What Shoes Are You Wearing This Fall? (Plus, 25% Off)

How do you welcome fall? The boys and I light candles at dinner, I re-watch my #1 comfort movie When Harry Met Sally, and I love taking leaf-peeping walks with friends in comfy leather boots. Curious about rituals in warmer places, I checked in with our beloved Nicki Sebastian, who broke our hearts and moved to L.A. eight years ago. Here, she shares a funny family outing, the color she wears when missing New York, and how she styles two Nisolo staples…

Boots: Ana Go-To Heeled Chelsea Boot. Bag: Simone Convertible Shopper.

“Fall in L.A. is noticeably less cozy than it is on the East Coast, but I still try to imbue some autumnal magic. I love dragging my family to an apple orchard, even if the temps are in the 80s. We also like lighting a good clove-y candle and watching A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.”

“Outfit-wise, I love wearing heeled Chelsea boots with dresses or skirts on date nights — they add a cool, edgy vibe. Before getting these, I wondered if the heel would be comfy, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised: they don’t scrunch my wide feet, and thanks to the rubber soles, I don’t feel an ounce of lower back pain (welcome to my 40s!). From a visual perspective, they’re timeless and elevate even the simplest outfits, like a jean skirt and T-shirt.”

“I’ve searched forever for a bag that holds all my mom hacks (snacks, sunscreen, wipes, markers, paper) but still looks like I have it together. This leather bucket bag is IT. I’m amazed by how much it holds, but it’s not so cavernous that it turns into a black hole. It also pairs well with countless outfits I own and is a forever piece I’ll use for years and years.”

Boots: Ana Go-To Heeled Chelsea Boot. Bag: Simone Convertible Shopper.

“For a smart look, black is my go-to. Perhaps it’s the 12 years I spent in New York, or the lingering Ashlee Simpson phase that never completely left me. But when I’m going somewhere dressy, I wear black. When I get nostalgic for East Coast cynicism as opposed to West Coast woo-woo, I wear black. When I’m feeling my feelings, I wear black. The color is there for me during emo moods, as well as when I just want to look and feel good.”

Thank you so much, Nicki! I, too, have worn Nisolo for years. Their shoes and bags are beautifully made, and they’re a company who cares about people. As a top-rated Certified B Corp, Nisolo is committed to meeting the highest standard of social and environmental responsibility. Every purchase provides a living wage to producers across the supply chain and helps protect trees from deforestation in the Amazon basin. They’re also a Climate Neutral Certified Brand — measuring, reducing, and offsetting their carbon emissions by 100%.

Bonus for all readers: Today, Nisolo is offering Cup of Jo readers 25% off (excludes cleaning kits, masks and Marketplace) with code CUPOFJO25. Good through October 31st. See everything here, if you’d like.

Which Nisolo styles are calling your name? I love the block heels, and how cute is their woven bag?

(Photos by Nicki Sebastian for Cup of Jo. This post is sponsored by Nisolo, a company we’ve worn and loved for years. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep Cup of Jo running.)