In New York there is a fleeting window of weather when it’s crisp but not yet cold, warm but no longer so much so that you’re coming undone on a brisk walk. It’s my favorite season for getting dressed. And while “sweater weather” gets a lot of love – jackets are the thing that make my heart skip a beat. They’re the magic third piece to an outfit that makes everything more interesting. And Talbots is a reliably great source for finding jackets in fun textures, cuts and colors in classic yet modern shapes.
This season I’ve added two new options to my repertoire – this oversized tweed lady jacket in plummy shades of rose, merlot and burgundy (I belted mine for a take on the cinched waist silhouette that’s big this season) and a very cool, dark denim trench with shiny gold hardware and contrast stitching. Be still my jacket loving heart.
Maybe it’s the rain and the slightly cooler temps, or maybe it’s just the lifelong itch for ‘back to school’ clothes I always get in August – whatever it is, I officially have Fall fashion on the brain. I’m trying to be extra mindful on any purchases for the new season (we have some big things we’re saving for), which is why I always find it helpful to start early on – saving items that excited me for the season ahead, and ideally ones that I could wear now and later. Below – what’s on my list.
It’s official – I’m having a Sophia Loren summer. Full skirted dresses with fitted waists, red lips, straw bags, hair scarves.. give me all of it. Of course, it’s not far off from how I typically dress – but after leaning in further for our trip to Italy, I’m excited to continue the pattern for the warm weather months to come. And you can bet I’ll be rewearing everything I had packed. For the sake of fitting in a carry-on, I stuck to easy cotton and linen dresses for day, walkable block or wedge heels and a simplified color palette of black, white, tan, red and green (a bit of a nod to the Italian flag!). Below – everything I wore on our trip.
SHOP THE LOOK:
(Above): This vintage 1960s cotton eyelet dress felt like it set the tone for my whole suitcase. Very Gwyneth Paltrow in The Talented Mr. Ripley.. my ultimate summer style icon! Paired with old faithful sandals from J.Crew plus a new to me leather and wicker bag.
SHOP THE LOOK:
This dress reminded me of one of those classic Italian painting, all curves and draped fabric. And the green felt different for me – but very appropriate for emerald Taurus season! Worn for my favorite dinner of the trip. And can I give a shout-out to these raffia wedge heels? They went with half the outfits I packed and were so walkable and comfortable. 10/10.
SHOP THE LOOK:
Off the plane (and the trains and the water bus) we quickly freshened up to grab our first dinner of the trip in a nearby piazza. I love this polka dot slip skirt and linen vest – already worn to work since we’ve been back! And this particular little rose embroidered straw bag is my very favorite – a souvenir gift from Adam, bought on a trip to Paris two years ago.
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Now this was a fun one. The cutest cherry print dress (going to run around New York City all summer in this), lace-up red sandals – practical thanks to a low block heel but they really pack a punch – a vintage bag, Adam’s sunglasses and my late Nan’s rings around my neck (she didn’t get the chance to travel the world so I like to ‘take her with me’ when I go someplace like this that I know she would have loved).
This red dress was the first thing I bought for our trip – I think back in February! It might have been before we even booked the flights – dress for the vacation you want, right? It’s a bit on the pricier side but it’s the most beautiful weight linen with a great structure and fit. Very much a forever dress. And I’ll tell you, it felt perfect wandering through Verona, sampling food from the local markets and stepping onto “Juliet’s balcony” in this. Very Sophia Loren summer coded.
SHOP THE LOOK:
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I wore this on our last morning in Italy for a quick breakfast before we headed back to Milan to catch our flight home (don’t worry I swapped the sandals for sneakers to go to the airport!). I always say I want to invest in more tops and this short sleeve linen one is going to get a lot of wear this summer. Worn with my favorite jeans and a vintage silk scarf in my hair.
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Date night, personified. I love this little black dress so much, the square neck, the wrap skirt. It’s easy and comfortable and can easily be punched up with accessories – like these veryyy fun cherry earrings, a sleek little bag and red sandals.
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There’s something so timeless about a linen shirt dress – I love the sort of oatmeal color of this and while I think it would look great with brown or tan accessories too – I loved the contrast of the black raffia belt and sandals here. Paired with a favorite vintage bag and I felt like a postcard from Italy circa 1958.
SHOP THE LOOK:
Saved one of my favorites for the last night of the trip – a sunset boat ride and a delicious dinner tucked away in a beautiful little courtyard outside of the Opera house. This dress got delayed in shipping and I was certain it wasn’t going to arrive in time for the trip, but then miraculously landed on my doorstep the day before we left. It’s made from the most beautiful heavy cotton (almost like a light canvas) so it really keeps it’s shape and wears so well. Hoping to find another occasion to wear it soon!
As we speak I’ve got my bags packed (spoiler:with quite a few of the pieces below) – I’ve mentioned it before but if I’m lucky enough to be traveling at the start of a season I love to use it as an excuse to pick up some new items that I’ll then continue to wear throughout the months ahead. This trip I really leaned into a simplified color palette and classic styles that feel fitting for where we’re headed but that I also know will quickly become wardrobe staples once we’re back home in New York.
I made this very fun Reel (if I do say so myself) in Palm Springs as an easy way to capture what I was wearing as I, quite literally, headed out the door. I thought it would be helpful to add still shots here (in some cases I had better photos than just the door shot) and all the links + some notes on sizing, etc. Also – I fit this all in a carry-on suitcase + this magic shoulder duffle that holds a ton but still fits under airplane seats. Where’s there’s a fashion will.. there’s a way.
LOOK 1:
*I took my smaller size in this dress and probably could have sized up, but it has a good amount of stretch.Shoes and sweater are old from J.Crew.As always, my sunglasses are prescription from Warby Parker – which is why I have them on so constantly!
LOOK 2:
*I took my regular size in the top, bottoms and skirt – I’d say they all fit pretty TTS – but the bottoms definitely have a skimpier cut.. which is why the skirt is so nice to have too!Sandals are old from J.Crew.
LOOK 3:
*The pants run large – I sized down to Petite (I’m 5’4″ for reference) and still probably would have gone down another waist size had it been available, but with a belt they work just fine! I would size up in the strapless top if you have a bigger chest.
LOOK 4:
*Top and skirt both fit TTS, the tank is perfectly cropped so that you don’t have bulk tucking into pants or skirts, but it just grazes bottoms that are high waisted. Mesh bag is old H&M.
LOOK 5:
*Dress is TTS and has a built in cotton slip and drawstring adjustable waist. Bag is old from Anthropologie.
LOOK 6:
*I probably could have sized down in the top and shorts but I like that they have a lived in, slightly slouchy fit!
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LOOK 8:
*Bathing suit runs slightly small, I sized up in the bottoms. Shirt is an oversized fit.
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*To note – shoes are incredible comfortable! No break-in time, they feel like butter.
LOOK 10:
*Dress runs slightly large. Shoes are old Loeffler Randall
LOOK 11:
*Dress is an oversized fit. Comes with a detachable matching fabric belt.
LOOK 12:
*Fit TTS – I sized up as I hate when running shorts feel too small and wanted to be able to layer under the pullover.
LOOK 13:
*Important to note! The vest runs pretty big (I actually had mine altered to fit as the smallest size was sold out at the time – looks to have since been restocked and now on sale! Of course! – but the shorts run just a bit small. I took my usual size but they have a high waist and no stretch – I like the fit this way, but if you want more breathing room, size up in those.
LOOK 14:
*Bottoms are a cheeky fit so you could size up for slightly more coverage and if you have a larger chest I’d size up in the top.
LOOK 15:
* Dress runs TTS although on the shorter side – I went with my smaller size as it’s a somewhat stiffer fit (though not at all uncomfortable) so I didn’t want a lot of extra fabric.
