Autumn is well underway, and those of us who are fashion-inclined will tell you that fall marks the start of a new fashion season. That means setting aside our midi shorts and white sneakers in favor of some more autumnal looks.
Our tips for transitioning from your summer to fall wardrobe will help you embrace the changing seasons in style.
Focus on Color and Texture
It’s easy to call to mind the colors and textures of warm weather: bright, bold colors and breezy fabrics, like cotton and linen. We can call autumn to mind in the same way. Here are some color and texture principles you can keep in mind when transitioning from your summer to fall wardrobe:
- Start incorporating darker colors
- Bring in neutrals, like tan, black, and gray, with an emphasis on earth tones
- Highlight autumn-specific colors, like red, orange, yellow, and forest green
- Don’t be afraid of patterns, like plaid or herringbone
- Bring out warmer fabrics, like wool, flannel, leather, tweed, and suede
Switch the Shoes
Many fall fashion rules are more practical than we think. For example, the idea of abandoning open shoes makes sense in cold weather. Here are a few shoe styles that are more appropriate and more fashionable for autumn weather:
- Sneakers
- Derby shoes
- Knee-length boots
- Combat boots
- Cowboy boots
- Ankle boots
Since fall is the perfect combination of cooler temperatures without excessive moisture, it’s the perfect time to pull out suede shoes.
Embrace Layers
Early fall weather especially is somewhat unpredictable. The morning may be cool, while the afternoon temperature may be closer to summer. That’s why layers are an essential part of fall fashion, and you can use this to your advantage to create visual interest in your outfit choices.
When layering your outfits, remember to keep the most form-fitting layer closest to the body. For example, wear a t-shirt or turtleneck underneath with a sweater, vest, or blazer on top.
Pro-Tip
If there are summer outfits that you love, you can convert them to a fall outfit by adding a layer. For example, add a leather jacket and some boots to your maxi dress for a look you can wear all autumn long.
Store Summer Clothes
In our rush to embrace the new season’s trends, we should avoid stuffing our warm-weather clothes haphazardly in the back of closets or drawers. This is a surefire way to end up with damaged clothes come spring.
Proper long-term storage for clothes is relatively simple. Fold or hang clothes in a space that is dark, dry, and cool. Packing them with cedar will keep bugs out without the harmful effects of mothballs.
Pro-Tip
It’s important to clean everything before it goes into storage, but that isn’t straightforward for every piece. Straw hat cleaning, for instance, requires some hand cleaning. Check your labels before putting anything in the washing machine.
