spruced by marlene

Golden leaves, hot chocolate on the sofa, stews that last for days and a soft light that makes everything and everyone look better – this is the time of year when I forget what winter is like in Berlin, because fall is putting on a magic show. Soon enough, I’ll have to think about wrapping myself in ten layers of thermal underwear, but for now I’m enjoying this stupendously gorgeous season. And the things that I love wearing at the moment.

This Zara coat is a smart version of a robe, so what’s not to love? It’s ridiculously soft and comfortable, but doesn’t make you look like you’ve just wandered out in your dressing gown. There are a lot of caramel tones in the shops right now (caramel = camel, just gets a different name each season) and I like to think of them as the perfect addition to fall/winter’s basic colours. Just as easily combinable as black, grey and blue, just a little more unexpected. I like wearing this coat with a dark turtleneck and jeans. At home, I’ll wear it as a cardi over a light t-shirt – just like a dressing gown.

Behold, the holy trinity of denim from MiH Jeans: mid-rise (lifts the bum, which is surely never a bad thing), slim cut (more forgiving than skinny, certainly on me), ankle-length (goodbye, „sausage cuff“). Even the name is taken from a divine place: „The Paris“. My colour is the midnight blue.

In a few months, I will wrap my trusted Acne „Canada“ scarf around my head against the cold. For now, I like a finer shawl like this one from Lala Berlin that I bought last year. Both Bimba y Lola and & Other Stories have a great selection of light (and heavy) printed scarfs at the moment.

When you mostly wear blue, grey, black and camel, I mean caramel, it can feel a bit boring sometimes. I try to add interest to outfits with something like a bandana. I’m using mine as either a neckkerchief, headband or belt. Picked it up from an Army store on Danziger Straße. Margaret Howell has a luxe version in silk that looks beautiful. I won’t start wearing this perfume from Balenciaga until it gets dark at 5pm. It smells like a salon with velvet curtains where the lady of the house plays piano by candlelight.

Last year, I got a cashmere v-neck in two different colours from Zara and wore both all winter long. This year, I went for their cashmere crewneck and I hardly ever take it off.

Always good to have a few lighter jumpers for layering under thick coats. I usually find good ones at All Saints (especially the menswear section), & Other Stories and Filippa K. If money was no object, I’d get my knitwear from Vince. Since it is, I like browsing The Outnet and right now, you can find some fine knits from Joseph and American Vintage there. Next time I’m getting a manicure done, this will be the colour: „La Moss“ from Butter London.

I spent more time debating over the Acne „Alma“ last year than I can reasonably explain. In the end, I decided to get them, even if they weren’t the most sensible choice of winter boot. Turns out they’re really versatile and between them and a pair of Chelsea boots from Cos (which, happily, they re-issue every season!), I didn’t need another pair of shoes for all of last fall and winter. Maybe it’s hoping too much that they’ll carry me through all of this season as well. If they don’t, I might be tempted to get a new pair of boots from Whistles. Their whole range looks wonderful and timeless.

„The Jenny“ college jacket from James Castle. No alternative. I imagine I will still wear this in ten years.

So I’m wondering, what do you have on your shopping list for fall?