As much as you may love summer and the carefree spirit it evokes, we all have to accept the changing season when it eventually arrives. Part of that acceptance is swapping your warm weather fare for fall staples. Of course, it’s never a hard pivot into fall, so to help you ease into the season, consider the following swaps as a cheat sheet of sorts, for a wardrobe refresh for this in-between time of summer to fall.
It’s definitely time to retire the summer white dress for a frock with a rich, moody print. Think abstract florals, painterly motifs, and darker color palettes that transition effortlessly into fall. And to be clear, this is not a swap due to an outdated rule about wearing white after Labor Day, but more so having a throw-it-on-and-go outfitting option that feels more intentional for the season. Plus, a printed dress like Macy’s MSK Paisley Print Button-Front Maxi is so easy to style with boots and jackets once temperatures begin to cool.
Few fabrics work harder than linen during summer, but it’s time to give your linen a break and swap out button-downs and drawstring pants for silk blouses and straight-leg jeans. Banana Republic Factory’s Silky Classic Shirt is worth the investment at full price, but at the time of this writing, it is currently on sale for a steal. The fluid fabric of silk feels luxurious while maintaining the ease that linen evokes, while jeans like Old Navy’s High-Waisted OG Straight Ankle Jeans give a nod to the more structured schedule of fall. Worn together, this combo creates an elegant yet laid back outfit worn either with the blouse open, tucked in, or layered over a tank. You can still wear strappy sandals now with this look, and it easily transitions as fall unfolds when styled with loafers or ballet flats.
Speaking of shoes, if you jumped on the nostalgic trend of jelly shoes this summer, I hope you had fun. School is well back in session, so it’s time to leave the good old days to your memory and consider a more sophisticated shoe choice heading into fall. But don’t confuse sophistication with a snooze-fest; instead, embrace the vibrancy of the changing season with jewel-toned flats and heels like Journee’s Darlin Flat in red patent from DSW. However, if you’re looking for a subtle swap, but still an eye-catching one, consider Tommy Hilfiger’s Bekim Flat, also from DSW in beige with a black toe cap for a two-toned effect.
Another shoe wear swap-out are flip-flops for slingback heels. While simple flip-flops remain a warm-weather staple, with the cooler mornings and chillier nights, a slingback offers the same effortless appeal while bringing a much more refined finish to dresses, jeans, and trousers, while providing coverage to give your pedicure a break. Even a low heel like Anne Klein’s Shorty Slingback Pump instantly elevates any outfit this fall.
Jeans were already mentioned as a swap out for linen pants, but if you’ve been wearing jeans this summer, it’s time to swap out your light-wash denim, which always peaks during summer, for darker washes to greet the new season. Darker denim like Quince’s Bella Stretch Straight Jeans in deep rinse can be a great base for any outfit this fall. Pair with the silk button-down from above or with T-shirts and a cardigan to give casual looks a bit more polish. And remember, any outfit with black pants can also be a dark denim look. Personally, I’ve been stalking the forecast to see when I can start wearing my dark washes with blazers for fall.
Lastly, there are tank tops. The classic crewneck tank will always have a place in the summer rotation. As autumn draws closer, swap it out for a V-neck version like COS’s Cotton V-Neck Tank Top in navy or white as an elegant base layer. The neckline creates longer, graceful silhouettes and pairs beautifully with everything from your dark wash jeans to tailored trousers and feels slightly dressier than your standard tank.
You may have noticed the descriptors of “elegant” and “sophisticated” in several of these swap ideas. That’s because fall is the time many of us return to a formality in dressing. The cutoffs and T-shirts of the summer days give way to school calendars and all of the activities of upcoming holidays. Making these subtle swaps not only signals, style-wise, that there’s more structure and schedule in the air but also helps you meet the demands of that structure while making your outfits feel fresher and more refined.
