy penny loafers – Johnston & Murphy
I’m more than ready to embrace cooler weather, and lots of scarves!
love,
Janice
p.s. Five years ago, I pondered the many possibilities of adding a new sweater (or two) to our wardrobes. A classic sweater never goes out of style…
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I too am ready for cooler weather. Here on the Black Sea we have a week long heatwave starting today, 34 degrees and very humid. Not for me. I live in cords for a big chunk of the year.
Cooler weather sounds fabulous; however, it will be a humid 103 on today – the first day of school. My portable classroom’s air conditioner will not be able to keep up with the heat. Yes, send some cooler, wet weather!
Here in the PNW we are also still warm, but it seems fall is in the air to me too. If a little breeze blows it seems cool, and the leaves are starting to turn. I love fall. That is the bulk of my wardrobe. I love all these outfits, and with the exception of the pink would wear them all. I love pink and gray, it just doesn’t love me back. Gorgeous post. Love the Pied Piper Scarf. Thanks Janice.
I hope everyone noticed the exquisite scarf with the Fox and skunk in the corner peering at the scene.
I would definitely go head to toe with the right cashmere and cords combination. That one is beautiful, of course! Will be heading back over the post to double-check colors. My wardrobe hangs together (pun intended) so well if I am disciplined about colors. Headed out for five days with yellow, navy, ivory, coral and tangerine. So easy to trow together outfits. (OK- maybe I overpacked a little.)
Thanks again, Janice, for perfect outfit suggestions in a world of ruffle-madness. ❤️
I think the stripey beast is a badger. I noticed a rabbit across from it, for Sally!
I woke up to thunder and rain this morning, and a frigid 68 degrees! I’m going to need to wear my new plaid button up over a tank earlier than planned! I will be wearing them with navy peddle pushers, but that’s ok. The air conditioner will be on at work and the temp won’t be accounting for the rain and cooler moist air. So I will be fine.
I know it will most likely hit the 90s again before mid October comes but the next week will be much cooler for our area. Quite a tease! But I’m thankful for the relief, even if temporary.
Weather has been beautiful the last week in Indianapolis, in the 70s and very low 80s. I can already catch the smell of fall in the air a bit. If recent patterns hold, we have at least another six weeks of hot and humid weather ahead of us, but I am definitely ready for fall.
I already have a few cashmere cardigans, so I’m on the hunt for one or two merino wool sweaters this year.
Well I know I am several weeks away from fall temps but we are going to have a week out of triple digits! I am packing for 4 days in Santé Fe and can’t wait. Okay now down to the post. Two years ago my much loved and worn black patent leather loafers bit the dust. I have been searching ever since for a replacement pair and have resisted buying ones that weren’t quite what I wanted. I looked at Nordstrom’s during the sale but no luck. Janice has now found me a pair and I love AGL shoes although I buy them on sale! I think I will have to bite the bullet (gulp) and get these. I know I will wear them and at my age they might never need to be replaced again.
And apparently I am not the only one looking for this shoe. I was debating between sizes but one is already sold out so here’s hoping the size I ordered fits.
Thanks for the reminder, though yesterday’s weather took care of that for you! I went out in a lacy short sleeve tee and sandals and came back to add a chambray button down and switch to sneakers. For is it is a temporary coool and way too early for fall clothes, but I do need to start thinking about replacing some pieces.
Your choices are always so lovely, but where was the black and the bold colors for those of us who need bright, deep, and cool colors? Fall clothes can be tricky for a Winter!
That “larkspur blue” column is gorgeous – I would wear it in an instant (when the fall weather arrives). We are past the dog days of summer but there’s still a lot of warmth left in the season, which makes it hard to imagine wanting to wear cashmere and corduroy…but it seems that purchasing early is the best way to get what you’re looking for with retail the way it is right now. It’s just tricky to manage the heat if you like to try on your existing fall items before making any shopping decisions! I bolstered my FW pullover sweater supply 2 years ago during a sale season so I am well and truly set for the cool weather. (I am sadly very sensitive to wool and find even cashmere too scratchy to wear so my wardrobe has mostly cotton sweaters, which seems like it wouldn’t work for Minnesota, but I layer them up and do just fine.)
It’s not too early- it may be hot but the mountain ash trees are starting to show the first hints of colour in the berry clusters.
I put in an order for some fleece lined black pants for cozy winter wear. LLBean, they’re the “perfect fit” ones only fleece lined winter weight. If cords aren’t you, or you prefer knits and elastic waists (recurring diverticulitis attacks- I had to give up on zipped pants) they are an option.
That aqua set is gorgeous!
This year I’m going face first into icy sea tones – I bought a silk scarf painted with the face of a glacier on our Alaska cruise. It’s in aqua, teal, indigo, greys and whites. I put together most of my fall & winter project333 capsule around those shades on a black, white and grey core of neutrals.
I added my old army green T-shirt, and a 5 year old cranberry pullover with 2 scarves that have those classic fall tones but the rest is murky grey skies and stormy sea colours.
I agree with Amy in Indy that the weather has been beautiful lately. As for fall shopping, I would love to add a pair of caramel brown cords, with blouse and cardigan that match. Maybe an ivory pullover. Maybe a soft gold pullover. Oh and some pretty brooches that are fall-winter. If one of those items appears, great. If not, I will keep waiting. The big need is a pair of winter boots. I fell hard for the American Duchess Alpen in brown and have spent a year saving for a pair if available this fall. Most likely I won’t find any of those items & will go on saving and waiting.
American Duchess shoes are so fabulous. Alas, I have problem feet, so I just admire them from afar.
Emmy’s website says they’re getting ready to reveal their fall/winter collection, so I’m waiting to see what vintage-style cardigans they have this year. If I buy one, that would definitely be my big splurge.
OMG – did not know about American Duchess! So Many Fabulous Shoes!! (I do not need more shoes. I do not need more shoes. I do not need more shoes…). 😊
I know the fall shopping season is full on, but here in St. Louis we usually wouldn’t need clothes like this until October (my favorite month) or even November. Even when I married 30 years ago in mid-September it was over 100 degrees! And it’s not like we’re the Deep South.
After the heatwave this week, we have had torrential rain today. Parts of the UK are now officially in drought including where I live and our water company has announced a hosepipe ban from next week. I’m looking out at my garden and noting which plants have survived and which have died. Next year we will plant drought tolerant varieties and more hardy native varieties.
I would like to find some coloured cord trousers this year. I love the seascape jumper and the larkspur outfit is lovely. Wolf and Badger have found a winning scarf with the Pied Piper. Perhaps the answer to scarf collections is to frame the square ones somehow so that you can remove the scarf to wear it but frame it as a picture on your wall for the rest of the time. There is a niche in the market there!
I love every one of these outfit combinations! It is still too warm to warrant a cashmere sweater, but I am still stalking ThredUp for a new one for fall. I feel better about rescuing a secondhand classic than investing in a new one, and I love the thrill of the hunt for secondhand clothing that doesn’t give secondhand vibes.
I’ve had great luck with both Poshmark and ebay…. many are new with tags quality with prices for items that are used in good condition. If you “like” or favorite or heart items, often the seller will contact you and offer to lower the price. Be sure the size is right though!
I can’t be the only one who caught your mention to a super secret search spot! Please, Janice! Share with us?
There is no real winter here, but this post is so tempting. So many beautiful things. I loved the ivory and lavender? I am enjoying the Japanese Seasons series.
Love all the different white button shirts! I click on every “6 perfect white shirts for this season’s wardrobe” article or buy magazines with that headline because I feel like I’m still looking for mine…
I’ll actually be traveling to the midwest in the next month or so so I’ll bring along some coordinating layers to enhance my capsule!