It’s that time of year. The end of summer. And while the temperature is still hovering in the high 80’s to the low 90’s with muggy humidity, it doesn’t stop the masses, nor the retailers to believe they are in the midst of autumn.
Yesterday’s high was in the 80’s. But the trees are beginning to turn. It makes me sad.
The mornings are slightly cooler as are the evenings once the sun goes down. However—please keep your Pumpkin Spice Lattes, donuts, coffee, pasta and anything and everything else pumpkin spice away from me. If I do pumpkin anything it’ll be pumpkin pie during the holidays.
I love Starbucks but get that Pumpkin Spice $hit away from me! Please!
And I also don’t want to see anyone wearing riding boots or a heavily textured scarf or a thick nubby sweater yet. It’s not even mid-September.
I’m talking to you–me! Seriously, this won’t be worn until November–or later!
But it’ll be time to transition into the clothing that we don as the air achieves that blend of crispness and clarity. Same with makeup. The tan has begun to fade and the cooler weather brings back my fish-belly white face!
That’s right. The tan is fading and soon I will look like Casper the Ghost’s mother.
So how am I doing it? And just what am I doing to transition. I’ll tell you.
Not much. Not much at all.
I have no capsule wardrobe but, in my closet, and within the confines of my dressers I keep a stash of “year ‘round clothing”. These are items that can be worn all year and I usually wear them in the winter’s end and summer’s end.
A couple of skirts that have been worn on both the hottest days and the coldest days.
One of my “year-round” skirts is this lepoard pencil skirt from J. Crew and I pair it with a lightweight jersey pullover from Target. I wore this a few times over the summer and it’ll be in regular rotation in the coming weeks….
Another “year-rounder” is this pencil skirt from J. Crew Factory. It’s pretty old and I’ve thrown it in the trash only to rethink and take it out. I wore it last week on a gray, cool morning. I even took the closed shoes out!
And yet another “year rounder”. A skirt I picked up years ago on the clearance rack at Old Navy for $6.00. I’ve washed this many times and it’s never faded. This is one amazing skirt!
Pants that I shy away from in June, July and August, but make their appearance again in September.
My J. Crew elephant pants. I wore once over the summer but these will be coming in handy beginning September’s end! When it gets cooler my choices are a blazer or denim jacket!!!!
Another transitional outfit. Some suiting. I keep my blazers out all year–just in case and last week another cool day had me in black Pixie Pants (discontinued) and a black schoolboy blazer from J. Crew and my new favorite Tee by ThreadTank And if you love this Feminist tee, you can get a discount of Ten percent by using my code: TYPICAL10
We went out to dinner last Saturday night. I wore this. A fantastic transitional ensemble. The evening was cool enough for booties!
And I’m not big on cardigan sweaters but I do have a couple that pair well with my sleeveless dresses.
Today’s outfit is a perfect example. It was hot and muggy this morning so I wore one of my Lilly Pulitzer shifts I picked up at the After Party Sale. I WAS going to save this for next summer. Anyway, the HVAC at work gets wonky and cold in the afternoon. I threw a pink cashmere cardigan by J. Crew over it. Transitioned!
A black bolero cardigan turns this sleeveless ten-dollar LBD from Old Navy into a dressy fall frock!
The two denim jackets that I own will be worn if it gets unseasonably chilly but for the most part, will be hanging around in the closet till mid-October before making a regular appearance.
One of my denim jackets. Surprisingly, this photo was taken last October and this entire outfit has never been stored away. The pants and jacket are in my closet and the tee is in my drawer.
The sandals and open shoes will stay out as long as possible—until the first frost. And with that first frost, the sweaters, wool skirts and scarfs will be taken out of storage.
I can still get a few weeks outta you …..
My “ladies in waiting” until the temperatures really go down. These boots are one of two purchases I made for this coming Fall/Winter season. There’s really nothing else I need. Or want.
And that’s how I transition.
I also transition by hitting the end-of-season sales. Example: I love me those Lilly Pulitzer dresses. There’s something about the bright colors, the breezy look the casualness that evokes all things endless summer to me. And the clothing is pricey. But the brand always has a great “After Party” sale of which I partook in. I got three frocks for next summer which will be packed away.
These two dresses came home with me after last week’s Lilly Pulitzer sale. I’ve already worn one but I’ll most likely not wear the other one until nex summer.
There are plenty of shoes and boots in my closet and after assessing the situation, there is nothing needed. Although I did add a pair of Bass Weejuns to my loafer collection. For the sale price of $51.00 there was no way I could resist.
I couldn’t resist these loafers. The bows. The bows. And loafers are always in style (at least in my opinion they are)!
Now for the face. One thing I learned and realized this summer is that less is definitely more when it comes to my pro-aging visage! Given the fact that Summer 2019 was filled with stellar weekends, I had a real tan! And that meant, on most days, no foundation.
Makeup free in Cincinnati! And this was BEFORE the spray tan! Trust me, it’s quickly fading!
And when I did wear it, as I have begun to go back to every-day wearing, I revisited cushion foundation. I realized that the cushion foundation is more of a CC cream in cushion form and I love it. Applied with a light touch, it glides on the skin giving it an even finish.
And I didn’t spend a fortune either. The Wet’nWild Cushion foundation is a steal at Walmart for $5.99 and the Lumi Cusihion foundation cost me about the same at TJ Maxx! It’s light and mature skin friendly!
There will be no further purchases of foundation for the coming fall/winter. I have enough in my stash and to tell you the truth, like a lighter coverage than a heavier one.
I tell you these cushions pack a wallop!
I discovered stackable makeup which I’m loving and I also discovered cream eyeshadow.
This stackable by Subtl Beauty is my new “go-to”. If you haven’t seen, here’s my blog post that explains more about these stacks: The Only Makeup Kit You’ll Need….
Quite honestly, there’s nothing I need to buy. After giving my makeup a big clean and organization, there are enough palettes, contours, blushes, highlighters, liners, lipsticks and brow products.
.These are the palettes I kept out but there are more in drawers. Proof that I don’t need any more palettes. For a long time!
And the Laura Mercier Caviar Sticks have become a great cream shadow. Why do I have all those palettes anyway?
Same with the brushes. I’ve got enough.
So yeah, that’s how I transition. How do you transition? I would love to know, but please don’t tell me you took out the pumpkin spice!
Oh yeah, I’ll also be transitioning into darker wigs!!!!
Love love the loafers! Sweetie hate to tell ya it is snowing in Colorado already and in WI brrr pulling out the long sleeves this weekend!
Stay safe!
Debe, aren’t those loafers the greatest? Wait. Oh. Wait. It’s WHAT??? Whoa. I’m in seasonal denial and it’s snowing in Colorado. I wonder when the cold front will reach here! Have a toasty weekend!!! XOXOXXOXO
Hmmm transition…. well in Scotland I find the summer isn’t wildly hot but the winters are quite miserable (the people make up for the terrible weather – the Glaswegians are some of the funniest and most delightful people you could ever encounter, think Billy Connolly and then some)… so basically transition means more time inside the cagoule, or more time wearing that darn cagoule with the hood up, and then eventually wearing the cagoule with the hood up and knotted tightly to stop it blowing away… Basically I move away from fabric/canvas type sneakers to more substantial (trench foot is a thing 🙂 ) and back to leather trainers or doc martens chelsea type boot. Face-wise I start cranking up the foundation again – in summer it is skin factor 30-50 and then eye make up but winters here are hard my skin needs protection. Oh a light fabric scarf in the morning to take the chill off.
Hi Juliet! I would wear a cagoule all winter. And no fear, the winters here in the Northeast of the USA are gray and dreary. The dampness is nonstop and the best way to cut it is with a continuious kettle. LOL. Billy Connolly’s Colonoscopy routine was hysterical!
And like you, the more substantial footwear comes back out. Nice transition!! XOXOXO
I read yesterday someone said, “I hate the end of Summer but, love the start of Fall”. I don’t anticipate changing over my closet for another 7ish weeks. Crazy, that I spotted a women wearing riding boots (nope, not riding a horse) a few weeks ago, hmm, talk about rushing the season! It;s still hot where I live, forecasting to be 98 degrees tomorrow. I wore my new J. Crew swimsuit (scored for $17.99 !!!) to the pool today. it’s a nice fall green color…so I guess that’s how I”m transitioning, lol…at least so far!!
lol! Renee__I love the way you are transitioning with the bathing suit!!! Seriously. The Boots. Do you ever peruse Instagram? All the influencers with the same hair who look down at their feet in every pose are all in boots. I’m in shock. It’s insane!!!! XOXOXOXO
I LOVE that Feminist T shirt! Gotta get me on 💪🏼
Love the pointy toe high heels there sexy shows your sexy toe cleavage great outfits amazing you look gorgeous darling. XOXO
I think I am in love with your loafers! They are fabulous! And what a amazing necklace you are wearing in the last photo! Hope to see you on my Fancy Friday linkup party!
I seriously love your wigs. With my hair thinning, I just know this is something I’ll give a try xo
i’m SO with you on the ‘Cardis’ as we call cardigans pullovers here in the UK. They are cozy and practical and oh so tempting when the weather turns cool BUT I put one on and immediately ‘transition’ into an old lady, I swear they add 20 years no matter how cute they are .
jilly.
I am one of the few who is always happy when summer leaves – it’s my least favorite season! I wore my jeans jacket this morning walking to work since it was chilly, and will probably keep it on all day, since our office space will likely be 60 degrees until mid-November.
I have a few transitional pieces, but since I don’t have much room I tend to keep them at only a few.
Love it all. I am in your neighborhood- where did you get the loafers on sale!
Hey Cathe! Not a pumpkin fan at all, but I’m a huge fan of Autumn! Already switched my closet over Labor Day weekend…lol! Too warm during the days to go all out, but I’m wearing more animal prints, plains shirts, olive and black, and I wear grays year round. I too have cut back on makeup and wondering why I collected all those colorful eyeshadow palettes that I rarely wear! Have to admit that I’m very much looking forward to cooler weather and boots and jackets 🙂
bonjour Catherine !
love love love the very blond wig with straight hair ! you are magnifique !and so modern with it !!
Merci Nathalie! It’s great to hear from you!! XOXOXOXO
Loved this ! I’ve recently signed up for Ipsy and am enjoying new makeup/eye palettes (you’ve inspired me to mix it up a little). For Fall I lose the lighter highlights and have my stylist add in a rich caramel brown to my already reddish brown hair — (and cover the grey) – I also transition to richer colors, animal prints, Olive/Army greens and booties. I’m still wearing pencil skirts and bare legs for now but that won’t last long. I’d love to do boots but can’t find any that fit my muscular calves – oh well ..
Fun post, you always look FAB!
PS – I’ll pass on the Pumpkin spice latte stuff, too ..
Cheers! MJ
Hey MJ!!! Oh the caramel brown must look lovely. I’ve been eyeing my darker wigs for the fall! But I’m with you. The olive/army greens are wonderful for the fall as are the animal prints. LOL. I”LL BE BARE LEGGED IN THE SNOW!!!! That’s how much I despise panty-hose!!!! Yay on the eye makeup palettes!!! XOXOXOXOXOXO
As always CATHERINE, a refreshing post. In many ways I transition like you. The summer here in north west England has been mediocre with a fair amount of rain. Likewise I have a couple of all year round skirts. I haven’t bought many clothes this summer but I will get a couple of tops & cardis next month when I get paid. I may get a blazer or denim jacket.
I was thinking last week of my late irish father when I saw a few girls sporting big chunky boots on a warm day. Dad used to say ‘over here ‘they’ quickly get into summer and winter’.
Visited local thrift store recently to buy nice soft hand towels, hanging skeletons etc & Christmas music assisted my hasty exit.
I have a lot of scarves which perhaps are not big enough to make up as well as the one in your pic.
Hope you enjoyed the wedding & happy autumn 🍂🍁
Hi Margaret! It’s so great to hear from you. My apologies for not replying sooner but work is really taxing lately! Surprisingly we haven’t had much rain here over the summer and it’s still dry. The mornings and evenings are a tad cooler but days are still very warm. The biggest sign of the weather transitioning is the darkness creeping in early and the leaves are changing. I’m really not needing anything to wear especially since I’m losing weight! Oh. the wedding was spectacular! Have a fantastic evening my friend!! XOXOXOXOXO
Hi CATHERINE,
N O apologies necessary. I understand about work commitments. Glad the wedding went well. Yes CATHERINE the days are getting shorter and of course the accompanying nature changes. Take care x