IT’S FALL… ACCORDING TO FASHION, NOT ATLANTA

I lived in Miami, where we basically never heard of fall. Then I lived in LA, which really didn’t do fall either. Now I live in Atlanta, where fashion tells us fall starts in August while the thermometer is still saying, “That’s cute.”

Here’s the funny thing—I actually LOVE fall. It’s the only weather on the colder side that I like. It’s just the beginning of the chill. You get the boots, the jackets, the richer colors and all the fun stuff without being freezing cold and miserable.

The problem is, it’s August. We realistically have another two or three months before Atlanta gives us much of a temperature change.

But fashion has moved on. Fall clothes are arriving, and I have to admit…I’m ready for a change too.

So how do you start dressing for fall when it’s still 90 degrees outside?

You cheat a little.

START WITH THE COLOR, NOT THE TEMPERATURE

You don’t need heavier clothes yet. Start changing the colors.

Navy, chocolate, burgundy, cognac, olive and black can make something feel more fall even when the actual outfit is lightweight enough to wear right now.

This navy dress is exactly what I mean. Wear it today with a heel or sandal and it already feels a little less summer.

And wine color is HUGE going into fall—which I love.

This dress is perfect for Atlanta right now because it gives you those gorgeous wine undertones without pretending it’s cold outside. Wear it now, then later change the shoes, add a jacket and suddenly it’s a completely different look.

Same dress. Different season. That’s a good buy to me.

BUT PLEASE DON’T PUT AWAY SUMMER YET

This orange dress is actually the same style as the Wine undertone dress but for right now, it’s still perfect.

It’s August. We still have plenty of summer left in Atlanta, and I’m not putting away something fabulous because somebody somewhere decided we should all be wearing brown.

Keep wearing the summer pieces you love while slowly bringing fall into the mix. This Aztec print maxi dress is perfect for spring summer and fall… Especially becauseAtlanta gives us a VERY long runway between summer and actual fall. We might as well use it.

AND THEN THERE’S MY XOXO SABRINA  dress with built-in shorts!

I designed the XOXO Sabrina dress with built-in shorts because I wanted something that looked like a great little dress but let you actually LIVE in it.

And honestly, I may love her even more going into fall.

Wear her now with a heel. Add a bootie and she immediately feels more fall. When it finally gets cooler, layer something underneath and keep going.

And because she has built-in shorts, you can sit, bend over, get out of a car, dance and encounter an unexpected breeze without giving everyone around you a show.

You’re welcome. 😉

MY VERSION OF EARLY FALL “SWEATER WEATHER”

THIS is sweater weather I can get behind  A lightweight or short-sleeve sweater with a skirt or a great pair of pants gives you a little taste of fall without the heatstroke.

And I have to admit, sometime in LATE August I actually start getting excited about wearing pants again.

SO WHAT AM I BUYING RIGHT NOW?

Pieces I can wear now, not clothes that have to sit in my closet until October.

Transitional dresses. Richer colors. Interesting shirts. Lightweight sweaters. Great pants. Denim. A fabulous belt or bag. And pieces that can completely change with a different shoe.

That’s how we’re buying for pre-fall at Range Boutique in Atlanta—because our clothes need to work with the lives we actually live and the weather we actually have. The only thing is, keep in mind if you see something gorgeous anywhere out in the world of fashion that screams cold weather right now, you still may want to buy it and store it in your closet because it will be gone within a month or so, but overall…Fashion may say fall…

Atlanta says, “See you in October.”

Come see us at Range Boutique in Buckhead/Chastain, shop our newest arrivals online, or let us help you figure out what you need to take your closet from now into fall.

We’ll tell you what works—and probably tell you what doesn’t. That’s kind of the point.