September Is My Season Opener—4 Outfits That Embody My Fall Style
Sometimes, the most striking looks are the ones that let you breathe.
September in New York is a balancing act. I'm contending with late-summer humidity layered with crisp fall energy—and Fashion Week weaving through it all. In many ways, September front-loads the entire fall season with opportunities to reassess my wardrobe, and that’s what makes it thrilling.
I see this month as my season opener. It's a chance to slowly dip into fall clothing and test-drive what’s to come. September is also when I experiment, decide which pieces will become staples, and wear-test the items I’m adding to my wish list.
My wardrobe isn’t about chasing trends, but rather the clothes that move with me. The most enduring outfits carry me through the many roles I step into during busy weeks like these. After all, I'm a stylist, consultant, editor, and guest—sometimes all within the span of a single day. It may be a whirlwind, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. This New York Fashion Week, these were the four fall outfits that held it all together and set the tone for the season.
For Maria McManus’s show, I wore a loaned double breasted cloak blazer from the brand, which has not-so-quietly become one of my favorite pieces season after season. This was the third version I’ve had the pleasure of styling, and each time it feels like rediscovering an old friend. I paired it with Leset pants, vintage heels, and a vintage embroidered velvet box bag.
On a night that stretched from Dior to Louis Vuitton and a finale with Jessica McCormack at the Frick, I wore a loaned Tove jacket with vintage, jewel-trimmed Prada pants, a velvet bag, and Manolo Blahniks. The jacket was so elegant, the cut felt almost custom, and the buttons were like jewelry on their own. It’s rare to find a look this comfortable, elegant, and versatile, especially for a three-stop evening.
To the Ashlyn and Fforme shows—plus a Ruadh preview—I wore a loaned look by Ashlyn with a Savette bag, Manolos, and a vintage bangle. The drape of the fabric was both sculptural and comforting, offering a rare sense of ease to counteract the pace of fashion week.
I’ve recently been living in Ashlyn's persimmon pants, a more tailored take on my dress's silhouette. This look had the same rhythm I’ve been coveting. Sometimes, the most striking looks are the ones that let you breathe.
My Tibi lace dress (loaned by the brand), Tom Ford sunglasses, Havaianas, Savette bag, and vintage bangles pulled triple-duty. I wore this outfit to the Tibi show, the Marina Moscone preview, and then to a much-needed lunch with friends. It felt unexpectedly playful to be in a sheer lace gown on a Saturday morning: It was tempered by flip-flops, and elevated with jewelry and a sharp bag. I nearly wore this outfit to a friend’s engagement party later that day, but a rare September chill begged for more layers.
