Yesterday, I got a sale email from J Crew. I’ve been a fan of J Crew since I was in high school & devotedly read their catalogs. And even though they’ve been inconsistent over the years (like many brands), I still keep a hopeful eye on them to see what they’re doing (like I do with many brands). So, I clicked through.
I found myself looking at cashmere sweaters & thinking, “that’s a great color. Maybe I need this one for fall?” And then I smacked myself into reality.
I was wearing a t-shirt & shorts. It was one of the most summer-like days in the Bay Area (we’re basically in summer weather through early November). I won’t be wearing cashmere for months. And the only reason I was even looking at fall clothes wasn’t because I wanted them - it was because of that darn email.
And it reminded me of one important thing - the worst way to get ready for fall right now is shopping. But it’s not surprising that shopping for fall feels like what we should be doing right now. Because there’s tons of fall product in the stores. Because we’re hearing from brands constantly about new fall arrivals. Because influencers are sharing links daily with the item you need to complete your fall wardrobe.
But here’s the thing - you got through last fall without leaving the house naked. So, you probably have fall pieces in your closet that work. And if you want to pull the trigger on new items for fall (later), there are four things you can do (right now) to ensure your purchases are mindful & intentional.
GATHER INSPIRATION
You’ve probably heard this from me before. And it’s one of the first things I ask of my new clients (here’s a quick peek at my new client framework). But before you even think of what you want to buy for fall, gather some fall inspiration.
There are many different ways to gather inspiration. You can create a Pinterest board for the season (this is how I show my clients to do it). Or collect photos on your phone. Or create a digital mood board. The goal is gathering images of items & outfits that you like, that represent how you want to show up this fall. And once you have a bunch of images to look at, highlight any priorities & consistencies.
See if you’re drawn to a certain color palette. Or if you keep picking layered looks. Check to see if your inspo is all about fall dresses & knee high boots or cozy sweaters & jeans…
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