Fashion

26 Plus Size Fashion Items For Easy Summer To Fall Transition Because The Changing Of The Seasons Is Upon Us

A lot of people dread transitional dressing and struggle to master the art of dressing in between seasons. Taking your wardrobe from summer to fall can feel extra tricky after months of just putting on the thinnest articles of clothing you can find and calling it a day. The easiest way to navigate the change is to fill your closet with the perfect versatile plus size pieces to layer and wear in several different ways.

Transitional season dressing comes at a time when you leave the house and it's one temperature, in the middle of the day it becomes another, and on the way home it changes yet again — and when you think you've nailed it, the next day is totally different. It can be tricky, but the challenge of playing with the items in your wardrobe is part of the fun of getting dressed and wearing clothes everyday. Right?

Here are 26 items to help make your transitional wardrobe flawless:

by Jodie Layne

Rompers

Although I live for summer days when I can rock a breezy romper and not have to worry about anything besides my shoes and accessories, they’re actually kind of the perfect piece to wear year-round and make the ideal layering item. A warning, though: Layering over a romper will make going to the bathroom a little bit of a task. It’s totally worth it, though.Wear leggings to keep you warm on your morning commute and take ‘em off when you get to work or school. Warm up with a moto or denim jacket over top for the obvious iteration for a “fall romper.”

To level up your romper layering, add a cropped or knotted sweater on top — with or without sheer tights underneath. You can also add a warm midi or maxi skirt on top. The bonus to that being that your “shirt” will always be perfectly tucked and breezy days are no big deal, since you already have built-in shorts.

Belted Romper, $25, forever21.com

Lace Romper

This forest green will look stunning with summer whites and the deep shades of fall.

Scalloped Hem Lace Romper, $140, eloquii.com

Printed Romper

This romper in reds and blues would look ace with a denim button down loose over top of it or stunning with a grey wool skirt.

Folk Wrap Playsuit, $27, dorothyperkins.com

Denim Romper

This more casual take is perfect for the weekend and so street style chic with a loose-knit sweater knotted overtop. Pair with ankle booties and a moto jacket for absolute perfection.

Denim Romper, $33, fashiontofigure.com

Leggings

Obvi, leggings are a babe’s best friend when cooler weather rolls around. Any summer dress can become a fall one with a nice, thick pair of leggings underneath! Picking leggings made of something light and breathable, like bamboo, will help you keep cool if you’ve misjudged the day and it ends up being super warm.

Ava & Viv Leisure Legging, $18, target.com

All The Colors!

Teggings are made in the U.S.A. and sold by plus size babe-owned Re/Dress! Part legging, part tights, all comfort. Teggings are available in a whole ton of colors and are built to last.Teggings, $24, redressnyc.com

Ponte

Ponte leggings were the closest thing to pants I owned for a long time and you can totally get away with making people think these are trousers. Their thicker, more durable knit makes them a good basic to have, and they're sort of a dressier step up from a legging that’s perfect with tunics.

Sejour Ponte Legging, $49, nordstrom.com

Faux Leather

Faux leather paneled leggings are perfect for that mix of comfortable stretch and sophisticated leather look that’s always on-trend for fall. Whether pairing these with tees, tunics, or dresses, they’re a solid addition to your fall transitional lineup.

Faux Leather Panel Leggings, $35, torrid.com

Tunics And Shirtdresses

These versatile staples are must-haves for any wardrobe, but especially function as cornerstones during transitional seasons. Picking pieces in a length that falls mid thigh or just slightly above the knee makes them perfect to wear alone, with tights, under your fave cropped sweaters, or even more chic over a pair of cigarette pants or jeans.

Printed Piped Tunic, $81, eloquii.com

Clean And Classic

This white button-down shirt dress is one of those staples you invest in and wear your whole life. Perfect on its own or with a pair of black pants and chic flats, you will live in this dress.

Shaina Mote Shirt Dress, $324, meismith.com

Printed

This abstract, plaid-esque print harkens to the ever-popular print of fall with a very subtle '70s flavor. This tunic is trendy, but will also last a few seasons without looking outdated.

Square Print Tunic, $19, forever21.com

Denim

This denim shirtdress is the epitome of laid back, cool girl style. Tuck it into a midi skirt with chunky heels and a statement necklace or pair it with slip-on sneakers and some sunglasses. Easy, breasy, and under $100.

Longline Denim Shirt, $73, asos.com

Crepe

This draping, lightweight tunic is perfect for layering over or under and would look killer with shorts, leggings, denim, or under a blazer for work.

Short Sleeve Crepe Tunic, $104, heygorgeous.com

Collared Shirts

Add a perfect, subtle layer with a collared shirt when you need just a little something else without throwing on a huge coat or a thick sweater. Go short or long-sleeved, go tunic or cropped length, and choose from pretty much every imaginable color for a look that works with what you have and your own style.

Top bodycon dresses with a breezy, long button-down or slip one underneath a sleeveless dress to give it a jumper-like look. Tuck one in and throw a light crepe sweater over top for a sophisticated look. If it gets warm, you can always knot a button-down over your sun dress or crop top.

Long Sleeve Maxi Blouse, $58, asos.com

Plaid About You

A plaid shirt is the perfect casual weekend basic that you can wear buttoned up or around your waist to throw on top of a tee if it gets chilly. They also look super cute under overalls with heels or wedge booties and you can style them under a sleeveless dress for an old school jumper style look.

Classic Plaid Shirt, $23, forever21.com

Scalloped

Light and breezy, but still office appropriate, this scallop collared blouse is the perfect feminine work wear piece that you can rock with a pencil skirt for a meeting or to brunch on the weekend. The scalloped collar makes it current and fun, while taking down the stuffiness of a traditional collar.

Scalloped Collar Blouse, $74, eloquii.com

Quirky Cute

This printed top is perfect to add a little fun to your wardrobe and will look right at home on the print and vintage obsessed babe. The cute Peter Pan collar will look perfectly gamine poking out of sweaters or from under dresses, but you can wear it on its own under a blazer for maximum twee as well.

Classy Collector Top, $35, modcloth.com

Pencil Skirts

A pencil skirt is one of those essentials that likely finds its way into most babe’s wardrobes over time and it’s so understandable why: It’s a surprisingly versatile piece of clothing. I shied away from owning one for years because of my size and because I didn’t fancy my style to be the type that worked warranted buttoned-up, classic office-ready basics or that gave off pinup-eque vintagey vibes.A jersey or cotton pencil skirt is perfect with oversized athleisure pieces, though, like a unisex crew neck sweatshirt or windbreaker in the evening, or with a draping tank top tucked in during the day. Come fall, you can pair them with turtlenecks or chunky sweaters for practical warmth and layers.

Plus, you can pretend you’re Kim K.

Vince Camuto Ruched Pencil Skirt, $79, nordstrom.com

Luxe Lady

This open knit pencil skirt so perfectly channels an Italian babe on vacation, I can barely handle it. Wear it right now with a sleeveless turtleneck and wear it with a cropped long sleeve sweater with a coat draped over your shoulders this fall. Chic to death.

Open Weave Midi, $100, eloquii.com

Classic Column

This is a timeless silhouette in a perfect, earthy fall shade. This would look so Bey-like with a slouchy crew neck sweatshirt, heels, and a clutch or perfectly edgy with wedge ankle boots, a tee, and fringed leather jacket.

Midi Pencil Skirt In Jersey, $33, asos.com

Subtle Femme

This skirt has maybe the smallest, most subtle ruffle detail of all time for a perfect little hint of femininity. Wear it with a loose tank and sandals now and a collared shirt or blouse tucked in with heels come fall.

Jacquard-Weave Skirt, $25, hm.com

So Trendy

Go all in on this fall’s ’70s trend with this perfect suede pencil skirt. Pair it with loose blouses for a super retro feel or wear it with a skintight bodysuit underneath while the weather is still warm.

Pencil Skirt in Suede, $135, asos.com

Dusters And Trench Coats

Long duster sweaters and their more sophisticated, grown up cousins are the perfect transitional season items. I don’t think there’s any fall outfit that I love more than a longer coat, shorts, tights, and a perfectly fitted sweater. Pile on the layers or just add one over an otherwise summery ensemble to add warmth, texture, and cover those thighs on chillier mornings. A belted duster sweater over a romper is also a perfect weekend outfit that’s cozy and chic at the same time.

Kimono Sleeve Coat, $154, asos.com

Wrap Front

This woven duster is simple, but stylish. With its wrap style waist tie and cinched waist, it’s easy to wear open or to tie it closed for extra warmth and waist definition (if that’s your thing). Throw it on over a romper with sneakers for a cute errands look or wear it over pants and a tank with heels for a casual dinner out.

Lane Bryant, $45, lanebryant.com

Powder Blue

Powder blue suits were all over the runway at Men’s Fashion Week and this crepe coat will put you ahead of the trend. Wear it with dusty greys and all-black to balance out the lightness. This would be absolutely perfect belted over a knee length summer dress or with black jeans and a grey turtleneck sweater.

Longline Crepe Mac, $90, missguided.com

Printed

This printed duster sweater comes in three colors that are perfect for fall: Mustard, burgundy, and navy. This is just what your casual, off-the-clock wardrobe needs to maximize comfort and style at the same time. Wear it with jeans and a tank or belt it over a midi pencil skirt. See? Versatile!

Maxi Drape Cardigan, $30, fullbeauty.com

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