The Autumnal Rut

No. 51

We all fall into a bit of a rut sometimes: for me, I can always count on the beginning of autumn to cast me into a period of creative drought. Part of this is organic: it takes our brains a little while to adjust to new weather patterns, the sun setting earlier, and a scaled back travel schedule. The other part of this, at least for me, is geographical: San Francisco autumn is warm, warmer than our summer, so I’m usually just getting the chance to break out my short dresses and breezy blouses by the time Labor Day passes.

This means that autumn causes a confluence of problems - between the change of seasons and a warmer than average autumn, I’m forced to delay my summer wardrobe gratification, and bring cozy fall colors and textures into rotation without over layering. I found myself getting ready for a friends pumpkin carving party the other day, staring aimlessly at my closet wondering what shoes, what dress, what sweater to wear for 72 degrees for the first 3 hours, 60 degrees for the second 3. Summer Ellie may be bright and colorful, but autumn Ellie is rich, woven, and dimensional. The two may have met, but they don’t get along terribly well.

I think a lot of us struggle with fall in different ways. For everyone who embraces the season with the joy of a fifth grade student who just bought a fresh set of rainbow colored gel pens, there are just as many of us mourning summer’s exit, bracing for winter’s arrival, feeling that low hum of dread as the world turns brown and bare. I’m somewhere in the middle of the two. Autumn dress can be a great way to spark excitement during this season during a time where we may knee-jerk into sweats and shapeless sweaters.

There are two things I want to capture this fall:

1. A British spirit - traditional, layered, neutral, and outdoorsy (this has and always will be one of my greatest sources of autumnal inspiration) with a bit more sculpture and shape

2. The tones and textures and layering I love in a way that works for the weather, as this transitional season in San Francisco grows warmer by the year

Every season brings new trends, new ideas, new challenges. One of the greatest assets that a good fall wardrobe has is versatility. You probably already own some great wool skirts, boots, denim, and sweaters. Let’s not reinvent the wheel: keep those seasonal classics, and add some fun shapes and patterns for 2025 and beyond.

Barbour rain jacket - much like a UK summer, an SF fall can be rainy. But we’re not talking about torrential downpour, ice cold rain - but 55 degree rain. A long, water repellant coat will overheat, and this jacket is just the right weight

Damson Madder raincoat for something with a unique yet feminine shape

Hunter rainboots, a classic. I tend to opt for the short ones on warmer days

I love a cape and have always loved a cape, and this Ralph Lauren cape is very well priced

Wrangler x Staud (yes, Wrangler) jacket for something a bit more British meets Western. Pair this with a full tartan skirt and your favorite crocodile booties.

The most gorgeous Nili Lotan sweater in a perfect, cozy knit that I bought just the other day for pairing with just about anything

Nothing feels more British to me than a funky bag in an irreverent color with a classic shape, and this Khaite bag is at the absolute top of my list

Autumn is all about tailoring, and this season I’m gravitating towards contrasting patterned blouses, like this Balzac Paris ruffled blouse

This Maria Dela Orden blouse takes it just one step further with a big, FUN bow

Unless you’d prefer it in denim?

I spent part of this weekend in Napa for a friends bridal shower, hosted by an exceptionally chic woman. Her outfit perfectly captured a Bay Area autumn: textured, bold, comfortable, and impossibly chic. I’m going to break down her outfit for you (yes, I was nosy enough to ask for the details after 2 glasses of wine) and why it works so well for our warmer fall season.

Eileen Fisher crushed silk skirt that is at once light reflecting and dressed up yet informal and laid back

Coordinating cropped structured button down that hits at just the right point on your torso

A bold, statement necklace - the bolder and bigger the better! During the summer, we all opt for solid gold, dainty jewelry that we keep on to jump out of the ocean and straight to dinner. Fall and winter provide new opportunities - you no longer need solid gold to put up with the elements, and your thicker fabrics require something more substantial as a weight balance

Prada crocodile platform sandals (sorry, got the last pair on The RealReal!) - these are just genius: usually I gravitate towards lighter colors during the summer, but these sandals are the perfect overlap: textured and autumnal yet light enough for warm fall days