6 Instant Ways To Make The Summer To Fall Transition of Your Wardrobe SO Easy!

Summer To Fall Transition

Are you not quite ready to bid a fond farewell to summer…just yet? OR, are you burnt out on the heat and looking forward to all things fall? Either way, it’s not too early to be thinking about how you can take your summer wardrobe staples and transition them into fall. With just a few simple style tweaks, your favorite sunny season pieces can easily become fall-ready. I’m all about versatility and maximizing wear-ability especially when you invest in quality clothing! Keep scrolling for my secrets on how to wear your favorites across multiple seasons, but especially during this time of year when you’re ready for fall and winter. 

#1) Update To A Fall Color Palette

The little white dress is a heavy hitter for summer, but you don’t need to relegate it to the back of your closet come fall! On the left, my summer look includes an Alexis mini dress that probably seems like a summer-only piece, right? Especially when paired with the white Bottega Veneta handbag and colorful Veronica Beard wedges. But, you can easily make it fall-ready! I added a neutral-toned boyfriend blazer by Reiss and a Rag & Bone felt hat. I also swapped out the wedges for some neutral booties and the white handbag for a taupe clutch.  A taupe, honey brown, beige, or black bag will help “fall-ify” your look. We linked a few fall basics below that can help you transition to a fall color palette.

Quick note: This post is an oldie but a goodie…most of these pieces are sold out but we linked in-stock, quality options for you that will help you make this summer to fall transition! Plus, you probably already have something in your closet to help you pull off the seasonal transition.

 TIP: When wearing a dress, matching the booties to your skin tone will elongate your legs.

#2) Wear Boots or Booties

Another really easy way to make summer tops, skirts, jeans, and dresses look more seasonally appropriate is to swap your sandals for boots or booties. The cinched waist and v-neckline on this BB Dakota mini dress are so flattering and lovely. In the summer, I’d paired it with a retro pair of Dolce Vita wooden platform sandals. Then….to send it right into fall, I added a black faux leather blazer by Alice + Olivia. This blazer is buttery soft and the leather turns the entire look up a notch! I also added some sheer gray tights, a fun western-inspired belt, and my favorite Isabel Marant booties that I bought in Spain last year. See how easy that was? We linked a few more fall-ready boots and booties below.

#3) Swap Shorts For Pants Or Jeans

This Reiss top is very lightweight and summery, but I can make it transition effortlessly by simply swapping the shorts for jeans. This is the easiest way to transition all of your summer tops!  On the left, I’m wearing some comfy AMO shorts, a white Prada bag, and See by Chloe wedges. To transition to fall, I threw on the same blazer I was wearing in #1 and swapped out the shorts for a pair of Moussy Vintage jeans. I also decided to switch to a black YSL handbag and See by Chloe combat boots. The black boots and bag definitely make the outfit more appropriate for fall. Think about what you already have in your closet that can help you make these wardrobe transitions!

#4) Add A Layer

Let’s face it, a white tee or tank top is one of those basics you need for all seasons…short sleeves, long sleeves, or elbow-length like the crew neck t-shirt I’m wearing. Add a moto jacket, leather jacket, blazer, denim jacket, or a bomber over a white t-shirt and jeans to make your look more appropriate for the fall season. In my summer look, I’m wearing the white tee with Paige flared jeans that are the perfect length for me (I’m 5’4″), and some shockingly comfortable black L’Agence pointed-toe heels. For my fall look, I just added some black booties and…the star of the show…a Sam Edelman mixed media trench. I love this trench so much! The faux leather details against the olive green just scream fall. But you can add any outerwear to your looks this fall!

#5) Add A Chunky Sweater or Cardigan

Your dark floral print dresses in blacks and browns are fairly easy to transition from summer to fall. But making your traditionally more summer floral dress feel like fall takes some thought and strategy. Am I up for the challenge? You bet I am. I paired this beautiful pink Saloni dress with mesh ankle wrap sandals for a simple head-to-toe summer look. With light/bright florals, the trick is to stick with a lighter color palette for the whole look when you move into fall.

On the right, I’m wearing an oversized, cozy, fuzzy cardigan by Elisabetta Franchi that I bought in Spain and tall white, croc-embossed knee-high stiletto boots by Schutz. So, yes you can extend the life of your floral summer dresses into fall with a light-toned sweater. The key to surviving warm weather between summer and fall or transitioning your favorite summer clothes is…light layers! I linked a few of my recent favorite sweaters and cardigans below.

#6)  Try A Longline Vest

You might be thinking this white embroidered top has a limited shelf life. Or maybe you think of light denim as a summer-only wash. BUT when I added a longline vest and Rag & Bone sneakers, even though they are in a lighter color palette, you can see how it instantly looks fall-ready. Vests are great transitional pieces because they offer you some coverage and warmth but less than a heavy coat or jacket. This vest is older, but you can achieve the same look with pretty much any longline vest.

Are you starting to think of ways you can take your summer looks and get more mileage out of them this fall? Which transitional outfit is your favorite? Leave me a comment below!