The Art of Easing Into Fall

A late-summer style guide for those craving a taste of autumn

Dear Reader,

Can we talk about the awkward in-between season?

This time of year, I start to feel it. The heat, of course—July and August are hot here—but also the craving to wear deeper tones and a hint of suede.

The calendar is inching towards fall, but the humidity is still shouting. I’m sweating through my tank top, yet splurging on a leather jacket like that’s a completely rational decision.

We approach the season of slow transitions—where peaches are still in their prime, but I’m craving soup. My iced matcha is sweating in my hand, but my cart is filled with jackets. I’m not ready for full-blown “apple orchard in flannel” energy, but I am craving a small shift.

Color, I think, is the easiest way in.

I don’t do a hard stop—i.e., I don’t shove summer to the back of the closet in one go. I let fall trickle in through palette, texture, and tiny choices that hint at the incoming season.

A. EMERY SANDAL | KHAITE SANDAL | SIMILAR DARK DENIM | G LABEL CARDIGAN (megan15) | CROC BELT | SILVER EARRING | MARGAUX BAG sold out but SIMILAR HERE

HERE’S HOW I DO IT:

1. Start with color shifts.
Instead of going full dark mode, just soften things. Crisp white becomes bone. Butters turn to mustard. Camel deepens to chocolate. Bright reds mellow into rust.

Jewelry, too, plays a color role. To me, gold feels warm and beachy, silver reads cool and transitional. I wear gold all summer, then start slipping in silver pieces when I see September is near. I like Lié Studio Camille earring or a cool silver cuff.

2. Let texture tell the story.
A suede clutch here. A cashmere toss-over-your-shoulders moment there. Leather loafers with linen trousers. Shells go bye-bye. In come tortoise, croc, and snake embossment.

Some texture to consider: Toteme suede clutch, Anderson’s croc-effect belt, a slimming cashmere cardigan.

3. Denim becomes your bridge.
It’s too soon for wool pants. Too hot for anything lined. But denim? Denim is the sweet spot.

I gravitate toward darker washes as inch toward fall, but I can also vibe with some sand—feels like the middle ground between summer whites and fall khakis.

A couple suggestions: Pair baggy jeans with a form-fitting cami and a basket bag, or go full Canadian tuxedo with a chambray shirt and brown sandals. A nod to fall without committing to anything too heavy.

4. Nuance matters.
Your nails. Your shoes. Simple seasonal soft-launchers.

I usually keep my nails bare, but when I want to feel a shift, I play with deep wine or plum on fingers. Same goes for toes—maybe even a chocolate brown for my pedicure. (Hermès 85 and 89 are my favorite deeper hues.)

And the sandals? Still open, but no longer delicate. I trade whisper-thin pairs for something with substance—a suede wrap sandal (better price here), a suede mule, or maybe even a heavier black sandal.

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Fall doesn’t have to show up all at once. Let it creep in. Let your colors fade into something richer. Let your wardrobe stay cool, but hint that something is about to change.

And if you need a gateway color?

Start with chocolate or wine. The first cravings of autumnal dressing

Until next time,

xx Megan