I have almost always lived in hot climates—some with a smidgen of temperature change around Thanksgiving (Austin, Texas), others that stay 80 degrees with high humidity 365 days a year (Singapore). Living in Raleigh for the last decade has found me right where I should be, season-wise—hot summers, sure, but also changing leaves in fall, flowers all spring long, and just one or two snow days a year (which is admittedly all I have the patience for). You might say I've spent almost all my life itching for fall style while the weather is still pushing triple-digits. As back-to-school forms have begun to pile up, I've found myself in that familiar place, ready to reach for knitwear (or at least jeans, for goodness sake), but knowing I'd regret it the second I stepped outside.

Thankfully, I've tucked a few tricks away for mid-August/early-September, after all these years in the South/tropics/desert. My tiptoeing into fall style always begins with two things: shoes and color palettes. Even on the hottest days, I never mind trading sandals for closed-toe shoes if they help me achieve more of the transitional look I'm going for. My favorite summer staples, from white blouses to light-wash denim, get an instant fall twist when paired with cognac shoes, so they're the first things to change in my wardrobe. The cognac nappa leather from our Classics Collection is truly gorgeous—even better in person than in the photos, which I think says a lot, considering my friends Ally and Bobby captured them so beautifully! It's the perfect warm brown, hinted with copper undertones, that looks stunning on every skin tone and makes every outfit feel elevated and polished. I love our Cognac styles all year round, but especially come fall, I expect I'll be reaching for them almost daily (mixed in with styles from our first Fall/Winter collection, which I'll be sharing sneak peeks of very soon!). Later in the month, I also start trading those trusty summer pieces for warm florals, darker neutrals, and maybe even some jewel tones here and there.

See below for a few of the items currently on my fall wish list, all of which would pair perfectly with our Maylis Cognac styles as we transition from summer to fall. Which pieces would you wear together first?

Sources: The Catherine Loafer in Cognac, white embroidered blouse, navy knit set, floral kaftan dress, striped blouse, cat eye sunglasses, the Sadie Ballerina in Cognac, black floral shirtdress, blue lily of the valley tank, mustard floral blouse, boyfriend jeans, sage smocked dress, burgundy silk one-shoulder dress, the Ella Heel in Cognac, blue tiered maxi dress, cream trousers