Dressing for the in-between
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To break the fourth wall, dear reader, you'll notice this letter feels a bit different. Part of the reason for its delay is that I rewrote it several times, struggling to find the right words to describe my outfits or this moment of being 'in-between.' I realized that this period between seasons (figuratively, not literally—haha) has left me feeling a bit in-between myself. As many of you know, I left my job about two months ago. An unexpected side effect of leaving a job that anchored me to a specific location was a newfound uncertainty about where I was living—was this really where I wanted to be?
I also came to realize that being alone in a city isn't for the faint of heart. With Nick having relocated upstate for work, I often returned home with a sense of sadness, missing his presence. This led me to the decision to temporarily move upstate, not only to be closer to Nick but also to find a way to fall back in love with the city. (I still plan to visit New York every month, but for now, I’m not officially living there.) I love New York, but after seven years, I had started to forget what it was that I loved about it.
Whenever I mentioned my relocation plans, one of the first questions or comments was whether I was worried about how moving upstate might affect the way I dress. I would usually dismiss those concerns quickly, but secretly (well, I guess it’s no longer a secret, haha), I was genuinely curious about how life upstate might transform my wardrobe. The truth is, I’m not entirely sure how it will impact my style. I’ve already gone out several times this week wearing the same gingham High Sport pants and L.L. Bean shawl cardigan—something I probably wouldn’t have done in the city. But beyond that, I can’t say for certain how this move will influence my fashion choices.
In essence, this 'in-between' period isn't just a pre-fall season; for me personally, it's a defining phase of my life right now.
But don't worry—this doesn’t mean I’m out of styling ideas (as you’ll soon see, my brain is still thinking about creative ways to dress). I just wanted to share that I’m evolving, and as a result, you might notice some subtle shifts in the newsletter. I won’t go into detail about these changes yet, as I’m still figuring them out myself, but know that I truly love writing this newsletter. I deeply appreciate everyone who reads it and supports it, and my goal is to make this letter even better!
Pre-Fall is the season of reinvention.
Technically, pre-fall isn't a season, but in the fashion world, it's a crucial period for the retail landscape. It offers a burst of fresh styles to rejuvenate the floor before spring collections arrive. Even more importantly, pre-fall merchandise tends to have the longest shelf life, meaning it stays at full price longer than main season deliveries.
When it comes to style, which is my primary focus, this season offers the greatest sartorial freedom to experiment with those ideas that seem too editorial:
a velvet tunic + sandals
a barn jacket + an evening slip
or what about a chunky sweater + evening slip?
Beyond the various styling options, dressing for this transitional period demands more than just clothing—it requires a sense of balance. It's about mastering the art of layering just right while knowing when to exercise restraint. Although the first hint of chill might tempt you to pile on the layers, it's easy to overdo it and end up shedding them after just a short walk. Sometimes, less truly is more.
And sometimes more is just right.
Drawing from one of my mystical adventures this summer, the best way to view this transitional period might be through the concept of the Western Gate, which a clairvoyant mentioned during a group reading hosted by a brand. I won't get into the legitimacy of clairvoyance and mysticism—that's a personal journey for each of us. However, whether you believe in these things or not, the message is still meaningful. The clairvoyant spoke of a woman standing at the Western Gate with a lantern and a cauldron, and before you can pass through, you must give something up. Although the clairvoyant likely wasn't referring to clothing, that's where my mind naturally wandered. (This might remind some readers of when I used Plato to theorize The Row’s place in the zeitgeist.)
As summer begins, we are naturally compelled to let go of certain items: heavy investment coats, chunky knits, and those cashmere socks that always seem to disappear halfway through the season (maybe that last one is just me, haha). This shedding process prompts a reinvention or perhaps an exploration of who we are beneath all those layers. But once we've cleared out these pieces, and maybe even sold a few, what's next? How do we prepare as the crisp fall air starts to make its way in?
Personally, I'm reflecting on what I discovered about myself this summer. As I mentioned in my letter about wearing swim trunks as everyday attire, the arrival of autumn doesn't mean that all the summer pieces you invested in need to be packed away, nor do those shell-adorned earrings and necklaces have to be tucked away in the back of your jewelry box.
Something else I learned this summer is not to take myself too seriously—not that I ever really did. However, I do think that as we get older, the joy of getting dressed can start to fade. I even asked Nick how his approach to dressing has changed with age (Nick is 37, for reference), and the first word he used was 'stressful.' This immediately made me think of the trend that was once the bane of everyone’s existence: 'quiet luxury.' While the industry is now collectively dancing on the ashes of that so-called trend, my conversation with Nick made me realize that perhaps it served a purpose. It offered a simplified wardrobe for people like Nick, who see dressing as just another chore, making the process easier—'less red blazers, more black blazers,' as he put it. And for those of us who find joy and wonder in getting dressed, it felt almost like a challenge. (Sorry for the slight tangent, haha!)
I’ve learned to embrace what scares me—like mixing plaids and florals.
Or think of cargo shorts as a suitable option for evening.
Though we can almost feel the sweet kiss of autumn, the truth is that we are still in the throes of summer.
So, when temperatures start to climb, just throw your blazer or sweater around your waist."
The takeaway here is that before we fully embrace fall, dust off last year's knits, and think about which new outerwear piece will become our next big investment, we should take a moment to embrace this in-between period. Even if it feels a bit uncomfortable, it's a good time to reflect and ask ourselves: Who am I, and where do I see myself going this year?
I would love to hear what lessons you all learned this summer when it comes to your style. Feel free to leave it in the comments or join the chat!
In the meantime, see you all during the week,
XX
JJ
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This is just really rich with ideas — I am populating my inspiration boards and feeling energized by you, Jalil! And so understand what solo city living apart from your ❤️ feels like. I bet it’s a good move.
I loved everything, but that Altuzarra jumper made me gasp with delight 💙💜