When our new Rita Mule for The Gathering Collection ended up running a few weeks behind the other styles, the perfectionist in me was disappointed. As luck would have it, though, the Mules then arrived from Italy just in time for a pop-up shop I did at Monica Lavin's beautiful home in Charleston. I never imagined I would get to launch it in person and the experience was such a treat! Hearing the initial reactions to the new style from women face-to-face was so special...and the fact that it ended up being the bestseller from that event was the cherry on top. 

My favorite thing about the Rita Mule in Rose is how well it will transition not only through the fall, but the winter and early spring months as well. The suede material adds a cozier feel to the slip-on silhouette, so especially in the South, where we can pull off mules through most of the winter, it's ready to be a year-round staple. It's also an incredibly easy silhouette to dress up or down—wear it with dresses, skirts, denim, velvet, sparkles...practically anything in your closet. Find a few of my current favorite ideas below!

Clockwise from top left: Jefferson Lane* sweater, Boden skirt, Sue Sartor* dress, J. Crew jacket and jeans, Crosby by Mollie Burch* dress, Loeffler Randall* headband, Buru* blouse, Citizens of Humanity jeans, Kilte* cardigan, Baybala* blouse, J. Crew velvet pants, Hunter Bell* dress, Theodosia Jewelry* necklace

*Women-owned small businesses starred