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I don’t mean to sound rude or anything, but I loved Fall before it was cool. Spending college in France during my favorite season only solidified my love for this transitional time of year, and so now I give you an Autumn season with French style. Voilà.
Autumn inspires new changes and transition
I have vivid memories as a small child, starting school in the Fall and all the excitement that came with it: fresh school supplies, new clothes, and the associated crisp change in the air that signaled an end to summer and a new beginning of school, friends, and routine. It was always my favorite time of year, and one I looked forward to all summer long, even as a college student.
This year I experienced the same excitement as I sent my five-year-old off to Kindergarten, clad in a uniform, a backpack much too large for her little body, and freshly sharpened pencils. This feels like the beginning of something new in my parenting journey, as my oldest baby is now in the school system and not at home with me full time. I’m very torn between feeling overly emotional at this, and being elated at some extra free time in my day (as much as my two year-old allows, anyway).
Autumn in France
In France, the Autumnal experience is much the same as the one I grew up with in the Pacific Northwest: the beginning of September signals “la rentrée,” or the return from summer holidays back to one’s home to commence a new school year and work routine for families, after a six week break for vacations and travel.
The transitional weather in September signals the beginning of this change of routine, and the days begin to shorten and our wardrobes begin to look bulkier. And who doesn’t love hot stews, cozy cardigans, crunchy leaves, and a fresh start?
A few months ago I gave you the tools to have a French Inspired Summer, replete with French summer style, tips for chic picnics, and trips to the brocantes and the seaside. Now that we are shifting gears away from vacation mode, today I will share with you how to celebrate Autumn à la française.
This time of year, the French turn inward into their homes and closets for warmth and comfort from the elements, and as a true homebody AND Francophile, I am so here for it. Here are my top 5 tips for how to have a French-inspired Autumn.
Shop the farmer's markets
Just as in the summer, the Farmer’s Markets are de rigeur in France at any time of year, but are especially festive during the Fall. Visit your local farmer’s market weekly to pick up your fresh produce for the week, and enjoy the day browsing for treasures while you’re at it. If you live in a similar climate to France, forage the markets for the best mushrooms, truffles (or oils!), apples, ciders and squash. Take it all home and spend a slow Sunday cooking up a hot soup with baguette on the side.
Enjoy the flavors of Fall
As I mentioned, this can best be done after frequenting your farmer’s market, where you will have access to all of the seasonal vegetables available in your area. The French are very big on cooking with seasonal produce, and not something flown halfway across the world because you could never find it at that time of year nearby. During Autumn in France, you would be inspired by the abundance of squash, mushrooms, root vegetables, cheeses, pâté, and calvados to choose from. My mouth is watering already!
If you want to keep your recipes French, make a list of items to make a boeuf bourgignon, pot au feu, or another equally warming and comforting dish. Spend all of a free day cooking a delicious hot meal for your family, while listening to Edith Piaf and sipping some red wine. This is the petit plaisir of Autumn.
Decorate with naturally inspired elements
I am definitely a fan of decorating for Fall. Most likely because I have spent most of my adult life in a tropical climate of some sort, and so if I want to feel that Fall has arrived in my life, I have to artificially make it happen with glass pumpkins, orange leaves, scented candles, and the like. It’s easy to go overboard with the Fall decorating theme, however. To avoid being too “kitsch” or over the top with your Fall flair, be sure to stick to natural elements, like gourds or pumpkins, leaves, and straw. Tastefully arrange them in your home so they look like a natural accent and not a bright orange monstrosity sitting in the middle of your coffee table.
Add some gourds and acorns to a neutral-colored glass bowl as a table centerpiece, put some sunflowers, leaves, and straw in a vase to evoke the Autumn mood, and light a candle with a natural Fall scent such as cinnamon or leaves (not “pumpkin pie” or some other overly sweet scent). Just don’t take your seasonal décor over the top; instead, infuse natural touches of the season around your home as a subtle nod to the time of year, while keeping the décor uncluttered and unobtrusive to the eye.
Enjoy outdoor cafés in Autumn splendor
My absolute favorite memories of my college year in France was sitting outside at cafes in the crisp, cool air of Fall and Winter. If it isn’t raining, put on your most fashionable coat and boots, order a latte, and enjoy your town’s scenery from a little bistro table. Fall fashion is everyone’s favorite season to dress for, so enjoy the outerwear you have looked forward to wearing all summer. Wrap your hands around a hot drink and savor the crisp weather while enjoying this (my favorite) petit plaisir.
Dress for a French Autumn season
I love Autumnal style as much as I love Autumn! Boots, cozy sweaters, scarves, fashionable coats… the list goes on. As I mentioned, I know I’m not alone in this feeling. Fall is the best season to dress for, as you don’t have to bundle up in an oversized coat and hide your outfit… adding a chic cardigan and leather riding boots will give an instant boost to any plain old jeans and tshirt, and you will feel comfortable and adequately dressed for the weather.
I have had these Frye riding boots for many years now- they were resoled last year and are ready for the season! Last year I also bought these Sorel black leather booties in anticipation of a trip to Paris in chilly weather. Though the trip didn’t pan out, I kept the boots and enjoyed them until the weather got too hot, and I can’t wait to start wearing them again!
What’s your favorite thing about this time of year? I love it for all the reasons I laid out; there’s just something so comforting about turning inward toward the home after a summer of being outdoors and out and about. The transition to focusing back in on the home, on school, and the comfort of dressing for chilly weather just does something magical for me. I was lucky enough to experience my favorite time of year in France, and it only solidified my love of everything Autumn. Carry out these steps to have a French-inspired Autumn and you will enjoy this season with a touch of elegant simplicity and cultured sophistication.
À la prochaine-
geneviève