As Vogue editors, we often wax poetic on the latest runway must-haves, but not every item we gush about online ultimately ends up in our closets. Our discoveries are nice to behold—they are lovely to look at and inspire fun conversation. However, of all the tempting things to buy, what did our team actually end up purchasing? Each month, we highlight those special finds our editors welcomed into their lives, showcasing all the purchases that made our buyers truly rejoice as they transitioned their wardrobes for the changing seasons.
The Pop of Color
As the weather shifts, the approach to seasonal dressing pivots toward striking hues and protective layering. Chloe Malle, head of editorial content, shares her strategy for the transition: “Time to make the fall switch: this month I invested in color blocking and protecting my skin from chilly autumn air!” To achieve this, she turned to the Extreme Cashmere N°496 sweater, offering a bold pop of color, alongside Marie Veronique’s Barrier Restore Serum to shield her complexion from the brisk autumn winds.
The Elevated Staples
For Lisa Aiken, SVP of commerce, building a functional yet striking autumn wardrobe relies on a foundation of timeless tailoring and versatile investments. “Blazers have always been a wardrobe staple of mine,” Aiken notes. “The right tailoring does much of the work for you, instantly making an outfit feel more polished and pulled together; I picked up Cos’s longline style earlier this month.”
Aiken also notes her ongoing appreciation for statement skirts, adding the Prada Rush stitch midi-skirt to her rotation. “I always have room for one more skirt in my wardrobe, and this Prada one is the most recent addition to my collection. I’ve found skirts to be some of the most worthwhile pieces to invest in thanks to their versatility across seasons. As the days grow cooler, I love experimenting with layers—pairing a skirt with boots and a tailored trench, or playing with proportions by double-layering cashmere knits.”
Completing her seasonal accessories, Aiken added a finishing touch from Paris. “Last but not least, I picked up this charm [along with a few others] at the Celine store in Paris. (Is it even Paris Fashion Week without a little shopping between shows?) They’ve quickly become some of my favorite finishing touches.”
The Faded Leather Pumps
Footwear choices also saw a seasonal update across the editorial team. Madeline Fass, fashion market director, leaned into sophisticated footwear by treating herself to a pair of the highly coveted Liisa D’orsay pumps from The Row in a worn-in, dark brown leather.
The Fall Haul
For Fred Sahai, associate commerce producer, transitioning into cooler weather meant a complete refresh of cold-weather essentials. “As much as I hate to say it, fall is in full swing now, and my wardrobe definitely needed a cool-weather update,” Sahai says. “I’ve been living in this Rumored suede jacket since the temperatures dropped—it’s the perfect dark shade of brown and goes with everything.” Other additions to his rotation include a classic plaid flannel from With Nothing Underneath, dark denim, and functional rain boots, alongside a minimalist Parker Thatch magazine tote for daily commuting.
The Statement Coat
Celebrating a birthday this month prompted Irene Kim, editorial production manager, to indulge in a major seasonal investment. “It was my birthday this month so I went a little heavier on the shopping than usual,” Kim explains. “One thing I invested in was a croc leather coat, in a camel color that looks so decadent for the fall season! Arma is my favorite leather goods brand.”
The Bold Knit
Elly Leavitt, lifestyle editor for shopping, found her stride in rich, vibrant textures. “Two of my favorite things: silver jewelry and red clothing,” Leavitt shares. “Almina Concept’s tomato-colored V-neck has the perfect slouchy shape and drop sleeves, and I’ve been wearing it non-stop this month.”
The Designer Ankle Boots
Planning ahead for footwear longevity, Libby Page, VP of commerce, jumped on seasonal boots early. “I wanted to get a head start on shopping for fall boots this year, so I can make the most of them,” Page says, noting her deliberation between the Phoebe Philo leather ankle boots in classic black and a rich burgundy iteration.
The Cheerful Gown
Addressing formalwear needs for upcoming autumn events, Minty Mellon, commerce market editor, sought an alternative to traditional evening wear. “I’m heading to a beach wedding next weekend and have been on the hunt for a playful, colorful take on black-tie dressing,” Mellon says. “This vibrant style from Colleen Allen fit the dress code perfectly!”
The Autumnal Color Palette
Alexandra Buell, commerce producer, focused her October acquisitions around rich, grounding earth tones. “My October buys have a theme: brown!” Buell says. “Liffner’s suede bucket bag was love at first sight, and it hasn’t left my side since the moment I got it. I love the belted detailing, and the fact that it can be a laptop tote, while still leaving room for other essentials.”
Beyond her everyday carryall, Buell added a silky jacquard maxi dress from Rumored for upcoming autumn weddings, alongside cotton and cashmere sets from Minnow designed for effortless travel days.
The Holiday Classics
Florence O’Connor, content manager, found immediate success with a pair of office-appropriate loafers from Nomasei. “I have never gotten more compliments on a pair of shoes than the first time I wore my Nomasei loafers to the Vogue office!” O’Connor notes. “Not only are they incredibly chic, but they are also deceptively comfortable.” O’Connor also invested in a sheer cashmere turtleneck and a beaded top from Posse in anticipation of the holiday party circuit.
The Initial Charm
Accessories continued to be a focal point for international travelers, including Taylor Lashley, senior manager of social media. “I did a lot of window shopping during my travels in Europe earlier this fall, but when I spotted Celine’s silver ‘T’ charm, I simply couldn’t walk away without it. Consider me charmed!”
The Comfortable Basics
Prioritizing comfort during gloomy office days, Kasey Busiel, production and marketing manager for shopping, turned to tactile textiles. “These J.Crew corduroy pants are beyond cozy and comfortable! The perfect pair for those cold, gloomy office days when you want to feel like you’re still in your PJs,” Busiel says, adding that a classic white tee peeking out from beneath chunky sweaters remains a foundational layering trick.
The Fashion Week Wardrobe
Looking back at the whirlwind of September fashion weeks, Chloe Malle detailed the pieces that carried her through the marathon. “September back-to-school is always a big wardrobe refresh month, especially as we head into the fashion weeks marathon!” Malle says. Her selections included comfortable mules from Jude, cigarette trousers from Róhe, and a fringed tweed jacket from Liberowe that effortlessly transitioned from morning shows to evening dinners.
The Trending Details
Madeline Fass rounded out her fashion week preparations with targeted accessories. “I bought a few things ahead of Paris Fashion Week, including a jacquard cummerbund and a new pair of black pumps,” Fass notes.
The Classic Loafer
Hannah Jackson, senior fashion writer, finally committed to a longstanding wardrobe desire for the autumn and winter seasons. “After many seasons spent longing for a pair of slim black loafers, I finally pulled the trigger on G.H. Bass’s Blythes,” Jackson says. “I was drawn to their sleek, low profile, the high-shine leather, and the beefroll stitching. While they, like all stiff leather shoes, definitely require a little patience with the break-in process… I know I’ll be wearing them all autumn and winter.”
The Fall Textures
Expanding on her love for autumn tactile elements, Alexandra Buell added a Sèzane brown suede collared jacket to her rotation, alongside a cable-knit cardigan from With Nothing Underneath designed for endless layering.
The Vogue World Milan Packing List
Preparing for a compressed travel schedule for Vogue World Milan, Florence O’Connor curated a streamlined capsule wardrobe that fit entirely into a carry-on. Relying on a flannel shirt from Matteau, Margaux ballet flats, trousers from ME+EM and Reformation, and a Citizens of Humanity leather jacket that doubled as an airport blanket during a ten-hour travel delay, O’Connor cemented a lasting bond with her travel uniform.
The Layered Basics
Fred Sahai focused on functional layering for New York’s cooling temperatures, alongside statement eyewear and a personalized zodiac pendant from Brinker and Eliza. “With Libra season upon us, I treated myself to this zodiac pendant from Brinker and Eliza, which elevates simple outfits and is a lot more affordable than it looks,” Sahai notes.
The Statement Coat and Knitwear
Irene Kim expanded her cold-weather repertoire with Margaux derby shoes and a versatile floral hair clip from Charlie Beads. Meanwhile, Elly Leavitt embraced her autumn acquisitions, including a pleated purple long-sleeve from Mais x Frida, pointelle pajamas from Buttercup, and a 100% wool turtleneck poised to become a winter mainstay in New York.
The Rain Gear
Margaux Anbouba, senior beauty and wellness editor, learned a wet lesson during a weekend birding trip to Cape May. Discovering her existing gear was no longer water-resistant, she immediately upgraded her outdoor wardrobe with waterproof footwear from Columbia, a rain jacket from Cotopaxi, and a durable Fjällräven backpack to ensure she is never caught unprepared in a storm again.
The Peasant Blouse and Snake-Print Sandals
Anna Lee, lifestyle writer, embraced a flowy cotton pintuck top from Gap as a transitional piece bridging late summer and early fall. Concétta Ciarlo, beauty shopping writer, leaned into animal prints to extend the warmth of the season, selecting snake-print kitten-heel sandals from Anonymous Copenhagen for her travels.
The Late-Summer Shopping List and Fall Reset
Andrea Zendejas, commerce market editor, updated her wardrobe with Kallmeyer white barrel-leg jeans, lime green silk trousers from Comme Si, and her signature hair care treatment from Râz. Florence O’Connor returned to denim updates with a brown pair from Agolde and a vintage-wash straight style from Citizens of Humanity, alongside a romantic top from Dôen.
Rounding out the team’s seasonal acquisitions, Sache Taylor secured a soft leather East West Chelsea tote from Proenza Schouler to carry her daily work essentials, while Alexandra Ditch integrated Hill House Home nap dresses, Heidi Merrick knitwear, and python-embossed leather flats from Margaux into her transitional rotation. Taylor Lashley updated her accessories with Ray-Wayfarer sunglasses and a burgundy Liffner pouch, Rose Carlisle invested in a distinctive, limited-run Booch Bags leather carryall, and Margaux Anbouba stocked up on Supergoop! SPF for her final vacation days of the year.