Can you feel that? The pitter-patter of raindrops? The chilly dash to the shower in the morning? Are those, goosebumps?! YES that’s right! The rain has come! The Aperol is finished! The sweaty underboob is over!
While the rest of the country mourns the denouement of summer and the denizens of Bondi conduct a funeral procession behind the casket of a 6-month long heatwave; while the Nippers hang up their silicone caps and Gillette loses half of its business overnight, I will be feeling secretly smug. Nay, I will be rejoicing.
It’s not that I don’t love summer. But unlike those who think summer is the best f*cking season of the year, I am partial to Autumn. Autumn is a time of inertia, which suits me just fine. It’s time to lie under a blanket with a remote and binge-watch 5 hours of This Is Us. It’s chicken pie and red wine time; it’s crunchy leaf and extended golden-hour time. It’s time for shoes that require socks, statement coats and corduroy. It’s time for Autumn’s all-star player – the jumper.
I love the clothes in Autumn. It’s hard to look ‘put together’ in Summer. Sundresses are nice in theory, but sweaty polyester armpits are not particularly elegant. And I never did manage to pull off the beach-babe look. I have been in a permanent rotation of sunburn and peeling for the last 6 months and shaving my way through disposable razors at an alarming pace. But, a jumper: it’s hard not to look chic in wool cable knit. Autumn’s forgiving textiles are positively regal.
As a native of the North of England (that’s the really cold part for the uninitiated), jumpers of every stripe have forever been the cornerstone of my wardrobe. Admittedly, when I emigrated to Sydney just over a year ago, I threw my beloved jumpers out with glee. But it didn’t take long to miss my mohair and my Aran knit and I’ve been in a long-distance relationship with them ever since. Me hiding away in the air conditioning, they in the far-left corner of my bottom drawer. And now it’s finally time to dig out the sartorial version of mashed potato, the ultimate comfort wear.
This autumn, I will be reaching for a few variations of the classics; a buttery-soft cream cashmere V-neck, bought a few sizes too large to pull on over any outfit; a striped crew neck to be worn with a denim and loafer combination; and my favourite of them all – a snugly fit black polo neck, tucked into a pair of faded Levis. I challenge you to find a chicer outfit.
Don’t bemoan the end of Calippos and cheesecloth dresses, there are boots to be bought and berets to be worn. Dig out your matching knitwear and bin your tired slides. Before you know it, summer will be back with her linen co-ords and gale-force hangovers.
What is your favourite Autumn look?