Here’s how to make the most out of your warm-weather gear!
You know fall is creeping in when that first morning falls below 70°F. The urge to dig through your stowed knits and fish out your favorite cardigan is undeniable. Before you completely switch over your closet (and go giddy from excitement), remember you’re not quite done with your summer clothes.
In fact, those summer clothes can transition into fall as those first few weeks of brisk mornings quickly switch to sweltering afternoons. In this guide, you’ll learn how to transition summer pieces into the fall to give them a little more love before they go into hibernation.
Why Should You Transition Summer Pieces Into the Fall?
Fall brings about that peculiar weather where you get a huge temperature swing in 24 hours. So, transitioning your summer pieces into fall is just practical. Even though your first instinct may be to grab a sweater at the first sign of a chilly morning, you’ll end up shedding it before the day ends.
It’s not worth muscling through the day with your thickest sweater, regardless of how excited you are for fall to finally arrive.
Partnering summer pieces with light fall pieces is the perfect way to manage the temperature swings and stay comfortable. They give you the versatility you need for this weird time of year.
The Best Ways to Transition Summer Pieces Into Fall
Transitioning your summer pieces into the fall doesn’t mean sticking to tees, tanks, and shorts, even as the temperature drops. It’s more like pairing summer fabrics for breathability with fall fabrics for practicality. These are a few ways to do it:
Light Layering
Light layers are by far the easiest way to introduce your summer pieces to a little bit of fall weather. In this case, light refers to lightweight summer pieces with 1-2 layers max.
This is your opportunity to take your linen shirts or short-sleeved tees and pair them with simple, lightweight bomber jackets or overshirts. It’s classic and easy to pair. When the time comes to shed the top layer, you’re left with something that keeps you comfortable in the afternoon heat.
Sweater vests come in clutch as light layering pieces. Use them as a top or mid-layer to achieve some added warmth without too much extra fabric.
It doesn’t even have to be a sweater vest Our article Lightweight Vests: My Favorite Middle Layering Piece gives you a little more insight on how to layer other types of vests as well. You can even add some light fall accessories like thin scarves, ball caps, or beanies for chillier mornings.
Summer fabrics are your light layering best friends, even as you get deeper into fall and winter. Linens and breathable cotton stay breezy even with a jacket or top layer. Start with the lightest, most breathable layers as your base or closest to your skin, and build out from there.
Your thickest layers should be on top so you can shed easily. Pick early fall items in lighter materials as well. For example, opt for a cotton chino over a wool trouser to save yourself from overheating.
Mix and Match Fall and Summer Pieces
Fall and summer pieces make for unexpected pairings, making this time of year the best for fun outfit combos.
If this were a Venn Diagram with summer and fall on either side, consider yourself smack dab in the middle right now. While you can bring summer clothes into the fall mix, you can also do the opposite.
Introduce your long-sleeved shirts to your shorts. Acquaint your tanks with your pants and trousers. Think about the big shirt, little pants, and little shirt big pants trends that were happening on TikTok a while back. Just have fun with it.
Don’t be afraid to bring in fall footwear as well. Shorts and boots make for a cool combination as well. Let your creativity flow without restriction as you mix and match!
Stick with Light Colors
Summer wardrobes tend to be more colorful due to the casual nature of the season. As you transition, stick to those lighter and more vibrant colors. That goes for the fall pieces you may be mixing in as well.
There’s a tendency to skew toward dark colors during the fall (before everything fades to black, brown, and navy in the winter). Bringing in lighter colors via your summer pieces in your light layers helps keep things feeling more airy.
Fall Back To Spring
If not twins, fall and spring are at least cousins in their weird weather days. Look back to what you wore in the spring. There was probably some of the same mixing and matching going on there already. Consider re-wearing or borrowing some items from that time as well.
Summer To Fall Transitional Outfit Ideas
Below are a few ideas to help you transition summer pieces to fall. You’ll see light layering and a mix of summer fabrics with fall items. Use these as visual guides to get you started.
Sweater Vest Layers
This is an easy way to lightly layer in fall pieces. The sweater vest adds some depth and warmth for a chilly morning. You can easily shed it by the afternoon.
I tucked in the shirt asymmetrically to show a little more personality. Take this as your sign to get creative with how you wear your pieces as well.
Tanks and Trousers
Wearing tank tops with tailored trousers makes for an easy base outfit for this time of year. It’s also a combo that looks flattering on many body types.
You can use this as a place to start your fall layering or venture out in this as a stand-alone outfit if the weather holds up. The key is to opt for high-quality tanks. That means you need to make sure the elastic isn’t worn out and the stains aren’t settled.
Summer Colors
Don’t forget about summer colors even when introducing fall items. My cardigan here is a bright green. While it functions like a light layer, it still sports summer pizzazz.
The floral printed pants from Wax London are made of light linen material. Even though they’ve got your legs covered, they’re still breathable and comfortable for the season. Choosing clothes with the right breathable material is important!
Breathable Layers
This is the best time for some of the funkier and more mesh-like top layers (if that’s something you’re comfortable with). In peak summer months, this cardigan is still too warm to wear, but now it’s a perfect light layer.
This look is a great example of mixing easy fall layers with summer staples. The shorts and tank say, “Summer isn’t over.”, while the shoes, socks, and cardigan mix in some fall practicality.
Redefined Light Layers
Bomber jackets and overshirts aren’t your only light-layer options. Those unlined summer blazers or lighter sport coats are perfect this time of year.
There’s a juxtaposition of the more formal blazer against a casual short, but it’s a fun mix. One of the best parts of transitioning summer pieces into fall is the unique combinations you get out of it.
If a blazer isn’t your thing, overshirts and “shackets” work well too. Our article “Shacket vs Overshirt” defines these both so you can more easily swap them in for light layers as well.
Summer Pieces Squared
Layer your vest, layer your tees, layer your tanks, and then mix them all together. If you’re itching to start layering again but the weather won’t allow for too much, start with those summer pieces.
This look features a vest layered over a tank for a unique look. It gives dimension to the look without building up too many layers that would leave you sweating. It also introduces breathable pants and mule loafers, which hint at the start of fall.
Cardigans and Shorts
Long sleeves and shorts are an undefeated combination. This bold look screams transitional weather. Cardigans are another perfect option for a light layer as you transition your summer pieces.
At the core, this outfit is a summer staple: tanks and shorts. The cardigan is the piece that helps transition these into an early fall outfit. The bright color also helps it feel summer-friendly. The boundaries are melting!
Are You Ready to Transition Summer Pieces Into Fall?
This is the best time of year to experiment with some fun combinations. Hopefully, this guide gave you some ideas that will keep you from packing up your summer clothes too early.
Once you’re ready to fully send it into fall, make sure to check out our post on how to wear layers to better prep for the season.
If you have any questions or comments, leave them down below!