La Rentrée — kids are back to school in France (see Messy Nessy Chic’s Instagram post for a peek at how stylish that looks in Paris).
But ours here in BC, Canada don’t go back until the day after Labour Day, with Labour Day winding down the summer’s last long weekend. By next Tuesday, when all the keen students are lining up to file into their new classrooms, the weather here in Vancouver, at least, will have cooled a few degrees . . . 21C is the forecast, and we might even get rain by next Wednesday.
Right now, though, the temperature is still climbing to 25, 26, this week. So that while it might be La Rentrée for French students and for this blog, after my August break, I am continuing to wear my summer dresses and bare legs as long as possible.
And I thought that sharing a few photos I’ve snapped on my way out the door these last few weeks — and one favourite photo that Granddad snapped of Nana and La Ragazzina in our local library — might be a way to ease back into regular blogging. As you, perhaps, are only gradually finding your own Rentrée back to a schedule that I might hope includes occasional or even regular visits here.
So here’s the line-up. . . .
Rumpled linen, crumply (moldable fun!) sunhat, and Birks . . . .
More rumpled linen, same crumply hat, Sophie Digard fabric necklace, sneakers . . .
Crumply hat, slightly less rumpled linen in a print and a colour that feels a bit bold but that I loved in the shop (on sale!).
Pockets! (and note that I’ve worn this with my white Birks when it’s just TOO hot to close my toes in, but these white Adidas sneakers bring so much more polish, imho).
Okay, both the dress above and below were additions this summer, bought on summer sale. Linen. Pockets. And wear well with sneakers or sandals. . . and crumply hat and big embroidered earrings. . .
Finally, how to accessorize a long and roomy cotton dress (navy pinstripe, and yes, of course it has pockets!)? Why, grey curls and a Junie B. Jones fan, of course — and so much the better if the reading Ragazzina is visiting the neighbourhood for the first time in years, from an Eternal City far away. . .
Is that enough to get us chatting together again? I hope so, because I do have a few ideas about conversations I’d like to have as this month unfolds — although I expect to keep it light (another What I Wore This Summer coming your way soon) for a bit as I re-establish routines. What about you? Shifting back into a working schedule? Or perhaps you managed to maintain one all summer long? (Or winter if you read from the other hemisphere — I was surprised by a photo of a daffodil on an Australian friend’s IG this morning, then immediately thought, “Ah, of course!”).
I’m also curious about what you’re pulling out of drawers and closets to suit your day. And about whether you’re quite content to stay in Summer Casual as long as possible or perhaps are impatient for the more structured shapes and textures and layers of Fall (is it just me, or does Fall always sound crisper and chillier and rainier than Autumn? — for me, Autumn’s assonance with August always confuses the issue).
Okay, you will have noticed the digressive mode I’m slipping into in those last two paragraphs. I think I’d better close now, before the post gets away on me. After all, I have a summer day to savour before the calendar rips them all away from me (Officially, we still have three more weeks of summer, right? I’m hanging on, right up until the Equinox!)
Chime in with your comments, if you will. I’m looking forward to re-connecting.
xo,
f
Welcome back . Our summer heat has gone . It’s about 21 degrees today but the light has changed , not as dazzling now , more golden . Heading for autumn . That’s when I put my linen away , when the light changes . All your dresses are lovely . I have a swingy T top with elbow length sleeves in a pistachio colour ( Toast ) similar to your green dress , which I’ve really enjoyed this summer & don’t want to put away yet . Our summers are rarely worth a stock of floaty dresses but I would wear all of yours if our summers were more dependable.
Author
Yes, we’ve really noticed the quality of light changing. The sun tracks much differently now and interesting to see how that affects what light can get past the buildings around us.
I hear what you’re saying about summers not being “worth a stock of floaty dresses.” Our summers have traditionally been quite moderate with perhaps three weeks of weather that calls for light dresses, but we’re seeing them become warmer and dryer, and my dresses are getting their time in. . .
It’s still uncommonly hot here in Alberta too, so I’ll be wearing summer casual for awhile yet. I’m trying something different this month. Apparently Second Hand September is a thing in the UK. Introduced a few years ago by Oxfam, it encourages participants to buy only second-hand for the entire month. I’m going to try taking it one step further by wearing only second-hand. I’ll be sharing the experience on my blog with the first post scheduled to appear tomorrow morning.
Author
I’ll look for that post, Elaine. And I know that your “uncommonly hot” is much hotter than what I’m experiencing here on the Coast. Stay cool!
Love that new blue dress so much, Frances. The neckline, the roominess… so wonderful. Do you plan to wear it later with tights and ankle books, and a sweater thrown over your shoulders? After the equinox, of course.
Me… I’m champing at the bit for fall to arrive. 😊
Author
I really like it as well, Sue — although they also had it in a gorgeous mustard colour which I was surprised to find looked good on me. But the blue looked better if not as edgy. Yes, with tights and ankle boots or oxfords and the sweater will either be tied/thrown over shoulders OR I’ll wear a boxy cropped-ish pullover layered over.
I will admit to a growing interest in fall gear but I associate September’s tweeds and boots with those days in a non-air-conditioned south-facing classroom on a late September mid 20s afternoon. . . And the tights. . . it’s still too warm for tights by midday, but the bare legs look incongruous to me, still, with fabric of a certain weight. Thoughts?
Welcome back! If Instagram is any indication, it appears you had a great break. Summer is getting tired down south, very much looking forward to cooler temps and warm fall colors.
Author
It was a good month, thanks! Busy but very good.
I can well imagine you’re ready to embrace some cooler temperatures about now!
Welcome back and thank you for the lovely photos! All that linen and the Birks are very appealing. La Ragazzina seems to have grown much taller and the photo of the two of you is delightful. I am keen to ditch some layers of clothing but while there are blossoms, magnolias and freesias aplenty in the neighbourhood, it’s still fairly cool and damp. Mind you the maximum temperature yesterday was 21C, which is mild and quite acceptable for the first day of spring. We seem to be heading for our third consecutive wetter than average spring and summer. At least my formerly leaking balcony (into the living space below) is now a dry, fully enclosed conservatory, so that source of stress has gone. Our daughter’s much delayed (due to Covid) uni graduation was held last week. It was a very happy and hugely emotional day. Even though she’s into her second post-uni job, it was very affecting to mark the end of her formal education. I enrolled her in kindergarten 19 years ago, but that hardly seems possible!
Author
We had a much wetter than average spring here, as well, and summer had a slow start. . . I’m pleased for you that your balcony reno is finished and you can enjoy the space without worried about leaks.
Belated congratulations on your daughter’s convocation. I recognize your disbelief at time’s passage manifest in our grown-up kids! 😉
What attractive and cool dresses you are showing us today! I am retired, living in Northern California, where it will be in the 90s (f) for the foreseeable future, and still wearing short-sleeve linen shirts, ankle or capri length cotton pants, and sandals. It’s so nice to see you again! I hope you enjoyed your time off. I always look forward to your writings, your photos, and your art work.
Author
I don’t do so well in the 90s, much more comfortable when the thermometer stays below 30C. Stay cool! And thanks for the kind and encouraging words about the blog.
Welcome back, so lovely to see your post today. I love your dresses, particularly the red and white one. It is still 36C in the interior of BC, so I am still in sun dresses and flip flops. Hope you had a wonderful break and look forward to future posts. I am very eager to see ‘what I read’ post, I find many good reads there. Our daughter has been staying with us the past month, but returns to Toronto after Labour Day, so I am in no hurry for the end of summer.
Author
Thanks, Lesley! Oof, 36C is too warm for me, unless I could be lakeside . . . and our car is not air-conditioned so that’s not going to happen 😉
I have another Books to Read post coming sometime in the next week or so — stay tuned!
I like all the dresses but especially the blue one. I did a little looking for a cool, floaty dress but I think I was too late. I do hope the trend continues next year and I will start my search earlier. they really seem so perfect for our New York heat. Actually the last few days were comfortable, warm for sure but lower humidity and a nice breeze. the problem here, as in so many places is too little rain. A few friends and I have been having dinner at a restaurant right on the beach. We try to do it weekly, and take a stroll along the boardwalk and through the park. A little mini vacation. In contrast, my daughter and I just went into Manhattan to meet with a mutual friend, go to the Metropolitan Museum. I know I was there recently but you could spend years there and probably not see everything. I am looking forward to my classes which begin in October, a mix of many things, art, history, politics, literature and a trip to a local landmark. Happy to see you back and looking forward to interesting conversations.
Author
I can’t imagine living in your NY heat which I believe comes with way too much humidity (I’ve spent some time in Ottawa and find that combination of heat and humidity exhausting) — I do think a cool, floaty dress would help. . .
Love your beach “vacation” idea!
And the visit to the Met! Wonderful!
Still, Fall classes beckoning, that has an appeal as well. . .
A glorious summer’s day here in Ontario today. The sticky humidity left us basking in delightful temperatures, blue skies and sunlight. Yes, the light is changing…less of it, later dawns, earlier dusks…and the golden hue is gentle on the landscape. In an effort to hold on to summer, my toenails have been painted today, not the fun summer shades of turquoise or coral but the autumnal nod of deep berries. Don’t plan on giving up my sandals just yet!
Author
Lower humidity makes such a difference!
Sandals with pretty toenails for the win! Brava, you! 😉
Welcome back, you have been missed.
I have loved, and still love my crumped linen. A few more weeks to wear though. What
a summer, but sooo tired of watering the garden.
Ali x
.
Author
Yes, I can imagine you’re wearying of that task — do you have your own well? If so, is it holding up? I remember our last summer or two on the island, using all the grey kitchen water I could carry out to the garden. . . even though we were on the city system (an ancient well on the property, but not sure if the pump worked anymore).
Cooler here, as Wendy has noted, light changing each day and every morning a little darker than the last. Hanging on to the linen as well, and big shirts and the white Birkenstocks. But I have bought new, black trainers for the autumn and am looking for new sweaters. Key change: begun to change my bags over from summer to autumn, a little ritual that I enjoy. It has been a strange and unusual summer here.
Author
The mornings and evenings get closer together with each day now, don’t they!
I only rarely change bags these days, as I don’t seem to be organized enough to transfer efficiently and inevitably find I’m missing something essential.
“strange and unusual” — that would sum up a few recent seasons here. I’d love them to stay that way, but fear we may have to get used to them. . .
Yay for clothing that floats away from one’s body when it is hot! And hurray for beautiful colors and fabrics. And best of all, yay for wearing what brings joy, in any season.
Though my earliest life was in Illinois, and I spent 10 years in Minneapolis after college, most of my life I have lived in either Southern California or southern Arizona. Though the light begins to soften in September in those places, the high heat is intense still in September. It is not significantly diminished until Thanksgiving—and even then the days are pleasantly warm though the nights cool off significantly in the desert air. For years I have toyed with ways to bring some sort of autumnal flavor to my outfits, and mostly find that adding accessories or whole pieces in golds and rusts helps. And, after retiring three years ago, I spend the summer and early fall in the Pacific NW, near my children and grandchildren. What a joy to have my annual tastes of real autumn!
Author
So interesting to me, the idea of living somewhere with seasons so much more subtle. Compared to the rest of Canada, of course, our weather is very temperate here in Vancouver, but there’s still quite marked difference between each season. I’m guessing you observe significant differences with a more attentive eye where you are and I like the way that you add autumnal colours that resonate with your region. And being able to stay in the PNW for the hottest times of the year would really help!
Welcome back, Frances. Cool and airy dressing is the best for hot days. We missed most of the really hot weather, although the north was very pleasantly warm (other than one day when it dropped to 7 degrees). I love the red and white print dress, and the teal linen. The best photo of all is you with your granddaughter in the library. A moment to treasure.
Author
Thanks, Lorrie — and welcome back to you as well. Your road trip looked magnificent!
Welcome back, Frances! Your break looked wonderful, full of grandchildren and adventures. Brava.
After a summer of larking about, the husband and I are headed back to school mid-month – taking intensive Portuguese classes sponsored by the government. After I managed to track down the information (it wasn’t particularly easy to find) I shared it with some friends, and there are now 9 of us enrolled, which should make classes and study sessions fun.
It’s still in the mid-20s here for the foreseeable future, so I’m sticking with my summer outfits, but I’m back to bringing a wrap if I go out in the evening, in case things cool off. But I do have to take my favorite ankle boots to the shoe repair for a little tidying up, so they’ll be ready whenever the weather changes.
Author
What a good way to get back into a more structured schedule — those classes will be so rewarding (I suspect they will also be exhausting! but fun too)
Beautiful,beautiful dresses Frances! You look great! The chartreuse one! Linen and lovely cut,what’s here not to love….
As it seems, we are linen twins right now- I’m at the sea , wearing coral,mustard yellow (with a scarf-it is such a gorgeous colour but it doesn’t suit me at all alone),baby blue and blue white stripes linen dresses,the cut similar to your last one. All with pockets! it is around 27/28 ° C
Yours and Rhianon’s photos were so full of love and happines – they made me so happy for you-what a wonderful family together!
Dottoressa
Author
I’m SO pleased you’re at the sea. I know you’re always your happiest there.
Thanks re our photos — we were all so pleased to be together.
Welcome back! So nice to see you, and to see you and your granddaughter:)
Author
Thank you! It was wonderful having her here!
Did you make your Sophie Digard necklace or purchase it? I am enchanted by her designs. Although I can knit and crochet, her patterns are beyond my skill.
I have been reading your blog for several years and never commented. I appreciate your articulate, well-crafted writing, your photos and your drawings.
Thank you.
Author
I bought the necklace at a local shop and I’m loving its beautifully executed whimsy — the shapes and the colours, AND it’s SO light!
Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know you appreciate my posts here. The encouragement is much appreciated!
I just realized that September meant that you might have returned to posting and sure enough, you’re already two posts in. I’m delighted to see that you are posting about summer clothes. I’m going to stick to my Birks, shorts and tee shirts for a while longer. I’m not looking forward to long sleeves, covered toes, long pants and socks just yet. When it gets cold enough, they’ll feel cozy and inviting. As you say, we still have a little more summer.
I’m packing up to move from our summer house next weekend, so there is a physical transition that will mark the end of summer. The long weekend gave me some time to write about summer’s end, but now it is back to work and my focus is divided.
I love your red and white linen dress. That is a nice summer outfit and very cheerful. The blue one is also very nice. Pockets are such a great accessory.
Glad to see on Insta and here that you had time to visit with your family.
Author
Yes, I’m back! And pleased to see you’re here as well.Thanks for the kind words. Good luck with closing up the summer house — that’s a very clear demarcation, useful if perhaps a bit emotional.