Transitioning Summer Wardrobe Staples Into Fall
As I walk to work this month, I see so many missed style opportunities. September is a confusing month – one day it’s 85 degrees, the next day it’s 50. In a single city block I can pass white linen, canvas espadrilles, parkas, tall leather boots and winter gloves. How does one dress for the season without buying a specific wardrobe just for this transition period? Can you actually make your summer clothes work for fall?
While you won’t see me walking around DC in white linen pants and floral sandals, I do think a lot of summer clothing can transition beautifully into fall. The key to make this work is balance – balance of warm clothing with cool, light fabrics with heavier pieces, light summery colors and prints with darker autumnal shades.
This morning, I saw three summer pieces worn in ways that just seemed wrong for this crisp fall day. I am taking those pieces and offering a couple suggestions on how to wear them this season without sacrificing your style or looking as though you time traveled from the middle of July.
Mint skinny jeans were a wardrobe staple this past spring and summer, and such a color will be popular yet again this spring. However, this fall such a pale pastel sticks out like a sore thumb in a sea of jewel tones and autumnal hues. If you’re not ready to retire your mint green skinnies, here’s a few ways to help them transition into fall.
The less mint you see, the more it is an accent color instead of the main event. For the first outfit, I used it the same way you could with most any color of slim denim jeans – with a black blazer, striped tee, and black riding boots. This is a classic look and easy to achieve on most any budget or figure. A silk scarf in a floral print that has a hint of mint makes the jeans color purposeful and add a feminine touch to the ensemble.
For the second look, I used the soft shade as inspiration and paired with soft gray. A “boyfriend” cardigan and lace-trimmed cami in pale gray look sweet with mint, yet not at all summery, suede booties make it clear this look is for fall, and an infinity scarf combining both colors makes the look cohesive and seasonally appropriate.
For the final look, I used a classic fall fashion color – camel. A slouchy tunic sweater is very on trend, cozy, and sexy and makes the mint jeans look like an unexpected yet chic accent color. A pair of tall boots in a similar color pulls the outfit together, and a print scarf adds a bit of luxe to the whole look.
With the return of grunge fashion, many a young woman has a frothy or lacy skater or babydoll dress in white or ivory. An adorable look this summer with sandals, but come September it can look inappropriate. Balancing the pale color and fabric with a tougher and heavier layer and footwear will make such a frock look quite appropriate this fall.
A denim jacket is a great layering piece for this season, and gives a Western feel to such a dress; pair with tall boots in brown or even black to reduce the amount of skin visible and make the dress feel quite Back to School. Continuing the grunge trend, pair your white dress with a leather biker jacket and engineer boots and you’ll look quite fashionable for the season.
Finally, I love the power of a long v-neck “grandfather” sweater – it will keep you warm, but also cover a good portion of the dress so it peeks out and looks less summery. A pair of tall riding boots will give a collegiate feel to the ensemble.
Florals just scream spring and summer, but you don’t have to pack them away once Labor Day arrives. The way to make them work during the colder months is to bring out the darker shades of the print and balance with more cold weather silhouettes.
In the first ensemble, I drew out the deep dark red shades with a v-neck cardigan. You could wear this sweater over a simple camisole or a blouse; button the cardigan all the way up and cinch with a leopard belt for a subtle hint of pattern mixing and to also incorporate a seasonal print. A pair of brown closed-toe pumps will continue the autumnal feel.
A long sleeved, high neck blouse is something that would never be worn in summer, so it makes the skirt look purposeful during this season. Again, I incorporated a leopard print which is hot for this fall, showing you are familiar with current trends and wearing the floral skirt in a purposeful manner.
Finally, tall boots are always a quick way to make a garment look appropriate for fall. A lighter brown color won’t overwhelm the soft floral; a simple fitted sweater in one of the darker shades in the skirt balances the whole look.
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