These Fall Sweaters and Coats Are a Parisian Fever Dream
When I walked Anton to school this morning, we felt a crisp breeze on our cheeks. “This air makes me think of apple crumble and watching Shrek on the sofa,” he told me. I couldn’t have said it better myself. This week, Sézane also dropped their fall collection. Here are a few favorites for cooler weather…
How cool are these stripes? Love the color combo, and there’s a brown/cream one, too.
Clockwise: henley, cotton, cardigan, and oversized.
All their sweaters have beautiful details, like a buttoned neckline or cable-knit cuffs. This 100% cotton crewneck comes in six colors, and this oversized jumper (the perfect green!) looks great with jeans.
For work meetings, I love that their chore jacket comes not only in cotton and leather, but also in wool houndstooth.
Sézane, of course, is famous for their trench coats — I see this one alllll over New York — and I’m especially into their new Arnaud with a stand-up collar and snap buttons. Would you follow their lead and style your coat or bag with a silk scarf?
On colder days, this navy wool coat would feel like wrapping yourself up in a blanket.
Finally, for fall walks, dinners, trips, and just padding around, I tried on these loafers, and they’re extremely soft and supple. They’re the kind of shoes you could wear every day, everywhere.
Thoughts? What would you wear? (If money were no object, this bag is stunning.)
P.S. A Paris trip recap, and what it’s like to parent in France.
(This post is sponsored by Sézane, a brand we have loved and worn for many years. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Cup of Jo.)
Comments
52 commentsI’m so glad my daughter turned me on to you. I’ve learned a lot!
Sadly, these pieces are beyond my budget and I can’t wear wool sweaters because I get too warm.
me too!
Help! I would LOVE to wear loafers like the black ones on the right pic, but my foot always slips out. What’s the secret? Any tips? Or is my foot just too flat to pull this off? Any narrow yet deep models out there that would hug my loafer-less foot?
Hi, Sara – I have a narrow foot with a high arch. Looking for narrow shoes is a pain! Only Nordstrom has my back, now that Zappos was purchased by Amazon.. BUT, I found some Sperry TopSider classic penny loafers that work! They are really quite comfortable. I had to buy a shoehorn to get them on at first (narrow heel!), but it didn’t take long to stretch them a bit and now they are comfortable. I wear them without socks. :Hope this helps! :)
Julia K, Zappos has been an amazon brand for almost 20 years.
I add a drugstore foam shoe pad in there. I know there’s a name for it. Keeps my foot from slipping out!
Have never gotten a sweater from Sezane that hasn’t made me feel head to toe ITCHY!!! Buyer beware!
Oh Heather, yes!! Finally I dont feel like I am the only one. The itch!! I wore the beautiful cardigan Joanna gave to her aunt in England this morning – for about 10 mins. That’s exactly how long I last in a Sezane cardigan worth about 100 EUR.
Can I share something that is making me incredibly happy? I’ve struggled with my wardrobe for years. Having pieces that I love but few outfits that I love; and panic-buying for each out-of-the-ordinary occasion. This year, I’ve decided to make capsules – casual, chic, night out – each with a couple pairs of pants or a skirt, mix and match tops, PLUS shoes, bags, and jackets for each. This ensures I’m spending my money on the items I need rather than buying another sweater (my weakness). Then, poof! I have outfits I need and love plus an easy recipe for packing a carryon for trips. I’m also working on a list of “occasion” outfits – everything from hiking to funerals to business meetings/conferences. Turns out its really fun to plan like this, and I know I will save money and boatloads of stress. And no more stupid brutally uncomfortable shoes that I bought in a last minute panic to have something for a business conference. Instead, my new navy comfy dress shoes are upstairs and they will go with half my night-out outfits and two of my suits. (Friends, it only took me 3.5 decades of adulthood to figure all of this out, ha!) Any ways, all of this is to say, I am not tempted to buy these gorgeous sweaters because I need handbags instead!
Do you mind sharing how you even start to build a capsule? like you, i have lots of sweaters and jeans, but no real, put-together outfits. I feel like i’d need professional help, and a big outlay of funds?
omg I am your previous self!! I have a lot of clothes with some individual pieces I like, but it is SO hard to make outfits lately. I also have a lot of clothes that are a little worn out, don’t fit quite right etc. Also some panic purchases because I just needed something for a conference or whatever. Nothing egregious and so I feel bad getting rid of them. But it has left me with what feels like an incohesive mess. I am also so curious how you went about this – did you start with the pieces you really love and build capsules around them? Or just start fresh? Some days I feel like just donating the whole lot and starting fresh, but I can’t quite a afford that. I don’t even know where to start!
Hi Awads – I made a little chart for each capsule. For my casual chart, I started with things I have and like: three sweaters, a pair of jeans, and two pairs of shoes. I looked for the holes – casual pants – and went shopping at Banana Factory Outlet. Then I tried everything on (made it a party with a glass of wine and a playlist) to see how many outfits I could make and what was missing – a handbag. So that capsule required only a few purchases – two pairs of pants (just over $100 at the outlet) and a handbag (price TBD, but it won’t be crazy). And a jacket I had bought last month from Quince, so less than $100. Not too bad! Just a question of making sure I had a discrete number of items that worked together in terms of color and proportion, using Instagram and pinterest to help on the style questions. I’m quite sure I would have spent at least that much if I hadn’t used this method, and had fewer outfits to show for it. The real key was to spend the time organizing everything before I bought anything, and trying everything on together before I clipped the tags on the things I bought. I ended up returning a pair of pants I really liked because it didn’t look great with my sweaters. (Sorry for all the words, I’m just really excited about this project right now!)
Margot this is so helpful, thank you so much for detailing your process!! I’m inspired.
I have been in the process of making the same change and omg it has improved my life so much to jsut have a few outfits that I really like and feel like myself in, and to know what I should be on the lookout for (and what I do NOT need, ie a lot of random stuff). For those asking how to do this, working on outfits with a friend who is more naturally good at this skill has been helpful for me. Right now, I know I need another denim button down, a staple that I don’t quite have right now, but I want to thrift it, and a tote with luggage sleeve for travel but I’m trying to otherwise limit my shopping.
Love this Margot, thanks!!
thank you! sounds like the key is shopping your closet first and making a chart (also wine) got it! (i love your recs b/c i, too, am a BR factory and Quince lover!). cheers!
I also recently made the change to a capsule wardrobe, and I’ve been telling everyone how much it’s improved my life! Margot gave an incredible answer, but if you’re curious how I started with mine (budget in mind): I started seasonally. In May, I realized I no longer really had a warm weather wardrobe (post partum, everything’s old, move to a new climate). So I started there! I had a goal of 8-10 pieces and I shopped budget friendly stores that I also know work for my body (Old Navy, Banana Republic outlet, Target, Walmart). I started with mostly solid colors. I opted for three bottoms (linen pants, denim shorts, maxi skirt), four tops (white tee, green tee, white button down, chambray button-down), and one dress. I did have a few pieces in my wardrobe I could work in. Immediately I felt lighter. But now with the base done, I’m slowly replacing things with maybe higher quality pieces and/or just adding pieces that I notice will fit right in. Soon, I’m going to need to transition to fall, and I’m going to take the same route. Several things will continue to work (the button-downs and maxi skirts), but I’ll be looking for a pair of barrel jeans, black pants, and sweaters!
Thanks Margot – just a thought – I also have TOO MANY CLOTHES, due to a combination of age, panic purchases and so on… I got a few IKEA boxes and stash everything I don´t put in my capsule there. I did it last summer with shirts and dresses I think are lovely but I have too many of. My husband was super upset “why are you not wearing your clothes” but it was very relaxing to just have less stuff in my wardrobe. I committed to only shopping my closet for the next 20 years (basically until I retire…)
For those looking for guidance: a capsule = 2 bootoms, three tops and 1 topper. everyhting should go with everything. you can build different capsules for different occasions, or you can add another capsule onto an existing one (so taht everything in the first capsule goes with the second, and you have an extra large capsule.) I got the info from this Video- it changed my life! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFfOVosNIUw – it’s dated, but the info is timeless. also this blog post is long but so helpful: https://themomedit.com/how-to-build-a-capsule-wardrobe/
Apologies – I meant to say: A capsule is made up of MODULES. One module = 2 bottoms, three tops and 1 topper. everything should go with everything – that equals 12 OUTFITS. you can build different capsules for different occasions, or you can add another module onto an existing one. The video I posted above will explain more (I have no affiliation with these links – I just found them helpful!)
@Joanna Goddard Would you please, please, please consider a post about how to build a capsule wardrobe? I’m sure a lot of us have as great ideas and approaches as Margot, Katie, Lauren and RKK. Would love to read it. Much love from Austria
yes!
Thx, Kay, for that link, which includes this: “Labour conditions On the labour side, sadly, Sezane isn’t doing any better. While some of the brand’s final production stages are certified by the Business Social Compliance Initiative Code of Conduct (BSCI) and the Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA) Best Practice Guidance, this represents only a portion of its supply chain. There’s also no evidence the brand actively supports diversity and inclusion within its supply chain or that it provides financial security to its suppliers, which can result in poor working conditions and wages, posing significant challenges to workers’ well being and livelihoods. More importantly, we couldn’t find evidence that Sezane ensures workers in its supply chain receive a living wage. Workers in all industries deserve to be paid enough to ensure they and their loved ones can live a life of safety, health, and dignity. Fashion, in particular, is notorious for unfair wages, problematic “piece rate” payments, and even forced and child labour. While there is no globally agreed-upon definition of a living wage, organisations like The Asia Floor Wage Alliance and the Global Living Wage Coalition are two widely accepted methodologies used to calculate minimum living wages. Finally, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sezane did not disclose adequate policies or safeguards to protect workers in its supply chain from the virus and its impacts.” Clearly best to look to eBay/Poshmark/etc if you’re into this brand.
Fever dream indeed. It is still 100 degrees where I live, with no end insight. :(
I LOVE the blue sweater of the first picture – any idea which brand and where to get it? Am I overlooking the caption for it?
the blue sweater is sezane, but it’s sold out, sadly!
I can’t wear wool. Sad! But I can dream! Ahhhh, waiting for Fall to call, in Southern California! (it really does. sort of, when the sea fog rolls in). These are beautiful inspirations. Yaaye!
Am I the only one who is slightly disappointed with Sezanne’s shift? It’s not that I necessarily dislike any of the new styles, but it just seems so basic. Kinda like stuff you could get at Quince. Full disclosure, I only own one Sezanne piece, but I loved to look and dream about what I would buy down the road when I was no longer paying for two college educations. 😂 Sigh.
Me too! I used to wear a lot of Sezane—I literally worked a part-time job for extra spending money that was almost exclusively used to buy Sezane. Everything felt so feminine and special. I’ve been more ambivalent about designs and colors for the last year or two, and returned most of what I’ve bought. The redesign cemented that for me, especially with the accompanying price hike, which I’m so bummed about!
Agreed. And on a broader note, I feel like all my go-to brands are SO basic: Everlane, Quince, Madewell. Snooze, snooze, snooze. And all have gotten more expensive as quality goes down. I don’t even know where to buy things anymore. I try to thrift, but it’s so hit and miss. I’ve never been a big thrifter.
Via experience, does anyone know if any of their pieces would work for petites?
Yes, definitely! The small sizes work absolutely for petites and I even found jeans which are too small for me !! 😊
This post made me smile. My daughters (9 and 10) have an Aunty who is a big fan of Sezane knitwear. But they also have an Uncle who isn’t great at reading the washing/drying labels for clothes. As a result, they both have some divine woolen jumpers that fit them perfectly. My 10 year old is currently wearing the “henley” style one and couldn’t be more thrilled! Lucky girls.
That’s amazing! haha
oh this made me giggle, haha. of course, I hope unc replaced the ruined sweaters for his wife, otherwise this is weaponized incompetence and less cute :-)
This would be hilarious if my husband hadn’t just shrunk one of my favorite linen tops!
Glad those loafers are still in style. I bought 2 pair last season.
Love Sezane. Every piece I have gotten from them (or that my husband has gifted me!) is a keeper. ❤️
The silk scarf as a trench coat belt idea is brilliant. I’m hoping to find a scarf long enough to try that out! I’m curious how people are receiving Sezane’s new direction, that apparently is geared towards the more mature woman? That’s the language I keep reading although I’m not sure who qualifies as more mature?
I read an article in Vogue about it, and I really like what she says about slowing down and upping the quality of the fabrics. However, it seems like this is a strategy to target a more affluent customer and raise prices.
Fall, what is fall? I’ve been in LA almost 20 years and I’ve had to embrace that summer lasts until November here. But fun to get a glimpse of dreamy, East coast fall style.
Sarah, I feel you. Where I am, fall is February, if we are lucky! All the influencers cooking soup right now makes me laugh a bit (esp when they are in like, texas or something.)
I”m in San Francisco and our “Fall” is always warmer than our “Summer”. I feel you!
I love Sezane (truly), but I wish they had more cotton sweater options. Wool is often a really cruel industry towards the animals involved.
Sezane is RWC (responsible wool certified)! It’s a strict, internationally recognised certification process. Wool definitely can be unethical, but it doesn’t have to be.
I wish too! I’m allergic to wool and can never find sweaters
As someone who grew up in a community with a lot of sheep, I’m going to push back on the blanket assumption that wool is generally coming from an animal that has been treated cruely. There are plenty of industry animals to feel sorry for and to advocate for with voice and spending, but IME it’s not generally sheep.
Hi Peach! I also grew up (and still live) in a community with a lot of sheep. That can make it easy to imagine that animals used for wool are treated the same way as those on good family farms, but, unfortunately, that’s often not the case. On large commercial farms, lambs can have their tails cut off, and males can be castrated, often without anesthetic or adequate pain relief. Some also undergo mulesing, which involves using large scissors to cut strips of skin and flesh from around their hindquarters, sometimes without pain relief. During fast-paced shearing, sheep can be roughly restrained and left with cuts or open wounds. They can also be exposed to extreme heat, freezing temperatures, wind, and rain without enough shelter, and some die as a result. Then, once their wool production declines, they are typically sent to slaughter. So even though their treatment ‘could be worse,’ I still think they deserve our sympathy, especially when we can so easily choose to wear something else. A good rule of thumb: If we wouldn’t do it to a goldendoodle, we shouldn’t pay someone else to do it to another animal. : )
Pretty pieces! Do you have any info on Sezane’s sourcing and manufacturing practices? I wonder if these are just gorg designs but poor materials made in cheaper means.
Hi Coffeebee, you can read more about their materials and sourcing right here on their website: https://www.sezane.com/us-en/behind-the-label xx
https://goodonyou.eco/how-ethical-is-sezane/ Here you can also read about how an external org rates them