Happy Labor Day, ladies!
I love a long weekend. There’s something delicious about that extra day tucked onto the end of the weekend when the alarm clock can stay quiet, the coffee can linger a little longer, and no one expects you to charge straight into Monday morning.
It’s also the weekend I start thinking about my September wardrobe reset — because Labor Day always feels like the calm before the storm to me. For me, September means back to work.
Fall fashion has officially arrived, the calendar is filling up, and while we’re transitioning our closets from summer into fall, we’re transitioning our schedules right along with them. (If you want a head start on the closet side, I’ve already written about what to wear in the fall.)
So today, I’m enjoying the pause.
Shop the Featured Photo: Frances Valentine Shift Dress | Frances Valentine Mod Jacket | The Lisinda Slingback
Key Takeaways
- Labor Day is my last real exhale before one of the busiest seasons of the year begins.
- September is a reset for both my wardrobe and my calendar, with fall fashion, travel, work events, family celebrations, and a very special new arrival ahead.
- Labor Day sales are a good opportunity to fill genuine wardrobe gaps — not simply buy something because the price is tempting.
How I Shop the Labor Day Sales
Before I buy anything, I ask three questions: Does it work with what I already own? Can I wear it at least three ways? Does it fit the life I actually live? If the only appealing thing about a piece is the markdown, I leave it behind. Use this weekend to fill the real gaps — a blazer, a sweater that needs refreshing, the suede loafers you’ve been circling — and let the rest go.
Why September Is My Wardrobe Reset
January may get all the attention when it comes to fresh starts, but I’ve always thought September has its own kind of new-year energy.
Maybe it’s leftover from our school days. Fresh notebooks. New shoes. Sharpened pencils. The promise that this would finally be the year we stayed completely organized. Hope springs eternal.
September still has that feeling for me. Summer loosens the reins a little. Schedules shift. Vacations happen. The days stretch out. Then September arrives, and everything snaps back into focus.
And nowhere is that more obvious for me than at Style at a Certain Age. Fall is one of our busiest seasons, and frankly, one of my favorites.
Fall Fashion Means Back to Work
Once fall fashion arrives, it’s game on around here.
The sweaters start appearing. Blazers are back. Denim gets interesting again. We start talking about loafers, boots, suede, jackets, scarves, and all those wonderful layers that make fall style so much fun.
Of course, here in Georgia, the calendar and the thermometer are not always on speaking terms. The fashion world says fall. Georgia occasionally says 88 degrees. But we persevere.
I’ve already been thinking quite a bit about what belongs in a modern fall wardrobe, including which old fall fashion rules are worth breaking. And yes, white after Labor Day is still perfectly acceptable. Mother would have opinions.
What’s in My Labor Day Cart
Of course, Labor Day weekend also means sales. And since fall fashion has arrived, I’ve been doing a little browsing. Okay. More than a little.
This is actually a smart time to look at your wardrobe and decide what you genuinely need for the season ahead. Maybe it’s a blazer. Maybe your sweaters need refreshing. Maybe you’ve decided this is finally the year for suede loafers. (For a sense of where everyone else is headed, here’s what women over 50 are buying this fall.)
The key is not to buy something simply because it’s marked down. A bargain isn’t a bargain if it hangs in your closet with the tags attached.
Here’s what has caught my eye.
Boden
If you like a pop of color, Boden is for you. They do color and pattern particularly well, and they remain one of my favorite brands for sweaters and dresses.
Boden is offering 20% off with code LABOR, and these three are sitting in my cart:
- Ariadne Wool Blend Sweater – Multi Gingham
A cheerful gingham that would make even the simplest pair of jeans feel interesting. - Elizabeth Bow Knitted Jacket – Bitter Chocolate
Brown is having a very big moment this fall, and I love the feminine bow detail. - Maeve Check Midi Shirt Dress – Green, Navy And Red Check
This dress practically announces that fall has arrived.
Evereve
Evereve’s Fall Fashion Event also caught my attention. Love Evereve because they have a multitude of brands to choose from.
- Adina Pullover
I love this shade of purple/lavender. It’s such a pretty change from the traditional fall palette. - Pepper Top
Brown is the new black this season, and this top plays very nicely with brown, blue, or gray. - Kennedy Short Sleeve Sweatshirt
This is exactly the kind of transitional piece I reach for when the calendar says fall but the weather has other ideas.
Ralph Lauren
Ralph Lauren is offering an extra 30% off select sale styles, which is always enough to make me take another look. You know Ralph Lauren speaks my language. American Classic through and through.
- Shantung Barrel Cargo Ankle Pant
A polished interpretation of the barrel-leg trend. - Linen-Cotton Tweed Blazer
You know I’ll never say no to a great blazer. - Python-Print Georgette Shirtdress
A statement dress that still has enough classic structure to keep it wearable.
Talbots
Talbots is another longtime favorite for classic pieces that work season after season.
- Tipped Sweater Blazer
Part cardigan, part blazer, and one of those pieces that makes getting dressed incredibly easy. - Hayden Suede Hobo Bag
Suede is everywhere this fall, and I love the relaxed shape of this bag. - Cassidy Suede Loafers
Suede plus loafers. That’s fall in one shoe.
J.Crew
J.Crew always gets my attention once fall rolls around. They do American Classic particularly well — familiar pieces with just enough of a twist to keep them current.
- Soho Car Coat In Plaid
Plaid. Coat. Fall. Need I say more? - Madelyn Blazer In Four-Season Stretch
A hardworking blazer that can stay in rotation nearly year-round. - Oversized Cashmere Wrap
One of those pieces you throw over your shoulders and instantly look pulled together.
Ann Taylor
And finally, a few things from Ann Taylor made their way onto my list.
- Weekend Floral Straight Ankle Pant
A little pattern on the bottom is always fun, especially with a simple sweater or blouse. - Contrast Trim Crew Neck Cardigan
Classic, polished, and easy to style. - Polka Dot Silk Scarf
Sometimes all an outfit needs is a great silk scarf.
My shopping rule is still the same:
Before I buy something, I ask whether it works with what I already own, whether I can wear it at least three ways, and whether it fits the life I actually live. That said, if a fabulous plaid coat or pair of suede loafers happens to follow you home this weekend, I’m certainly not judging. I have a cart too.
My Fall Calendar Is Filling Up
The closet isn’t the only thing transitioning. My calendar is doing the same thing.
First up is a quick trip to Chicago to visit my aunt, my mother’s sister and the only remaining member of that side of my family. Those visits mean more to me now than they once did. When we’re younger, I don’t think we fully appreciate the people who carry our family history. There always seems to be another holiday, another phone call, another visit somewhere down the road. Until there isn’t.
My aunt connects me to my mother, my childhood, and an entire chapter of my life that grows more precious with every passing year. So although it’s a quick trip, it’s an important one.
Then in mid-October, I’m off again for a YouTube shopping event. That one falls squarely into the back-to-work category, although fortunately I happen to love my work. One of the things I enjoy most about this business is that it never stands still. There is always a new platform, a new idea, a new way to connect with all of you, and a new piece of technology deciding it knows exactly what we need. Just when you think you’ve figured out the internet, it moves the furniture. Keeps us on our toes.
And after that? A black-tie wedding on St. Simons Island. Now we’re talking. You know I love an occasion that gives us permission to dress up properly. There will be a dress. There will be shoes. There will undoubtedly be several contenders. And knowing me, there may be a tiny bit of overthinking involved.
But the Biggest Event Is Yet to Come
Because somewhere in between the work, travel, fall fashion, and black-tie dresses, our family is waiting for a very special arrival. My granddaughter is due to make her debut at the end of September. Just typing that makes me smile.
I’ve had many roles in my life. Daughter. Wife. Mother. Writer. Business owner. Widow. But now Bebe is added to the list. I suspect that has become one of my favorites.
There’s something extraordinary about watching your children become parents. You spend years raising them, worrying about them, cheering them on, wondering if you got any of it right. And then one day, there’s another generation.
Life has a funny way of reminding us that it keeps moving forward.
The Calm Before the Storm
Which brings me right back to Labor Day. Today, I don’t need to rush into fall. I know what’s coming.
There will be meetings and airplanes and deadlines and content calendars. There will be outfits to style and videos to shoot. There will be trips to pack for, a wedding to attend, and hopefully a few quiet days tucked in between. And, God willing, there will be a brand-new baby girl in my arms.
But not today.
Today is the long weekend. The pause. The extra cup of coffee. The chance to sit for a minute before September really gets underway.
I’m a doer by nature, so slowing down doesn’t always come naturally to me. But perhaps that’s exactly why I appreciate a long weekend so much. Sometimes the best preparation for a busy season is simply enjoying the calm before it begins.
Closing Thoughts
September feels full of possibility this year. There’s work I love, family I want to spend time with, travel on the calendar, fall clothes waiting in the wings, and a granddaughter almost here.
But Labor Day gives me one last quiet moment before all of it begins. And today, I intend to enjoy it.
Happy Labor Day, Grit & Glammers.
Style has no expiration date — and neither do you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Labor Day a good time to shop for fall clothes?
Yes, especially if you already know where the gaps are in your wardrobe. I like to use Labor Day sales for versatile fall pieces I’ll wear repeatedly rather than buying simply because something has been discounted.
What are the best pieces to add to a fall wardrobe?
A great blazer, versatile sweater, trousers or denim, loafers, and a good outer layer are always strong starting points. Look for pieces that work with several things you already own.
Can I still wear summer clothes after Labor Day?
Absolutely. The weather should dictate what you wear, not an outdated calendar rule. Transition summer pieces with richer colors, lightweight layers, suede accessories, or a jacket when the temperatures allow.
Is brown really replacing black for fall?
Brown is especially strong this season, but there’s no need to banish black from your closet. Chocolate, camel, cognac, and tobacco shades mix beautifully with navy, gray, ivory, denim, and yes, black.
How do you decide whether a sale item is worth buying?
I ask whether it works with what I own, whether I can style it several ways, and whether it suits my actual life. If the only appealing thing about it is the markdown, I leave it behind.
Shop the Post
Browse my full ShopMy storefront for outfits, home, and more.
Boden (20% off with code LABOR)
- Ariadne Wool Blend Sweater – Multi Gingham
- Elizabeth Bow Knitted Jacket – Bitter Chocolate
- Maeve Check Midi Shirt Dress – Green, Navy And Red Check
Evereve
Ralph Lauren (extra 30% off select sale styles)
Talbots
J.Crew
Ann Taylor
Before You Go
What does September look like for you this year? Are you easing back into a routine, planning fall travel, welcoming a new grandbaby — or simply enjoying the last unofficial weekend of summer? Tell me in the comments.
- 💌 Newsletter: Sign up for my free daily newsletter
- 📷 Follow along: @styleatacertainage
- 📺 Watch: Beth on YouTube
- 🛍 Shop: ShopMy storefront
LEAVE A COMMENT