I’ll be the first to admit that I have fallen prey (many times) to the siren call of “back to school” shopping in August. I walk in to a store, see cozy sweaters, cute boots, and the like and BAM! I walk out with a significantly lighter wallet , loads of great fall clothe, even though I know the summer weather is sticking around for the better part of the next 4-6 weeks. This leaves me looking longingly at my new clothes while getting annoyed that none of my summer wardrobe is “fall enough” for the date on the calendar.
To help you navigate through the next month or two of warm weather, I’ve compiled four common summer pieces and how you can make them last until the temperature begins to drop in earnest, while still feeling seasonally appropriate.
Item #1: Sandals
Sandals are probably the easiest fashion piece to transition to fall.
Worn with jean shorts, a tank and a lightweight kimono cardigan, long earrings and a colorful printed tote, sandals complete a summertime outfit.
As the days get cooler, swapping out shorts for bootcut jeans is a simple and flattering way to keep warm. A 3/4 sleeve linen tunic top is lightweight and will balance out the jeans. Finish up with a fringe crossbody bag and an antiqued brass necklace. Think you can’t wear gold-tone jewelry? The antiquing (or, oxidizing) takes the edge off of the yellow undertones, making it appropriate for a wider variety of skin tones.
Item #2: Shorts
To take it to fall, trade an all over print top for a colorblocked tank and a monochromatic knit cardigan, textured footwear for gray Chelsea boots, and add a pair of filigree earrings to soften the hard lines of this geometric look. One of my favorite things about this look is that it still says “fall” without the traditional “autumn leaves” color palette.
Item #3: Nautical Print
To transition to fall, swap your sunhat for a colorblocked scarf. I particularly like this one – the taupe balances out the yellow and keeps it from overpowering the rest of the outfit. A nice midweight scarf will help keep your neck warm, but if the temps rise too much, you can always tie the scarf around the handle of your bag.
Look for a structured satchel in a rich, deep color to bring some sophistication to your look this autumn. Look at how different these two bags feel – they’re in the same color family, red, but because the different shapes, patterns, and saturation, they have two completely different feels.
Trade out your thong sandals for pointed toe flats. I love the coral color of these shoes. It is a great transitional color – a little bit beachy (think of how it pairs with turquoise and sunshine yellow), but still grounded enough to play nicely with more traditional fall colors (think olive green, rust, and aubergine).
Finally, trade your silver earrings for some champagne colored dangles, to warm up your look.
Item #4: Floral Maxi Dress
Layering a chambray shirt, preferably buttoned up and tied at the waist, reduces the overall impact of the dress pattern, making it look like a maxi skirt. Add a black filigree and rose necklace to complement the floral print without going too summery. TOMS and an oversized bag make this an on-to-go street style.
Now, I want to hear from you! Which transitional look are you most excited to try? What style struggles do you have in the fall that I haven’t addressed? Let me know in the comments!