Pie Patterns

In Season

Sep 10, 2025

As I mentioned earlier this month, things are getting a bit of a refresh over here at Playing With Food. Today, we’re ushering in a new series: the In Season newsletter. This, as the name suggests, will be an occasional newsletter around the start of the new season, where I do a thematic deep dive into what I am excited about, specifically in food and fashion, and explore their aesthetic overlaps.

Pie Patterns

My fall inspiration folder of saved photos has a clear pattern: pie. Truthfully, every time fall comes around, pie is my main inspiration (see past pie recipes published in fall: Pot-Pie, Mile-High Apple Pie, Pear Spiced Almond Tartlets, Tomato Corn and Cheddar Galette–which I made again last week, and was as excellent as ever).

I love pie for fall because all of fall’s fruits and vegetables are delicious cooked down and braised. Pie crust also serves as the perfect vehicle: the flaky layers break apart and land on the plate like leaves shaken from a tree, the rich buttery-ness of the dough blankets the lips and tongue, and–like clothing–those additional layers of crust keep the filling warm hours after being taken out of the oven.

So, with pie as my inspiration this fall, not only will there be three upcoming pie-inspired recipes, but pie will also serve as my fashion lodestar. The pie patterns that I will be embracing include colors (tans and browns for fall are just about as groundbreaking as florals for spring, but I really do love them), shapes, and characteristic decorative elements in recipes (stay tuned!) and fashion.

P.S. If you’re looking for any vintage or secondhand items, I have a whole bunch of those as well, and will be linking them in the comment section <3

Lattice

I am a big fan of lattice crusts, and love how creative you can get with the design: tightly woven thick strips, thin strips with ruffled edges, herringbone patterns, and braiding details. The whole intricate texture of latticed pies and tarts has always reminded me of all the varieties of cable knits and crocheted garments.

1. Macramist Sandal Boots by Isa Boulder ($531 $590) I love Isa Boulder knits, but I do not own any shoes, yet / 2. BR Cable Cozy Socks ($27 $45) / 3. Ralph Lauren Aran-Knit ($199.99 $268) Laura Reilly posted this sweater last spring, and I loved it, so I went to see if it was on sale, and it is! But, not in my size–if it were, I would have pounced (take a peek at this one if they are also out of your size, I’m considering it) / 4. Jil Sander ribbed-knit pants ($285 $950) I own these pants in off-white (scored them second hand), and they are so comfortable and a great layering piece with a long sweater (I also love the style of this Jacquemus pair)

a. Incredible pie by Lauren Schofield / b. Paulina Porizkova in a Cashmere Sweater / d. Adrienne Vittadini from 90s Vogue / e. Compact latticing and pinching from Pinterest / f. Beverly Peele and Naomi Campbell in amazing knits (I love this rolled-neck Jil Sander sweater so much I tried to find something similar, and I couldn’t find an exact match, but, there’s this Jil Sander one, and J. Crew also has some nice rolled-neck sweaters) / g. Knit and apron combo from 90s Vogue that I will be channeling / h. From my lattice tutorial

Double-crusted

I love a double-layered garment in the fall just as much as a double-crusted pie. I was such a fan last year's whole layered scarf-sweater trend, and these variations are fantastic.

1. Banana Republic Silk Tie-Neck Dress ($324.99 $400) I own this and love it–so chic with a sweater over it or a tall boot / 2. Jil Sander wool turtleneck ($414 $1380) / 3. Haze Top from Arakii ($260) / 4. Max Mara turtleneck ($270 $450) I love this split sweater that allows for a little belly-button to show–it’s on my current wish list / 5. Puzzle top from Paloma Wool ($275) / 6. COS Double-Faced Wool Scarf Cape ($199) Tried this on in store, super comfortable, so chic, would be great with a tall glove

a. Vintage cookbook pie inspo / b. More inspo, but this time with powdered sugar / c. Renaissance painting featuring double-crusted pie / d. Vintage knits from a 70s Vogue / e. Naomi Campbell in an Oscar de la Renta set / f. My pear and almond tartlets / g. An amazing Vogue story on tweed

Sturdy crust structure

No soggy bottoms on my pies! I want a crust that has some structure, just like these clothes.

1. Entire Studios maxi dress ($385) / 2. Tory Burch Jacquard Coat ($1,559 $2,860) My friend Spencer designed the print for this coat, but I loved it long before I knew that – it’s so chic / 3. Vince cashmere turtleneck ($192 $425) Love the wide, stiff, and open neck on this one / 4. J. Crew Boxer Short ($178) One of my favorite pieces in my closet is a pair of vintage pink leather stretch waist shorts; these are just like them, but in brown / 5. Longchamp Kimono Jacket ($605) I love the structure and the sleeve / 6. Milene Blouse from Sézane ($280) Adore the vintage feel to this top, I’m getting one!

a. My chicken pot pie recipe / b. 80s vintage Vogue / c. Corset leather blazer from Azzedine Alaïa / d. More vintage Alaïa / e. A chicken pot pie from when I was testing the recipe / f. Northern Renaissance still-life painting / g. Tina Chow in Saint Laurent / h. Renaissance-inspired pie for my wedding

Domed top hats

I love the way a domed top crust sits atop a deep-crusted pie like a little hat. This fall, I ventured out of my comfort zone and got myself a cute little hat, a beret to be exact. I’m unsure if I will have the courage to wear it, but I’m hoping it has the same cute-ifying effect on me as the domes do on these pies.

1. Astra Coat from Sea ($950) Tried this on: the shoulders are gorgeous, the hood is removable, and it seems very warm / 2. Soeur Faron Hat ($295) / 3. Eugenia Kim Carter Leather Hat (£160.79 £263.53) If I end up getting the confidence to wear my beret, this is the next one I’m getting

a. My apple pie / b. 90s Claudia Schiffer walking out of Vesuvio Bakery (this is the photo that sold me on the beret) / c. Vintage Isaac Mizrahi tweed suit / d. Chicken pot pie testing from my wedding / e. My apple pie again–piled high / f. An old drawing of pigeon pie / g. Pasticciotto from Puglia / h. 70s Gucci from Vogue

Matchy-matchy

This fall, to complement those matte knits and suedes, I will be incorporating some shiny and leather accessories just like how my favorite pie fillings–pecan and apple–shine against a sandy, rough crust.

1. Longchamp Le Roseau Belt ($215) I need a brown belt–I have my eyes on this one / 2. Banana Republic Angolo Belt ($60) Love the hardware on this / 3. MIISTA Brown Raleigh Boots ($270 $540) / 4. Longchamp La Cavaliére Heel Boots ($875) A gorgeous riding boot / 5. Larroude Anne Boot ($368 $525) / 6. Undo Hairware Clip ($42) My favorite claw clip maker, they’re so sleek and smooth

a. 70s Ralph Lauren / b. Valentino ensemble in 80s Vogue / c. Pecans and caramel from the camera roll / d. Chanel riding boots in 90s Vogue / e. Individual apple pies with ice cream (the first recipe I ever published!) / f. More pecan pie (stay tuned for a pecan pie recipe coming later this fall) / g. Belts and beige layers in 80s Vogue

Nestled in knits

I don’t know what it feels like to be a gooey pie filling nestled between two pieces of crust, but I assume it’s similar to layering up in some really soft knits from shoulder to toe.