Fall | Today, I wore black.

Short PSA: I posted my draft by mistake around noon. This is the real post. Thanks to those of you who’ll take the time to read me twice.

If last Wednesday’s post was all about la-la land, this one is very much grounded in reality. This is what I’ve actually bought and will be wearing this fall.

Much like a lot of people who are still working from home, the days of wearing old leggings and stained sweaters are behind me. I just couldn’t do lounge wear 24/7 anymore – it was affecting my mood. I either had to start investing in cashmere leggings (and we’re back to la-la land) or resume wearing my normal work clothes. I really needed to get dress in the morning – especially in winter. The weather is dreary enough without me looking like the grim reaper.

And then summer came. And getting dressed was no longer something I did to stay sane, but rather something I did because since we only get 3 months of warm weather in Montréal, there was NO WAY I was spending them in my holey sweats. I still had nowhere to go, but at least I looked good for my computer.

For Fall, I knew I wanted to replace my linen shirts with (surprise surprise) wool sweaters and my high-waisted shorts with jeans. With Totême being out of the question (I stopped teaching, but someone at the government still signs my pay check), I turned to some valeurs sures: Club Monaco, Banana Republic, Aritzia and Uniqlo.

So here’s some of what I wore for my computer last week and what I plan of wearing during the colder months.

Uniqlo Soufflé yarn mock neck sweater, (old) Club Monaco Alessia corduroy

Banana Republic cardigan sweater, (old) Citizens of Humanity jeans, 2017 Nike Air Max 97 Silver Bullet

On weekdays, should you bump into me on my daily walks on Mont-Bruno, this is most likely what I look like. I take athleisure to a *whole* new level…

(Old) Eileen Fisher Stand Collar Cocoon Coat, Echo scarf, HM shirt, Stance socks and (destroyed) Mizuno sneakers

Uniqlo soufflé yarn mock neck sweater – Have no fear, I did – nor would I ever – not get in light blue. But if blue is your thing, know that it comes in blue. And in heather grey and in tan and in cream. And of course, in black.

*Photo provided by Uniqlo*

The High rise Skinny Cord – I like this new version even more than mine, because they have slightly wider leg opening and they’re cropped (l had to get my tailor to shortened mine).

*Photo provided by Club Monaco*

The Silver Bullet is the only pair of sneakers that one – ok fine – that I need to own. Except maybe for a ball gown, they work with any outfit in any colour. I will forever regret not owning an original pair from 1997, but I was there in 2017 and I’ll be there for its 25th anniversary next year.

*Photo by Matt Martin*

Here’s the updated version of my coat: Eggshell recycled nylon hooded coat.
If you ask me, Eileen Fisher should be any grown woman’s go-to norm-core brand.

*Photo provided by Eileen Fisher.*

As you can see comfort is the word and my love of all things black has been challenged… if only slightly.

✌🏾Sergelyne

As a native Montrealer, I live for the summer. But as an avid fashion lover, I know that Fall is where it’s at.

*Photo provided by int.toteme-studio.com*

And in terms of great timeless Fall pieces, Totême is where it’s at. With their raison d’être being the exploration of the “appeal of a modern uniform through distinct design cues, meticulous craftsmanship, and methodical repetition”, this Swedish brand was surely going to make a fan out of me.

So while many fashion girls are Olsen twins stans, I’m team Totême. Case in point: on any given week, I dedicate a few of my Instagram stories to their pieces. Let me share what I’ve added to my “cart” since September. You read right, September – this blog might be part fantasy, but Totême prices are definitely real!