2 Easy Tips for Transitioning Your Wardrobe from Summer to Fall
When I talk about transitioning my wardrobe from summer to fall, I DON'T mean packing up my summer threads and hauling out totes full of cool weather wear for the autumnal days to come. No way. Instead, I swap out my necklaces for scarves and my sandals for boots. And then, I layer. My seasonal transition is done primarily through the changing of accessories and the addition of layers. I have a very limited wardrobe, and I intend to keep it that way. I don't have a line of summer dresses, fall dresses, winter dresses and spring dresses. Nope. I have dresses. And I transition them from season to season to season to season with an accessory switch and a layer. Here's why:
1. It's WAY more economical to have a handful of base pieces that you can transition through the seasons, than a whole lotta seasonal pieces that need to be packed and unpacked every couple of months.
2. I don't like a lot of "stuff". Stuff clogs my brain.
3. I don't have time in my busy mama-life to haul out my summer for my fall for my winter for my spring.
4. Clothing goes in and out of favor very quickly (trends, weight gain, weight loss) so I like to wear a piece until it's thread bare, then replace it with something fresh and new (to me) without any I-only-wore-it-three-times guilt.
So today I'm going to show you how I transitioned one very versatile $5 American Eagle Goodwill dress through three seasons with a few accessory changes and the addition of layers.
LOOK 1
Late Spring/Summer - First of all, I LOVE this dress! One, I didn't need to get it altered, which is something I usually need to do with dresses because of my triangle shape. And two, the lacy upper bodice of the dress makes my shoulders look wider than they actually are, making me look proportionally balanced from head to toe. Oh magic. I love you. I paired the dress with a vintage necklace and a pair of gold sandals and voila - instant spring/summer cuteness.
LOOK 2
Late Summer - To transition the dress to late summer, I added a light weight cardigan sweater and swapped out the sandals for a pair of Timberland brown ankle boots. I usually stay away from ankle boots because they tend to make my legs look short, but because the dress is high waisted and the bottom hem is a few inches above the knee (showing lots of skin), my legs look proportional to my body. Yay - because I LOVE the look of ankle boots!
LOOK 3
Early Fall - This picture was overexposed so I did some fancy color editing to make it look badass. Which is good, because I felt a little badass when I paired the lace smock with a denim jacket, my Miz Mooz dark brown leather boots and a leather wrist cuff. If it were chilly, I'd throw on a cream colored scarf and button the jacket. (Note - If you don't have a denim jacket - GET ONE. They are the ultimate layering piece and are chock full of sass!)
LOOK 4
Late Fall - I swapped out the dark brown boots for a borrowed pair of vintage Frye boots (my dream boots, by the way, that I'm patiently waiting to find second hand) and a newly thrifted GAP velour blazer. Then, I layered on a metallic scarf for additional volume, sass and warmth.
So there it is. One dress, a few layers, and a handful of accessories. Taking me through the seasons!
Next time you head out clothes shopping, ask yourself this...
"Will this piece transition me through the seasons with an accessory change and the addition of layers?"
If not, give it a second thought. Work to create simplicity in your wardrobe.
And keep in mind, ACCESSORIES STAND THE TEST OF TIME! Invest in them, because you'll likely have them for ages. I keep my boots, shoes, scarves, necklaces, jackets and handbags in circulation far longer than my t-shirts, jeans and dresses. And remember that post I wrote a few weeks ago about Discovering Your Power Accessory?? Yea, they are THAT important.
Over the last few weeks I've provided you with lots of fashion fodder, and I know you're thinking about it, because I'm hearing you talk about it. Through comments, messages, emails, and my favorite... when you stop me on the street and say "GUESS WHAT - I figured out my Power Accessory!".
But I know some of you are feeling overwhelmed. You love the information. But you're unsure how to put it to practice.
Do you need help discovering your Power Accessory? Are you confused as to which necklace length is right for you? Do you want a hand creating "transition" outfits using the things you already own? Are you craving Inside-Out Congruency, but don't know where to start?
Yea, Well then I'm YOUR gal!
We cover all this stuff in Style School, and you’ll have a chance to practice practice practice with a sisterhood of women who are doing the same work! It’s not just inspiring, but wicked fun too!
To your Beauty + Vibrancy!
xo Stasia