The must

Jun 19, 2023

With New York Fashion Week just around the corner, we’ll be taking a look at the big runway trends for spring soon enough. But for now, fall is coming up fast. And that’s reason enough to focus our attention on all the season’s spectacular accessories — bags, shoes, and scarves — that your fall wardrobe needs.

Here are the must-haves of the oncoming season:

A chunky heel bootie: It’s a perennial favorite—the classic piece of footwear that complements nearly every outfit, from dresses and denim to miniskirts and lace maxi skirts and even many cocktail dresses. But I love it most for daytime, and because its wide sexy heel gives a bit of height but still keeps things comfortable and sturdy, so you can move with ease and confidence — which is the most flattering thing of all. This year’s best-in-show version is the Island Boot by Kelsi Dagger Brooklyn ($195 on nordstrom.com) — a stacked heel with a supple leather upper that’s as sturdy as it is sleek.

A long suede or leather boot: Few things change the mood of a look like these. Slide them on over leggings, and you’re suddenly a woman on a mission. Pair them with a dress, and you’ve achieved icon status. My current favorites are the Suede Waterproof Velma Boots by Blonde ($320 on truck.com) –they’re about as chic and versatile as boots come. A low stacked heel keeps things comfy, a back panel that stretches allows you to ease them over anything (including regular jeans), and they truly are waterproof, setting them up as a staple of your season.

Rad sneakers: The right pair delivers style, comfort, and versatility. Wear them to the kids’ soccer games, or on date night. Wear them to the art opening, or a party. These days sneakers are so chic, they aren’t any kind of sartorial sacrifice. Exhibit A: The Leopard Mid Star by Golden Goose ($685 on gretta.co). I sell these at my boutique in Wellesley because I adore their take-no-prisoners luxe details like leopard-print in calf suede, the ionic star patch, and their mid-top silhouette.

A ladylike evening shoe: When stepping out means dressing up a little, don’t mess around. Slingbacks are the answer — their timeless elegance calls to mind carefully coifed women with perfect lipstick and even better poise. I love The Tess Slingbacks ($79) by Draper James, with their demure pointy toe and oversized soft bows. And their other details delight, too: the scalloped metal buckle, and LWG-certified sustainable sueded leather, plus memory foam sock padding, so you can dance the night away without regretting it later.

A casual scarf: One the great pleasures of fall, in my book, is feeling a little chill, and reaching for a soft and cozy scarf. Wear it unwrapped around your neck until you need it. Mark & Graham has a fantastic one —the Italian Colorblock Blanket Scarf ($49 on markandgraham.com) — in camel-navy multi, that can easily be monogrammed as an extra style flex.

A classic silk scarf: I you don’t already have one, get one pronto. If you already have one, then get another. There’s simply no explaining the amount of chic they add to any outfit — from a tailored wool suit or a silk dress to a white T-shirt. And fall is the ideal time to tie one around your neck, either beneath a button-down shirt’s collar, or in a loose knot above a crew-necked blouse or dress. Chanel or Hermés are the obvious choices, but there are so many options. Right now I love the Lanternes, Ballons et Cocardes Scarf 90 by Hermés ($510 on hermes.com) for its dazzling retelling of the story of Noah’s Ark, with intricate rolled edges. It’s a work of art.

A carry-everything tote: Fall is the season when we all get back to work, right? So find a bag that will be the biggest weapon in your work arsenal. It needs to fit all kinds of everything — makeup, tablets, keys, files, phones, and anything else your day requires. Enter the Daily Tote by Kate Spade ($107.70 on surprise.katespade.com). It has a long handle drop, so you can easily have it on your arm while you simultaneously reach in to grab things, and as roomy as it is, it’s design is compact — so no matter what, it always looks pulled together.

A killer evening bag: Metallics and crystal are a huge flex for fall bags this year, and tasteful amounts of glitz are always welcome for punctuating nighttime looks. Which is why my eyes are on Loeffler Randall’s Layne Pleated Metallic Clutch ($275 on bloomingdales.com) this season. It’s glam without clashing with anything else you’re wearing, and is eye-catching without taking the attention off of you — which is what this season should be all about.

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