In this blog post I’ll share some great tips for transitioning your wardrobe from summer to fall.
August is the perfect time of year to start thinking about how you can adapt your style to the coming fall. You’ll want to have key pieces to easily update your outfit and keep you comfortable and cozy. By planning ahead, you’ll be ready for whatever Mother Nature throws at you in the coming months.
9 Tips on How to Transition Your Wardrobe for Fall
First, take inventory of what your go-to pieces have been during the warmer weather of summer. The easiest way to come up with a great outfit idea is to make note of your favorite summer pieces. What are some of your go-to summer outfits? Do you have a favorite warm-weather dress that you’ve worn on repeat? Or a pair of shorts that you live in? Maybe you have a pair of sandals that you love. Guess what? You can keep wearing them! Your favorite summer staples can be the foundation for your transition to fall. From warmer fall days to cooler nights, here are 9 easy ways to achieve these fall transitional looks.
Summer-to-Fall Basic Tip #1: Dresses
If you love to wear dresses during the summer there are several ways to wear them throughout the cooler seasons – all it takes is a change in what you wear them with. Denim and leather jackets are a perfect example of how you can add a layer of warmth. You can also cozy up summer dresses by adding lightweight sweaters. Instead of wearing sandals with your dresses, try pairing them with casual sneakers or ankle boots. Knee-high boots in brown and black also up the fall vibes. By making some simple swaps, you can create a transitional outfit for cooler temperatures using a summery dress as the foundational piece.
Summer-to-Fall Basic Tip #2: Shorts
Just because it’s early fall doesn’t mean you can’t wear shorts anymore. They are actually the perfect foundation for warmer fall days. Where I live, in California near the coast, some of the best weather of the year occurs during the month of October! Shorts can be worn in place of pants as transitional pieces depending on the material they’re made of. Longer shorts styles work particularly well in transition outfits, giving you a little bit more coverage while still keeping you cool.
Summer-to-Fall Basic Tip #3: Sandals
I like to wear open-toed shoes as long as possible. I love winter in San Diego because the mild temps there make it possible to wear them year round! While that’s not possible or practical in many other parts of the country, sandals can still be a staple piece during the fall months. It just depends on the style. Chunkier styles, like Birkenstocks, have more visual weight and can balance a fall outfit better than dainty strappy sandals. Sandals made of leather in brown and black tones complement the earthy tones of a fall wardrobe and help ground an outfit.
Summer-to-Fall Basic Tip #4: Denim Jeans
Denim jeans are the perfect foundation for a transitional outfit. White jeans in particular are a favorite summer piece for me that transition beautifully into fall. And yes, that means even past Labor Day! That said, how you style them in the summer will be completely different from how you style them in winter. The key to staying cool in jeans on toasty fall days is to wear light layers that you can shed as the temps rise. High-rise straight-leg jeans and wide-leg jeans pair well with warm-weather tops and light sweaters. They also look great with lightweight jackets. As for shoes, pretty much anything goes, depending on the style of your top.
Summer-to-Fall Basic Tip #5: Sleeveless Shirts & Tank Tops
Sleeveless shirts and tank tops are the workhorses of your wardrobe because they are so versatile. During the summer months, they keep you cool, while in the winter they are the perfect layering pieces. Layering a lightweight blazer on top of a sleeveless shirt or tank will keep you cool during the day and will add an extra layer of warmth in the evening. You can also layer a sleeveless tank or blouse under a sweater or lightweight jacket. Two styles that are great for layering and are particularly on-trend this fall are the sweater tank and sweater vest. Either of these are a great addition to your fall wardrobe.
Summer-to-Fall Basic Tip #6: Lightweight Jackets & Sweaters
I love a good lightweight jacket or sweater, and now there are so many styles and colors to choose from! A lightweight blazer is great for cool summer nights and is even more useful for the transitional weather of autumn. Choose outerwear pieces that are warm without being too heavy and can be dressed up for a chic look or down for a casual look. Transitional jackets and sweaters are versatile layering pieces. You can also add extra warmth on colder days with either a denim jacket or a utility jacket. And of course, cardigan sweaters are classic pieces that will never go out of style.
Summer-to-Fall Basic Tip #7: Button-Down Shirts
One of my favorite wardrobe basics is the button-down shirt in both long and short-sleeved styles. Lately I’ve become a big fan of over-sized linen styles in neutral colors. Depending on how you style it, a button-down shirt can help you make a seamless transition from summer to fall. It can be used as an added layer over a tank top or worn alone over jeans. A button-down also adds a cozy layer under a sweater. On warmer fall days, a long-sleeved button down with the sleeves rolled up looks great with a pair of shorts or a skirt.
Summer-to-Fall Basics Tip #8: Incorporate Fall Colors & Patterns
Maybe you’re not ready to make the switch yet from your favorite summer outfits to fall. If it’s still uncomfortably hot outside, you can still incorporate a touch of autumn in your outfit by wearing jewel tones like deep burgundy, mustard yellow, olive green, and rust. Swap out bright summer hues for these richer tones to create a more seasonal look. T-shirts in fall colors can add a subtle update to your warm-weather outfit. Adding some plaid to your outfit also gives a nod to the changing seasons.
Summer-to-Fall Basics Tip #9: Add Textures
If summer style means light, breezy fabrics, then fall style is more about adding texture to the mix. Try adding cozy textures like knits, suede, and leather to your outfits. Consider wearing a soft knit sweater with a summer skirt or adding a suede jacket to your outfit. Your accessories can be more fall-appropriate as well with the addition of scarves, statement belts and chunky jewelry. You can also swap out your summer bag for one made of leather or suede.
A Quick Reference Guide:
- Identify your favorite summer pieces.
- Add layers, either over or under your favorite tops and dresses.
- Choose chunkier shoe styles over daintier summer styles.
- Add texture in your clothes and/or accessories.
- Incorporate fall colors like deep burgundy, mustard yellow, olive green, and rust.
Just remember, there are no hard-and-fast rules about what to wear during this tricky transitional season. You also don’t need to run out and buy a whole new wardrobe! Working with what you already own and love, you can easily give your outfits a new fall look.
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I hope this post was helpful to you! If you missed my last post on how to DIY a beautiful fall door hanger you can find it here. Be sure to sign up below to receive future posts in your inbox. Have a great week!
