A Flannel Fall

OK, I’m officially done with summer and 100% locked into autumn.  I’ve been waltzing around in cozy knit ponchos, jeans, boots, and blazers, and am practically ecstatic about it.  (I was so.bored. of my summer wardrobe that I occasionally turned into a snippy little angerball when opening my closet.  I may have kicked one of my Jack Rogers in frustration/bored0m.  Mr. Magpie can attest to this and how unbecoming that behavior is, so: thanks, fall, for showing up.)  In addition to my obsession with all-things-animal for fall 2011 (as evidenced by the zoology lesson I shared with you in yesterday’s post), I’m seriously into textures, and especially into separates in the gray flannel family.  Cannot.get.enough.  Picture yourself swaddled (? awkward word for a grown woman?) in this belted dream of a coat (so 80s in all of the right ways with that boxy, dramatic neckline and the cropped sleeves — Calvin Klein, on sale for $384, TheOutnet):

Ugh, lovely.  I’d finish with a bow-front blouse (polka dot would be preferable, but a classic white style is endlessly useful — $9.95, H&M), black skinnies, and some “check me out” shoes, in the form of these TDF, rabbit-fur-lined booties by Vionnet (warm and stylish — YES. — $649, MyTheresa):

I’d finish with a pop o’ red in the form of the Edie purse in flame red ($238, J. Crew) and some ladylike gloves (Agent Provacateur, $500, Net-A-Porter):

Alternately, pair a chubby little sweater (Phillip Lim, $589, MyTheresa) with a structured mini (Maje, $240, Net-A-Porter) —

— and finish with some classy pointed-toe pumps (I kinda dig the entire Ivanka Trump collection…$119, Heels) and a leopard pouchette (Jerome Dreyfuss, $220, Shopbop):

The materials are so heavy that jewelry might look a little outrageous on top, so — I would probably only add a pair of simple studs ($110, BaubleBar), a ladylike watch ($54, ASOS), and a funky little ring (I’ve had my eye on this two-finger style for awhile…knuckle dusters are usually so aggressive and scary, but this glossy gold style caught my eye and could look interesting paired with luxe accessories and a ladylike get up — $52, Amazon):

Alternately, test out the inverse: a cozy turtleneck sweater ($55, J. Crew) and a heathered gray flannel skirt with a built-in camel waistband (Giambattista Valli, on sale for $453, TheOutnet), topped with a fur scarf (Adrienne Landau, $350, Bloomingdale’s):

Finish with some uber-high heels (ugh, d.i.e. over these Casadei tootsies — they’d go with everything…and also break your legs — $1,015, TheCorner) and a color-blocked tote ($425, DKNY):

You may have noticed that this is The Season of The Cape.  Test it out yourself with this foolproof J. Crew style in timeless gray flannel/camel leather trim ($395, J. Crew), blue skinnies, and some snakeskin flats ($118, Ann Taylor):

I’d finish with this envelope clutch ($37, ModCloth), and some classic jewelery pieces, including a monogrammed signet ring ($398, SarahChloe), an Hermes enamel bangle (want.so.bad. — $570, Hermes), an a studded bangle or two (NOIR, $75, Zappos):

For something a bit bolder for those of you fearless fashionistas out there, why not wear a ladylike printed blouse ($66, Debenhams) with a pair of flannel-effect shorts (Maje, $195, Net-A-Porter), some black tights, and some polished flats (Sam Edelman, $107, MyWardrobe)?

I’d top it all off with a camel cape ($292, JoanShepp) and an awesome felt-and-leather tote (I own this puppy in brown leather and get compliments on it every day of my life — $149, Zara):

Alternately, consider a white bow-front blouse ($16, H&M), a leopard scarf (YSL, $819, MyTheresa), and a gray flannel mini ($20, H&M):

I’d pair it with black tights and python-effect pumps (Pour La Victoire, $250, JoanShepp):

I’d update the look with this cape ($87, Dorothy Perkins) and a ladylike bag ($425, Rebecca Minkoff):

I’d pair with a wrap watch (Michael Kors, $225, Net-A-Porter), some simple gold studs ($45, Charm&Chain), and a chunky ring ($62, Noir):

Finally — a few top “separates” that can blend into a well-heeled fall wardrobe: a schoolboy blazer ($188, J. Crew)

Or maybe a felt/flannel shoe, like this bow-toe flat ($112, Heels) accompanied by a printed scarf ($245, Chan Luu) and a calf-hair tassel wallet ($195, Rag&Bone):

Or pair a leopard clutch ($890, Net-A-Porter) and test-drive this season’s epic shoewear style — the “sloafer” — in gray flannel ($119, Nordstrom):

And, finally, this awesome boxy cardi ($211, MyWardrobe) and an update on the classic wedge ($150, Ivanka Trump):

Woo!  I’m all into fall.