Autumn Style, Head to Toe

Fall fashion

By Lynda Wheatley | Sept. 11, 2021

Fall fashion this year looks a lot like what’s hot in homes: Lots of neutrals with pops of color and touches of texture to keep things cozy. We scoped out some local shops and makers to highlight pieces that seem to do the impossible Up North: embrace the trends while still suiting our mercurial fall weather and the northern Michigan lifestyle.

Now Ear This
Sweet Fern Co.’s minimal but bold-statement-making Tall Arches earrings, like all of owner Haley Jo’s designs, are handcrafted with love and intention in small batches. Made from polymer clay and hypoallergenic stainless steel, each pair is one of a kind and surprisingly lightweight. Available in ochre (shown here), dusty rose, white, charcoal, or stone. sweetfernco.com

Sock It To Me
Hand-dyed with cosmos, marigolds, and coreopsis, the seasonal socks now available at Moonstruck Gardens inside the Mercato at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons bring a subtle pop of fun to even the most boring ankles. And hey, far cheaper than a new pair of autumn boots. www.moonstruckgardens.net

Furry Feet
You can shell out a lot for a pair of new Ugg boots, but if you want to upgrade any of your trusty ol’ lugs for a lower cost and immensely luxe alternative, we suggest swapping out last year’s tired old insoles with this ultra-soft sheepskin set. The Aussie brand pairs real sheep’s fur with dual-density and a PORON® heel pod for shock absorbency that keeps your dogs from barking and your tootsies toasty from fall through winter. Find them at Golden Shoes in Traverse City. www.goldenshoestc.com


Bundle Up, Babe
Fact: Few pieces of clothing are as delightful to slide on your bod as an oversized coat in autumn. Problem is, far too many make us look like we’re either a box with legs, or a high schooler swimming inside our boyfriend’s varsity jacket. Not so with this Dolman Quilted Knit. Warm enough for fall but light and not too puffy, it’s cut just right to flatter any figure. The quilting detail adds chic style; the zipper ensures ease. Available in champagne only. Find it at Vintage 2 Vogue in Petoskey. www.shopv2v.com


Draw the Line
Newly arrived the day before this Fall Fashion issue went to press, this striped sweater boasts a back-to-school vibe we find both smart and worth raising our hands up high for. A perfect pop of No. 2 pencil yellowy-orange gives it (and our heavy-on-the-black-and-gray wardrobe) a much-needed lift in one versatile dress-up or down piece. Find it at the Tiny Traveling Boutique, usually based in Elk Rapids, sometimes on the road, but always open at tinytravelingboutique.net.


Boho Chic
Summer’s boho style remains strong this fall, but if you’re too minimalist to bear the fuss of fringed purses, coats, and shirts taking over stores everywhere, consider a far less tangled but still on-trend option: Driftwood Jeans, whose hip (but not too hippy) designs add both color and texture to otherwise plain-Jane denim. Choose from a straight line of tribal influence like the jeans shown here or a variety of pieces sporting floral embroidery big and small. Multiple styles available at Molly’s Leland. www.mollysleland.com