Dear Member,
We hope you are all keeping well and have successfully recovered your cold-weather coats from their temperature-controlled units. As promised, here is the second instalment of our Autumnal two-parter. We’re kicking off with film club, which includes some of the club’s top picks for autumnal films that have as much style as they do substance. We are then heading over to the Club Corner, where we address our members’ anonymous questions, thoughts, and concerns (a reminder to all members that before scribbling any concerns, they should probably use a club napkin instead of a business card or personalised stationery). We then turn to our resident fashion forecaster for a report on the most recent shows and how you can best prepare for SS25, just in case you were looking for another excuse to shop. We would also like to thank all our members who have already pre-ordered their knit, and for those who have yet to do so, you can do so here.
Film Club
This month, the club’s screening rooms will exclusively only be showing films that combine our love of all things autumn: the crunchy foliage, the crisp weather, and, more importantly, the cosy layers. These are some of our favourites because they combine a hint of our beloved nostalgia, a collegiate nod, and a dose of classic old gentleman styling. We prefer our blazers tweed, our shirts untucked, and our knitwear well worn. If you, too, have a penchant for an autumnal cliche or two, join us on a walk around a leaf-strewn park…
Love Story, 1970
A film we go back to time and time again for the utterly chic wardrobe of Jennifer (the Oscar winning character portrayed by Ali MacGraw), who is in possession of some of the best coats out there. The surprise hits are the stripy Harvard scarves and an impossibly elegant red dress. Be prepared to cry over more than just her fabulous wardrobe, though. If you’re only here for the outfits, you can always cheat and cut the film short before the waterworks set in.
The Nora Ephron Trilogy,
When Harry Met Sally, 1989
Sleepless in Seattle, 1993
You’ve Got Mail, 1998
These films offer up some of our most commonly used film quotes:
“You’re right, you’re right, I know you’re right.”
“That caviar’s a garnish!”
“Quelle Nightmare”
“Waiter! There’s too much pepper on my paprikash!”
“Patricia makes coffee nervous.”
Who needs The Godfather when we have Nora and her magnificent scripts? When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, and You’ve Got Mail are all incredible in their own ways. The through line is, of course, our beloved Meg Ryan, who always wears impeccable trousers. Our top picks are the tracksuit bottoms in Sleepless in Swattle, or her silky khaki numbers when visiting her brother, which later also appear in When Harry Met Sally, during the infamous scene at The Met. Finally You’ve Got Mail, where it’s a toss up between the iconic pyjamas at the start of the film, or the chinos she wears later on. This is all without mentioning the knitwear, or the incredibly cosy vibe these films give off. We often say that modern films are afraid of good dialogue, and Ephron’s films offer that in abundance. In the immortal words of the director, Rob Reiner’s mother, “I’ll have what she’s having…”.
Father of the Bride I & II, 1991, 1995
These films kick off the Diane Keaton section of this piece, which you will have to forgive us for. She just is so chic, and whenever she’s in a film, you can’t help but take note of her loafers, shirts and tailoring. We have a fondness for the sequel as Keaton really dials up her shirting as her maternity wear, and it also includes the incredible styling of Frank and his baby workout. While these films are necessarily set exclusively during autumn, the lighting gives a certain golden hue of warmth that certainly makes you feel like it’s autumn. There’s also a feelgood factor to the screenplay that feels akin to snuggling up with your duvet on the sofa, a quality that we can attribute to the writing of Nancy Meyers, of course!
Good Will Hunting, 1997
A very chic stylist once described her Autumn/Winter style as very “Robin Williams in Good Will Hunting” aka retro cardigans, cords and shirts. However, you can’t knock the looks from Matt Damon either – those workwear zip up jackets? Varsity jackets? We’re in. We also have a soft spot for this film due to a combination of Robin Williams’s monologue and Matt Damon’s curtain bangs. Style aside, this is a very touching coming-of-age film about a young man trying to find his identity that we think everyone should see at least once.
Baby Boom, 1987
A little known 80s classic from Nancy Meyers, Baby Boom follows a city slicker moving to snowy Vermont with her new baby, just trying to make it work. Starting with classic 80s suits, Diane Keaton’s character then swaps to the ease of tailored trousers, knitwear and overcoats. Her Vermont farmhouse is pretty idyllic, too, especially if you want to get yourself into the ‘wintery but not quite Christmas’ mood.
Little Women (Greta’s Version), 2019
Okay, this one is a little off-topic, but you’ve got to have a period drama here to bring the ultimate in cosy vibes. The way the costumes were developed so that Jo’s (played by Saoirse Ronan) and Laurie’s (played by Timothee Chalamet) clothes could be shared between the two characters is one of our favourite details. And just wait for the scene on the hill…with the autumn leaves in the backdrop, golden hues of light, passionate dialogue and Laurie’s velvet waistcoat… We get carried away just thinking about it! And this is before we’ve even talked about the warmth of the March home. This iteration of Little Women is a standout in every category (in our humble opinion).
St Elmo’s Fire, 1985
If anyone has seen the BRATS documentary, but hasn’t seen St Elmo’s Fire, now is your time to rectify that. Just wait until you see the coats, the 80s styling, and a young Rob Lowe. Before there was Brat, there was the Brat Pack which features some of our favourite 80s actors in some of the best coming-of-age films we can think of. Ally Sheedy’s character has a particularly nice dark green overcoat, so keep an eye out for that. Otherwise, be prepared for a swath of plaids, thick blazers, and fuzzy cardigans as we follow these Georgetown graduates through seasons of self-discovery and 80s fashion.
The Holdovers, 2023
This instant classic will leave you wishing you could be abandoned for the Christmas holidays at an upstate NY school. The setting, the music, and the clothes all transport you to a place in time so evocative you can smell the dusty bookcases and mahogany wood (although, knowing most of our members, that’s probably just the smell of your home office). Nostalgia aside, The Holdovers is a beautifully poignant film with equal parts style and substance that will have you laughing, crying, and cringing. Discomfort and joy indeed.
Fantastic Mr Fox, 2009
Ok less about style (although these jammies are cute), but definitely an autumnal film to cosy up with; Fantastic Mr Fox is the best of Wes Anderson (we said what we said). A witty and stylish film that features rust coloured corduroys and preppy monochromatic two pieces (yes, we might be slightly jealous of the outfits of these fictional animals), Fantastic Mr Fox will have you wanting to sip warm cider whilst wearing striped pyjamas in your very own den…even the voices of George Clooney and Meryl make us feel calmer.
The Members’ Knit
For those who may have missed our latest very important update, our members’ knit is now available for pre-order. We will be offering a complimentary laundering service for those who spill any of the club claret on theirs whilst on the grounds.
THE CLUB CORNER
‘I’m being forced to stay in the UK this Winter (aside from my various ski excursions, of course), and I want to stay warm without looking like the Michelin man – what the hell should I do?’
We are awfully sorry to hear about your very pressing and concerning issue, and maybe divorce should be the first port of call (assuming your current Sunless Winter predicament is spouse-related, of course). Otherwise, it’s time to bring your slope looks off-piste by embracing the thermal. Uniqlo has some of our favourite thermal options – rollnecks, crewnecks, and scoop necks in a range of colours and cashmere blends. We like to wear a white roll neck thermal layered with our members’ knit. You also have to keep your trotters covered with some heavy-weight boot socks from M&S that still look chic, should you find yourself at a house where the boot room isn’t a suggestion (no one wants to be caught in moth-eaten socks). A reversible cashmere jumper also can’t hurt (2 for the price of 1? How economical). If all else fails, we find an alco-jacket is a surefire way to beat the chill, especially when sipped on the floor next to the Aga with our old English Sheepdog, Winston. Stay warm!
SS25 TREND REPORT
Okay, I know this is the Autumn issue, but we also know our members are constantly looking ahead…as well as having the innate desire to one-up everyone else in every category. Therefore, we turned to our in-house fashion expert to tell you all how to get a leg up on your frenemies and ex-husbands (only sartorially, of course) for the next season.
Members are also reminded that the membership committee are still accepting applications.If you are looking to apply for Social or Private membership, you are encouraged to do so before all committee members realise they have better things to be doing.
