Seeya summer
Autumn is the coolest season, allowing you to wear sunnies and a jacket. Harriet Pudney picks her faves.
For my last couple of years in Wellington, I lived in a big, beautiful old apartment in Brooklyn. It was set back into the hill, with each flat stacked on top of and back from the one in front. The real estate agent at the street level had a tank of turtles in its front room and we had friends who lived upstairs. I loved it. On one of those rare and beautiful crisp Wellington autumn days, I ran into one of my upstairs neighbour when he was leaving and I was arriving home. He had on some very Steve McQueen-like sunnies and a navy Harrington jacket, and when I made some comment on the sunshine, he said: “Oh yeah, easily the coolest time of the year.” He straightened his sunglasses and tugged on the collar of his jacket as he said it. His meaning was quite clear. This would have been in 2016, and I’ve thought about it every autumn since. The thing is: he was extremely correct. Weather that allows you to wear your sickest jacket at the same time as your coolest sunglasses is essentially doing you a favour. Everyone looks a little bit more stylish in these two items, like they have a favourite cocktail and it’s not what you would have expected. My own personal favourite jacket is a navy blue J.Crew biker jacket. I saw it at Tatty’s on Ponsonby Rd in Auckland last year, fell in love, and couldn’t justify the expense. Two weeks later and I was still thinking about it, so I emailed the store and bought it via bank transfer. It’s perfectly cut and satisfyingly bulky, and fits like it was made for me. Every time I wear it, someone says they love my jacket. Mate. Same. I’m similarly obsessed with a far-tooexpensive pair of Oliver Peoples sunglasses I nabbed just before Christmas. Wearing both jacket and sunnies, I feel at least six times as cool as I really am, and I want that for you, too. For the high rollers among us, that may come down to Stolen Girlfriends Club’s Essential Biker Jacket, $1099. This jacket does everything it needs to and nothing it doesn’t. The textured leather may make you cry a tiny bit, and it’ll go with everything you own. You’ll keep it for a decade. I also have my eye on the Levi’s Ex Boyfriend Trucker Jacket, $170. Slightly longer of line and looser of fit than most women’s jackets, it works equally well thrown on over a dress or layered with knitwear, black jeans, and ankle boots. We love a spot of versatility. Despite the name, this one isn’t going to get you any annoying messages about giving someone back their clothes. If your perfect jacket is one that makes a bit of a statement, you might like to consider the Gestuz Leopa Bomber, $150. It’s lightweight, so definitely one for the shoulder seasons rather than true winter, but it’s extremely cool and would look fantastic with a knit T-shirt and some high-waisted flares. Expect to get asked to lend this one out. Sunglasses are tricky to recommend, as it’s all about how the size and shape sits on your own head. For this reason I would suggest doing some try-ons in person, if at all possible. Sometimes it’s the frames you tried on just because they were there that end up being perfect. With that said, there are still a few shapes worth looking out for. Celine sunglasses have always been a bit of a status symbol, both for their price and in-theknow vibe. The chunky, stripey toffee-coloured CL40008I model, A$659, are exceptional. Please, buy them on my behalf. Alternatively, opt for an updated classic in the form of Ray-Ban RB3548N, A$205. The hexagonal lens is as cool as hell, but not so outrageous that you’ll get sick of them. Last is the Le Specs Bandwagon, a frame that looks much better than its A$80 price tag. They have a timeless feel that will keep them in your bag through the year, and that matte tortoiseshell is great.