Seasonal crossroads

If you live in the Northeast, or any place that experiences more than one season, you're at that point of the year--that seasonal cusp--that elicits a variety of emotions in people and is reflected in their clothes. On a mid-September day on the sidewalks of New York City you might see outfits that range from light, flirty sundresses and Grecian lace-up sandals, to moleskin a-line skirts, long-sleeved blouses and tall leather boots. It's that time of year that you experience the pang of despair in saying goodbye to summer, yet that rush of adrenaline as the mercury dips below 70'F and clothes you haven't seen in months suddenly start peaking out of your closet and drawers, winking at you.

"Psst....hey, remember me? That long black cardigan that barely left your body last winter?"

"Well hello old friend. Been thinking about you, and to be sure, you'll be back again this winter, as I've been hard at work planning my new Fall and Winter look."

For the past few weeks, all brand-name retailers, and online stores have been rolling out the new season. My virtual shopping cart is overloaded with playful frocks in corduroy and wool, silky tops, cashmere and pima cotton items soft as baby's' bottoms, boots in leather or suede, tall and short, chunky heeled and plain, buckled and unadorned. Over-the-knee socks, ribbed tights, tortoise-shell bracelets with lockets and keys dangling at the close, and coats to top it all off! As far as I'm concerned, there's no harm in looking. For when summer's wardrobe makes one last curtain call, when that last balmy breeze blows off the Hudson and the sun is just warm enough to leave the sweater at home one last time, and the temperatures drop even further, I'll be ready. My cursor, patiently hovering above the "complete purchase" button, will be called to action, and then, oh joy, I wait as the boxes and envelopes arrive, harbingers of the new season.