BY MARTHA SCANLON FISH
There are essentially two types of people on Cape Cod: those who wear their flip flops into November, in an attempt to prolong their beloved summer season, and those who wait anxiously for the return of fall, donning tall boots and chunky knit scarves at the first sign of fall foliage. No matter which category you belong to, there are plenty of options on the Upper Cape for accessories to help you smoothly transition from summer to fall.
“You can’t go wrong with a good flannel,” says Catie Bergeron at Mocean in Mashpee Commons of the classic fall style. Nearby, at The Purple Poppy, also in Mashpee Commons, reversible plaid scarves and even a full-length flannel duster coat are on display, while at Board Stiff on Main Street in Falmouth, “plaids are all the rage,” according to Jen Amazeen. “They’re warm and practical!”
Board Stiff has been selling out of leather backpacks, for all ages and not just students, while at Liberty House in Woods Hole, people are going for vegan leather bags by designer Joy Susan. “They’re not real leather, but everyone thinks they are,” said Paula Popenoe. Liberty House also carries classic real leather totes, hobo bags, and clutches.
Cross-body bags continue to be in demand at the Shining Sea Boutique on Main Street in Falmouth, freeing up the wearer’s hands for more important tasks (like shopping!). Bright summer colors have been replaced by taupes and plums, and bags feature fringe embellishments. For fall weddings, Shining Sea Boutique carries metallic clutches and jewelry. And as phones continue to grow in size, so do wristlets (a wallet with a strap), and the boutique carries wristlets that are large enough to fit even the newest giant smartphone.
This page, clockwise from left: Fall boots and booties on display at Board Stiff on Main Street in Falmouth. Wide brim felt hats are a bestseller at Mocean in Mashpee Commons. A three-in-one shawl/poncho/scarf combination is a popular and versatile layer at the Shining Sea Boutique on Main Street in Falmouth.
A reversible, three-in-one shawl/poncho/scarf combination is also popular at the Shining Sea Boutique. The wrap comes in a variety of colors and features trendy patterns like crabs, seahorses, and anchors, and is a popular gift item because it does not require any guessing about size. Owner Jenny Caprio says the store will continue to stock more ponchos in fall plaids and colors with embellishments like tassels and fringe. “They are easy to pop over any outfit,” she said.
Cashmere ponchos in dozens of colors are a bestseller at The Purple Poppy, where visitors will frequently buy them to layer up on a cool summer night. “People are on vacation and they need something to throw over their shoulders,” said Susan Gerard. A favorite to take onboard an airplane, ponchos are also available at The Purple Poppy in cotton blends and a variety of prints.
Fleece-lined leggings are another easy layer to add to warm up a light summer dress or skirt for fall. At Liberty House, the fleece-lined leggings have been selling well for years but are now carried in more prints and textures, similar to tights, but providing a better barrier from chilly weather.
As for fall footwear, tall leather boots are always a staple, but many stores are also displaying ankle booties and mid-calf boots. Board Stiff has new open-toe booties made by Tom’s, as well as low suede boots with a small heel. At Mocean, updated leather UGG boots are available in tall and low styles alongside Sperry loafers in darker fall colors. Mocean carries rain boots by Bogs, including the trendy combat boot style in a waterproof material. To go with all those boots, Liberty House and other stores sell cozy boot socks that go all the way to the top of the boot with lace trim.
Another fall trend that has returned this year is the infinity scarf, featured at nearly every store. “People love these so much that we have trouble keeping them in stock!” said Susan Gerard of a version adorned with fringe at The Purple Poppy.
In addition to mittens and gloves, fingerless gloves and arm warmers are popular again this year, said Ms. Popenoe at Liberty House, as well as traditional knit hats and head wraps. A bestseller at Mocean has been felt and wool wide brimmed hats with leather trim in colors like charcoal and maroon. “I’ve seen a ton of girls wearing them this year,” said Ms. Bergeron.
Jarita Davis prefers to knit her own fall accessories, using big needles and bulky yarn, often left over from other projects, to create scarves and chunky cowls to layer over coats. “They have a very dramatic look to them when they are oversized and squishy,” she said, adding that scarves are fun because they can be completed relatively quickly and typically do not require patterns.
She buys supplies at Sage Yarn on Route 28A in North Falmouth, which sells a wide variety of yarn from manufacturers like Berroco, Cascade, and Plymouth, in cottons, silks, washable wools, among other materials. Sage also offers knitting accessories and patterns, and hosts several weekly knitting and crocheting gatherings where knitters can work on projects together and receive help from each other.
Ms. Davis prefers to knit during the fall and winter, “when the cooler temperatures and lack of light drive me indoors,” and especially appreciates the colors of the yarn. “As the summer and fall slip away, I start to look to knitting for my daily dose of color. When the color has faded from the garden and the leaves have had their last hurrah and all we’re left with are November’s grays and browns, I reach for yarn in vibrant jewel tones to add a bit of color into my life.”