Well, it’s been a week. I’ve been obsessing over Becky’s post about Grey separates. Obsessing as in, grey for fall was not even on my radar. Either I made it up or someone (likely my mother) once told me that grey washes me out so I don’t wear very much of it. Also! When I am wearing any kind of grey and black combination I feel like a sprocket. Always have, always will. And finally, I worked at an all girls Catholic high school for many years where the winter uniform consisted of a plaid kilt or grey wool pants. Even though I wasn’t wearing the uniform, I felt vaguely depressed being surrounded by this uninspired attire for so many years. And yet, Becky has me searching the internet at all hours for my own interpretation of her impeccable style which brings us back to GREY. Note that I’ve never met Becky, but I feel like she’s my personal stylist. So let’s start with the skirts.
Fall Skirts
Becky showed us this beauty, but it’s sold out and thank goodness because it’s spendy ($565). But wowza, it’s lovely. The top it’s styled with below softens the whole look - no Catholic school uniform vibes whatsoever.
I pride myself on finding the look for less but I have been to the bottom of the internet and not come up with many choices. Lucky for us, Zoe found this Aritzia ($168), which is better than I could do. I think it could be worth a try.
It’s not quite the same look, but I’ve spent some time gazing at this DEMYLEE on J.Crew ($296). Love how it’s styled below:
Not a sprocket in sight! But in spite of nearly everything being on sale all the time at J.Crew, the skirt is not on sale - nor is the sweater vest from my post earlier this week, or the lady jacket I’ve been considering. And since I’m on the fence about all of these skirts and grey in general without being able to try them on, I ended up buying this DEMYLEE skirt from poshmark for $45 and this top from ebay. I will report back.
While we’re on the topic of the look for less, I did find a nice assortment of DEMYLEE for great prices on TRR (mostly tops, but still.)
Because I am me, I invariably want to continue wearing bright colors into the fall and so, for no good reason, I have also ordered a bright green skirt from Boden. It’s only $63 during the Labor Day Sale and I love that pencil skirts are back. I may not look like Joan Holloway but I will channel her when I wear it.
While we’re at it, there are a zillion J.Crew pencil skirts on thredup for twentyish dollars and less if you are so inclined. I love this bright pink one in particular ($24.04)
A Fun Coat
I have a million coats so if I’m adding one to my collection, it’s going to be an impractical statement piece and I have wanted a leopard Emerson Fry for the longest time. They turn up on TRR, Poshmark, etc. I keep going back to this one ($148). So cute, as styled below - and a good weight for this in-between season.
Upgraded Loafers, Ballerinas, and Mary Janes
Yep, I have a million cute versions of all of the above but all of these picks are just different enough to make me feel justified in adding them to my closet. So far, I’ve ordered two of the styles above and I’m keeping an eye on the rest.
1.Anthropologie Silver Flats
These look so comfy and get good reviews. Several other colors are available as well. Justification: I do not currently have a metallic flat. Heads up that Anthro is offering a 20% discount to teachers through the end of the day TODAY!
2. Jamie Haller Oxblood Penny Loafers ($525)
Swoooooon. These are stunning and I came upon them based on Megan’s recommendation. They look so soft and I love the way the heel can fold down. I have a pair of Eytys loafers with the fold down feature and I love them. I WANT THESE!
3. Boden Iris Snaffle Loafers in Ginger Snap ($112 through end of day today):
I mean, the name alone is a winner here. These are a great price and I love the buckle. Also, I do not have a suede loafer in my current rotation.
4. Royal Navy Patent Leather Mary Jane ($130)
I feel like I would wear these all the time - and patent mary janes are so much more interesting and sophisticated than patent black! Also, a great price.
5. Tory Burch Red Runway Ballet Flat ($199)
I used the “find in store” feature to track these down in my size at the sale price. I love the shape and the ballet pointe style front. I would wear these with one of the grey skirts above!
6. Loeffler Randall Chocolate Brown Leonie Flats ($250)
These will require some hunting as they seem to be waitlisted and sold out just about everywhere but I will persevere. I owned and loved the Leonie style in a different color (past tense because I have lost one of them, ugh and ugh). I am obsessed with the chocolate brown color.
Post-Scripts
Happy Labor Day to all who are celebrating. I work at a boarding school so today is the first day of school (no Mondays off for us!). It’s a balmy 96 degrees here in Northern Virginia so I’m nowhere near being truly ready for the fall fashion that I am furiously adding to my cart. For work, I will be living in my Molly Moorkamp shifts until the weather settles down. I wear them with fisherman sandals and flats and they are the BEST for a polished look in sweltering heat.
I purchased several items from the Veronica Beard Labor Day sale on sale. I picked up a dress, a top, and two blazers - yippee! It’s hard to find these prices on VB blazers, even on resale. Sizes are dwindling, but the sale is worth clicking through if you are in the market for work wear.
Speaking of the first day of school, southern culture is alive and well here at my place of work and as I have seen students today, I have said “Welcome back!” over and over again. The response 99% of the time from students is an enthusiastic, “Yes ma’am!” Even after working here for nearly a decade, this is always jarring to me because 1) I can’t believe I’m a ma’am. 2) I grew up in the south “yes ma’aming” all of my elders, but not as a response to a greeting. In other words, “yes ma’am” was the required response to “clean your room” or an acceptable affirmation to the question “is everything okay?” but when did “yes ma’am” become the equivalent of “thank you”? Maybe I’ve lived outside of the deep south for too long. Still, I’m as charmed by it as I am startled by it and I would live for my own children to obediently “yes ma’am” me.
I saw a license plate this weekend that read “Taco Bel.” (not a typo)
I have many of the more neutral RMS lip/cheek products but find myself considering this brighter shade, Beloved, for fall. Has anyone tried it?
More fall fashion picks are here.
More on what to wear in stifling heat here.
I loved this piece on men hoarding wood scraps by Fiona Gibson. My husband is the same way - why, why, why do they do this?
Another vote for Grey this fall by Irene Kim.
I’ve seen so many new subscribers come through recently. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for reading and for being here. I love Substack!
XOXO,
Tara
I don't know what kind of subliminal invisible text Becky had in that post on grey, but, after resisting a year's worth of her recommendations, I would not stop till I had a grey button up. And I am kinda sorta keeping my eye out for a grey sweater/sweatshirt. And I look terrible in grey and think it's deadly with black.
Love your shoe upgrade recs. And re male hoarding. I see your wood scraps and raise you pennies and concert tees. Le sigh. XOXO