Remains of the Day
In late San Diego autumn, last light falls around 5:20 p.m. With the sun’s characteristic colors and scarce warmth, the season seems to hold onto colors through other means — in fall blossoms and changing leaves and brilliant sunsets. Outfits may consult a palette of amber, marigold, honey and cider. Leather jackets paired with monocolor, cable-knit sweaters are a staple, with orange-yellow pops of color on a gray or black base. Copper or brass buttons, trinkets and jewelry featuring sunbursts, sunflowers and chrysanthemums add a sparkle of embellishment to a muted color scheme. Match the accent color of jewelry to other statement pieces like the scarf or hat. Flowy fabrics and thin scarves with low or v-neck tops create a dynamic silhouette.
Cup of Coffee, Cup of Tea
The changing seasons bring an uncharacteristic chill to sunny San Diego. We seek solace in steaming drinks, cozy nests and indoor hobbies. In November, capture this warmth through clothing. Dusty rose, oatmeal, cocoa and navy palettes create a soft, pleasant sanctuary that becomes portable and personalized through wide-knit scarves and corduroy bomber jackets or overalls. With a snug jacket, flared dark-wash jeans with patched-up knees, vintage lockets and brooches are a nostalgic tribute to childhood and bygone eras. To keep hair dry on misty mornings, wear a playful bear beanie or lace-lined cadet cap. Add a touch of personality with arbitrarily placed pearls — as detailing on scarves or jewelry — and clay food charms.
Patchwork
With fashion and textile waste and the state of resource consumption in the modern clothing industry, it is time to embrace the idea of reusing and recycling. This fall, clothing may embody a homey upcycled, repaired and asymmetrical look, with visible mending, embroidery like sashiko from Japanese culture: uneven seams and knitted squares joined together with contrasting thread color. Upcycled and handmade jewelry can feature spare buttons and unbent paper clips. Scarves and hats can be made from any textile or patchwork. In these pursuits, Youtube tutorials are your best friend.
Cottage on the Moon
November brings the final days of the annual Orionids meteor shower, as Earth moves out of the debris trail left by Halley’s Comet. The Taurids and Leonids peak in early and mid-November respectively. The Beaver Moon will peak on Nov. 5, as Comet Lemmon fades with its next appearance estimated to be in 3175. Accentuate this abundance of astronomical events with metallic accents and threads woven into brown, green or gray chunky knits and plaids. For hair, silver or gold tinsel and hairclips can be incorporated sparingly. Poncho-style tops and sweaters add a whimsy flair on top of plaid skirts, leg warmers or jean bottoms. Crochet hobbyists can incorporate wheat stitches into pieces. When planning all outfits, consult the color scheme and air of a Polyphemus moth and plan for star charms and green or orange iridescence in jewelry or makeup.
Beneath every outfit, a reliable pair of UGGs and fuzzy socks will keep you warm through the day.
