I started writing this post from the coldest location I’ve stepped foot in since March— Indiana. Yes, I made my valiant return to the Midwest for a ND football game…and to get just a hint of any weather under 80 degrees!

Dressing for this never-ending summer Indian Summer has been a challenge, mostly because I’ve moved on from bikinis and crop tops, but can’t stand the midday sweating. So let’s take a look back at how I have navigated 50 degree am’s and blazing mid-afternoons for Sept/Oct.

from top left: I almost left these badly cut vintage Levi’s shorts at 2nd Street in Dallas, but something about their giant size and toffee color kept calling to me. And let’s be real, how many times have I made a nonsense purchase that quickly became a closet no-fail? They definitely flash a little butt cheek and are 5-7 sizes too big, but paired with a white tee and my new Brighton belt as above, give the perfect amount of 90’s DGAF. They will be so fun when it’s truly cold out with black tights, tall boots and vintage fur in the essence of Sienna and Kate!

My love for cocktail and evening wear is limitless. In fact, I have a whole closet of floor-length gowns and sequined pieces that I have worn exactly once, but just love knowing that they’re always available. Memphis had one of its biggest gala events last week, and my grandmother’s dearest friend was receiving an honor previously awarded to Michelle Obama, Joe Biden, Brian Stevenson and Nelson Mandela. In short, I had to bring it as an on-earth representative for Grandma Mo. I busted out this incredible floral appliquéd dress that I last wore on the monumental occasion of my cousin’s wedding and the last serious outing with the man I was dating at the time! The neutral background is the perfect canvas for the color burst of 3D flowers and perfectly fits every sq inch of my bod. I paired it with my Bottegas and a vintage black lady bag, and literally just basked in compliments for the evening!

A key step to surviving this late-stage capitalism endless heat wave is layers, and thin ones at that. I have talked about the great Vince tank made of the softest modal/cotton blend, which I first bought in white and later claimed in black. Another budget find is this random Amazon knits brand, SUUKSESS, that does a modal + cashmere blend for < $50. I initially tried one of their activewear sets that was promptly sent back, but fell for two long sleeve tops in the most perfect shades of cherry red and cornflower blue. A la Versace ca. 2014. They are lightweight, yet not see-through and look pretty damn perfect with denim. The blue has a cool off-center neckline that does phenomenally well sans bra. I rocked the red with my tried & true Hill House Home toile skirt and Chanel ballets for an uber preppy work look!

If you haven’t heard, football season is upon us! Despite being an Uber Fashion Principessa, I am also a Psychotic Football…Principessa. So with that said, I have to be prepared to turn a look at a minimum of four games per season. I was packing for a Dallas trip that included a “wear black” mandate for an 80 degree SMU game, so decided to rock my no-fail black Carhartt chinos, an infamously great peplum top via Amazon, my OG Brighton belt and black Jack Rogers sandals. It was such a hit, I was escorted straight to my box seat without so much as scanning a game ticket! For a recent match-up at my alma mater, I was contending with pending torrential rain, unseasonably hot temperatures and the ever-present threat of an ex, so had to be incredibly judicious with my outfit. I landed on the LOML split-color Staud cardigan, Slvrlake Londons and my platform Doc Martens— with a shiny silver raincoat tied around my waist. Sometimes, even a fashion girlie has to come down to earth to get the big win.

Ahead of that same Dallas trip, I was existing off of 5 hours of sleep and staring down four in-person meetings + one Zoom on-the-go— so desperately needed a look that was comfortable, yet put-together enough to get me from 5:30am-5pm. Enter this white knit I got from H&M @ Herald Square at the exact last minute in September. It’s so good that it garnered a compliment as I walked through the TSA metal detector. It has a boxy shape with nearly bell sleeves, and being 100% cotton, holds its shape for hours. I paired it with a striped sweater over the shoulders, Carhartt chinos and my Chanel flats. I waltzed into the Dallas Country Club for a meeting acting as if I looked like a million bucks, so I think I did alright! 

Other things I’m loving:

• Athleta’s butter-soft stirrup leggings— I just purchased them on Sunday for half off, and cannot wait to wear with a huge sweater and Chanels.
• Merit’s mini blush trio. We’ve talked about how much I love a teeny tiny product! These have such an exuberant wash of color.
• If you have not recently considered wearing Ralph Lauren head to toe, please think again! My mom and I went on a random jaunt to the outlet and I morphed into Amelia Prep ca. 2008. My poor mama, so thrilled that I was dressed like a normal person, plunked down her own credit card for my handful of standout pieces. Never say die on that little horse!
• Speaking of sporting events must-haves, my clear bag repertoire is demanding a huge upgrade. Over the course of the past 21 days, I have literally hauled a clutch to multiple stadiums and arenas. Imagine trying to scream “Sack the f’ing QB” with something gripped under your armpit. Enter the Clirkin— I mean, if you’re gonna do PVC, do it x Hermes (inspired)!

Okkkk, I’m finishing this post from NYC, my babydoll, my reason for being— so be prepared for a prompt return with even more finally fall y’all dressing! Xx