It's Academic

Beneath the sandy glitz of summer style, a gentle undercurrent of delicious autumn tones streams almost imperceptibly, noticed as if by accident in broadly cut designs and romantically austere patterns. The Grand Mademoiselle, always a sucker for the fall season, is thrilled with this turn of events although disheartened by the oppressive heat wave which dutifully reminds her that this is not the time for wool and plaid. Still, she wonders aloud, might there be a way to evoke the feeling of fall despite the meteorological necessity of scant summer garb? The faithful allegiance of accessories comes to the Grand M's aid in the creations of three glorious designers: Nest, Love Rocks NY, and Corso Como, all of which collectively represent the mood of autumn and round out any summer ensemble by adding depth of spirit and warmth of heart. In drawing inspiration for these seasonal obscurities, think of a high brow New England institution in the mid 20th century, complete with a campus of mossy stone outbuildings amid gently rolling hills covered in golden deciduous trees, with lonely conifers standing guard at the base of an old chapel. The schools and universities of the eastern United States are truly glorious in the fall, and no other image better captures the eerily silent, serious, and romantic autumnal attitude better. Glen plaid blazers, tweed day skirts, Oxford blouses, Kelly-striped ties and letterman jackets all serve as wonderful examples of this style, which, although closely allied with fall, is easily translated to the warmer months in chic handbags, jewelry, and shoes.

The Grand M is wild about Nest Handbags, which is a demure collection in scholarly prints and textiles, constructed of simple shapes and timeless colors that reflect the School Ties motif which is so classically autumnal in spirit. The Large Satchel in Sweater Brown has ample room for notebooks, pencils, and a cardigan to keep you warm in the reality of an over air-conditioned office while you daydream of chilly nights spent with school mates in a Chevy Bel Air, speeding towards town along leafy, darkened streets. Easy fabrics and solid design add more heft to this gloriously sizable bag, and even the item name and color evoke images of this optimistic though chilly autumn gesture. Furthermore, the satchel's down to earth handbag straps, practical brass button details, and liberally proportioned exterior pockets represent the stoic attitude of 1950's eastern seaboard college life without losing any of the warmth, all seamlessly blended with a dash of modern style. The functional and generous size will ensure that the Large Satchel becomes a wardrobe staple in any season, bringing with it a heady dose of hopeful fall spirit and youthful exuberance. The Colorblock Clutch in Rust Ultrasuede is another beautiful example of autumn winds in summer heat, reinforcing the Grand M's belief that Nest is really onto something here. The rich auburn Ultrasuede is flanked by lovely blocks of paisley textiles in a perfect fall palette, replete with quiet taupes and ecrus, made bold by deep accents of burgundy and mauve. Nest's attention to detail and subtly deferential posture ensures a successful way to add autumn accents to summer attire, evoking the spirit of literary behemoth A Separate Peace without the discomfort of wearing suede or corduroy in July.

If carrying a seasonally disparate bag goes against your fashion grain, think of realizing this idealized autumn outlook in less obvious ways, for example, monogrammed jewelry in classic gold with romantic block lettering. Think of the first gift given to you by a youthful lover, hair silhouetted against a muted blue sky, still ablaze with the icy sunshine closing out another day on campus. These moments of hopeful sentiment and Emersonian quietude are given modern expression in Love Rocks NY latest collection of charming pendants, rings, and earrings, all of which inspire flashes of starry-eyed love on hallowed Hopkins grounds. The School Ring, with its cheeky oval face, 14K gold luster, and tasteful micro pave white diamonds has a delightfully autumnal point of view that represents a gorgeous throwback to the mid-century Princeton university experience. There is nothing more romantic than the giving of rings, and Love Rocks' School Ring embodies the bold gesture of a head-strong and hopeful lad sending an engraved ring to his lady love at Wellesley in October. The Grand M loves letter jewelry year round, and Love Rocks' Love Letter earrings, each adorned with a hefty length of gold caviar ball chain, are a heavenly depiction of Dead Poets Society aesthetic.
Finding the proper shoes to carry this aesthetic along proved challenging for the Grand M, and her best advice is to look for off-white or beige solid tones in light but luxurious leathers, choosing flats and low heels, and resisting the urge to go full fall-frontal with riding boots or other seasonally charged options. The trick is to stay away from the heaviness of autumn footwear in the hot summer months while retaining the spirit of this admittedly warm gesture. The Grand M has always loved Corso Como, with their sumptuous leathers, richly vibrant colors, and sinfully comfortable designs. Choosing from within their latest collection, the Grand M recommends the Posy ballet flat and the Cameo heel, both in Bone. The Posy is as classic a flat as you are likely to find, constructed of supple leather Butterskin with a snug elastic fit and adorned with a playfully romantic gunmetal heart charm on the toe. The baroque style detailing on the charm makes the Posy a wonderful compliment to this fall theme without being too much shoe for a lighter season. Additionally, the cutesy bow detail adds just enough feminine touch to make the Posy a perky showpiece, calling to mind college coeds skipping along the chilly paths of Brown as fiery-tipped maple leaves scatter in whirling dervishes. If you prefer a little more ... oomph, then pick the Cameo, which captures the mood of carefree collegiate life in whimsical toe-cap top-stitching, reminding the Grand M of sitting in the bleachers, popcorn in hand, sweater about the shoulders, taking in a Harvard versus Yale baseball match. There's nothing silly about the Cameo, but far from being overly staid or frumpy, its delightful design evokes daydreams of sneaking beer (or boys, or both) into the Gothic-columned halls of an old school campus, then retiring to a dorm lit by firelight to giggle with friends beneath a green Tartan throw. Who cares if it's really just the summer of 2008 ...