Notes for the Season Ahead

Although there's still a stretch of summer left, I've already made the mental switch to fall. Every year around this time, I find myself gravitating toward richer colors, softer layers, and the excitement of a new season (my favorite one) just around the corner. My Pinterest boards have essentially become a collection of suede bags, Ralph Lauren autumn campaigns, and lived-in denim looks, while my saved posts have become an endless stream of outfit inspiration and new fall arrivals. And as a fashion lover, I wouldn't have it any other way.

So, consider this a collection of everything inspiring me these days. From the clothes I'm reaching for to the beauty favorites, movies, and little rituals getting me excited for the season ahead.

Even though I'm looking ahead to fall, I'm not quite ready to pack away everything that makes summer dressing so effortless. Instead, I've found myself leaning into pieces that feel like they're bridging the gap between the two seasons. Cotton dresses are still in heavy rotation, while relaxed denim has started to make more appearances in my everyday looks. Ballet flats are getting just as much wear as my sandals, and my loafers have slowly worked their way back into the mix. Even my summer bags are getting a few last outings before my suede and leather favorites inevitably take over.

And then there are all the little styling details I’ve been saving lately, like:

• sheer scarves over the shoulders
• slim vintage watches
• suede belts
• silk scarves tied onto handbags
• cinched blazers over dresses or paired with skirts
• a chunky knit with boxer shorts at home
• trench coat over athletic wear
• baby tee with tailored trousers

I'm easily drawn to warmer tones like chocolate brown and burgundy, especially through accessories and layering pieces that can be worn well beyond one season. As new collections continue to drop, there are a handful of brands I always check first. Sézane continues to create styles that feel feminine, timeless, and easy to incorporate into an everyday wardrobe, while Posse makes me want to live in linen well into September. Faithfull the Brand always captures that effortless, vacation-inspired feeling with styles that feel relaxed yet thoughtfully designed, and J.Crew has been putting out some of my favorite elevated basics lately. Then there are the classics I come back to every season: Ralph Lauren for that timeless East Coast charm, Good American for denim that feels as good as it looks, and COS for understated styles and staples that never feel tied to just one season. And if you want to shop along with me, I’m keeping all my latest finds and recs over on my ShopMy, linked here for easy browsing.

My Pinterest boards have started to reflect the same shift through deeper color palettes, bronzed makeup looks, and the return of prints and patterns that always feel synonymous with fall. More than a specific aesthetic, I’ve been drawn to the feeling behind these photos: that slower, cozier pace that seems to come with the season. The kind of days that feel a little less rushed, with more time for cozy mornings and all the things that make fall feel so nostalgic.

Of course, it’s not just the outfits, makeup inspo, and mood boards that make me excited for fall. It’s the little rituals that come along with it, too, from lighting a new seasonal candle while doing my skincare to trying new recipes or settling in with a blanket and a good book. I’ve also always loved the idea of matching certain movies and shows to different seasons. Right now, I’m on season two of The O.C. (the pilot was perfection, and I’ve been completely hooked since starting it in June). Earlier this year, I watched Veronica Mars for the first time and was immediately obsessed, though I think it’s one I’d especially recommend saving for fall. Certain movies and shows just feel made for a specific time of year, so here’s my list:

• Good Will Hunting
• Derry Girls
• When Harry Met Sally
• Practical Magic
• Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (and yes, all the rest)
• Gossip Girl
• Moonstruck
• Breakfast at Tiffany's
• Pride and Prejudice (the 2005 version, always)
• You've Got Mail
• Billy Elliot
• Gilmore Girls
• Mona Lisa Smile
• Scandal
• Girlfriends (season 4 is my cutoff)
• One Fine Day
• Clueless
• Dead Poets Society
• Barbie: Princess Charm School
• The Phantom of the Opera
• Alice in Wonderland
• Sleepy Hollow
• The Addams Family
• Legally Blonde
• Fantastic Mr. Fox
• Crimson Peak
• 10 Things I Hate About You
• Coraline
• The Devil Wears Prada

And while I’m always happy to revisit old favorites, there are a couple of newer releases I’m already looking forward to. I finally saw Spider-Man: Brand New Day this week and absolutely loved it, truly a 10/10 for me. But I’m also really looking forward to the Sense and Sensibility remake coming out this October. I have such a soft spot for the original, so I’m very curious to see what they do with it. And then there’s The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, which I already know is going to be so good and, simultaneously, completely heartbreaking. I’m excited for it, but I also feel like I need to emotionally prepare myself a little first.

I think I’ve always been someone who loves having little things sprinkled throughout the year to look forward to. And a seasonal shift just gives us another excuse to slow down, revisit old favorites, discover something new, and make space for the different things that bring us joy.