Love, all alike, no season knows, nor clime, nor hours, days, months, which are the rags of time.”

Ruffled collar aside, the infinitely quotable John Donne clearly knew a thing or two about fashion. Sure, you could argue that the man spoke not of clothing but of love. But are they not one and the same? Do we not love clothes? Are the “rags of time” not what make our shopping sprees interesting, if not infatuating?

It’s true that love knows no season. Take my recent adventures in retail. The warm weather finally has arrived. All signs point to summer. And yet I can’t stop thinking about that corduroy blazer I saw at Old Navy. Nor can I resist the tweedy skirts, the layered tops and – God help me – the ubiquitous poncho. If fall is on its way, I should at least weather it in style.

Fortunately, most of the early fall trends are easy transition pieces. Better yet, they’re wearable. This autumn, in every price point, for every age and every body type, the clothing is gorgeous, rich, colorful, familiar, comfortable and flattering. Maybe it’s the election year, but this fall’s fashions are highly democratic. Seasons like this don’t come along very often. I intend to savor every moment.

And I’ll be wearing a poncho. Perhaps more than one. But not together. When I first saw the “new poncho,” which, truth be told, is a dead ringer for the old poncho, I had my doubts. I thought they were clunky and chunky and a little too hippie for my taste. But then my mom showed me her Chico’s catalog, in which a decidedly patchouli-free woman wore a sheer, rib-knit poncho over a black tank top and a pair of jeans.

I was sold, save for the $80 price tag. Then I tried one on at Burlington Coat Factory for $12.98. It was cheap, gorgeous and cozy on a cool summer night. I was smitten. And I have its cousins, the wrap and the cape, on my radar as well.

The second object of my affection this fall is the fitted blazer. I already own two: a vintage corduroy blazer that I picked up at a thrift shop in New Hampshire for $2, and a brown boucle jacket that ShopGuy bought at Marden’s for $1.98 before they came back in style. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want more.

Blazers are the ultimate utility piece. They can be dressed up or down. They look great on everyone. And they hide a multitude of sins. Besides, they’re perfect over a camisole or sundress in summer. Once cooler weather comes, toss in a turtleneck or a cardigan and you’re good to go.

Layering, whether out of necessity or for fun, is key this season. A few weeks ago, I picked up a turquoise layered-look top by Energie at Renys for $12.99. It’s fine on its own, but under a jacket, it becomes even more fabulous. Ditto for the plum ribbon-wrap top I bought at Old Navy for $19.50. I’ll wear it now with a camisole underneath. Once there’s a chill in the air, I’ll either put it over a long-sleeve top or cover the whole thing up with a blazer. A brown blazer.

“Brown and purple?” you ask. I say, yes. Unequivocally. This season’s color combinations are unexpected – blues with browns, rust with burgundy, black with yellow and pink – but somehow they work. It could be because the colors are so rich: dusty rose, deep plum, mossy green and soft camel. And they’re showing up in a dizzying array of tweeds, plaids, florals and animal prints. (There’s a brown velvet blazer printed with a pink floral at Macey’s in Bar Harbor with my name on it.)

But the most striking element is the fabric: luxurious cashmere. Merino wool. Sequins. Silk. Velvet. Corduroy. And you can find these fibers everywhere from Talbot’s to Target. The combination of color, texture and value is enough to excite even the most staid of dressers.

Then you add a few accessories to the mix, and something magical happens. Rather than sensory overload, you get a rounding out of the look – a flower pin doesn’t look ridiculous on your poncho, it looks adorable. Those strappy purple suede pumps? Perfect with jeans and a blazer. And a gem-encrusted brooch? Throw it on your lapel, and while you’re at it, grab the matching earrings and wrap a silk scarf around your waist as a belt.

Because this fall, in fashion as in love, too much of a good thing is just enough.

Reader feedback

Several readers wrote in with additions to my thrift shop column. Lenny Sweet volunteers for the Waste Not Want Not shop in the Mount Desert Island village of Hulls Cove. “I usually receive and process the clothing and we get wonderful donations,” Lenny writes. “Names like Neiman Marcus, L.L. Bean, REI, Columbia, J Jill, Flax etc. in linens, silks and other fabrics. Shoes and other accessories, children’s and men’s clothing galore every year.” Sounds like a great place to visit, and it’s open through October.

A. Poole of Brooksville also suggested a stop at Tree of Life in Blue Hill. “It really is most remarkable,” she writes. I’ll be sure to visit next time I’m in the area.

Thanks for the suggestions, readers – keep ’em coming. And in the meantime, happy shopping!

ShopGirl would love to hear from you! Send questions, comments or suggestions by e-mail to kandresen@bangordailynews.net, by U.S. mail to Kristen Andresen, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329, or by fax to 941-9476. Tune in to ShopGirl at 5 p.m. Fridays on WLBZ-2.