Week in Review #53: Inside the Making of Fall

New textures, timeless silhouettes, and a behind-the-scenes look at what’s arriving next at Natalie Borton Designs.

I’m still riding the high from a visit to our LA factory this week — the kind of day that fills me up creatively and reminds me why I love this work so much. There’s something about being in the space where the pieces come to life: the scent of suede, the hum of sewing machines, the gleam of newly polished brass. Niki, Ellie and I took a road trip up there and picked up our latest designs for fall — chocolate suede, hair-on hides, croc-embossed leather, gold hardware — and honestly, this lineup might be my favorite yet. Each piece feels like a culmination of everything we’ve been building toward this year: timeless, grounded, and quietly striking.

Next week I’ll be in New York for The Conscious Closet pop-up with Reed Vintage and Yearly Company, and I’m bringing some of those new arrivals with me — including the chocolate suede and hair-on Mara Bags and the croc Maren Belts. There’s something really special about sharing new designs in person, especially alongside other women who care as deeply about craftsmanship and intention as we do.

After New York, these pieces will debut at our Solana Beach Sip & Shop on October 24th, and then go live online for our Early Access List later that afternoon at 2pm. I can’t wait for you to see them up close — the textures and tones are pure fall perfection.

On a more personal note, I just wrapped up my 30 Days of Outfits series on Instagram this week — it’s been such a fun experiment in creativity and consistency. I’m working on my September outfits recap now (hoping to share it Sunday, though admittedly I am way behind on my outfit tracking), and I’m also putting together a packing list for next week’s trip. Fingers crossed it’s cool enough in New York to wear a trench or a coat, because I’m eager to put together more fall outfits.

Wish me luck — next week is going to be a big one!

Thought of the Week

via @jadebonacolta

3 Jeans to Try This Fall

Charlie Ankle-Length Barrel Jeans | A roomy, tapered barrel jean that I wear whenever I want to be extra comfortable but not switch into sweatpants territory. I stayed TTS because I knew I wanted them to be loose, but if you want them less roomy I’d size down. Use NATALIE20 for 20% off at Rag & Bone.

Cary High Rise Slouchy Wide Leg Jeans | The most perfect wide-leg, loose-fitting jeans that sits high up at your natural waist and are cut to make your legs look a mile long. They are especially great with a pointed toe boot if you ask me!

The Bubble | Arguably my most worn pair of barrel jeans over the past year. Similar to the Charlie jeans, they are extremely comfortable and I love them for long trips or just a full day of work or being out and about. What’s great about these is that they look good at full length or can be rolled for a cropped option. Very versatile! True to size for me for a comfy fit.

The Mara Bag, In Action

It’s no secret I am absolutely obsessed with this design. I love it for many reasons, the most practical being that it instantly elevates even the simplest outfits thanks to its interesting and sculptural details. Truly it is wearable art. Here are some of the ways I’ve styled my chocolate brown one to give you a little bit of fall styling inspo…

Coming Soon: The Atelier

Later this month, we’re introducing a new corner of the Natalie Borton Designs world — The Atelier. It’s a limited, thoughtfully curated selection of pieces from brands we love and admire. All woman-owned, responsibly made, and designed to pair effortlessly with your NBD pieces. Think of it as a seasonal extension of our ethos: timeless, intentional, and meant to be enjoyed. Keep your eyes peeled because we’re rolling this out very soon!

October Reads

After quickly finishing a couple of Freida McFadden books over the past week, I’ve got two more on my to-read list for October:

• Lies & Weddings by Kevin Kwan (starting this weekend — it’s my book club’s selection for our November meetup)

• Told You So by Mayci Neeley (ordered via Book of the Month and I cannot wait for it to arrive next week!)

Until next time!

xx Natalie