Summer has run its course and now fall is making an entrance. The warm night air is already feeling less humid and the coinciding drop in temperature is right around the corner. And while the idea in summer is to dress to beat the heat, fall calls for clothes that cover and keep you warm.
Even though summer and fall are on opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of clothing, there are some ways to make the transition smoother and avoid a complete overhaul of your entire closet. Many of the key pieces used to beat the heat can pull double duty and also work to keep you cozy and warm.
When transitioning your wardrobe between seasons, keep in mind that the idea is to pair items from each season together so that the outfit as a whole is practical and stylish. This task should be easy, like bridging a gap. Don’t make it hard by trying to stretch a piece too far beyond what is realistic.
First up are ankle pants or jeans. During the warmer months, these are a great alternative to shorts. They look great paired with light weight shirts and they come in several styles and colors. To make ankle pants or jeans work for fall, try adding a pair of closed toe pumps. Pumps with the ankle pants will look appropriate for the weather and playing with materials such as suede, leather or corduroy will keep you stylish.
To top off the ankle pants look, pair the pants and pumps with a button down shirt under a chunky sweater.
Jump suits made a big splash this summer. They are one of the most convenient pieces any woman could have in her closet. A jump suit is a complete outfit in a single piece of clothing. You don’t have to give up the ease of jump suits because the seasons are changing. To make the ‘jump’ into fall, simply add a tank top underneath your one piece and pair the entire ensemble with a denim jacket in a cut that flatters your frame.
A pair of ankle booties and a hobo style handbag take the jumper-in-fall look to the next level.
A summertime staple for countless women is the incomparable maxi dress. Maxi dresses are synonymous with summer. And it is probably the only thing easier to pull off than a jumper. Although maxis usually appear in bright colors throughout the warmer months of the year, it is possible to take them into fall and make them cool weather appropriate. The key to pulling off the maxi in fall is a leather jacket. Paired with a floor length maxi, a leather jacket becomes less harsh and the dress becomes less summery. Cropped and black or dark brown is the way to go when choosing a leather jacket to pair with a maxi dress.
Adding a scarf will give you an added touch and will ensure your maxi dress isn’t even noticed for the staple summer item it has come to be known as.
Are there any other key summer pieces you hate to see go when the seasons change? Can you think of any creative ways to make them work across multiple seasons?
Browse the items below to easily get your hands on some of these pieces.
40+Style contributor Keisha is a personal shopper and stylist who writes about style and fashion for 40+Style