fall fashion

Switching Seasons: 4 Mistakes to Avoid

Twice a year, when the weather starts changing, I encourage my clients to store items from the current season to make room for the upcoming one. Even if you have a massive walk-in closet that can hold everything year round, you should still move the upcoming season’s items to the most prominent areas in your closet. Off-season and infrequently needed items take up visual and mental space, costing you time and energy when you’re trying to get ready- you don’t need bathing suits and cocktail dresses front and center when you’re getting dressed to meet a friend for coffee. Giving your pieces some breathing room will not only help you get dressed more efficiently, it will prevent damage from insects (more on that later!) and odor transfers.

1. Not Editing

Rotating your wardrobe provides a great opportunity to evaluate your pieces and make any necessary edits. Are there items you didn’t wear at all this season? Do you really see yourself excited to wear them in the future? Perhaps there are things that no longer fit, or are worn beyond repair. Pulling them out will save you storage space now and time later.

2. Feeding the bugs

Storing clothing without first thoroughly washing or dry-cleaning is like sending a dinner invitation to creepy-crawlies. Ravenous bugs like moths and silverfish are attracted to the scent of body oils, sweat, and food residue, especially on natural fibers. Cedar blocks can repel certain insects (remember to replace every two years or so), so throw a few in with your freshly-cleaned items for extra protection.

3. Wrong storage choices

Speaking of bugs, did you know that storing your items in the wrong container can actually attract them? Cockroaches and moths love to eat paper products, so basic cardboard boxes aren’t ideal- remove leather shoes from the original boxes and use fabric ones with windows instead. Plastic bins that seal moisture out can also seal it in, which can crack leather and allow mold, odors, and bugs to thrive. Instead of plastic, use storage that allows airflow while keeping dust out, like  zippered or lidded fabric bins and fabric dust bags for leather goods. If you still choose to use plastic bins, add some silica gel packs that can absorb any excess moisture.

4. Skipping Repairs 

Check for signs of wear and tear and take items to the tailor or cobbler now. You won’t be wearing these items for a while, so waiting 1-2 weeks while they’re repaired won’t matter; better than pulling pieces out of storage next season and having to wait to wear them.

 

Autumn-ish: strategies for the season-between

Back to school has come and gone, we’re surrounded by pumpkin spice, and stores are bursting with cable-knit wool sweaters. Yet it’s still (arguably) beach weather for many of us. It’s hard to resist the urge to pick up shiny new items for that fresh, updated feeling; even harder to wait a month (or two) until it’s actually cold enough to wear them. So I’ve picked my favorite versatile items for fall that you can wear now and later in the season:

 

I’m still floored that this skirt is made of french terry, not denim, which makes it easy and breathable for now, but cozy like sweatpants in later months. And just like real denim, it can be dressed up or down for any occasion.

Quince’s versatile bra-friendly slip dress comes in 11 color ways- this floral version makes it perfect for now, and the moody black+gold combo is a winner for coordinating with the rich neutrals of fall.

This lightweight Rails blouse is made from a silky tencel-blend perfect for the still warm days of early autumn. The perfect balance of bright and moody shades in the print make it a year-round staple to wear with anything.

So this pant isn’t exactly a new item- Everlane has offered this pant year-round for a while now. Its cotton/modal blend won’t suffocate you in warmer temperatures, and the hefty double-knit fabric feels substantial enough for cooler breezes to come.

I’m a huge fan of rag & bone’s Slade blazer, one of their best-selling items for years. This version is crafted from stretchy-yet-structured ponte knit and cut in a cropped shape, ideal for layering over higher-waisted silhouettes.

Lizzy’s Favorites: Fall Edition UPDATED

This is a post from my newsletter last fall (2023)- I was searching for a product link while making this year’s newsletter, and I was pleasantly surprised that all of my favorites are still my favorites! What’s more, almost every link still worked (I had to replace two items that were out of stock)- which means that they’re also perineal favorites of retail buyers and shoppers alike. Talk about timeless!

Here’s the post with updated links:

I don’t love ‘must buy’ lists- they often assume readers share the same color profile, silhouette, and preferences. However, there are items and brands I come back to over and over again because they work for so many of my clients. Here is the fall edition of my most-purchased list…

  1. Hobbs Aimee Double-fronted Top- comfy like a tee, but polished enough for work thanks to doubled jersey and a clean neckline. The not-too-low v-neck and ¾ sleeves flatter almost everyone

  2. JCrew Perforated Italian Leather Belt- I love this belt (available in three colors) because of its versatility- holes punched all the way around allow it to be worn at the hips and the waist

  3. Rag & Bone Slade Wool Blazer- Rag & Bone has had this blazer in a million different fabrications, for good reason. Its  vaguely militaristic styling is always classic, and the long, lapel-less silhouette works on so many silhouettes. It’s also made of unlined wool jersey, so you’re basically wearing a very polished sweater

  4. Rag & Bone Slade Ponte Blazer- see above, but in a knit viscose blend for year-round  wear

  5. MMLafleur Hockley Jean- not quite a jean, not a dress pant either; these are the perfect post-pandemic work pants. The stretchy twill feels substantial but not heavy, making the ‘tusk’ colorway a great white-jean sub. I love the lack of a set-in waistband in the front (no digging!) and universally flattering straight leg w/ convertible hem

  6. DL1961 Mara Mid-rise Jean- not every figure works with a high rise, especially if you have more volume in your torso. The flattering cigarette leg is a great option if you’re looking to venture beyond skinny styles.

  7. Everlane Clean Silk Relaxed Shirt- a classic silk shirt can serve multiple functions in most wardrobes- paired with jeans for a casual yet polished look or tucked into a skirt for dressier occasions. Everlane’s is reasonably priced and not too sheer

  8. M.Gemi Lustro 70mm Pump- for all the reasons you want to wear a heel (height, polish) but without the things you don’t want (instability, pinched toes, sore feet). This high-quality pump has a flattering almond (not pointed) toe and sub-3”  block heel for comfort

  9. Maeve Colette Cropped Wide-leg Pant- one of the standouts of Anthropologie’s house-brand revamp, I love this pant’s substantial stretchy twill and inclusive size options. Front patch pockets (vs slash which add to hips) and wide hem will create a smaller waist

  10. Banana Republic Sloan Straight Pant- Banana has had this pant FOREVER, for a lot of good reasons. No slash pockets at the hips, nice weighty twill, gap-proof waistband… the straight leg is a new innovation of the long-running slim silhouette

  11. Treasure and Bond Utility Parka- I disagree with the conventional opinion that everyone needs a jean jacket. Yes, it can be versatile, but it’s boxy, mannish shape isn’t flattering on most silhouettes. I opt for an army-inspired field or utility jacket, which usually has a drawstring or waistband to create an hourglass shape.

  12. Margaux Andie Loafer- Expresso Python Embossed- loafers will always be a perennial favorite, but I love how this sleek, minimal pair looks especially timeless. The dark brown python makes it a versatile shoe to match almost any outfit.

  13. Cuyana Convertible Leather Backpack- “Fewer, better things,”- Cuyana’s motto. My go-to for leather bags and accessories thanks to their understated aesthetic, quality construction, and thoughtful functionality. I’ve had this backpack-slash-handbag for years now, and it still looks new.

  14. Boden Ellen Ottoman Dress- Boden drives me nuts because every time they make this dress it sells out almost immediately. It’s made of super-comfortable ribbed ponte, and the seam details make it flattering on almost all silhouettes.

  15. Inez Paz Boot- Inez is a ‘comfort’ shoe brand made in Spain, which means this almost 2.5” inch heel will feel like zero inches. I love a classic brown ankle boot in Fall/Winter and one is timeless.

  16. Agolde Riley High-rise Jean- as far as high-rise straight-leg jeans go, this is my favorite. Agolde denim is so soft, and more reasonably priced than other premium brands. One note- they make the same styles in stretch and non-stretch denim, so read the fiber content before buying

  17. Everlane Slim V-Neck Tee in Essential Cotton- my go-to basic tee. Feels lightweight and soft without looking transparent