Transitional weather can either be a fun exercise in creativity, or it can just be straight-up maddening. Transitioning your wardrobe from summer to fall can be a delicate dance. You can fall into the camp that's going a little crazy trying to not freeze in the morning and then being warm when the sun eventually comes out, or you can be part of the group that's all too excited to bust out the knit infinity scarves and plum lipsticks even though the temps are feeling like the middle of July. But no matter which side of the spectrum you're currently in, some clever styling tricks will be needed to sneak fall into your wardrobe.
You either have to figure out a way to keep both warm and cool during the transitional weather, or you have to find ways to sneak some dark hues and pumpkin spice into your stubbornly summer wardrobe to not go crazy with impatience.
So what can you do? This can sound like a bit of a tall order, but adding touches of fall into a summer wardrobe can be both really easy and effortless. All you have to do is just focus on a few elements and invest in a couple of layering essentials. Below are seven ways to add fall into your wardrobe.
1. Introduce Touches Of Leather
Leather is a characteristically fall texture, and instantly brings to mind nippy afternoons and thoughts of beanies and sweaters. You can all but imagine yourself huddled inside the corner of a coffee shop, with booties on your feet and a hot apple cider warming your hands. Introduce a leather jacket into your wardrobe that can easily be layered on and off as the temps rise and dip during the day (bonus points if you tie it around your waist instead of draping it over your arm or stuffing it into your backpack!), or if it's still too hot for the jacket, simply add just touches of leather to your look.
Try on leather shorts, or sport cotton dresses with leather pockets or blouses with leather sleeves. Try pairing your skirts with leather booties, introduce leather clutches, or give a denim dress some edge with a leather baseball cap. Just weave the texture into your look and you'll feel a little closer to the crisp weather just around the corner.
2. Focus On Darker Shades
Mulberry, mustard, forest green, oxblood, navy — all these hues signal the retirement of watermelon and citrus shades and the need for something a little moodier. As the mood for beach days and patio nights slowly ebbs away, prepare yourself for the new season by introducing darker shades into your summer looks. Opt for darker colored dresses if it's still to warm to layer up, or focus on heavier hued accessories like wine colored purses or caramel colored scarves. By changing your color palette, you can still wear summer around your shoulders, but you'll feel like you have one foot in fall.
3. Dabble In Fall Textures
You know how people give you bewildered looks when you step out bare legged when it's a nippy 50 degrees outside? You get those same looks when you step outside in jackets and knit socks if it's still hovering in the 70s. So as not to look too over eager but still totally indulging in the excitement, introduce fall textures to your look. Wear suede dresses or add fur collars to your look. Weave some patent leather through your look. Wear denim shirts with your floatier crop tops, or pair a crushed velvet blazer with a summery dress. Don't be afraid to mix these elements — the contrast will look fun and interesting, and it'll satisfy your fall sweet tooth.
4. Play Up Your Makeup
With new fall trends comes new fall makeup, and sometimes all it takes it a dark lip or a bronzed eyelid to satisfy our itch to get things rolling towards cooler temps. Try pairing an all-white outfit with a dark purple lip, or gilding your eyelids with gold. Trade in the bronzer for deep shades of burnt red blush, or dabble with darker browns and reds in the form of lipstick. Sometimes all you need is a dark shade of lipstick in your purse to make you feel like you have this transitional thing down-pat.
5. Add In Removable Layers
There's nothing quite like the feeling of your teeth chattering all the way through your commute to work and then feeling like you should have ditched the office for a beach day come lunch time. The easiest thing to do in this case is to keep up with it is have easy-to-peel-off layers. Invest in a cardi with a neutral pattern for these days.
When it gets too hot you can take it off and tie it around you waist to still keep that pop of print with your look. Or add in a cargo or tuxedo vest on top of your outfit, giving you a light, extra layer while still keeping you cool enough with its lack of sleeves. Another great option is to incorporate accessories like knit hats and scarves, which could keep the chilly wind at bay but be easily stowed into your purse when it gets warmer.
6. Transition Your Shoes
If the weather isn't letting up, then satisfy your autumn cravings by switching out the flip flops and chunky sandals and opting for suede booties and leather knee-high boots. By just adding in some traditional fall-like footwear, your look can instantly feel more ready for fall. If boots aren't your thing, try something a little more covered up, like lace-up ballet flats or chunky heels to move away from the barefoot tone of summer and towards the bundled up feel of autumn.
7. Pay Attention To Small Details
To really feel like you're transitioning your summer wardrobe to fall, it's best to try a few of these tips together. Sometimes, though, it can feel a little clunky just tossing in an infinity scarf or leather Chelsea boot into a summer mix. For moments like those, add small fall-centered details. For example, put on something metallic, whether it be a clutch, block heel, or statement belt. Add tassels in rich colors like maroon, jade green, or velvety black in the form of belts and purse decorations. Focus on bringing out hardware like chain-link purse straps, heavy buckles on handbags, or hardware-rich boots, giving your outfit a heavier fall vibe rather than a floaty summer one.
The refreshing seasonal change of summer to fall is one of the best parts of the year, and struggling to find the right things to wear shouldn't have to mess up all that loveliness.
