Every celebrity has their season: Mariah Carey is the “Queen of Christmas” (though that’s a little controversial); Nicole Kidman is apparently a “True Spring”, according to colour analysis theory; and Megan Thee Stallion permanently owns hot girl summer. While one could certainly make the argument that autumn belongs to Alexis Bledel and Lauren Graham of fame – or perhaps even Winona Ryder there’s another figure who seems the obvious choice. I’m talking of course about Meg Ryan – queen of cosy vibes, choppy layers and the star of several unforgettably crisp-weather-appropriate sweater movies, including When Harry Met Sally, You’ve Got Mail and Sleepless in Seattle.

An Ode To Meg Ryan, The Queen Of Cosy, Autumnal Rom-Coms

Ryan turns 64 this November, which makes sense; I mean, would you expect someone who starred in basically every Nora Ephron movie about the glorious, sensorily overwhelming wonders of autumn in New York to have a birthday in July? For me, welcoming the cooler months of September and October will forever be synonymous with celebrating the Jewish New Year by braiding Claire Saffitz’s challah while I watch Harry and Sally pretend not to love each other for the umpteenth time… which makes Ryan both A) my ultimate seasonal style icon and B) perhaps weirdly wrapped up in my conception of my Jewish identity.

Like present-day Ryan, I live in California, much of which looks and feels the same in early October as it does in high summer (ie, sweltering, celebrity studded, and with nary a turning leaf to be found), so I’m celebrating the change of season with a deep dive into the lifelong affinity for preppy separates, tailored silhouettes and killer accessories that has always put Ryan ahead of the style curve, on screen and off.

Join me in appreciating 31 vintage photos of a young Meg Ryan, below.