There are two kinds of people: those who can’t wait to swap their sandals for boots, and those who cling to summer with every fiber of their being. I am firmly in the second camp. The mere sight of a pumpkin spice latte in August makes me twitch. The Halloween aisles that appear while I’m still slathering on SPF feel like a personal attack. Why are we in such a rush? Can’t we just… be?
Summer, to me, is sacred. It’s the season of slowing down, of lazy mornings where time doesn’t exist, of afternoons stretched out by the pool with cocktails sweating in the sun, of dinners eaten outdoors that melt into endless evenings. My summer wardrobe reflects this mood perfectly—linen shorts, breezy dresses, bikinis drying on a chair, and sandals that slip on in seconds. Clothes that breathe. Clothes that feel like freedom.
And yet, I’ll admit, fall has its pull. It’s my favorite season for fashion—the layering, the textures, the way you can transform a look with the right coat or boot. But I like to step into it naturally, not rush headfirst. Fall deserves its own slow arrival, just like summer. Still, there’s a catch: if you wait until the first crisp breeze to start shopping, you’re already too late.
Fall, at least here in Canada, is painfully short. Blink and the golden light, crunchy leaves, and trench-coat weather are swallowed by winter’s chill. Which is why, even as I’m savoring the last days of August, I found myself making a small exception.
It happened on a whim. A quick stop at the outlets, a casual stroll, and then—an Aritzia appeared like a mirage. I wasn’t planning to buy anything, but fashion has a way of finding you when you least expect it. And just like that, I left with a few essentials that, dare I say, made me excited for fall.
The Pieces That Found Me
Sunday Best Tatiana Skirt in Heather Charcoal
Think of this as the fall evolution of linen shorts. It’s simple, versatile, and surprisingly comfortable, with a fit that flatters without trying too hard. A basic, yes—but one of those basics that works overtime.
Aritzia Contour Bodysuit in Bright White
If you’ve tried one, you know. These bodysuits are second skin—seamless, smoothing, and practically made for layering. The kind of foundation piece that makes everything else in your closet work harder.
Babaton Kleos Blazer in Heather Charcoal
A sharp, structured blazer that means business—but also looks incredible thrown over jeans and sneakers. It’s the kind of wardrobe anchor that instantly pulls a look together.
Wilfred Generation Blazer in Heather Dark Grey
Softer in silhouette, deeper in tone. Together with the Kleos, these two form a little gray blazer capsule: one sharp, one relaxed. Both timeless. Both endlessly wearable.
Until now, my closet leaned warm—browns, beiges, earthy neutrals. Adding gray feels like unlocking a new dimension. It pairs beautifully with my existing palette while opening the door to sleeker, more modern combinations.
How I’ll Style Them
The fun of shopping isn’t just in the purchase—it’s in the possibilities. Here’s how I see these pieces slotting into my wardrobe.
Casual Combinations
- Tatiana Skirt + White Contour Bodysuit + White Sneakers
Minimal and fresh. Perfect for coffee runs, errands, or school drop-off. Add a baseball cap and tote bag for a sporty touch.
- Tatiana Skirt + Oversized Knit Sweater + Loafers
Cozy but polished. This strikes the balance I crave in September—comfortable enough for cooler mornings, chic enough for brunch.
- Contour Bodysuit + Vintage Jeans + Wilfred Blazer + Ballet Flats
An instant uniform. Effortless, Parisian, endlessly repeatable.
Dressy Pairings
- Tatiana Skirt + Contour Bodysuit + Kleos Blazer + Heeled Boots
Streamlined and sharp, but still wearable for dinner out.
- Contour Bodysuit + Red Satin Midi Skirt (from my closet, H&M) + Wilfred Blazer + Strappy Sandals
A little shine, a little tailoring. Transitional dressing at its best.
- Tatiana Skirt + Bodysuit + Gold Jewelry (V de V, my favorite local boutique in Montreal and Saint-Lambert) + Pointed Pumps
Simple, powerful, accessorized to perfection.
And because I can’t resist sharing one last styling secret: sometimes I shop the men’s section at Uniqlo for oversized shirts. They’re roomy, crisp, and pair beautifully with more fitted bottoms. One of my favorite tricks? I throw one over linen shorts (H&M) and finish with white Vans, creating a “sandwich effect” where the top and shoes echo each other. It’s relaxed but intentional—my favorite fashion sweet spot.
Shopping for the Season Ahead
What I love about these finds is that they aren’t loud or trend-chasing. They’re building blocks—the kind of pieces that support both creative styling and everyday dressing. That’s the balance I’m chasing now. I don’t want a closet bursting with one-season wonders. I want a curated collection that works hard for me.
Shopping smart also means knowing yourself. I know I won’t stop wearing my breezy dresses until the very last warm day. I’ll still be outside, still clinging to poolside afternoons, still stretching dinner on the patio as long as possible. But when that first truly crisp morning comes? I’ll be ready, blazer in hand, sneakers laced, latte (iced, not pumpkin spice) in the other.
The Takeaway
Fashion has this funny way of pulling us into the future, sometimes too quickly. But I’ve learned to shop in a way that respects the present while preparing for what’s next. This little shopping diary is proof: I’m not rushing into fall, but I am easing into it—thoughtfully, stylishly, and on my own terms.
So here’s my gentle nudge for you: savor summer while it lasts. Let yourself slow down, soak in the warmth, wear the linen and the sandals until you can’t anymore. But at the same time, add one or two pieces to your closet that make you excited for cooler days. A blazer. A skirt. That one piece you’ll reach for again and again.
Because fall may be short, but it’s golden. And when it arrives, it deserves your best outfit.
I'll have what she's having 
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