How Badly Do I Want a Navy Sweater? & Other Questions I Ask Myself While Playing These September Songs...

Desk Note 16 - sounds & sweaters to welcome fall to the city

News flash: it’s officially fall! The weather in the city this weekend definitely confirmed as much. Rain, wind, and chilly temps meant I brought out the trench coat and sweater on Saturday. And based on my not-so-reliable weather app, dare I say fall is here to stay?

snaps from a rainy September weekend

I’m ready for it. I’ve been eager to put away all the summer linen. So as I burn my ambre candle and begin to swap out my closet, I wonder…

How badly do I want a navy sweater this season?

Enough to write a blog post about it, I guess.

I’ve wanted one for maybe four years now since reading a guide by le muse, Caroline de Maigret. The cities I lived in before never justified a big investment in a fall wardrobe. But now living in New York, I’m adding pieces little by little each season. Here’s what’s on my list this fall:

a vintage leather jacket,

a navy knitted sweater, and

a pair of red-wine-colored leather mules or loafers.

Lucky for all of us, I’m working on a desk note with a friend who has curated an impressive list of vintage stores in the city. It’s going to be epic. Like Alexa Chung & Derek Blasberg level epic. Stay tuned.

As for the others, I have my eyes on this navy sweater from beloved La Ligne and these not-to-be-overlooked weejuns from GH Bass.

I also thought it might be fun to share some September songs with you.

Before all of the rain set in this weekend, I had a throwback moment. As I walked up Broadway eating frozen yogurt and talking to my mom on the phone the other night (hi, mom, if you’re reading this!), “September Song” by JP Cooper popped into my head.

I played it maybe 4 or 5 times as the fall weather arrived in New York. That catchy, silly chorus latched onto my brain and I couldn’t get it out.

So, naturally, I made a playlist: My September Songs, 2023 Edition. If you (fellow big-city dreamers) feel inclined, give it a listen on Apple Music next time you go for an autumn walk in Central Park. Or press play while you cozy up with a chai latte and work from home.

Some are new, some are old. The tempos vary, just like the temps.

Here they are, themed, of course:

Part 1: Nostalgia Arrives

1. “Forever Mine” by Andra Day

2. “Make It Better (feat. Smokey Robinson)” by Anderson .Paak

3. “September Song” by JP Cooper

4. “Funny Thing” by Thundercat

Part 2: September Stride

1. “COZY” by Beyonce

2. “Alright” by Kendrick Lamar

3. “New Person, Same Old Mistakes” by Tame Impala

4. “See You Again (feat. Kali Uchis)” by Tyler, The Creator

Part 3: Seasons Change

1. “Don’t Wait Too Long” by Tony Bennett

2. “Gin & Juice (Let Go My Hand)” by Andra Day

3. “Let’s Face the Music and Dance” by Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga

4. "A Change Is Gonna Come” by Aretha Franklin

I’m embarrassed to admit how much time I spent thinking about what songs to add and in which order to include them. But what else are we to do when it is this gross and rainy outside? Feel free to also sound off in the comments with your own recs for both sweaters and songs.

Cheers to the final week of September!

ECF