How To Take Your Summer Fashion Into Fall

By Alexia Gonzalez on November 7, 2014

Hate to break it to you ladies, but the beginning of November means it’s about to get pretty chilly in the coming weeks.

If you’re like me and are experiencing a serious case of cold weather denial, this news may be pretty heart wrenching for your wardrobe.

But don’t give up hope just yet! Just because the temperatures are dropping, doesn’t mean that your hemlines have to do the same.

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Thanks to its randomly warm days and moderately cool evenings, fall is the last leg of the year that allows you to take advantage of those indispensable summer favorites (sorry but you’ve still gotta ditch that bralette and kimono ensemble).

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The key to keeping your breezy summer outfits fall relevant is all in the styling of your get up. Believe it or not, there are several ways that you can still rock those cutoff shorts and sundresses without freezing your butt off or looking seasonably inappropriate.

Here are a few tricks to keep your sunny wear looking fresh and keeping you cozy.

Warm Up Your Cutoffs

The easiest way to transition those denim cutoff shorts into fall is to just add a bulky knit as a top layer.

Up the cozy factor even more with some accessory-worthy socks and your favorite pair of oxfords or clunky brogues, and add a scarf if you’re still feeling the chill.

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Tights Over Everything

Extend the life of your favorite skirt, shorts, or even dress by layering a simple pair of tights underneath. Adding tights is an inexpensive way to revamp your existing wardrobe as well as a trendy way to play with pattern, color, or texture. Anything from black to opaque to gray cable knit tights can transform even the most summery item into the foundation of a stylish and insulating fall ensemble.

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Layers on Layers

Layered looks are incredibly functional and appear intricate and stylish when executed properly. One of the best techniques to help you keep warm in your summer garbs is multiple layering.

The golden rule to a multi-layered ensemble is the following: layer long over lean. This means pairing looser and longer length tops over more tightly fitting bottom layers, such as fitted tanks with leggings or skinny jeans.

The “long over lean” rule helps to avoid the bulkiness that can sometimes be a result of overenthusiastic layering. Then, just add a sweater or jacket, a light scarf, and a pair of boots to finish your perfect fall outfit.

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Sundress

Just because fall is here doesn’t mean that you have to wait until the end of spring to wear that oh so beloved sundress that you purchased this summer.

Warm up a flowy sundress by pairing it with a fall friendly statement jacket. A great statement jacket can entirely change the tone of an outfit and transition summer prints into autumnal territory.

Try layering a black leather jacket over a feminine floral dress to create the perfect balance between flirty and edgy. Also switch out your sandals for flats or booties when attempting to revive the sundress.

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Long Maxi Dress

The maxi dress is definitely a beach weather staple, with its bohemian flair and ventilating design. But before you relegate your favorite long maxi dresses to the back of your closet, refashion them by wearing them with a thin long sleeved sweatshirt or jacket. The trick to wearing a maxi dress in the fall is to layer up and then define your waist with a cinched belt to add structure.

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Add Boots

Pairing boots with a summer get up is the fastest way to achieve a seasonably appropriate look that is instantly warmer and more functional. A quality pair of boots will extend the lifespan of everything from sundresses to skinny jeans and even shorts.

Over the knee boots add a sleek and polished look to jeans and skirts while booties look flirty with cut off shorts or a dress and cardigan ensemble.

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Incorporate Fall Colors

With the changing of the leaves, fall definitely brings a transition of the sartorial color palette. Although you can pepper in some summery prints and colors into your fall outfit, make sure to balance out your pastels and primaries with some deeper autumn hues.

Dress up summer’s lighter pastels with rich mustard, burgundy, plum and navy tones. Mixing monochromatic neutral shades with bright patterns help to tone down the warm weather vibe resulting in a more fall appropriate outfit.