I love November because this is the time of year when everything I love about fall starts blending with the warmth and magic of the upcoming holiday season. November is the month for beautiful coats, leisurely cups of coffee, dinner by candlelight, and generally making an occasion out of ordinary things. I’m not saying we need to live like we’re in a Nancy Meyers movie, but I certainly wouldn’t object.
Here are 20 things I’m finding incredibly chic this November.
1. A camel coat. It’s the quiet queen of the season. It looks expensive even when it isn’t, and it goes over everything from tailored trousers to loungewear. Honestly, if I could wear a camel coat everywhere, I probably would.
2. A silk scarf knotted at the neck. It’s a small touch that makes a simple knit feel like an outfit. Suddenly you’re not just wearing a sweater; you’re a woman who may or may not have a lunch reservation in Paris.
3. Oxblood and burgundy. Lipstick, handbags, nail polish, a little something in your wine glass. This is the color of November.
4. Leather gloves. Lined, fitted, and slightly too elegant for the grocery store. Wear them to the grocery store anyways. I think we should all be a little overdressed for mundane errands. It keeps things interesting.
5. A cashmere sweater. Pick one in a beautiful neutral and wear it until it’s soft as a whisper. Bonus points if it’s a cardigan you can button up and wear as a top.
6. Loafers with a thin sock. Polished, a little preppy, and endlessly walkable on leaf-covered sidewalks. There’s something about this combination that makes me feel like I should be carrying a leather-bound planner and attending an Ivy League university.
7. Pillar candles at the dinner table. Skip the overhead lighting and light a few real candles. Dinner by candlelight on a Tuesday is the height of everyday luxury. Even if dinner is leftovers.
8. A pot of tea, properly steeped. A real pot, a real cup, and a saucer if you’re feeling particularly chic. Bonus points for a little treat alongside it.
9. Pears. In a wooden bowl on the counter, sliced on a cheese board, or poached with a little cinnamon. They’re the most elegant fruit of the season. Apples are lovely for fall too, of course, but pears have a certain je ne sais quoi. They simply understand the assignment.
10. A handwritten thank-you note. With Thanksgiving coming, a little note in the mail will always outshine a text. There’s something so lovely about receiving actual correspondence. It makes you feel like someone with a very interesting social calendar.
11. Tortoiseshell anything. Hair clips, readers, sunglasses, a bangle. It warms up every neutral outfit and somehow makes even a messy bun look intentional.
12. A wool trench or tailored topcoat. Clean lines, good shoulders, and a belt cinched just so. I love outerwear that makes you look like you have your life together, even when the backseat of your car suggests otherwise.
13. Dried flowers and branches in a vase. Eucalyptus, bare branches, a few stems of wheat, or something interesting gathered on a walk. Dramatic, understated, and almost free. My favorite combination. Not everything beautiful needs to come with a luxury price tag.
14. A red lip with a neutral outfit. Camel or cream with a swipe of true red is a timeless formula. It’s giving French girl, even if you’re just heading to ballet drop off like me.
15. Navy and cream together. Skip the black-on-black every once in a while. A navy sweater with cream trousers also looks fresh, classic, and a little French. It’s one of those combinations that makes getting dressed feel remarkably easy, which is fortunate because November has enough going on.
16. A turn down the lights evening. Lamps instead of overheads, a soft playlist, a candle burning, and a book within reach. Dim lighting flatters everyone and everything.
17. A great hostess gift. Good chocolate, a little jar of local honey, or a beautiful candle wrapped simply with a ribbon. It doesn’t need to be elaborate. Just thoughtful enough to say, “I appreciate your hospitality.”
18. A tablescape that isn’t trying too hard. Linen napkins, pretty glasses, a few taper candles, and one low floral arrangement. Beautiful, but not so precious that guests are afraid to touch anything.
19. A signature fragrance for the season. Something warm and a little woody, with notes of amber, fig, cedar, or spice.
20. Taking your time. Walking instead of rushing, lingering over coffee, enjoying a leisurely afternoon, and saying no to the thing that doesn’t feel right. I realize this is easier said than done when there are approximately 47 things on the to-do list, but I’m going to keep aspiring to it. Nothing is chicer than looking unhurried, even if you had to work very hard to get there.
What about you? What’s making your November feel a little more chic? I’d love to hear what’s on your list this season.
Xo, Courtney
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