Pre-fall is a feeling, not a forecast
Why this fake retail season makes us so happy
I received pre-fall emails in June and was like, DELETE. It had just started warming up here in Chicago after what was the coldest/rainiest spring I can remember in recent history. I ain’t got time to wax poetic about pre-fall when I had summer stuff to do in JUNE, ok?
But as I type this, I hear the familiar buzzing of the cicadas which can only mean one thing: back to school is coming and fall is in the horizon. It’s not about the weather, and it certainly isn’t about the trend reports. It’s a shift in energy — barely perceptible at first — when your linen starts to feel too flimsy, and your soul starts craving structure. When you stand in front of your closet and suddenly think: “Not that. Not yet. But soon.” That’s where I stand today; not ready for summer to end yet starting to think about fall.
Pre-fall isn’t really a season, btw. It’s made up by the apparel world to gently bridge the gap between summer and fall but honestly, I buy in (have you noticed there is no pre-spring? It’s sweaters to shorts without the soft landing). I still get so excited, as I’m sure many others do, about fall because it’s associated with a fresh start. Back to school, new clothes, layering—all nostalgia for me. Our outfits reflect our desire to feel different before we actually look different. That’s why we tire of our white linen and crave sumptuous suede. We swap our woven bags for leather. Add a third piece. Even if it’s still sweltering outside, it’s more about the anticipation of coziness rather than the temperature so we adjust accordingly.
Small ways to get that pre-fall feeling (shop your closet, too!)
It can stay pretty warm through September and early October in Iowa. It took me years to realize I needed light weight pieces in darker colors for September when I'm tired of summery clothing but still need something cool to wear. A brown linen shift is perfect for September or a black sleeveless sweater shell with a dark print midi skirt.
It’s definitely more of a feeling in Texas - that lasts right up through October! Thanks for the inspo. Dressing for warm-weather fall is a challenge I have to meet every year, so this is great!