By

Diksha Basu,

a writer at the Strategist

and also the author of the novels 'The Windfall' and 'Destination Wedding.'

I love dressing like a grumpy middle-age academic, and a key part of the look for me right now is these L.L.Bean Boat Moc mules. I know it’s still summer, but I’m ready to pretend I feel a slight chill in the air, and my toes are ready to go back into pedicure-less hiding. These mules are ideal for this time of year, when you’re ready for fall clothing but it’s still too hot to actually put on layers or switch to boots.