Fashion is cyclical.  One of positives of this is, just when we get sick of wearing something, it changes.  As we’re all getting ready to enter the last month of summer, raise your hand if you’re starting to get tired of the fun summer dresses that you were so excited about just a few months ago?  Of course, none of this is relevant if you live in a season-less climate, but, for those who do, in today’s wear to work post, I am going to show you how easy you can transitional your clothes from one season to the next.

Stores are already starting to showcase their new arrivals for fall.  I know, the last thing you want to think in the sweltering heat is cashmere and booties, I get it.  However, despite the fact that fashion still tends to run ahead of the actual seasons, and you can buy a winter coat in August (the mere thought of trying a wool coat on during a heatwave gives me hives), designers and brands know that most women want to immediately wear what they buy and most transitional fashion that is hitting the stores can be worn now and well into fall.   It’s all in how you wear the pieces now and then change them up in the upcoming cooler months that will help guarantee you will get the most from these buys.

Additionally, you don’t necessarily have to pack away your summer clothes the second Labor Day hits.  Depending on where you live, it will be many months before the frigid weather arrives and there will be plenty of time to get more mileage out of your warm weather pieces if you style them right.  In terms of transitional fashion, you don’t need a lot of new to get the most out of your wardrobe.

Transitional Fashion: Wear Now…and Later

I am going to show you how, with some subtle changes, you can transition much of your wardrobe from summer to autumn with just a few changes and tweaks, mostly from how these outfits are accessorized. In all of the examples below, you will find core outfits.  On the left are the summer components and on the right are the fall pieces.  By approaching your wardrobe in this manner you will get a few benefits: First, you will be able to stretch the lifespan of your summer wardrobe and, second, you will be able to get more use out of some the transitional fall pieces you purchase now because you can start wearing them immediately.

Outfit #1

Transtional Fashion

This top from French Connection and pants from Reiss are work pieces that can easily be worn now and later.  To the left, for a more summery look, I styled these items with a white Elie Tahari blazer, a pair of soft blue pumps, earrings from Bauble Bar and blush Furla handbag.

Next, to make these core pieces more autumn-like, I swapped out the white blazer for the suit jacket that goes with these pants, a pair of navy suede boots, richer handbag in burgundy, darker Kendra Scott earrings and a slate blue Banana Republic scarf.

Outfit #2

Transitional Fashion

Skirts, like this leopard one from Boden, are great transitional pieces.  Regardless of what they are made out of, they can easily go from hot summer to transitional fall, and possibly beyond if they aren’t too summery in look or fabric.  Even though this skirt is considered a new arrival  it can easily be worn right now with summery pieces, like this sleeveless top from Vince Camuto, tan heeled work sandals and bag, gold bracelet and tassled necklace from Anthropologie.  The added bonus of this wear-now piece is that it can instantly revive the summer clothes you may have started to get tired of.

For fall, the change-up is easy.  I simply belted this J. Crew classic white blouse with a yellow Lodis belt, layered on a grey cardigan and changed the sandals for a pair of brown boots.  The handbag can stay the same (after all it is incredibly expensive) or you can swap it out for the same burgundy bag I used in the previous look.  Once the weather gets even colder tights can easily be added to this outfit.

Outfit #3

Transitional Fashion

While this dress is light, and perfect for the warmer months, it can easily be styled for fall with some simple changes.  First, for summer, I finished the look with a white T Tahari cardigan, the same Bauble Bar earrings and handbag used in the first look and added a pair of blush pumps.

For fall, the outfit gets winterized with grey, a blazer from Tory Burch, booties from Aquatalia, handbag by Botikier and grey necklace from Banana Republic.  Finishing the look is a grey and pink scarf and a pair of grey opaque tights.