Remember a few posts back when I talked about fantasy fall?
I used to have this fantasy idea of what a fall wardrobe should look like: cozy boots with camp socks, thick sweaters, cocoon coats, and blanket scarves.
But the fall months in Texas don’t really call for that kind of wardrobe. It usually doesn’t get that cold.
So this year, I’m forgoing the fantasy, and learning how to dress for fall where I live.
And guess what I’ve discovered so far?
Dressing for real fall (as opposed to fantasy fall) is really fun.
Once I let go of the Pinterest-influenced fantasy of sweaters and boots in September, I realized something:
It’s beautiful here in the fall.
It’s beautiful and sunny and 70 / 80 degrees.
It’s a gift — one I used to overlook.
When I was a bit younger, I remember begrudging the weather time of year like, why can’t I just wear sweaters! When is it going to get cold!
It’s interesting, isn’t it?
While my old self would be bummed that I’m not wearing a plaid scarf and boots right now, my current self is super excited that I get to wear shorts in October.
I’m grateful for it.
And even though “wearing shorts in October” might go down as the most insignificant thing to be grateful for, it’s building a habit of gratitude nonetheless. And I like that.
How about you? I’m sure where you live, the weather is different than mine — are you discovering anything cool from dressing for your real fall (as opposed to fantasy fall)?
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Liked today’s outfit? You can shop it and support Unfancy at the same time by using these affiliate links:
01 | Stripe sweater (old) | similar by Everlane (made responsibly)
02 | Shorts by Everlane (made responsibly)
03 | Shoes by Madewell (on sale) / similar (made responsibly) / similar slide (made responsibly)
04 | Bag (old) | similar | similar (made in USA)
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xo,
surprisingly still wearing shorts at 80 degrees way up in Toronto this week :) loving it
I’m up in Ottawa and that warm weather will be here next week!
Generally, the challenge of fall in Canada is that it can be warm one day and freezing the next — not to mention some places still have crazy air conditioning. Do I need boots? Can I wear a skirt? when I left the house this morning, it was 44F! Next week it’s going to be in the 80s!
Needless to say it’s a struggle to keep a seasonal capsule that meets the needs of the weather and provides enough “mood” options for me.
My solution has been to keep both my cold and warm weather capsules accessible all year ’round. I keep my “current” clothing in one side of my closet and grab things out of my “off-season” capsule as needed, to inject a little interest or to layer up. And I always ALWAYS check the weather forecast every morning. Or suffer the consequences.
by the way, if you’re curious, I would say my year looks something like this:
Winter: November 20 to April 19 (5 months)
Spring: April 20 to June 19 (2 months)
Summer: June 20 to September 19 (3 months)
Fall: September 20 to November 19 (2 months)
With that in mind, I’m more than happy to put off the boots as long as possible. I get so sick of wearing them by January, it’s better not to start early! No boots for me yet. Just added better coverage socks. ;)
Eeek! Another Ottawan! Yay! You said it all. Our weather is super unpredictable until it’s just snow…every day…and cold…just like, everyday. So until the freeze, you have to check the weather network every single morning to know what to wear. And while I love love love boots, I equally love love love sandals so given the beautiful weather were having this October, I’m going to stretch open toed-anything for a while longer.
Hey Katharine! I love that you shared the details of how you make it work for you. Thank you! Smart ideas here :) xo, Caroline
Yup, tank top and shorts in London, ON today! While I’m tired of my summer clothes at this point, I know I will be complaining about winter in a few short months. Definitely making the most of this unseasonably warm weather.
Here in Chicago, we CAN wear sweaters and boots in October, just not every day. Today is 78 degrees. Tomorrow will be 68. The sandals are definitely put away, although I may get out a pair of crop pants.
Looks great! I love your sweater + shorts combination and the colour palette speaks fall/winter too. I’m still in wool sweaters here in Australia, unbelievable! I shall take a leaf of gratitude from your book and be happy about it :)
Alethea, sometimes it’s not easy to look at it that way, but makes me feel more content when I choose to be grateful rather than bitter! :) xo, Caroline
You are so lucky to be wearing shorts in October!!! I am eternally jealous. I’m always cold and New Jersey is bitter. Currently dreading the winter and freezing wearing two long sleeve shirts and boots!
xo,
Laura
http://www.thriveorsurvive.us
Laura! Oh no! Sounds like it might be a long winter too. Good luck, power through! :) xo, Caroline
Hi Caroline! I love this outfit! I live in Barcelona, Spain and October is really warm still… so I can wear shorts, and sandals…. and sometimes even swim in the sea! And is great! In the evenings get a bit colder and is the moment to wear a jumper or a jacket or to put on your favorite pair of boots. I actually love this ‘medio tiempo” as we call it, because gives you a lot of styling possibilities. My favorite right now: denim overall with flats, or shorts with booties and cardigan.
Medio tiempo! Love it. I wish it was always medio tiempo! Sadly I live in NYC where it seems to be blazingly hot and humid or absolutely frigid 75% of the time…I’m going to make the most of the 25% medio tiempo :)
PS Looove that braid on you, Caroline. You’re making me want to grow my hair long!
Ah, thank you Tara! :) xo, Caroline
Oh Berta! It sounds beautiful, and I love that – medio tiempo. :) xo, Caroline
Hi Caroline, checking out on the weather forecast of Abilene just made me laugh, you are damn right to enjoy it without any boots & scarves! For me (in Belgium), the most difficult thing about seasonal transitioning is the decision on when to start/stop wearing tights underneath a dress/skirt. When in doubt: wear pants! Which is most of the time, at this time of the year :) thanks for the more regular updates on your blog, I love it!
As a fellow Belgian, I concur! September was unusually warm but by now I’m personally firmly into pantyhose and leggings. I have this fantasy where I can where sleeveless dresses with cotton cardigans for fall, or long sleeved shirts without extra layers … Unfortunately these type of outfits hardly ever work: it always seems either too hot or too cold (maybe I’m just difficult ;)). So I need to embrace my need for layers and just enjoy the fact that I can wear bulky wools for six months!
Shorts in October… sigh. That is MY fantasy fall. Heck that’s my fantasy all year round. We had our first frost here in southern Sweden this week. I’ll be so sick of sweaters and boots come April. I guess the grass is always greener…
Haha my thought exactly! /greetings from Stockholm
Mine too? / Emma from freezing Stockholm
I agree! Today it’s 10°C in Budapest (but at least sunny!). And it’s only the first week of October. I don’t really like wearing so many layers but I love my long, warm cardigan with skinny jeans and boots.
Oh my lovely Swedes! Hang in there. Warm hugs from Texas! :) xo, Caroline
Always love reading your posts! I live in Mississippi so we always have a late fall. But it’s finally cooling down now. I have those shorts and love them! What name brand is your sweater? Is it Madewell? Hope you have a great day! Can’t wait till your next post!!!!
Sincerely,
Desiree’
Hi Desiree! Thank you for the sweet comment. Yes, the sweater is from Madewell :) xo, Caroline
Good thing I like to wear layers, because In my neck of the wood, fall means 40 in the morning, 70 at noon and 40 again if the Wind picks up! Shorts and Sandals are definitely not an option (my toes are cold sensitive), but with a long cardigan or vest, a skirt or a dress is still doable. And I love tartan scrafs and boots, so it’s ok! ;)
Same here in MN. I find it just a little frustrating because I want to bundle up in my fall clothes but I’ll be sweating it out in the middle of the day…..But come January I am so sick of the cold!
Thanks to Unfancy, I now switch my capsule in january, so even if the cold is getting boring (and in Québec, it’s cold until march!), I’m no longer wearing the same things. It helps. A lot!!!
I totally feel you! I live on the Central Coast of CA where our summers are chilly and foggy (very few days over 70°) and we get our “summer” weather in the fall. This year, instead of trying to get wild with the sweaters, I have lots of lightweight button-ups, slouchy pants and layers and even kept my shorts and a few tank tops in the mix. Yay for real fall!!
Hi Tobi, That’s a smart move! Thanks for sharing :) xo, Caroline
I agree, it’s fun to transition bit by bit. September and October months in Utah alternate between warm and freezing cold, so for years now I’ve worn a sweater with a skirt and boots, etc. It’s one of my favorite times of year to dress for the weather.
Hi Kristen, sounds like a great time to experiment with all the layering possibilities. Very cute :) xo, Caroline
It is 37 degrees here today :) I will be putting away the summer clothes & getting out the sweaters this weekend.
It’ll get into the high 80s today in Alabama, so shorts are totally appropriate here, too. Thank you for the reminder to be grateful for ‘real’ fall. Once I really thought about it, I realized (a) it’s nice to throw on shorts and flip flops to take my puppy out when he wakes me up at 5 am – no bundling up necessary, and (b) I’m getting so much use out of practically my entire wardrobe right now. One day I threw on a really old dress with a new cardigan and it felt fresh again. On another it was a long sleeved blouse that kept me comfortable in a chilly office, but wasn’t too warm for the outdoors. I’ve loved every outfit I’ve worn over the past couple of weeks since I’ve been able to mix the old with the new, summer pieces with fall ones. My scarves, however, can wait. :)
Hey Taryn, I love to hear how this way of enjoying real fall is working for you guys. Thank you for sharing! :) xo, Caroline
It’s still 90 degrees in Oklahoma so I’m really enjoying your take on fall fashion!
It’s still hot here in Columbus, Ohio! For a hot second, I was annoyed that I haven’t gotten the chance to wear any of my fall sweaters yet. Then I realized I was being ridiculous (I hate the cold!) and told myself to enjoy the unseasonal warm weather. It feels weird wearing shorts in October but I’m done complaining! Love the outfit :) I’ve been catching up on your blog all morning and have lots of homework I need to do so thanks for the distraction!
I grew up in Chicago but have lived in the South for the last 10 years, and I am grateful EVERY. SINGLE. WINTER that it often hits 50, or 60, or 70 degrees in December and January. Gleefully, giddily grateful, like I’m getting away with something.
That said I am currently having to practice patience to not dig into the luscious sweaters I have planned for cold weather because while we finally have cool mornings and a few leaves turning, by afternoon it’s still 80 degrees.
I agree, practicing gratitude in everyday, small ways is the way to build a life-changing habit!
Leah from http://www.thriftshopchic.com
Hi Leah, thanks for sharing your perspective. I love how much you are enjoying those winters :) xo, Caroline
I love sweaters with shorts! We live in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada in Northern California, and the weather is neurotic this time of year! It can be 80 one day and 55 the next. I do love it though! My legs don’t really the cold like my upper half, so I have been rocking this look too! I am so inspired by you! Going to do a closet makeover in the next week or so…and a big purge of all the things that I never ever wear!!
Hi Ali, good luck with your closet makeover. So exciting! :) xo, Caroline
I can really relate to this post but in a different way – I used to buy for fantasy life, rather than fantasy fall. I would buy so many blouses and really kind of special pieces that don’t fit my lifestyle, rather than buying the practical pieces that I actually need (simple black dress, striped tees, etc). I wound up with a very not functional closet, and I’ve been feeling a lot better since I’ve focused on remedying that!
Hi Jackie, you are definitely not alone. So many people share the same thing. So glad you’re feeling better about it! It’s quite freeing when you dress for your real life :) xo, Caroline
Your positive outlook on shorts during the fall is encouraging. Sometimes those little things make the best encouragement :)
We had our first snow yesterday! It did snow enough to blanket the ground or anything, but still! Snow! My kids were SO excited, and danced around in the back yard. As for me, I’m thoroughly enjoying my cozy knit hats, sweaters,and fuzzy boots.
That should read it did NOT snow enough…
Fall in Boston tends to happen overnight. One September morning I woke up and had to store all the summer clothes and pull out the tights and sweaters. If anything, our autumns err on the side of chilly and I don’t get enough time to wear my lighter sweaters or single layers- it’s a necessity to bundle up! Not a complaint, though! I love feeling cozy :^)
Oh Caroline – the wheater you got looks like fantasy fall to me! In Germany, it’s all scarves and thick Pullovers and cold wind already. Summer here is more like fall where you live, so to me the challenge was to buy clothes for real summer as opposed to fantasy summer – one pair of shorts is really enough! But I’m glad I got the hang of it now.
So appreciate these ideas, even though I dress for real summer vs fantasy summer. Amsterdam is quite temperate, so my first summer here was a bit confusing (rarely ever shorts and tee shirt weather), but, if it helps at all — once you figure it out, you’re good. I did a better job of ‘real summer’ this year than last year, and was increasingly comfortable with the unique summer weather we had as exact week passed. I imagine next summer won’t be so weird or require as much of my brain power. Cheers to making wardrobes support real life! (Wherever it is happening).
Chloe, yes — cheers to that! :) xo, Caroline
I am loving wearing my new Steve Madden open toed booties, inspired by you, only in black. They go with everything. It’s sunny and 70 here in PA.
Hey Leigh – wahoo! Enjoy :) xo, Caroline
I think back when I started following you a couple years ago, when I did my first Fall Capsule I switched over when you did, which was Sept. or Oct. Fall here in Santa Cruz, CA is the most beautiful, non-cloudy part of the year (we’re on the coast so it’s mostly foggy), and I remember burning up but having no options because the only things I had were my flannels, shearling clogs, cashmere, etc. No linen, nothing to accommodate the 70-degree sunny skies I found myself in. Between that experience and doing the whole Marie Kondo thing last year, I switched things around and keep mostly the same clothes from season to season. I also realized it doesn’t really get “cold” (read: 50’s) until the beginning of November here, so I try to hold off on any real “warm” clothing until then. How interesting, right?! It’s been a great learning process :)
Alyssa, sounds like a “fascinating” moment for sure! (And I have been there too.) Glad you’re figuring out what works best for you and where you live :) xo, Caroline
Same here this is my second fall doing a. Capsule. I have clearly not mastered this fantasy idea. I’m in SoCal and its super hot today but I have mostly thick clothing. Thankfully I always include tank tops and shorts so I can use those until it cools off more.
I’m also trying to practice being grateful for fall – but for almost the opposite reasons! Growing up in the Midwest, I DREADED fall because it meant that cold days were just around the corner. Now that I live in Austin, I’m loving the 80 degree days and trying to re-teach myself to love fall. Turns out old habits die hard though… I still feel that sock feeling of dread when I see pumpkins ?
Hey Maria, So glad you’re loving the Texas weather! :) xo, Caroline
In Michigan this week the weather has been so up & down. Monday was cloudy and cool. Yesterday was 80 and Sunny. Today was warm, sunny, and then rainy, and then sunny again. I’m trying to be grateful for warm sunny days as I know in December I’m going to freezing my buns off but I just love fall weather so much. Not from a wardrobe standpoint but, cool/cloudy/windy fall days just make me so happy!
It snowed today in Montana. So I’m transitioning to winter sweaters… and trying to ward of the feelings of jealousy LOL
Someday I’ll live somewhere warmer. My husband and I are planning on Seattle in the near future :)
Hi Caroline!
I’m a long time reader from the days of your old capsules and wondering if you still have or wear any of those Fall items?
I know many of your readers purchased those items and would love to see them remixed:)
Personally I still wear the Aldo strap booties and the cocoon sweaters.
Caroline, do your Everlane shorts ever collect lint? I’m curious if they are lint magnets! Thanks!
I’ve been embracing this “real” Fall dressing as well and you are right! It’s wonderful! We are currently in the 60’s here in Baltimore but I still don’t need heavy sweaters and scarves and just recently started wearing ankle boots. I often do something similar to what you are doing which is long sleeves on top and shorter on the bottom or pants and short sleeves. I’m loving that you are posting more outfits!!
I have to say that your post about “real fall vs. fantasy fall” changed my life (well, you know, the way that I dress for fall, anyway)! I, too, have been trying to dress for my “fantasy fall” for 20-some-odd years here in LA, and this week, when I finally got around to organizing my fall capsule, I left some “summer” items in (granted, they are the more “fall colored” items–white pants had to go because I’m still a product of the South…). And, today in LA, it was 56 degrees this morning, but Santa Ana winds are kicking up today and it will be in the 90’s tomorrow, and I WILL HAVE SOMETHING TO WEAR! Hallelujah!
I live in Minneapolis, which is basically a frozen tundra November – March. My fantasy fall would be to wear warm clothes/layers and actually look cute/fashionable! My fantasy fall consists of clothes that just won’t keep me warm, so we have the opposite problem :) But I so totally get it! This fall and winter, my goals is to feel cute, like myself, AND be warm.
I’m loving that you are posting more frequently!
Thanks to you I’m now thinking of different ways to style what I already have!
Yesterday it was warm in Melbourne so I wore a black playsuit with a kimono jacket on top – it fell different and funky.
You are right, we need to practise being grateful with the small stuff so it will spread to other areas of our life ?
It is rainy-but-warm or sunny-but-crisp here in Vancouver during the autumn season. : ) I am thankful that I can get away with a warm sweater or a lighter shirt+light jacket most days. This means I can stretch my spring/summer clothes a little further and not have to worry about the pressure of stocking up on all the cold weather clothes as soon as they hit store shelves. : )
Love seeing all the Canada people showing up here! I’m in Nelson, BC…which is not my original home but which very much is my True Home.
I LOVE seasons – autumn most especially.
I feel most at home in my clothes and self during fall and winter (and am extra-conscious of this, after living in Egypt, Thailand and Florida…which left me fantasizing about sweaters, socks, falling leaves, snow and all kinds of amazing smells).
Here in Scandinavia weather has recently taken a turn for colder, but it is still sunny and trees are at their most beautiful. I live in a place where it’s hard to predict what seasons are going to be like, except at the most general level. It probably won’t snow in June, you probably need a coat in January. Rain can happen anytime, though.
Still, we do have distinct seasons and I’m grateful for the constant change even though maintaining a large wardrobe thoughtfully feels sometimes like a chore. Mostly, I am grateful for having variation happening naturally in my wardrobe. Your post reminds me that though we sometimes long for some “fantasy weather” and even shop for that, we often know how to dress best for the climate where we actually live in. I just couldn’t rock shorts in September, but it’s awesome that you can! My gifts include knowing how to look comfortable and put together when it’s pouring rain and cold wind blows strong…
LOVE unfancy! Your thoughts/intentionality are both a challenge and delight. :)
Two requests:
1. Messy French braid tutorial?
2. “Everyday” t shirt recommendations? Especially for those of us whose clothes are running the gauntlet of toddlers …
Thank you!!!
Hey Jess,
1. I’ll add the messy french braid tutorial to my list of ideas.
2. A few t-shirt recommendations from Everlane: http://bit.ly/2cX2jDi | http://bit.ly/2d8DtPd | http://bit.ly/2cZAzsU I would also check Madewell since they have some 100% cotton tees on sale right now. :)
Hope that helps! xo, Caroline
I would be too cold to wear that most days in Summer!! I live in Halifax in England, today it’s a high of 11 Celsius (52 Fahrenheit apparently), it was 6c (42F) when I left home this morning, and that’s only going to get colder!
Even though you are focusing more on dressing your “Real Fall” instead of “Fantasy Fall” and I don’t have the same circumstances, you have really inspired me to develop a Autumnal style. Every year I usually just throw clothes on and hope I’ll be warm enough (I’m one of those people who shivers under a blanket in June) and usually I end up looking like a pattern monster has been sick on me. This year, so far – and I’m about 3 weeks into dressing for Autumn instead of Summer – I feel like I’ve developed a proper grown-up style for the first time aged 26! Thank you!
I think I’ll be having sartorial fun or Autumn/Winter – time to plan for Spring/Summer now!!
(for some reason the whole text box is in caps, sorry if this post comes up all shouty!)
I love everyone’s comments about their fantasy fall vs. real fall. Fall is my absolute favorite season, but the Midwest has been having a fairly warm one with temps up to 80. Your post about dressing for real fall helped me shift my mindset toward embracing the in-between weather. Instead of pulling out my big sweaters, I’ve been thinking of it as the perfect time to try fun new combinations that wouldn’t work in the summer or once it actually gets cold – sweaters with shorts, sundresses with jackets, etc.
One of the benefits of moving away from the strict capsule concept is that I don’t feel pressure to make a big seasonal shift and put away all my shorts, sandals, etc. right now. Currently I have more clothes in my closet than usual, because there’s a mix of warm and cool weather items, but I know I can just slowly tuck away summer things as the weather shifts cooler.
I’m a west Texas girl too and I want so badly to embrace it. But when I’m sweating in October I’m not too cheery about it. But I want to be!!! Thankful for days like today when I can bust out the long sleeves!!
You’ve dressed for New England SUMMER! :) I must admit, in our part of the country, “fantasy fall” is our reality. We’re the ones who don the boots, scarves, puffer vests and layered plaid shirts. As someone already said, in one day we might trudge through mud (boots), brave 40 degree mornings (scarves & vests), sun our selves at lunch (layers), and clutch hot coffee at evening football games (plaid flannel). So, HUZZAH to you for dressing for YOUR reality!!
Great post, as always! I think there is so much in life that I would enjoy more if I stopped thinking about the next thing (i.e. why isn’t the cooler weather here?), and just embraced where I was. :)
I really like the shorts, and I looked on Everlane’s website, and I can’t tell if they have a side zipper or are elastic waist – what is the closure like? They are basically the shorts I was looking for all summer, and somehow I missed them!
Funny you mention LA, I’m just north of there (right on the coast, thankfully, so it’s a little cooler!) and have pretty similar weather right now. I have been cautiously pulling out my short boots and thinner cardigans and actually been able to get away with wearing them, barely. I was surprised at how nice it was to wear my cardigans again, I had gotten so sick of them last winter/spring!
I live not too far from Abilene in Lubbock, so I totally understand the weather issue!! I try to enjoy lunch at the park this time of year. That helps me be more grateful for the warm fall season!
If it makes you feel any better it has been almost 90 in Illinois. I have the air on
You’re so right about enjoying the nice weather. I like it too. The problem for me is that I just like my fall clothes better and my summer clothes are wearing out. As time goes on, I’m really considering your idea of a 3 month capsule wardrobe instead of 6 month because the weather is soooo different now from the winter months.
Aimee
http://www.lifetimeorganizing.com
I grew up in Colorado, where fall was usually the best season — no rain, temps still in the 70s some days. Now I live in Arizona, and we’re still in the upper 80s/low 90s and I have no idea how to dress for this kind of fall! I absolutely love the warm weather though, so I’m embracing still being able to wear sandals and shorts, but bringing a sweater to work to deal with the crazy A/C, and including some fall-like colors and styles that won’t leave me sweating :)
I’m in L.A. It’s hot, it’s sunny, and I’m still in my shorts! I can get away with a sweater in the morning, but by mid-day… I’m sweating and about to have a mild heat stroke! Then it gets pretty chilly at night. Fall for us is the most awkward (but beautiful) time of the year!
Your real fall is my fantasy fall :)) Here in Bucharest, RO are 48 degrees but I am trying to make the best of it! Warm sweaters, long jeans,cardigans, scarfs, hats, cozy coats and boots are the real deal down here. You are lucky to have this weather in TX.
Kisses!
Andreea
I’m at university in Exeter, England, and it’s gotten chilly as heck real quick this year. Last year it was quite nice still at this point – 20 degrees (68F) instead of this year’s 15 (59F). Only 10F difference but the bite in the air is definitely there. But that being said, I adore jumpers and warm clothes – my wardrobe is 95% button downs, jumpers, loose tshirts, cardigans and jeans. I don’t love the cold, but I love cosy season. If that makes sense.
On another note, I’ve found I’ve done much the same as you – at one point, I pared my wardrobe right down and I had a lil obsession with counting/listing all my possessions. Now, while I still love a good list, I’m much more relaxed about my wardrobe. Sure, I still have a much smaller wardrobe compared to pretty much all of my housemates, but I’m not too worried about numbers, just whether I’ll be able to transport it!
I feel like that about Spring right now in Australia :) It has taken its time showing up this year and at first I was thinking, “why can’t it just be warm already?”. But…it’s actually glorious to still be wearing tights and scarves in October/November here because normally, it’d already be about 30 degrees (celsius) everyday. It’s all about appreciating what is, right? :) I just stumbled upon your site but love it!
It happens the same to me but instead a fantasy fall i used to have a fantasy winter wardrobe, outfits with sneakers, jeans, ankle socks, thin sweaters and jean jackets. And then the cold winter winds from Madrid brought me back to reality, here I need multiple layers, warm coats, thick and high socks, gloves, scarfs, etc. At the beggining i felt a little bit frustrated but now to prepare my winter wardrobe is real fun. I love all the posibilities i have.
Thanks for your site, is really amazing, i’m learning a lot of useful stuff and I really love your beautiful photos. Kisses from Spain!
Note: Sorry for my english, I still have to improve my writting level.
Where I live, I can get away with wearing shorts up to about the end of September…sometimes the first two weeks of October but that’s rare. Kudos to you for living in the moment and not wishing the beautiful weather away!!