Les Fleurs d'Automne | How to Wear Autumn Florals

In case you haven’t heard, floral prints are no longer just for spring and summer. Fall florals are definitely their own thing, and the good news is: they’re here to stay.

Meryl Streep’s iconic line as fashion doyenne Miranda Priestley in the 2006 film, ‘The Devil Wears Prada.’

Here to make the case is FRNCH—which if you’ve been here for a while, you know is one of my all-time favorite French girl brands.

Consider this your handy how-to guide to wearing the autumnal wardrobe trend that’s surely becoming a perennial staple.

1. Look for long sleeves.
   Sleeveless and strapless tops pretty much scream “warm weather,” so a long-sleeved top or dress (like this one) will make it clear to everyone around you that you’re aware of what month it is—especially during a year like this one which has made it easy to forget.

2. Choose a pattern with a dark background.
   While I’m an advocate for wearing whites and light tones all year round, a dark background distinguishes the floral pattern apart from spring and summer territory.

3. Try a maxi length style.
   A longer skirt will add extra warmth during those cooler months. Give it a try!

4. Opt for a thick fabric.
   By the same token, a thicker fabric adds texture and warmth to a fall ensemble.

5. Style shorter hems with black tights and boots.
   There are so many ways style cool weather dresses. Black tights create a monochromatic and elongated silhouette in tandem with your dark floral background which will allow les fleurs to shine, and give you a chance to show off those boots and bottines (booties) which are often hidden under pants.

Click HERE to shop the FRNCH US Fall/Winter 2020 Collection.

And click here and here to read about some of my other FRNCH favorites.

La Rentrée | The Season of the Fresh Start

Anyone else getting major First Wives Club vibes from this tenue blanche?

There’s something magical about the transition from summer into fall.

It’s a time of fresh starts and new beginnings. It’s symbolic of a new school year, and for me personally, it’s literally the beginning of a new year on the calendar. As you may know, my birthday falls during the last week of August, which is always the week when something in the wind shifts, ever so slightly. It’s still summertime and the end-of-season pool parties are in full swing, but in my world, it’s always marked an intangible turning of the page. These first few weeks of September set the shift into motion, culminating with the first day of l’automne, which officially begins today. In France, this transitional period is called la rentrée.

As we’ve discussed before, the month of August is synonymous with vacation in France. Restaurants and boutiques temporarily shutter for weeks at a time, city dwellers make a bee-line for the countryside and the beach, public transit slows to a drip, and everyone—from shopkeepers to government officials—essentially closes up shop, leaving each other with the cheerful phrase, “À la rentree!”

Meaning, See you in September!

"Bonnes vacances!”

“À la rentrée!”

As the excitement of summer vacances gives way to the back to school (and back to work) mentality, some feel the post-holiday blues, and some feel invigorated—happy to return to normalcy and ready to begin a new chapter.

Although Europe and America (and most of the world) celebrate the official New Year on January first, I personally never feel a perceptible change when the clock strikes midnight, because the middle of winter never feels like the time for newness—it’s something about the first breeze of coolness in the air, the first few leaves to jump ship from their branches. It’s buying school supplies, shopping for sweaters, and that first whiff of cinnamon and pumpkin spice.

Many cultures and religions, like Judaism, celebrate the New Year during this period—Shanah Tovah to our Jewish amis—and of course, the fashion world celebrates the illustrious release of the September issue—magazine speak for the editorial debut of fall fashion—when beloved designers and couturiers unveil their seasonal Fall/Winter collections and campaigns. It’s the month of Fashion Week—NYFW is underway, and PFW starts today.

As a former fashion editor for NBC, lifestyle writer, and editorial devotee, this period thrills me, and as someone who prefers to look forward, not backwards, I love shifting focus from warm weather holidays to the preparation of the cozy winter ones. I don’t typically mourn seasons, because, as my maman likes to say, there’ll be another one next year. Which is just a more positive way of saying, we’re captive on a carousel of time. Merci, Joni Mitchell.

The concept of the summer holiday is actually rooted in agricultural history, dating back to the year 1231—believe it or not—when Pope Gregory IX closed universities for a month each summer so that students could return home to help their families prepare the crops for the fall harvest. While many Americans tend to think of France and Paris as one and the same, there is a deeply rooted history and tradition in the large rural swaths of the country, known as la campagne, and France is nothing if not deeply devoted to its honoring its people and upholding its traditions.

In celebration of this time of rebirth, if you will, I’ve decided to pay my respects in a symbolic white suit—all Zara, all the time—with a crop for a timely and trendy twist. It’s a perfect transitional ensemble—a sort of “in memoriam” to bid farewell to warmer days, which, at least in Southern California, will still be hanging around for a while—and a first step towards the annual re-introduction of long pants and blazers into the fall wardrobe.

Bienvenue, l’Automne and Happy Pumpkin Spice season to my chic Américanes—which, let’s be honest, is well on its way to becoming an official holiday.

OOTD: Camel et Noir

I’m all about perennial fashion that’s classic and timeless, and that includes one of my all-time favorite color combinations for any fall season: camel and black. I’m a forever fan of neutrals, and a monochromatic look that never goes out of style.

I spent the day wandering around Greystone Mansion of Beverly Hills in this all-black, jeans and turtleneck combo with a cozy camel coat as a topper, all brought to you by Zara—who else?—except for the Gucci belt of course!

OOTD: Crème et Noire + The Dumpling

There’s something about keeping une bouteille of Veuve Cliquot in the closet that just says “luxury” to me.

While touring a Hollywood high-end luxury penthouse—although, is there any other kind?—with a dear amie this week, it was necessary to bring my fashion A-game.

With highlights that include sweeping views of the Hollywood hills, a walk-in closet that more closely resembles a boutique on Melrose, and a kitchen worth learning to cook, it was a day to remember.

You can shop this entire look here—including the coveted Dumpling bag and these deceptively luxe looking boucles d’oreille.

The bag may be a splurge, but the $2.50 earrings makes it all worthwhile.

OOTD: Le Polka Dot Set

And so, my love affair with the polka dot continues.

These dwindling days of summer—known to our French amis as l’été—have given way to some magical evenings, and nothing quite completes a summer’s eve quite like a breathtaking coucher de soleil—which is what we Anglophones call, a sunset.

This is one of my favorite French phrases, because it literally describes the act of “the sun going to sleep.”

It’s a sweet reminder that the sun never leaves us, it simply takes a refreshing snooze along with us. Figuratively, of course. We all know that, much like New York City, it never sleeps, and it’s actually just partying with our friends on the other side of the world. But it’s a nice image, an innocent way to picture our faithful sun slipping below the ocean for a quick nap, before rising again and offering us a fresh new day.

Every day it does its duty, keeping us warm, giving us light, faithfully and without question. No one brings it coffee, no one reminds it to shine extra brightly, even when it’s feeling tired or burned out. The sun never takes a vacation to another galaxy or visits with its friends Saturn or Pluto. It shows up for us, day in and day out.

We owe it to the sun to celebrate its loving rays each day, and appreciate the beauty of the spectacle that it shares with us every evening.

Other things I’m celebrating? This two-piece polka dot beauty by Capulet that arrived via my beloved Fashion Pass. Try the service for $30 this month using my code Kandace1 and dance in the glow of the sunset with me.

OOTD: Le Workout en Blanche

It’s Monday, and I’m starting la semaine off right with some mind and body work in this gorgeous set from Pretty Little Thing.

There’s something about an all-white ensemble that really says “summer” to me, and there’s something about a matching set that just really gets me in the mood to work out.

Gyms are still closed, the closest I can get to my beloved Hot Pilates is through a computer screen, and some days my longest walk is to the mailbox, so any motivation to work out these days is a win in my book!

Bon lundi et bonne journée mes amours.

OOTD: Crème de la Cream

Since working from home has now become not only de rigueur, but a necessary social responsibility, workwear is taking a major turn for casual. While it’s the perfect time to expand the loungewear section of our wardrobes, there’s something to be said for the formality of officewear that’s now practically becoming an endangered species.

I get it—who wants to dress up for a Zoom call? But, as we like to do here, let’s consider the French for a moment. The French, as a culture, take pride in the ceremony of dressing, and putting effort into one’s appearance is just considered good manners.

There has been a long standing myth—a self-fulfilling prophecy really—that the French dislike Americans. While there are certainly culture clashes between our two nations, this divergence in attitude on dressing in public is one of the most significant. When American tourists wearing sweatpants and Ugg boots wander into Maxim’s—one of the most prestigious Parisian eateries, with a rich historical context that’s practically immortalized the restaurant in the late 1800s belle epoque era, and essentially dubbing it a Parisian landmark, or a living museum—it wouldn’t be surprising to expect a few looks of disdain.

The French appreciate effort. Making an effort to respect their cultural values, which primarily center around politeness or politesse, making an effort to approach them in their native language—they’ll respond in English, don’t worry, but they’ll appreciate the attempt—and acknowledging your role as a guest in their country—like any good host, they’re happy to help—and yes, making an effort to dress with some dignity, goes a long way. Why do we eat with chopsticks in a Chinese restaurant? To show our respect for the norms of the culture. Dressing well is the chopstick of France.

Does that mean it’s imperative to wear a full suit like this one while exploring the Eiffel Tower? Of course not. But it wouldn’t hurt!

Click here to shop this cream suit from Zara.

OOTD: The Bejeweled Blazer

Photo by @minjucita; Jewelry by Kollectin.

I’ve always loved putting a unique twist on a classic, and this bejeweled blazer from Naked Wardrobe does just that.

A basic blazer is an absolute wardrobe necessity for la Parisienne, since a city girl must be able to transition from day to night, le bureau to apéro (the office to happy hour) at a moment’s notice. It can be thrown effortlessly—everything must always look effortless—over jeans and a tee to dress up a casual weekend outfit, or it can be a standout on its own when reimagined with a little bit of fanfare—a la this example.

Skipping the traditional lapel, pockets, and even your everyday buttons, this fitted, is it navy or black? statement piece will keep everyone guessing—and “they” must always be guessing.

The pièce de résistance of course is the jewel-encrusted double closure, bringing the eye to the elegant décolletage. The key, of course, is not revealing too much. A French Girl never reveals her secrets—or a nip slip.

Click here to shop.

OOTD: Crème et Cable Knit for Kids

It’s no secret that I love a monochromatic look, especially when it comes to winter whites.

My style tip of the day is: don’t be afraid to shop in the kids’ section if you’re petite like moi. Les vêtements pour les enfants (kids’ clothes) are often much more affordable and more fitted, if you prefer a cropped style or if adult sleeves are typically too long for you.

Believe it or not, this Zara classic cable-knit sweater was made for un garçon— translation: from the little boys’ department!

My Lucky Brand teddy coat is no longer available, but I’ve linked similar versions on my LiketoKnow.It page.

Bon Mardi, Happy Tuesday from chilly Boston!

OOTD: Le Manteau | My Strange Coat Addiction

To be honest, the only thing I truly miss about the winter season—at least in the United States—are the coats. L’hiver—known to the English-speaking world as “winter”—in Europe is rather delightful, especially because of the lack of tourists. But, I digress.

I could live in a coat, even in the summertime, which I essentially did today, given that it’s 75 degrees F in Novembre here in Los Angeles, and will continue to be, probably until summer returns—although did it ever really leave?

Having grown up on the east coast, I still aim to dress with the season, if for no other reason than that I just love fashion.

Un manteau is the ultimate accessory, and this furry topper is a perfect example. A coat can add polish to an elegant ensemble, a touch of whimsy to a playful one, or have a balanced, sobering effect on an otherwise controversial look.

A coat can take on a personality of its own. It can be your best friend, strategically draping itself around your shape to conceal monthly bloat, or it can even be your wing-woman—flung off at just the right moment to make an entrance or to capture someone’s attention from across the room.

A coat can be everything a good outfit needs, and I have to say, I can’t get enough. They hang proudly in my closet like trophies, and like children, I can’t pick a favorite. Warm weather be damned, I will proudly parade them all season long.

Can you guess where this one is from? I’ll give you a hint: I will surely wear this coat Forever!

Les détails linked via LiketoKnow.it.