Every year, as August rolls around and the back-to-school ads start creeping into my feed, I feel that familiar pull toward fall. I start dreaming about crisp air, apple cider, and the cozy layers waiting in my closet. I’ll admit it—by mid-August, I’m often over summer. The sun feels a little too hot, the days a little too long, and I find myself craving that magical shift into autumn.
But over the past few years, I’ve learned to slow down and savor this beautiful, fleeting season we call late summer. It’s a golden in-between, where the days are still long and warm, but there’s a softness in the air that whispers change is coming. It’s not quite fall yet—but it’s not the height of summer anymore either. And that’s exactly what makes it so special.
If you’re like me and find yourself longing for sweater weather a little too soon, I invite you to join me in romanticizing late summer. Here are some simple, meaningful ways to embrace this overlooked season and make the most of its subtle beauty.
1. Chase Golden Hour
Late summer has some of the most beautiful light of the year. The sun sets earlier than in June, casting everything in a warm, golden glow. Make it a habit to step outside around sunset—whether it’s to take a walk, sit on the porch with a book, or just breathe in the still-warm air. Let that soft light slow you down and remind you of how quickly the seasons pass.
2. Add Autumnal Touches (Just a Few!)
You don’t have to go full pumpkin mode yet—but late summer is a great time to start weaving in hints of fall. Think golden-toned florals, deeper shades of green and rust, and cozy textures like linen and cotton knits. Maybe it’s a throw blanket draped over the couch, a simmer pot on the stove with cinnamon and citrus, or just swapping your fresh florals for dried ones.
3. Make the Most of Summer’s Bounty
Late summer is the season of abundance. Tomatoes, peaches, berries, corn—it’s all ripe and ready. Spend a day picking your own fruit, visit your local farmer’s market, or simply enjoy the juicy produce that’s still at its peak. Try canning jam, baking a galette, or making a late-summer salad with fresh herbs from the garden. Checkout my Easy Homemade Peach Sauce!
4. Create Slow, End-of-Summer Rituals
This is the perfect time to lean into cozy, slow living. Plan one last backyard picnic. Have a candlelit dinner outside. Take an afternoon nap with the windows open and a fan humming. Take your morning coffee on the porch while listening to cicadas. These small, simple rituals help you stay grounded in the present instead of rushing toward the next season.
5. Start Your Gentle Transition into Fall
If you’re the planning type, late summer is a great time to begin organizing for fall—without diving in headfirst. Clean out your closet. Refresh your pantry with baking supplies. Set out a fall-scented candle but don’t light it quite yet. It’s like the soft opening of autumn, and you get to enjoy the anticipation without feeling rushed.
6. Dress for the In-Between
I love starting to layer in late summer. Light cardigans, cotton dresses, and sandals with long skirts feel just right. This is a season for balance—bare shoulders and cozy knits, straw hats and earth-toned accessories. Let your wardrobe reflect that gentle blend of summer and fall.
*Bonus* If you are a seamstress, even a newbie like me, pick out some autumnal fabric and work on some new pieces for the upcoming season!
7. Romanticize the Everyday
This time of year is full of nostalgia. The smell of freshly sharpened pencils. The rustle of leaves beginning to fall. That first cool morning that surprises you when you open the door. Lean into it. Watch a childhood favorite movie. Journal on the back porch. Light a beeswax candle. Bake something just because. Late summer is the perfect time to notice the little things that make your life feel romantic, cozy, and intentional.
8. Make a Late Summer Bucket List
Creating a late summer bucket list has been one of my favorite ways to stay present in this season. It helps me focus on the magic that’s still here instead of wishing for what’s next. Think: take a twilight walk, have a screen-free evening on the porch, dry herbs from the garden, make s’mores one last time, or watch the stars with the kids before school starts.
9. Savor the Stillness
Late summer is a quieter season—especially in the evenings. School might be starting back up, but summer’s warmth still lingers. There’s a hush in the air, like the earth is holding its breath before the rush of fall. It’s the perfect time to slow down, reflect, and prepare your heart for a new season.
10. Let Go of “Should”
Lastly, give yourself permission to romanticize late summer in whatever way feels right for you. You don’t have to throw one last summer bash or perfectly plan your fall wardrobe. You don’t need a curated aesthetic to enjoy the golden light or a picture-perfect porch to feel at peace. All you need is a moment of stillness, a softened heart, and a willingness to notice the beauty of right now.
Embrace the In-Between
If you’ve ever found yourself yearning for fall in the thick of August, I get it. But late summer has a charm all its own—a slower rhythm, a golden light, and a gentle invitation to savor life as it is. It’s the season of soft transitions, of lingering warmth, of letting go. Romanticizing it doesn’t mean denying your love of fall—it just means choosing to love the moment you’re in.
So light a citronella candle, pour a glass of iced tea, and watch the fireflies dance. Autumn will be here soon enough. For now, let’s linger just a little longer in the golden glow of late summer.
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