The first truly cold morning of the season arrived without warning. I was walking down the block, scarf up, thinking about the pile of summer dresses I’ve already boxed up — and that’s when I noticed Sézane had dropped their fall collection the same week. So I did what I always do: opened the site, scrolled past the obvious, and made a short list of pieces that would actually live in my closet and get worn.
If you shop fall like I do — a few solid basics, nothing that screams trend — this is the list. I’ve worn Sézane before and it’s a brand I keep coming back to, but I haven’t been paid for this list and there are no discount codes to pass along. Just the pieces from the drop I’d buy for my own wardrobe, in the order I’d reach for them on a Tuesday morning.
The sweaters I’d actually buy
Start with the stripes. The color combo on the striped crewneck is the kind that goes with everything, and there’s a brown/cream version if you want the softer route. It’s the piece that earns its closet space.
The rest of the knit section is worth a look too. There’s a henley, a cotton crewneck, a cardigan, and an oversized jumper, and all of them have the small details that make Sézane pieces feel more considered than they are: buttoned necklines, cable-knit cuffs. The 100% cotton crewneck comes in six colors, and the oversized jumper in that perfect green would look great with jeans on a lazy weekend.
Here’s where I’d be honest with you, though: I’ve only tried a handful of these on. The loafers, specifically — more on those below. The knitwear I’m going on the photos and the fabric content, so if fit matters to you, check the sizing chart before you order. Sézane runs true to size in most of their knitwear, but that’s the kind of thing that varies piece by piece.
The coats
Sézane is, of course, famous for their trench coats — I see this style all over New York — and the new Arnaud with a stand-up collar and snap buttons is the one I’m paying attention to. It’s the coat that does the work while everything else stays comfortable. One question I keep coming back to: would you follow their lead and style the coat or a bag with a silk scarf? I’m on the fence, but I think I’m leaning yes.
For work meetings, the chore jacket comes in cotton and leather, but the wool houndstooth version is what I’d grab. It reads as put-together without trying, which is exactly the register I want for a desk-to-dinner day.
And for the coldest days of the year, there’s a navy wool coat that would feel like wrapping yourself in a blanket. That’s not a coat you reach for on a mild day. That’s the coat for when the wind is doing its best impression of deep winter.
The loafers
Finally, for fall walks, dinners, and just padding around the city, I tried on the loafers and they’re extremely soft and supple. They’re the kind of shoes you could wear every day, everywhere — with the navy coat, with the oversized jumper, with basically anything on this list. If you’re carrying one new piece out of the fall drop, make it these.
A note on prices
The source drop doesn’t list hard prices, and I’m not going to invent any. Sézane sits in the mid-price range — above fast fashion, well below the designer tier — and the sweaters and loafers are the more accessible pieces in the collection, while the wool coats and the trench are the bigger investments. If you’re waiting on a sale, the mid-October window is usually where this kind of drop gets marked down.
FAQ
What’s the one piece I’d buy first if I’m on a budget?
The 100% cotton crewneck. It’s the most versatile, the easiest to size, and the price is the most approachable of the items on this list.
Do these pieces work for someone who isn’t a ‘fashion person’?
Yes — that’s the whole point. Stripes, a camel trench, a navy coat, loafers. None of it requires styling. Put the sweater on, throw the coat over it, and you’re done.
Are these pieces true to size?
Most of the knitwear runs true to size, but fit varies piece by piece. Check the sizing chart on the product page before you order, especially for the oversized jumper, which is meant to sit loose.
A note from Ava
I’ve been eyeing the Arnaud trench for a week now. I think I’ll try it on this weekend before I commit — that’s my rule for anything over a certain budget, and it’s saved me from more regrettable purchases than I can count. I’ll let you know how it fits.
If you want more of this, check out my capsule wardrobe guides and my fall outfit formulas — both are on the site and both are built around the same logic: buy less, wear it more.
