When it comes to style and presentation what possibly could be left to say? We all know by now that fit and flatter are essential ingredients and attitude is an asset. But yet. But yet. If you live in a four season kinda town, you’ve no doubt witnessed the “Autumn? I am not familiar with your ways.” style that abounds. People who only weeks ago had managed to reasonably dress themselves now stumble squinting into the outdoors like a newborn colt. They’ve grabbed last year’s something, purchased this year’s new thing and found their way out the door. Sometime before Thanksgiving it will all come together, but why wait? If you’re doing any of the following; stop:

• Weather – there are apps for this; use them
  • A down jacket on a day reaching 75 degrees paints a dwelling optional portrait
  • Rain happens, and no one looks good wet (with the exception of the Man from Atlantis and Esther Williams)
• Hemisphere Dressing
  • If it’s cold enough to wrap that 4-foot piece of cloth around your neck (a look previously only seen in desert regions) it’s too cold to wear shorts
  • Wearing a jaunty felt fedora is fabulous; but not if it’s worn with a sundress
  • Have your top part and bottom part appear to be going to the same place
    • Farm boots or chef shoes paired with a dress looks cuckoo
    • Leather jacket and flip-flops? What’s that for; a biker beach?
• Season as an after thought
  • Throwing a fur jacket over a micro mini skirt isn’t so much seasonally appropriate as it is ‘working girl’ appropriate
  • Linen pants and suede boots together are oil and water and there might even be a biblical prohibition
  • Layering is lovely; piling on every lightweight sweater you own gives the impression that you’re fleeing a house fire

Starting anything new takes a bit of thought. But you’d be surprised by the muscle memory lurking below your recently chilled skin. When you have a moment (oh, hush; you have a moment) dig out all of your cold weather apparel. It’s like shopping for free! Take a good look at what you’ve got (and do make sure it fits.) Then just think of these easy guidelines:

• Tone is everything
  • Pieces shouldn’t match they should look happy together
  • Everything you have on should look as if it could be displayed in the same section of a store
• Add a layer
  • How exciting is a jacket? No really. Blazers, cardigans, outerwear magically transform clothes into an Outfit!
• Make friends with your mirror
  • Relearning how to dress takes a few days (or severe weather shifts) a mirror will help this process along
    • Before leaving the house (that’s right; After your jacket is on!) take a good look. Does your whole body look as if it’s off to the same destination? Are you wearing a down vest with a party dress and heels? It’s not a good look on a sorority pledge, and it’s not a good look for you.

It’s a gorgeous time of year filled with golden and vibrant color. Our foods and feasts become more simmered and lingering. We reclaim our root system and hunker down around the hearth. We are cozy and covered and profoundly grateful for the generosity of an oversized sweater and leggings. Happy Autumn!