Stripe It Back

The end of summer is always bittersweet. Knowing that the days of tanned limbs and wild hair are numbered, a golden, shimmering veil of sadness falls over us; we struggle to accept that August symbolises the beginnings of a new, slightly less romantic season. This melancholy mood is occasionally interrupted by volcanic eruptions of excitement; thoughts of fuzzy knits and oversize coats bubble up within but are quickly suppressed by desperate attempts to prolong summer with last-minute outings of light dresses and open toe sandals.

September comes and we’re unsure how quite to greet it. Do we carry on as though it’s summer? Some schools are still on holiday, and many of us continue to vacation overseas – but the autumn collections are on the pages of glossy magazines and in all the stores. One minute it’s 18 degrees, the next it’s less than 10. Knowing what to wear becomes troublesome, to say the least; the key is to choose pieces that make the transition from summer to autumn easily (Scottish people are well practiced in this area due to signature unpredictable summers).

A good example of end-of-summer dressing is the Breton stripe; timeless yet always current, the French favourite is as good on the beach with straw accessories as it is with ankle boots and a leather biker jacket slung over the shoulders. Whether it’s a t-shirt with jeans or a midi dress (like this one by Winser London), the Breton stripe runs little risk of being associated with just one season, inevitably bringing sartorial happiness to the wearer all year round. And, when you feel blue because you miss summer and the endless fun that comes with such a happy season, remember the words of Dr Seuss: “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”

I’m Wearing: stripe dress, Winser London; hat, Dobbies Garden Centre; bag, Sainsbury’s; watch, Accurist; shoes, Jones the Bootmaker; rings, Monica Vinader and wedding rings.

Images: Kris Miller