Must Be (once again) the Season of the Witch

When I think of fall, three things immediately come to mind: hot drinks, candles, and Stevie Nicks. I can’t imagine an autumn season without the warmth of hot cocoa or a pumpkin spice latte (yes, I’m basic). My room without being dimly lit and smelling of bourbon and vanilla, or going out without wearing flowy sleeves, knee-high boots, and “Rhiannon” blasting in the car. Let this be my guide to you on how to spend autumn feeling warm, hot, and witchy.  

Living in South Florida, it sure doesn’t feel like fall or any other season besides summer, for that matter. But there are small signs. The cooler breezes at night, the unexpected drizzles and pours (which we love and love to hate), and the falling leaves of a *few* trees, at the least. 

Take advantage of the increasing nighttime. Go out for a late-night walk (safely), a bike ride, a drive with the windows down, or the convertible top off. Lay a blanket on the grass with friends or a lover and watch the moon and stars for a while. Make a drink and sit outside—enjoy the fresh air for a bit. Fall in love with fall. 

Decor

For your home, get candles, so many candles! Scatter them around in unexpected places. Put a whole bunch, large and small, on a corner table or on your desk. They don’t even need to be lit, but if they are, be careful. If you’re afraid of burning the house down, a safer alternative is incense (as long as it’s safely placed in its holder). There are so many smells to choose from, and once a stick is lit, you won’t want it to end. My favorites for fall are cannabis and frankincense & myrrh. Don’t forget to crack open a window to invite in the fresh air. 

Instead of the expected Halloween decorations, subtle incorporations of vintage objects such as candle holders, ashtrays, and trinkets make the beautiful, witchy interior decor. One thing I love to do to create a spookier vibe is to put thin scarves over lamps in the house. They both dim the place and provide a touch of style. Colors for this season: purple, brown, black, brass, and orange. 

Clothing

Now for your wardrobe. Fall is all about letting loose and balancing work (and school) with the beautiful changes in one’s weather and surroundings. I love to throw on boots once in a while. Even in Florida, where the humidity kills, I find boots are a fun addition to any outfit. Wear wide-legged jeans or a maxi skirt over them. Wear shorts, a miniskirt, or a dress. Don’t be afraid to try them on with something you ordinarily wouldn’t, like a loose tee. If you don’t like boots, try Mary Janes. They’re gorgeous and classic and go with just about every outfit. For some reason, they heavily remind me of fall. 

Embrace your inner witch with some whimsigothic-inspired style choices. Emerging in the 90s, the whimsigothic style is heavily inspired by witchcraft, darkness, Sabrina, The Teenage Witch, and, of course, the queen of autumn: Stevie Nicks. Glamour says that “The whimsigoth of today emphasizes rich textures (velvet, lace, leather), bold colors (ruby reds, shimmering purples, cosmic blues), and plenty of jewelry,” all without appearing overdone, tacky, or ostentatious. Personally, I love to sport my 90s wine-colored wrap top with flared sleeves (thanks, mom) as a staple with bell bottoms and knee-high boots—I’m still working on loving the maxi skirt. If you’re in Florida and can’t stand the heat, throw on a lace corset paired with a velvet miniskirt. Buy rings, lots of rings. Layer necklaces, and try on big earrings. Don’t be afraid to wear something that doesn’t naturally fall (no pun intended) into the autumnal category; style depends entirely on how you want to express yourself.

Strike Out,

Parmis Etezady

Boca Raton

Parmis Etezady is a Content Writer for Strike Magazine Boca. In her free time, she likes to collect records, go to rock concerts (or blast music in her bedroom), and obsess over vintage fashion. You can reach her at petezady@gmail.com.