It’s the month when everyone else is on vacation, including one’s psychotherapist. And the rules are changing, adding to the free-floating anxiety. Absolutely nobody is wearing black patent shoes. That’s for winter now, when the thought of pulling on boots precipitates a plunge into torpor and depression. Wait a minute, boots are for summer now, short Frye boots, cowboy boots, hybrids with elf boots—all worn with short floral cotton skirts, short shorts, and in the classic seventies fusion of a carefully turned up wide cuff. Then why do I see so many flip-flops with bubblegum pink painted toes?
Ah for the classic August, linen sheaths in beige, black or brown, black fabric or patent pumps—perhaps a white and black print! But subversive variations are allowed. Trade the white skirt under a navy jacket for a less nautical palette; after all this is New York City, not Nantucket. One pairing I liked was in the window of Suite Orchard. A short-cropped linen jacket in a near navy/not quite French blue by Karen Walker. Displayed over a black sheath, the piece foreshadows fall but keeps things light.
Another way to signal fall is to accessorize off white with an autumnal tan belt. In a global warming world who says you can’t mix ggrippo’s bamboo tunics with the colors of deciduous falling leaves.
With all the dark plaids in light cotton in both girls and boys, the autumnal turn will signal a dark palette in lighter fabrics.
Sources:
Suite Orchard 145A Orchard St, New York. www.suiteorchard.com. Jacket $541.
Bamboo/viscose tops. Visit the nydesignroom, 339 Bedford, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and ggripponews at http://ggrippo.blogspot.com/2009_07_01_archive.html
