Style Notes - for September.

How are we doing this side of the summer hols?

If you’re not a person who spends half your life chivvying kids, I salute you, but I bet you're still feeling all the feels of the changing season. If you do (chivvy the kids) I bet you already know that the ease and release and simply the change that September brings every year is nothing short of glorious.

What is it about September that gets me all fired up for a fresh start? September is the New Year that should be (IMO).

Maybe it was the Full moon this weekend, the wedding we just threw, the new school the kids started, the eclipse we just witnessed or the 9/9/9 portal at the start of this week (woo woo, I’m here for it) but the beginning of this particular September seems to have been somewhat… intensified… I’m very much experiencing a flip of mindsets all over the shop.

I’m feeling decidedly ready for what’s around the corner for the coming season.

On the pages of the astrology profiles, this past week was all about closing cycles, beginning new chapters, turning the page on what doesn't serve you any more…

…thing is, here in this space I (mainly) write about style, and when I view September through a sartorial lens, I picture fresh starts and crisp new season combinations, yes, but it’s usually more: an unleashing of knitwear from vacuum packed bags, or else the zzzzip of winter boots fresh out of storage. But I can’t deny, the sliver of extra headspace that comes with a fresh season, a new start, a return of routine, certainly facilitates a wave of enthusiasm for getting dressed in the morning.

In actuality, in a few weeks time, I’ll be knee deep in all the trappings of the Autumn Term and Christmas-Collection prep, it’ll be pissing it down every other day, and I’ll be lamenting the absence of double-figure-temperatures. In other words, I’ll likely need a crutch to lean on when pulling on clothes in the morning- this article is where I’ll head. Often, I use my Style Notes articles to lay down some solid outfit ideas I can revisit in the coming season when the aforementioned enthusiasm begins to wane.

…

A moodboard never hurts, right?

Moodboard musings…

1- Shorts still work in September (but add in extra layers.) Same rule applies for white linen trousers.

2- Keep wearing the bright and bold colour combos, and “Autumn them up” with soft, ruddy neutrals.

3- What is my jewellery look for autumn?? See point 9.

4- Navy/black/grey with flashes of crisp white at the collat and cuff- I lean on this look every year.

5- Why not get a bit Dickensian as we approach Halloween- you know I love to revisit this look.

6- Print mash-up, but make it autumnal.

7- Denim Cocoons. Watch this space.

8- Plummy tones. But do I own any??

9- Wedding jewellery for everyday.

10- Just a gorgeous image. No idea what it is, or if it’s even real??

Here’s what I came up with…

Don’t ignore the summer-coded elements of your wardrobe simply because the weather’s turned. If we’ve not yet seen the first frost, I say bare the legs and simply arm yourself up-top. A delectable, candy pink jumper will do nicely (this one’s by Lauren Aston, a tip-top gal and wonderful designer.)

Waterproof boots because rain. Pop a thermal under the jumper and you’ll be positively toasty.

These shorts have been a surprise mainstay of my summer wardrobe. I had them custom made-up in the studio (we don’t do this style in this fabric as standard, you can order them on request) for my hen-do and I’ve worn them on repeat. (get them in Candy Checks here.)

On warm days or on holiday they’re easy peasy just paired with a massive tee/sweater, but they're surprisingly easy to dress up- I paired them with an oversized blazer and heels and felt 10/10.

Same theory works for white linen trousers (which IMO are good to go all year round when bolstered with knitwear etc.) I’d also pull on the Birthday Bottoms or Tulip Trousers here for a similar look.

The taffy dress (or any of our pieces in this shade) is perfect if you already own knitwear in a soft beige or taupe or cream or charcoal colour. Pull them on together and keep enjoying your favourite dress through Autumn.

What I’ve loved this past season about the Birthday Dress is how well it lends itself to the school run. No joke, this dress feels just as good on a boring Tuesday as it does dressed up for its namesake. I’ve worn it over the past three months with sandals and little else, but as the season shifts, I say keep it in rotation, and pair with Autumn’s staples:

• waterproof coat

• chunky knits

• bobble hat

• trusty boots

• brushed cotton shirt

• thermal tee

Since we’re still on the veeery edge of summer, I pulled on white pumps and a jumper my Grandma knitted me. If it were colder, I might’ve added in knitted tights and a fleece gilet on the top.

My point is- keep your favourites in play for as long as possible- make the rules that work for you.

Obsessed with how the taffy neck-ruffle peeks out of a boat/wide neck sweater:

Another summer staple that takes on a whole new personality for Autumn- the Flutter Blouse.

In black, it’s easy peasy to wear through the cooler months, but my favourite all-year-round colourway is white double gauze. There’s just something about those frothy cuffs peeking out from velvet jackets (think black, ruby, plum or, as below, rich inky blue.) This is the blouse that will see you through- I also favour it for Christmas day paired with red/checks.

I kept it casual here with, ahem, denim Cocoon Trousers (keep your hair on, they need perfecting but will be on their way later in the season) but you can get this same, gloriously easy wearing shape in black and pale pink over on the site already.

I will never be over flutter cuffs and velvet. That’s it.

I’m imagining this combo for a casual(ish) dinner with friends?? I have my sister’s housewarming coming up- perfect outfit, methinks.

Whilst we’re discussing the flutter blouse…

Sam and I had our official wedding celebration this weekend, which meant his suit was finally up for grabs. You better believe I pulled it on at the first opportunity.

I wore it with the Flutter and battered boots:

This is the clever point about the flutter sleeves- they make even the most masculine of combinations feel whimsical and playful.

I love to dabble in more (traditionally) masculine shapes/fits. The Flutter is a go-to of mine when I want to tip the scales juuust a teenie bit back towards my usual romantic vibe.

Add in a smattering of serious sparkle and we have struck a perfect balance,no?

No Style Notes article is complete without a print mash-up.

For Autumn, I went slightly more subdued- the Striped Sweatshirt is the perfect way to add in a clash without it feeling too much. I mean, you could go whole hog and pair with the matching sweatpants!!!

But if you’re looking for versatility, this is such a clever sweatshirt. The fabric is sumptuous and creamy- classic and yet also fresh- not at all basic whilst being comfortingly easy to wear.

It’s a clash, but it’s, like, a classic clash??

You could pair this sweatshirt with any jazzy jean or patterned trouser you might already own for a pleasingly discordant mash-up, but I pulled on my gorgeously Autumnal skirt by Nadinoo and scored points by adhering to my own bare-leg rule:

Ok this last one is a bare-faced tease, but once we’ve fine-tuned our denim launch, you better believe these two pieces will see you right the way through Autumn/Winter without a second thought…

(Scheduled to launch towards the end of this month.)

With the exception of the denim(!!!!!) you can get all the Stalf I’ve featured in this article with 15% off just now with the code SHOPSMALL.

Hope you enjoyed this one folks, I’ll be back next week…

Paris x