Happy fall, y’all!  Today is the Autumnal Equinox, marking the official first day of the fall season.  Here in Austin we’ve got highs in the mid-90s…you could say it’s gone from ‘hottest’ to ‘hotter.’  Although we’ve got a tiny bit of reprieve from the hot hot heat of August, it’s still difficult to fully embrace all the beautiful cool-weather wares arriving in stores.  

However, one cannot resist getting in the fall spirit, am I right?!?  The arrival of Pumpkin Spice Lattes, college football games on TV, kids’ back-to-school activities, and that certain crispness in the air are some of my favorite signs of the shifting seasons.  And of course, who can resist the temptations of fall fashion?!?  Since I’ve learned the hard way by burning up in my flannel button-down and sweating through my sweater one too many times, here are some tips for dressing for fall when it still feels like summer:

1.  Rethink Outerwear:  when you want to wear THIS [insert weather-inappropriate fall trend here], sub for THAT…at least until the temps dip below 70 😉

Camo jackets?  –Go with an army-green utility vest.

Plaid blanket scarf?  –Opt for a statement necklace for equal sartorial flair.

Tribal-print Poncho? –Sub a colorful kimono for now.  (Kimono pictured below is from Luxe Apothetique at The Domain) 

 
2.  Keep the fabric, tweak the cut:  fall fabrics such as chunky sweaters, suede, raw selvage denim, etc. can be functional in this heat by adjusting the silhouette.

Chunky knit sweater = drop the turtle neck & wool blend and find a short sleeve version in cotton weave.

Suede pants with flare leg = try microsuede shorts instead.

Skinny jeans = wear your denim shorts awhile longer…looks just as cute with your fall booties, too! (Boyfriend cut-offs pictured below are by Joe’s Jeans and from Luxe Apothetique)   

3.  It’s all about the accessories:  incorporate the colors of fall in small ways that carry big impact.

–Fringe on fringe on fringe:  loving it on skirts, boots & clutches

–Hats:  floppy fedoras in marsala or olive

–Booties:  suede & in a neutral tone such as clay or stone

–Scarves:  lightweight knit and colorfully saturated in fall’s folkloric prints

–Seasonal jewelry:  Austin-favorite  jewelry line, Kendra Scott, debuts a new collection each ‘season’ — a no-fail, all-weather way to stay on-trend seasonally.  (These Kendra Scott ‘Fran’ Earrings in Iridescent Opalite pictured below are from Luxe Apothetique at The Domain, too!)