As temperatures drop across the country and certain locations begin to feel the real nip in the morning air, my mood is full-on fall. Even here in Dallas, whilst remaining relatively hot compared to the stifling temps of a few weeks ago, it is positively fresh. I find myself diving into the beginning of the new season and one of my favorite times of year – Autumn.
I love to put away the short sleeves, the linen shirts and cotton shorts – turning my attention to long sleeves, layering vests and brushed cottons all in the new delicious fall palette.
It might not be sweater weather across the nation quite yet, but I always feel this time of year is a good time to overhaul and refresh my closet, purge the unworn pieces and invest in the good go-forward ones that I will wear through the beginning of spring. It can take some planning to think of the upcoming season and how it stretches into next year remembering that (Florida aside) we generally transition from cool to freezing days very quickly in most of the country, so being underprepared is never an option.
This fall I am loving so many of the great pieces of the J.Hilburn collection as stand-alone must-haves, but also how they work back to other pieces easily and effortlessly.
I love building collections this way, making it easy for you and our Stylists to work with, knowing that color and styles have been thoughtfully planned to work together in a wonderful symphonic arrangement.
Though I have to make a disclaimer that all the collection items are like my children, here are a few of my favorite pieces and how to wear them. Think of them throughout the season as a kind of Simon’s Picks, if you like.
The All-Season Vest
This unique piece meets the criteria that I always strive for in outerwear: practical, useful and above all – STYLISH. The way the collar layers with a knit, the double zip front closure, the zipper pulls on the pockets and the clean look through the body all make this such a status piece that stands up against any designer brand comparison, at a fraction of the cost – and it’s custom-made!
I always want outerwear to have a bit of a statement to it, not flashy, but understated craftsmanship that represents great quality. This piece is all of this and more making it perfect to style back to the collection – worn now over shirt sleeves, then sweaters. I will definitely be layering other outerwear later on as the perfect “body-warmer” on the chilly mornings out and about.
Equestrian Printed Shirts
When I first saw these prints from Albini, I loved what a modern take they were on traditional chain-link and equestrian-inspired designs. They are unlike anything we have offered before, but I know will appeal to many of our customers who are looking for a new shirt. This shirt is one you can wear open necked, it feels more in the know than an essential blue or white Oxford.
The micro-scale makes them really fun to wear and makes them a bit of an up-close discovery, figuring out what they actually are.
I also love the noble color ways with underlying tones of gold, berry and brown. They remind me of that lovely warm fall palette so easy to wear back to a sportcoat or sweater.
Zipped Up
If you haven’t tried a zipped necked knit yet, then please try it. It feels really special and stylish, taking your polo or mock neck to a whole other level of sophistication. It adds to an outfit perfectly with the exact amount of cool silver shine coming from the zipper teeth that just peak out from the front placket and the understated “JH” zipper-pull. Added to the new zip neck options is our new interlock knit which is a wonderful quality. It is the most luxurious, fine gauge knit that’s compact and full with just a touch of luster to its surface. The richness of the color results in a truly expensive look, unlike any knit let alone custom-made, that may be out there.
Sondrio Pants
This pant looks so expensive, reminding me of un-affordable designer pant I would see in European stores with crazy prices. Being able to offer this spectacular cotton to our customers goes back to a fundamental principle of mine as a designer: beautiful things improve the quality of people’s lives, making them feel better about themselves and feel more confident. It may seem a bit of a stretch for a stretch cotton pant, but the sueded surface gives a depth to the new colors of Wheat, British Khaki and Denim Blue. The compact weave makes the fabric full and round, resulting in a truly exceptional and characteristic drape of only the finest of cloth. Then you add a custom fit, perhaps the comfort waistband or some of the other new refined options we added over late summer, and you have a pant that any designer label would be envious of at a fraction of the price.
