Early fall rarely commits. Mornings call for a coat, afternoons for bare ankles, and the forecast changes by the hour. The answer is not a new wardrobe but the right shoes: pairs light enough for a warm afternoon and polished enough for the first cool evening.
The loafer, now with socks
The Tilda Loafer is the easiest place to start. In Mahogany or Dark Chocolate it brings instant fall color, and in Black Soft Calf it goes straight to the office. This season, wear it with socks. For a cleaner, flatter line, the Tate Flat in Black Glove Leather brings the same ease to tailored trousers.
Three sock pairings to try:
• Cream ribbed socks with Mahogany suede, cropped trousers and a camel coat
• Charcoal fine-knit socks with black leather and wide grey trousers
• Dark Red socks with Dark Chocolate, peeking out under straight-leg denim
The best transitional shoe is the one you can wear from morning coffee to a late dinner without a second thought.
Slip on, step out
When the afternoon warms up, a mule does what a loafer cannot. The Tilda Mule Loafer keeps the loafer shape with an open back, in Black or Chocolate Wine Polish Calf, or in Dark Olive Croco for texture. The Brynn Heeled Mule adds height for dinner. And the Porto Mule is the pair for a casual Sunday: coffee, the market, a long walk with nowhere to be.
The ballet flat, reconsidered
The Meredith Ballet Flat in soft sheep leather lives under everything from a slip skirt to cropped jeans. Mahogany and Dark Red read as fall, while Black and Navy work all year.
For the first cold, rainy days
When the weather finally turns, reach for one black bootie. The Rema Ankle Bootie in Black or Dark Chocolate Pull Up Calf is the pair for the first grey morning of the season, with jeans, a trench and an umbrella close by.
Every pair is handcrafted in Brazil, in leathers made to last more than one season. Explore the full collection, or read more stories from the Journal.
