Any genuine fashion devotee understands that as soon as those F/W collections arrive on the retail floor, the credit cards experience a significant decline. The most eagerly awaited collections of the year typically start gracing store shelves around August/September, and any girl will confirm that winter fashion garners much more enthusiasm compared to summer collections, simply for the sheer delight of layering outfits, accessorizing with scarves and gloves, and oh those autumn/winter jackets and coats. Of course, we all have a fondness for a floral summer dress, linen shorts, and sun hats, but the emphasis seems to be more on the season itself than on styling.
For me, it all began when I was 12 years old, as was customary, my family was vacationing in Monaco, just like every year. Around late July to August, my mom started taking us for our fall/winter shopping, and this particular year held a bit more significance for me. I was about to buy my shoes at the adult shoe store, meaning I could possibly get some heels to flaunt in front of all my friends. Did I mention that not all of them had the green light to wear heels yet? We went to the Metropole Shopping Centre, and in I went… I purchased five pairs of boots and shoes, including two actual heels. I still remember those khaki-colored, matte leather, distressed army-combat style boots featuring a chunky block heel of about 7cm. I was literally in bliss… it felt like I had just secured the biggest deal imaginable on Earth and had flown to the moon and back. Yes, I was already a devoted fashion enthusiast. I can’t quite recall the brand of those boots or the other four pairs I acquired, I can only remember that as soon as we got home, I styled all my boots with the winter clothes we had bought earlier. Wool midi skirts and turtlenecks, jeans with substantial buckles, which are actually making a comeback this year, open-knit sweaters, shearling jackets, and gilets – at least these are the pieces I have some memory of. I was so pumped, envisioning myself in all my impeccably styled outfits. Little did I know back then, it would be another month or two before I could wear them. The waiting, let me tell you, was agonizing; it still is.
As an adult, not much has changed for me. Perhaps the passage of time has slightly evolved – a month no longer feels like an eternity, but living somewhere like London, September remains quite warm, making it torturous to see those new knits or thigh-high boots simply sitting in the corner waiting for the weather to align, likely to be worn by mid-October at the latest. And once again… I was blissfully unaware… fast forward a few years. I found myself in Cyprus. A stunning island, no doubt. However, this is the graveyard for winter fashion… For someone with my previous experiences, this was a cruel twist of fate. The summer season here stretches all the way until November; I can assure you I forgot what the term ‘boots’ even meant during that time. Deeply disheartened and unsure how to adjust to this new reality, I decided it was time to think outside the box.
Usually, I found it quite ludicrous to see a girl strolling around in tall boots during the spring/summer months, but how else can you don F/W collections in 30 degrees Celsius?! Pairing boots with a t-shirt and shorts can not only satisfy your craving for your newly purchased fall/winter item, it can also lend your outfit a certain edge or finishing touch. A personal favorite in my looks is a silk summer dress paired with cowboy or biker boots. The look might be deemed cliché in some circles; nonetheless, it is a fantastic application of fall fashion in warm weather. This approach can also be adapted for a more formal outfit if tall boots are styled with an elegant evening dress.
A crucial hack to maximize the usage of your F/W wardrobe prior to it being marked down is layering your purchases. Naturally, an essential aspect of layering is the consideration of fabrics; to wear knitted garments, one must layer them intelligently over silk and cotton, which can be perfectly coordinated if the right materials are selected. For instance, mohair knits should always be worn with silk or satin, whether it’s a dress or top and skirt—unless worn alone, mohair will leave fibers on cotton, denim, and pretty much any other fabric. If mismatched, when you remove your top layer, you will be completely covered in little fibers, thanks to the nature of this beautiful knitwear. It’s warm yet just breezy enough to get away with a fashionable cardi; I wouldn’t suggest otherwise, a cardigan is open and more suitably designed for October.
