There’s always the post-Labor Day wearing white kerfuffle, but does anyone else feel a little… I dunno, guilty about wearing dark colors in summer?  I’m always so compelled to bring out the bold colors, the pastels, and the all-white looks, that I forget about my closet’s most truly versatile dark hues.

Now that it’s officially fall, I’m giving myself permission to wear deep, inky colors from head-to-toe, and it feels fantastic.  Yes, red suiting is intensely powerful.  I (and Celine Dion) have been known to wear yellows and pinks from head-to-toe.  But throw on some dark power suiting and try to tell me you don’t feel like you’re ready to handle some business.  Cool, deep-toned looks are timeless, essential, and a necessary canvas for anyone obsessed with accessories. [Raises hand.]

I’m currently loving this deep navy pinstripe pant and blazer situation from Theory’s new Good Wool collection, layered over a double-breasted Theory leather jacket, because fall is nothing if not an opportunity to get creative with layers. My chain belt is vintage Chanel (le sigh), these power mules are Sergio Rossi, and my sunnies are the Le Specs pair that I haven’t left home without in months. My lipcolor is Laura Mercier in Lover.

How chic is this barely-there pinstripe situation?  Any momentary pangs of “is this boring?” are instantly quelled with layered combinations of print and texture.  Feel free to call me “Two Jacket Mary” for the rest of the year. Wait, no, that sounds like a card game…