The other day, a writer I really admire asked me to share some of my fall essentials for an upcoming newsletter. I got the message while walking outside and wiping an impressive sweat stache off my face—not exactly the coziest fall moment. My mind went blank because most of my cooler weather clothes are still packed away and far from my mind.
I replied that the mornings have only started to cool off a bit here on the East Coast. Normally, I light a candle in the morning when I wake up, but lately, I’ve swapped my usual Citronnelle Diptyque (which truly smells like Lemon Pez) for something a little earthier.
Now, I’m burning piñon incense I picked up last time I was in New Mexico. It has this warm, piney scent that fills the air in the villages and towns there during fall, always bringing me back to crisp, sunny days with red and yellow trees. It also reminds me of a dear friend who lives there, so right now, this is how I’m easing into the new season.
The person who reached out was actually looking for a fall clothing recommendation, and I felt a bit silly for not having one. But honestly, my mind isn’t there yet. Where I live, we go through a few “false falls” before the real deal, with plenty of scorching hot days still in the mix.
I’m not wrapped up in the usual editorial schedule, tied to advertisers pushing fall shopping hype, and I don’t use affiliate links. Maybe this is also why fall clothes haven’t really been on my radar? Even though Halloween candy bars with green goo have been on shelves since July, I’m still not in Pumpkin Spice mode.
In a recent yoga class, my teacher mentioned that in traditional Chinese medicine, there’s a little pause between summer and fall—a season most of us overlook. It’s called Late Summer, or the “Earth season,” and it runs from late August to mid September. During this time, worry tends to creep in.
This season centers on the stomach and spleen, organs that process both food and emotions. They help us manage stress, anxiety, and worry—or, at times, let them weigh us down. As summer winds down and fall approaches, that worry can start to build, especially in August when back to school stress and lingering heat leave everyone feeling drained and restless.
I could definitely relate. August often has this sticky, stagnant vibe, and just last week, I was so caught up in my own worries that I didn’t even notice my grey hairs creeping back with a vengeance. With weekend plans looming and no time for a root touch-up, I reached for a quick fix—a hair dye spray.
Naturally, my week of late summer woes ended with me going full Giuliani at a toddler’s birthday party. Nothing screams “I’m totally holding it together” like a brown streak running down your forehead as you desperately try to make small talk with the magician.
Transitions are tricky—full of uncertainty and ripe for worry. Whether it’s the shift from summer to fall or that back to school energy, it’s easy to fall into the trap of over planning and over shopping. We convince ourselves that getting everything in order or buying the perfect fall wardrobe will bring peace. But in reality, it’s just a way to feel in control of what’s unpredictable.
Shopping for the future is tempting because it feels like you’re investing in a version of life you can control. You imagine those perfect fall moments—cozy in a new sweater, strolling through leaves in fresh boots—and you shop for that vision. It’s like shaping a future that feels more certain. But the reality doesn’t always match the picture you had in mind when you bought that outfit. You’re buying for a fantasy, not the life that actually unfolds.
This is where I go against the grain. While everyone else gears up for fall, I focus on the summer season we’re leaving behind—what I wore, what worked, and what didn’t. Late summer is a time to pause, reflect, and take inventory before diving headfirst into the next season.
And while others are eagerly snatching full price sweaters, summer clothes still hang on racks and scatter store floors like abundant fruit fallen from the vine—unpicked, sometimes bruised, but still there for the taking. Dresses, swimsuits, and sandals, all marked down, linger as the remnants of the season.
I always get a much clearer idea of what I actually need at the end of a season, not at the beginning. After all, hindsight is 20/20. How did I actually spend my days? What did I really wear? Looking back gives me the clarity to see what’s worth keeping and where the real gaps are. I realized I didn’t wear as many dresses this year, and I already have more than enough. So, a note not to buy any next spring.
When my sandals broke a few weeks ago, I even held off on replacing them, knowing the best deals come at the end of the season. Sure enough, I found a brand new but overlooked pair of Chloé sandals I’d been eyeing all year for $50 at a consignment shop.
It might sound a bit too practical and not as fun, but shopping this way helps me make smarter decisions. I’m not just chasing the thrill of something new—I’m about to stash it away for a season, which makes me really consider if I’ll still want to wear it down the line. Plus, a discount is a major win.
So while everyone else is losing their mind over expensive field jackets, this is your chance to quietly make sniper moves on Poshmark—snagging deals from people clearing out their closets. And while you’re at it, you can grab some ridiculously discounted sunscreen that’ll make you look like a total victim of a TikTok ad—straight from the bargain bin of your local boutique. Next summer—when it’s no longer the “it” thing—you can feel smug knowing you scored it for 70% off.(Just double check the expiration date - most last three years.)
Beyond shopping, embracing Late Summer is all about soaking up the abundance and gratitude this season brings. September beach days? Absolutely the best. And nothing makes me feel richer than biting into a perfectly ripe peach.
This short but sweet in between moment, just before fall really hits, is prime dressing season. I was chatting with stylist
Nazeri, and she nailed it: “It’s the stuff that looks great in editorials—a veil between two worlds: fashion fantasy and real life.” Think sandals with pants and a scarf, roll neck sweaters with shorts—this is the time to play (and pretend you live in California).In those 9-12 glorious days when the humidity finally breaks but the sun is still shining, all the quirky, misfit pieces in my closet finally get their moment. A paisley romper with long sleeves and shorts? Perfect for the rare stretch when this East Coaster isn’t living in a soup of humidity. Do you dabble in the dark arts of sleeveless cashmere turtlenecks? Well, congratulations—this is your usually impractical moment in the sun.
I’m always hearing how quickly life moves as we get older—blink, and another year is gone. But maybe we’re the ones speeding it up by constantly jumping ahead in our minds. I’m trying to stretch it out by hitting pause and staying in the moment a little longer. Catch me eating a tomato like an apple, pairing a scarf with a bikini, and savoring every last worry-tinged day of Late Summer while I can.
Do you shop for seasons in reverse too? Do your editorial looking outfits or those delusional purchases finally make an appearance in these last few weeks of summer?
Shopping in reverse is so so smart. It’s like tackling finances - being in control and making good financial decisions is the heart of a truly smart working wardrobe. Loved our conversation, as ever! ♥️
Ah, the great mystery of sleeveless turtlenecks. They always look ultra-chic on TV shows and feel ultra-stupid 99% of the time IRL.