Fall, in the Details
A shared exploration of the pieces, textures, and finishing touches that make this season feel new.
Many of you already know my philosophy when it comes to accessories—but this season, I wanted to bring in a mix of perspectives on how to style them for Fall.
I love
’s concept of “bookending” a look with accessories—using contrast, balance, and a touch of symmetry between the top and bottom (or within the outfit itself) to tie everything together.Just last week, I was chatting with Abby Arad and Irene Chen on Substack Live about Fall shopping, and we found ourselves bonding over our shared love of the “third piece.” Whether it’s a statement accessory or a standout layer of outerwear, that extra element can completely transform a look and make it feel intentional and complete.
I’ve also been deep in an interiors rabbit hole lately—collecting ideas and inspiration wherever I can find them. Along the way, I came across
’s piece, Interior Motives. I love how she drew connections between fashion and interiors, and the image below perfectly captures how I’ve been approaching getting dressed lately: grounded in foundational neutrals, focused on quality materials, layered with contrasting textures, and finished with a touch of joyful color or something unexpected.
I’m so excited to share some of my favorite voices here on Substack—and the accessories they’ll be reaching for all season long…
from Jane on Jeans
These Prada sunglasses – they’re the perfect mix of cat-eye + aviator. I have them in tortoise.
And because I now need readers to see anything up close, I always have a pair of Caddis readers with me. I just bought this style – a limited edition designed in collaboration with Bobbi Brown. The frame inscription reads: “Not Bossy. The Boss.” In case anyone in my family forgets.
I really love Michino Paris bags – I have this style in a color that is now discontinued (Camel is similar) and also this reversible two-tone tote, which I use almost every day. The quality is incredible. You can feel it. My next Michino purchase will be this. Probably in black, though taupe is tempting.
It’s so casual here in L.A., wearing boots can seem like a big deal. But I love the feeling of a big, Western heel everyday. And I love the look of a long, sharp toe with jeans. The boots I have are old Chloé and not available anymore, but these, these, or these would all look great with straight legs.
On the opposite end of the style spectrum – I have these garden clogs from Gardenheir and couldn’t be happier. (Size down, they run big and the onsite size chart is inaccurate).
from Taeste Bud
I just got Tory Burch’s Romy suede bag and it’s just roomy enough for all of my accessories. Since I’m constantly running out for errands and events, I like when a bag isn’t cumbersome, but is big enough to hold my goodies like my kindle and sunglasses.
Fall does not immediately scream “sunglasses!” but as someone with floaters (lol, 30-something problems), I need a great pair of shades for when its sunny or I’m so distracted. This pair from Cubitts has slightly-light lenses, which is ideal for this time of year when the sun isn’t quite so bright. I also feel like the olive rims are very in-tune with my seasonal color scheme, so I reach for them all the time.
from Midimalist
This fall I’m seeking out a lug-sole boot option and I’m being stalked by the Gucci Ankle Boot. They are quite spendy but they would be the perfect contrast to the sleeker boots that I have in my wardrobe and a great silhouette for straight leg denim which I lean on more in the fall/winter (though I’ve seen them paired with barrel leg pants and they look fabulous too). Practically speaking the hefty sole would allow them to transition into the snowy and icy winters that I face in Colorado. They remind me of the silhouette that The Row zip-front boots gave us a few years ago and the green colorway is fresh.
from À La Carte
I’m pretty excited about my brown suede Landon flats from Loeffler Randall right now! It’s still so hot in LA, so they do a lot of heavy lifting in the autumnal dressing department when I’m still wearing all my breezy, floaty cotton pieces. Same goes for my Polo RL suede bag—I’ve been waiting all year to carry it around!
from Your Stylist Says...
I recently started wearing this stack of ear cuffs from Jenny Bird - it’s really the first time I’ve found an ear cuff that fits my ear, which I think is the hardest part of an ear cuff?! We all want one, but every ear is different. These lay nicely and once they’re on you don’t feel them.
Irene Chen from Hi Guys! Notes from Irene
I’m a big fan of a good bandana. My absolute favorites is the Hermès bandana 55. It’s the perfect mix of practical and special.
from Alicia's Substack
My favorite accessory for fall right now is a silk scarf or any larger wraps. They instantly transform your look with little effort... and can make your go-to cashmere sweater or an older coat feel new again. I’m especially loving larger, more wrap-style scarves, worn around the shoulders of a leather jacket... (blazer or any suede coats and trenches). I think it looks so chic and adds an unexpected sophistication to the leather.
Dries Van Noten always makes some of my favorite prints — some options: this print, this one too. And a few others from Kallmeyer here and here.
A simple suede bag (especially in a caramel or chocolate brown ~ I love the texture and warmth the browns add to a look)
Vintage collar necklaces (silver ones especially ~ this one from Dorsey is cool and looks great layered as well if you can’t hunt down a vintage one!)
from Jessie Loves
My most worn accessory hands-down are these dark brown suede Cleo boots. They have a low, kicked in heel and go with everything in my wardrobe. I can wear them dressed down or dressed up. And they pack up nearly flat when I am traveling. They are so comfy and I walk miles in them.
from somstack
I recently put away my tort-framed glasses and got these Coleridge frames from Oliver Peoples. The last time I wore a pair of wired frames was probably in 10th grade. Last week on a flight to Paris in lieu of waking up with dry contacts I wore these frames instead — I even kept them on all day while walking around the Marais and then straight to dinner- I’m excited to wear them more this fall — its the round shape and the thin silver wire that really do it for me — studious and elegant at the same time — in line with the two ways I’ll be presenting this fall.
Silk scarves in the summer are an obvious love - around a ponytail, tied on a straw bag or as a tube top but I really I love silk scarves in the fall! I like it off of cashmere sweaters, peaking out of a tweed blazer or a shearling coat— see pic from the November Alex Mill campaign. I like it around the neck tied high and tight — instant protection from the wind and a mediocre selfie.
from Another Fashion Newsletter
I’m loving how fresh an Oxford shoe feels right now. I scored these The Row Awar Oxfords on mega sale at BG and they’re perfect— a touch of masculinity balanced by a slim, streamlined silhouette, which is exactly how I like to dress these days. I can’t wait to work them into my casual fall rotation with shorts, cropped jeans, and cigarette pants.
This fall, I’m craving liberation from the giant, heavy bag. Now that my kids are a bit older and I’m no longer schlepping everything but the kitchen sink, I feel I’ve earned the right to travel lighter. Sometimes I get away with just a wallet; other times, a sleek pouch—like this one from Toteme (similar here)—is my go-to. And in true SoCal fashion, where we joke that our cars double as our bags, I’m embracing this mindset once and for all!
from Brands and Bobs
LL Bean Tote – I’m late to the boat and tote game, but I’m a convert now. My DIY Tibi inspired version has been getting constant compliments. A Gen Z pilates girly even stopped me in the locker room and asked me where I got my bag! Ded. I’ve taken this with me to toddler birthday parties, aforementioned pilates classes, with my laptop to coffee shops to work. It does it all!
Freda Salvador Boots – An oldie but forever a goodie. I love the lift, I love the way they work with pants and dresses, and I’m even eyeing a new colorway this year.
Victoria Beckham Eye Pencils (its makeup but I think of it as an accessory ;) – Already own these in blue and maroon (so creamy but once they set, they’re set). Just added black and brown to the lineup because my lashes refuse to stay curled but a quick swipe gives my eyes the definition I want with very very very minimal effort.
from In Moda Veritas
Aspirational: I adored Sarah Burton’s debut for Givenchy. In a twist of fate, patterns from Hubert de Givenchy’s first 1952 collection were recently unearthed during a renovation at de Givenchy’s original atelier on rue Alfred-de-Vigny in the 8th arrondissement. It only felt natural for those findings to inform Burton’s first collection. Taking a shapely, gravity-defying scarf as inspiration, Burton translated that into a sculptured leather work of art. I just had to go try on it on!!
Realistic: I’ve been eyeing this cozy Soeur hat with it’s own little scarf.
from Big Salad
Jamie Haller loafers are my biggest splurge — but they’re soft as butter and I wear them so often, the cost-per-wear is like $0.25.
And I’ve been wearing Warby Parker glasses for 15 years! I love all the styles and colors, and they have wide frames that fit my big head.
from Bang Voyage
My husband grew up thrifting and has been passing that love of the hunt down to our two-year-old. On a recent trip, they came home with this Dooney & Bourke leather bag for me. Since it goes with everything, I’m planning to make it my weekday “go bag” this fall. It’s roomy enough for diapers, wipes, and snacks, plus my sunglasses and favorite hat — both year-round essentials in Southern California. And if things go my way, I’ll add a bag charm to fully commit. I’ve been eyeing this gold option ever since stopping by Clare V. in Silverlake last weekend.
from The Rose Period
I’m always on the hunt for vintage rings - and last week in Paris I stumbled across a goldmine. Preclothed in the 6th. Three velvet trays of one-of-a-kind rings later, I finally found the perfect pinky ring to complete my hand.
My everyday ring stack is a mix of old and new - Lié Studios, my grandma’s ruby, a band from Front General, and an opal my mom found on Ebay. Next on my radar: Abel Object’s tilt signet (my friend
is brilliant).I’m not dressed until I add a bracelet stack. Mine’s a rotating mix of vintage from Front General, plus pieces from Jenny Bird and Chan Luu — I do a different combo every day.
Last but not least, the tote of the season - Alex Mill’s Weekend Tote monogrammed with hand-painted initials. I seriously bring everywhere — to work, to the gym, to a weekend trip away.
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I’m currently unemployed and am on a self imposed spending diet and this is killing me.
I want it allllllll. Hi everyone and what fun, Joyce, thanks for having me!