Summer’s End

By Dana Ruprecht, photos by Trevor Connell Aug 7, 2025

Late August is basically its own unique season. Hear me out...

Different from the yellow-green freshness of June and beachy blue skies of July, August begins to mellow out in advance of autumn. As summer winds down, the wildflowers turn to purple and gold and sometimes there’s a certain crispness in the early mornings.

In August, I try to take things slower, in order to savour those final days of summer before the fall begins in earnest. I find myself sitting on the porch a little more often, treating myself to ice cream, or heading to the lake for a swim, just in case it’s my last chance of the season. Sunny days begin to feel precious. The vibe shifts.

Women's Fringed Velva Papoose Moccasin Shoes by Laurentian Chief

I generally spend August:

Burning spicy scented candles instead of fruit or flowery ones
Wearing earthier colours, like rusty orange and olive green
Burying my nose in a good novel (to be fair, this is the rule for every season!)
Yarn shopping, for cool-weather knitting projects
Organizing my bookshelves and creative supplies
Buying sunflowers for the house

A woman wearing brown moccasins and a black floral dress sits on a weathered wooden bench, holding a small bouquet of bright yellow sunflowers.

With each step closer to September, my moccasins are there for every treasured, unhurried hour.

Luxurious, yet relaxed, Laurentian Chief’s Velva Ankle Moccasins are versatile enough for indoor or outdoor wear, and perfect for the porch! Their Velva cowhide leather feels as seasoned and mellow as August itself, and the cushioned insole is heaven. I wear them when I want to feel barefoot and comfy without actually going barefoot. A glass of iced tea, a good novel, and classic leather mocs pretty much add up to my ideal late-summer day.

Velva Ankle Moccasins are designed with a deep fringed cuff, and sweet, hand-sewn accents, like the flower that symbolizes sunflowers.

Velva Ankle Moccasins are designed with a deep fringed cuff, and sweet, hand-sewn accents, like the flower that symbolizes the sunflowers I love so much at this time of year. Rawhide laces and a criss-cross stitched vamp add to the traditional stylings of this beautiful pair.

Laurentian Chief moccasins are uniquely handcrafted in Canada using time-honored Indigenous techniques, offering unmatched comfort and quality with a deep respect for tradition.

These are moccasins to be cherished as much as the final, fleeting days of August. Find your summer’s end “groove” and indulge in a little cozy, cottagey comfort!