Fall Layers, Paris Plans & a Sneaker Find
Where did September go already? It turned out busier than I expected, with a string of routine doctors’ appointments, some seasonal home organizing, and finalizing travel plans. Yes, I’ll be heading to London and Paris in October with a few special events on the itinerary…more on those soon!
What I Wore: Easy Layers
After a warm and muggy September, the weather has finally taken a fall-ish turn. Mornings and evenings are cool enough for sweaters and light jackets, and here’s what I wore to one of my appointments late last week.
Medical offices are usually freezing, so I like to layer. This is my beloved Betty Cardigan from Sézane, a lightweight 100% merino wool that’s comfortable across a range of temperatures. I’m wearing size Small in the Hazelnut color, a great shade for Springs and Autumns. Here are a few of my seasonal color picks:
- Springs – Hazelnut, Vanilla/Ecru, Ecru, Coral Red, Leopard Jacquard, Mahogany/Cream, Marine/Ecru
- Autumns – Hazelnut, Vanilla/Ecru, Ecru, Coral Red, Leopard Jacquard, Mahogany/Cream, Rosewood, Terracotta Crochet
- Winters – Black/Ecru, Black, Burgundy, Navy Crochet
- Summers – Marine/Ecru, Burgundy, Rosewood
Ordering from a French brand can feel intimidating, but Sézane makes it easy: shipping is fast and free over $200, no duties for U.S. orders, and returns are hassle-free with a prepaid label. I’ll be visiting their Paris store next month and will share my fall favorites after I see them in person. (And I’m already assembling my fall travel wardrobe for London & Paris; this cardigan is definitely on the short list!)
(These run true-to-size, take your usual size.)
I never warmed to the ultra-flat adidas Sambas that have been everywhere the past few seasons. But this SL 72 style is a different story: a slight lift in the heel and an upward-curved toe make them much more comfortable and walkable. If leopard print isn’t your vibe, they also come in a range of solid color combos. (Thanks to my friend Alison at Wardrobe Oxygen for the tip!)
In the Garden
The Mexican Sage in my front yard always goes wild this time of year, and those purple blooms almost glow in the early evening light!
They’re Ba-a-a-a-ck…
A new season of Slow Horses just launched on AppleTV. New episodes drop every Wednesday. (And I’ve just downloaded the newest book in the Slough House series to my Kindle for in-flight reading.)
As we head into October, I’m excited to share more fall outfits, travel updates, and a closer look at the Sézane pieces I’ll be scouting in Paris. Have you tried any new sneakers or cozy layers for the season? Let me know in the comments…I always love hearing what’s working in your wardrobe right now.
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I’m feeling cardigans again. Stocked up on a classic merino style from Uniglo and a zip front from Everlane. Also a sleek minimal leather jacket from Quince that I can’t wait to wear. Feeling the darker denim amd have a few pairs on the way. However, it will be warm here in Missouri for several more weeks, so my darker colored linen is still going strong. Loves the garden shot! I really enjoy seeing what is growing in other parts of the country.
I’m a Birkenstock girl and I love the Bend sneaker. It has a snug heel that prevents slipping and a wide toe box for comfy toes. It also has the great Birkenstock arch support. I have the classic white leather as well as a pair of gray suede and mink nubuck and you can occasionally score a pair on sale!
Susan, I got the sneakers on Allisons recommendation as well. Do you think Sezane will add more colors to their Betty? Have a great trip, can’t wait to see your finds and treasures.
Hi Arlene, thanks, and they seem to add new colors a few times per year, so it’s good to keep checking back.
I agree that orders and returns are very easy with Sezane, the items I have purchased have been fairly priced for the quality and have lasted well. I have been wearing my dark brown suede loafers or suede sneaks. My summer clothes are mostly packed away. In the muggy southeast we’re still not ready for layers but hopefully soon. Do you think the adidas would work for light aerobic workouts?
Hi Lydia, I think it would depend on the workout and floor surface. They do have a ridged sole for traction.
Hi Susan,
Love the leopard sneakers. Are the ties for “tying” or are they for show and the shoe is a slip-on ? I prefer a real tie sneaker.
Also…Q. After your color analysis years back, how did you transition your less flattering clothes, colors from your wardrobe and over what period of time ?
Thank you,
Enjoy your day !
Hi Nancy, yes, these are real ties on the sneakers. Old school. 😉 Regarding switching over my wardrobe, it did take a few years to rebuild my wardrobe. But I went “cold turkey” on the colors that didn’t suit me, wrote about clearing those out here: https://unefemme.net/style-reset-first-steps.html
Love Slow Horses so much! It and Dark Winds are my two favorite shows.
I love these two shows as well!
Hi Susan, I have the same travel itinerary as you do in October! I would love to do some shopping at Me+Em and Sézane while I’m there. Do you think their pricing is significantly lower than in the U.S? I love the clothing you show from both lines, but the prices are higher than what I normally spend.
Hi Marilyn, yes, ME+EM is substantially (30% ?) less in the UK than in the US. Definitely worth a visit, though be aware the stores only stock current items. (Sale and past-season items online.) Sezane is usually a little less too over there, but I haven’t purchased anything in their Paris store in a while, will report back.
May I ask how tall you are? I think I’m close to your size, and I’m wondering whether I should get the petite jeans or the misses size jeans…I’m always ‘right on the border’ of sizes?! 😉 Thanks!!
Hi Roxanne, I’m 5’1″. Proportionally, I’m short-waisted and long-legged.
Curious if you will be taking your leopard sambas to Europe with you or think they are comfortable enough for lots of walking? Going myself and considering buying them (and adding a more supportive Insole)
I probably won’t pack these for this next trip, as I’m planning on including some leopard print clothing, and don’t like to wear more than one leopard piece at once. I think they could definitely be comfortable for extended walking, especially with a custom insole.
I’ve traveled with my Adidas SL72 sneakers and I can vouch for their all day comfort!
Wow the sneakers! I’m not really a fan of animal prints–and I haven’t tried the Adidas sambas yet either. I might give these a whirl. Usually those trendy sneakers don’t fit my foot well enough for hours of walking. Paris and London are becoming your second home! Have a wonderful time, Susan! I look forward to seeing your photos etc. Say hey to Annie for me–one of these days I’ll get back to London. XO
Agree with you about the Sambas, too flat. For my last trip, I bought some New Balance 471 and was really surprised just how comfortable they were and was able to walk all day without a problem. Much to my chagrin, never got to visit Sezane (or any shops, except for five minutes in Samarataine), so shopping was a bust. Plus, all of the summer clothes were pretty much replaced by Autumn arrivals, which I don’t need. Look forward to reading about your upcoming trip
I ended up getting On Cloud’s for my summer Europe trip and they were great. I seem to need ‘real’ sneakers 😉 I didn’t find any Sezane shops either–except in the big department store. I did end up finding a Betty Cardigan in Ecru (I also have the Hazelnut). The Betty cardigan is one of the few cardigans I can wear because I need a bit of structure.
We are “Slow Horses” addicts….going to wait until the entire season is released before watching…..think BIG popcorn and bingeing.
Have been thoroughly entertained recently with “The Morning Show”.
Any ideas for fall fashion in “The Great Warm” (Florida). About all I can think of is to wear jeans and a 3/4 sleeve shirt. So. Darn. Hot. this year.
Bought the leopard sneakers! Promise not to wear them with my leopard sweater, leopard blazer, leopard bag. Too much?!
I second the Adidas SL72 recommendation! They are incredibly comfortable and sleek. Excellent arch support and a comfy toe box. I have the color combination Maroon/Alm and it goes with ALL the fall colors!
Love Slow Horses! Hate waiting for the next one to drop. Thank you for giving the seasonal choices. I am a winter/ summer and the colors that look good on you just don’t work or appeal to me. Wish I could get into the animal prints too but so far no so much. I am traveling to Japan in April any tips? We are picking up a cruise from there to Alaska. Talk about a packing nightmare 🙂
I am so happy for sweater weather again. I have sorted through the closet and have pared things down over the last couple of years and I must say that I am loving my closet now. I just add a couple of new pieces per season. One new piece is a burgundy sweater blazer that is matching with a number of my tops. I am having fun pairing what I already with looks I see in mailers and in blogs. I love your blog, by the eay.
Thanks very much, Kathy!
I love the Betty jacket and I have one in green which I wear a lot. Brown is really big this coming season. What color browns would you recommend for an Autumn? I like the chocolate colors but think its too dark.
Lucky you going to Paris again soon!!
Hi Lucretia, thanks! Autumns can wear most of the chocolate, rust, and tan browns out this season. Depending on the type of Autumn, you may find some browns are better near the face than others, but most will be compatible in the Autumn palette.
Excellent sneakers. Amazing that the buying from Sézanne to the USA is so easy. I ordered from Denmark (=Europe) and I had to pay €25 for a return label. Why?
Greetje
Thanks, Greetje! No clue as to why the return shipping would be more there.
Denmark and France are both in the EU, so probably nothing to do with Brexit and more likely to do with Sezane’s return and postage policy.
Hello Susan, I would love to take the leap on the Betty Cardigan – would you say Sezane’s sizing chart is accurate? I’m reading that if I wear a US size 10, I should order XL? Agree?
Hi Sarah, I’m usually a size US 6 and take size Small in the Betty. So maybe L for a US 10.
Susan,
I was very happy to discover a Sezane store in San Francisco on Fillmore. Loved all the colors and styles available.
Hi Susan – Please alert your readers that the Adidas site lists the sneakers in MEN’s SIZING…not women’s! I ordered my usualy “Size 8″…but it’s a MEN’s 7.5 and a WOMEN:S 9!! No wonder they are swimming on me!!
Hi Susan! I’m heading to Seville and southern Spain in January. Do you think that the leopard print Adidas shoes are 1) appropriate and 2) comfortable for traipsing around?
Thanks for your thoughts.
Hi Melinda, I think they’re perfectly appropriate. Whether they’ll be your best choice for a travel sneaker depends on how much padding and support you need, and weather conditions at your destination. (The insoles are removable, so you can always add a custom orthotic or insert.)