I'm Not Going to Say "It's Fall, Y'all"
Welcome Donnie Darko Season, A Goodbye to Puff Sleeves, and some Autumnal Ambiance.
Happy first week of October, or as my Dad and I used to say: “Happy Dead Poet’s Season” or “Happy Harpsichord Season.” I struggle to really embrace all things fall before October, as temps here in the South are still climbing above 80, but come October 1st - I set my inner autumn soul free.
The first thing I do is break out my fall playlist on Spotify. I’ve always had a world in my imagination that exists only in the fall. I’m honestly surprised I am not an artist who is solely dedicating her time to bringing these visions to life. Beautiful old manor homes in England filled with cobwebs, palatial libraries and mystery and austere fields and forests dance in my head. I built this playlist years ago from songs that either remind me of memorable past falls or have this imaginal autumn quality to them.
Sharing This Playlist is Bearing My Soul
Notable songs:
This song has a mysterious quality to it, so it is no surprise that it showed up on The Donnie Darko soundtrack. Of course the other notable 80’s tracks from this soundtrack are also on my playlist with each respective movie scene replaying in my head like a music video (which I am sure was exactly how the use of these songs was intended).
It’s no secret that I am a huge Smashing Pumpkins fan. My first Pumpkins album was actually Adore, maybe not their most popular release, but still my favorite. I was really drawn to the album art and the beautiful mystery in many of the songs - Billy once described it as “arcane night music.”
All of the songs on The Reverie State album have an austere beauty. I imagine driving on an old highway through the mountains covered with towering trees.
In my head this song is in an atmospheric scene in a campy 80’s horror movie - a little Rocky Horror mixed with A Nightmare on Elm Street.
Many 80’s post-punk bands are often referred to as “Goth Rock,” not in the Marilyn Manson sense, but “with an austere sense of authority,” as I have read it described as. Depeche Mode, The Cure, and early pioneers like the Doors, Bowie, and Joy Division (New Order’s predecessor) all fall into this category and frequent my playlists. Where this road led into the late 90’s, early 2000’s in the Goth genre, I cannot get on board with. With all mystery removed, what is left to be interesting?
Ok, stepping off my music soapbox and on to more fun things…
The exception to my pre-October 1st rule: I have already been shopping for new transitional and fall wardrobe pieces. I had a babysitter in elementary school who wore exclusively white, gray, khaki, navy, tan, or black and I remember admiring her refined sense of style and womanhood at the time (my 5th grade self was very sophisticated). I think of her now as we have been seeing a shift in fashion brewing over the last year or so. I think the “Bridgerton puffy sleeve” has had its day in the sun and I have never been more ready to move on. How refreshing to see a return to tailored clothing and looking grown-up and professional!
Here are some pieces I’ve purchased so far …
I bought a lot of pleated wide-leg pants last fall, but I felt the need for something more clean-lined. I purchased the Colby Pant from La Ligne and loved them so much that I also bought them in navy.
The Most Flattering Black Pants
In a fit of minimalism, I bought these earrings.
I was so impressed with La Ligne’s pants, that I tried these barrel-leg jeans. I love the depth of the dark wash and how easily they can be dressed up with heels.
I wasn't Sure If I would Ever Barrel-Leg
I spent an embarrassing amount of time shopping for a sheer black long-sleeve blouse last fall/winter. I wanted something clean with no ruffles or embellishments. I finally found exactly what I was looking for from Naked Cashmere.
Clean and Sheer and Under Control
The refreshing part about this shift in fashion is that it is about the outfit, the finished product as a whole, and not the hype around an individual piece. Pieces are quieter and how they are put together is what makes the statement, not the latest “insert-designer-name here” dress (with a puff sleeve, nonetheless). With that in mind, there is still a need for more special pieces as we near holiday and party season. I found this broderie anglaise blouse from Marella that would be perfect with wide-leg silk pants or even a leather mini skirt.
Isn't Broderie Anglaise Just a Fancy Way to Say Eyelet?
The functional side of me is also appreciative to see the return of the sock. My ankles have been cold for years now. I love a pop of color peeking out below jeans or trousers, and by color, I mean navy, gray, or ivory. Annnnnnd every once in a while red or burgundy. I struggled last winter to find some simple socks that were not wool or cashmere, which would make my feet catch fire in the barely sub-50 degree weather in these Southern winters. Thank you Amazon for fulfilling this dream.
Now My Feet Are Comfortably Warm
Ok and to fully round out my fall penchant, here is a list of favorite fall movies. In all of my magical fall land imagination - things don’t get dark, scary or gross. Instead it is full of mystery, beauty, and atmosphere. Not many movies exist that do not cross the line.
Dead Poet’s Society - it is a fall essential for a reason.
Marie Antoinette - couldn’t tell you why I enjoy this movie in the fall, but maybe you can.
The Changeling (1980) - an old house, a spooky piano, and lots of tweed
Poltergeist - it’s my very favorite and the remake is total trash
Sleepy Hollow - probably the Godfather of them all where Francis Ford Coppola (get it?) brings his beauty to Tim Burton’s dark whimsy
The Skeleton Dance - my kids watch this Silly Symphony short several times a day in October. Always impressed this is from 1929.
Donnie Darko - enjoy it for the 80’s nostalgia, for the soundtrack, and for a young Jake Gyllenhal AND Patrick Swayze
Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) - It’s astounding, time is fleeting, madness basically takes its toll.
The Haunting (1963) - love a creepy, overgrown solarium in an old English house.
The Others - not sure why I don’t live in England, honestly.
The Canterville Ghost (1986 version & 1996 version) - see my note above.
The Watcher in the Woods (1980) - what a plot for a Disney movie! Again, the remake is trash.
Lastly, I would be amiss by not mentioning Stranger Things. It embodies all the parts of all my favorite scary movies, happy movies, and 80’s movies. Pure genius.
Clearly in another life I am a movie set designer or a music columnist. And if the recent port strikes keep at it, you might find me making a switch.
Happy Autumn, all.