8 Transitional Wardrobe Staples for Early Fall Weather
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The long days of August are starting to cool off, which means our wardrobes need a subtle shift. It’s not quite cold enough to bring out heavy wool coats and chunky knitwear, but breezy linen dresses and strappy sandals no longer hit the mark. What’s essential are those in-between pieces that bridge the gap between seasons.
In this post, I’ve rounded up 8 transitional wardrobe staples that work for a wide range of temperatures. These are the pieces you’ll reach for again and again as fall slowly arrives. And I’ll walk you through exactly how to style them into summer-to-fall outfits.
8 Transitional Wardrobe Staples
1. Trench Coat
A timeless trench coat is the ultimate outerwear staple for the in-between season. It’s just right for those early fall days when there’s a chill in the air, but a bulky wool coat is too much.
One of my favorite transitional looks is a trench coat layered over a basic white tee, relaxed denim and ballet flats. It’s effortless enough for weekend outings here in Strasbourg. You can even wear your trench to work over any summer or fall office outfit.
A long beige trench will never go out of style, but you can also find short, pleated and patterned coats. Consider it a true wardrobe investment: it carries you through fall and will serve you well come spring.
For me, the perfect trench coat is the A.P.C. Greta trench coat, which I recently purchased for fall!
2. Fall Jacket
Easy-to-layer outwear is essential for transitional weather. If your outfit ends up feeling a little too cold, a lightweight jacket can quickly save the day.
There’s no shortage of options to choose from either. Trending this season are barn jackets, distressed leather bombers, and suede blazers. Have a few different options on hand that can take you from the office to weekends and everything in between.
Layer it over practically anything: dresses, skirts, jeans. Throughout September, I often throw a simple white tee under a jacket to prepare for the often fluctuating temps. When fall actually arrives, your favorite outerwear can work over knitwear and even thermal layers when the chill really sets in.
3. All-Season Dress
A sweater-knit midi is one of the best transitional dresses to carry you from summer to fall. Long-sleeve styles will also be particularly handy when the weather is unpredictable.
Wear them now with ballet flats (and bare legs). For truly chilly temps, swap in knee-high boots and thermal tights. A trench or leather jacket layered on top pulls it all together.
And just to be clear, knit dresses don’t have to swallow you whole. There are plenty of structured shapes and form-fitting options that I’ve included below.
4. Cashmere Cardigan
As temperatures begin to fall, a lightweight cardigan becomes a piece that you’ll rely on daily. Toss it over a basic tank or summer dress to extend the wear of your warm-weather wardrobe. Later, button it up and pair it with fall favorites like dark-wash denim and suede loafers.
I personally gravitate toward neutral hues that work with just about anything in my ever-transitioning closet.
5. Sweater Tee
Sweater weather is not quite here yet, but knitwear can still be a great choice for transitional seasons. When it’s still too warm for long sleeves, a sweater tee is the perfect compromise.
You can wear them in late summer, but they also serve as layering pieces when temperatures drop.
Knit tees work with almost any outfit. I especially like them with wide-leg trousers and strappy sandals in the summer, and with a tailored jacket, straight-leg jeans, and loafers in the fall. Whenever you’d wear a basic white tee, consider swapping in a knit version instead.
6. Dark-Wash Denim
A well-fitting pair of jeans is one wardrobe basic we all need in our closets, but medium to dark washes are particularly practical during the pre-fall season. They quickly give summer styles a more autumnal feel, even if you’re still in a tank or tee.
While denim shorts rule summer, longer hemlines simply make more sense once temperatures drop. Choose a style that feels true to you but still works as fall progresses. I’m currently loving bootcut jeans.
Try them with a plaid blazer and a pair of western boots (à la Kelly Rutherford), or wear them with a silky blouse, strappy heels and a mini bag on a night out.
And although classic blue will always have its place, darker shades like black, burgundy, or chocolate brown can be part of your denim rotation too.
7. Long Skirt
Midi and maxi skirts will keep you covered up as the seasons shift. They’re airy enough for September, substantial enough for October. Pair it now with a lightweight henley or crisp button-down, and later with a fitted turtleneck or a woolly knit.
When deciding on the most fall-ready option, lean into dark, rich neutrals such as black, navy, camel, espresso brown or maroon. You can go even more seasonal with plaid, houndstooth, suede, or tweed.
Don’t pack away your poplin skirts either. Even the white maxi skirts that have been trending the past few seasons can be worn into early fall when styled with the right layers and accessories.
8. Ballet Flat
The ballet flat is your perfect in-between shoe when it's too warm for boots but no longer sandal season.
They look chic with or without socks and somehow work with almost every outfit no matter the weather. Right now, I’m styling mine with relaxed denim and cozy knitwear. An easy, early fall trio.
Try out suede fabrics and darker tones that feel like fall or shoot for something classic that you can wear straight into spring.
If ballerinas aren’t your style, consider a pair of loafers. They give the same versatility and can transition into winter with wool pants or lined tights.
Transitional Style Tips
Audit Your Wardrobe
Before diving into fall shopping, take a critical look at your current wardrobe. Identify pieces that can easily transition from summer to fall, such as lightweight knits and outerwear. This initial closet review will help you determine what items you need for a well-rounded fall wardrobe. Here's a quick step-by-step guide on how to assess your current wardrobe:
Empty your closet. Start by emptying your closet and laying out all your clothing items on your bed or a designated space. This allows you to see everything you have and makes it easier to sort through your items.
Sort by category. Divide your clothing into categories such as tops, bottoms, dresses, outerwear, shoes, and accessories. This organization will help you get a clear picture of what you own in each category.
Identify versatile pieces. Determine which pieces to keep for fall, especially those in neutral colors or fall tones that are easy to layer and incredibly versatile. While basic staples like white t-shirts and tanks might be in your “keep” pile, it's time to retire those sundresses and strappy sandals until next summer.
Assess fit and condition. Try on everything to ensure it still fits and is in good condition. Anything that no longer works for you should go into a “donate” or “sell” pile to create space for new pieces.
Identify wardrobe gaps. Once you've assessed your current wardrobe, you can determine what's missing from your fall wardrobe. Dark-wash denim? A versatile jacket? Essential sweaters? Make a list to guide your shopping and avoid redundant purchases.
Choose a Fall Color Palette Now
Make your outfits feel instantly more autumnal by changing up your color palette. Start with neutral colors that will serve as the foundation of your fall wardrobe. These colors will form the basis of your outfits and can include lighter shades like white, beige, taupe, gray and cream, as well as deeper hues like black, chocolate brown, charcoal gray and navy.
To add depth and variety to your palette, select a few accent colors that complement your core colors. These can be lighter or brighter shades that provide contrast and interest. For example, consider burgundy, olive green, camel, mustard or bright red.
You can mix these fall hues with your lighter, summer shades too! This will make the shift in seasons even easier to dress for.
Invest in Easy-to-Layer Outerwear
Layering is the cornerstone of transitional dressing, so be sure to have plenty of outerwear to choose from. While I’ve included some of my favorite options earlier in this post, here are some initial pieces to consider:
A denim jacket, leather moto or bomber layers nicely over summer dresses, basic tees or even lightweight sweaters.
A classic trench coat can be dressed up or down. Come rain or shine, it’s one wardrobe essential that I can’t recommend enough.
A blazer adds something smart to any outfit. Wear it over fluid dresses, crisp tailoring, or knitwear for autumn style that takes you from day to night.
Add Seasonal Textures
As you transition your wardrobe for fall, be sure to incorporate some seasonal textures to up the coziness. Wool, suede, velvet, flannel, corduroy and faux fur are all autumn-appropriate options.
Try pairing a wool knit with a cotton poplin skirt, a sophisticated suede blazer with cropped jeans and kitten heels, or velvet loafers with a preppy mini skirt and button-down.
Mix & Match Summer and Fall Pieces
Don't be too quick to pack away your summer favorites! With a few styling tweaks, you can easily transition your warm-weather pieces into the cooler months.
Extend the life of summer dresses (especially long-sleeved styles) by layering them with tights and boots.
Pair those romantic summer tanks with your favorite denim, heeled booties, and a wool blazer for a night-out look that’s feminine and a bit polished.
Even mini shorts and skirts can be styled for colder days with tights and cozy knitwear. Add knee-high boots or kitten heels for on-trend transitional style.
Accessorize for Early Fall
Accessories can seamlessly bridge the gap between summer and fall.
Start by swapping out your woven summer hats for felt and wool options. It might be too soon for beanies and knit caps, but they can make cozy choices when the temperatures really drop.
You can still make use of your lighter scarves during early fall. The headscarf trend will continue into the season, so it’s worth trying out. While you may not need your wool scarves just yet, they can still look stylish with short jackets on variable days.
As for bags, it's time to retire those summer straw totes in favor of leather or suede options. And don't forget to update your jewelry with richer tones and materials to complement the changing season. Say goodbye to anything with seashells, starfish and summer motifs.
Go Back to Basics
Whenever I’m stuck on what to wear, I always reach for my wardrobe basics. No matter the season, it’s a good idea to have the essentials on hand, whether it’s a button-down shirt, plain white tee or pair of neutral slacks. I get the most wear out of these pieces during the transitional seasons when the weather is often erratic.
How are you transitioning your wardrobe from summer to fall? What are your must-have transitional staples? Let me know in the comments below.
