How to Transition Your Outfits in the Fall

Early Fall is still tinged with Summer. Then as it gets colder, nature surrounds us in brilliant color. So let’s enjoy this beautiful season! Below I explore the many ways to transition your outfits in the Fall, followed by outfit ideas. When dressing between the seasons, we can all look good doing it.  Age doesn’t matter!

While we’re in between hot and cold, we need to stay comfortable.  And that means finding ways to layer, first over our summer clothes and then adding more and more warmth.  Besides layering, you can add certain other touches that signal Fall. 

I already have many posts on Fall color. Every year, I give the trending colors based on the Pantone color report from New York Fashion Week. And then there are the classic Fall colors that you can always depend on. In addition, I have done outfit posts based on colors that work perfectly for this time of year including teal, olive, red, and earth tones. My color style tips on white and the colors of nature are useful now as well.

And never forget animal prints (one of my favorite things. Lol) that go with anything anytime, but have become a Fall classic. I have a whole series on it HERE.

I hope you enjoy this update of my post on the Fall transition. Be sure to let me know!

Ways to Transition Your Outfits in the Fall

• Even if the weather is still hot, you can wear your light and cool summer clothes in fall hues, such as:  orange, red, rust, mustard yellow, and earth-tones like chocolate brown, and burgundy.
• Wear white jeans with jewel tones or traditional fall colors.
• Just add shoes and accessories to your summer outfit in autumnal textures, colors and prints.  Some examples are:  tortoise shell, leopard print, snake print, fall florals.
• Add layers to your summer outfits.  The magical number of three layers creates the perfect look.  If it’s still warm out, use light, floaty layers; or leave something bare, like legs or arms.
• Wear tights or leggings to warm up a summer skirt or dress.

• Add a velvet piece to a basic outfit.  It could be a velvet camisole, tank, top, joggers, leggings, pants, skirt or topper.
• Throw on a jacket or cardi over a summer tee.
• Add a long-sleeve lace top under a dress.
• Summer maxi dresses are still usable:  layer with a tank, t-shirt, sweater, leather or suede jacket.

• Throw a poncho over your basics.
• Wear bright, lightweight dresses into fall by layering a cotton turtleneck underneath.  Look for paper-thin versions in neutral colors that will look natural as a base layer.  Don’t force summer prints or wintry turtlenecks into the equation.
• Add a dark layer (black turtleneck, tee, etc.) under a summer dress.
• Sundresses are still usable with warm layers, a blazer, or a cover-up. Or, top your sundress with a black (faux) leather jacket.
• A summer top, tunic or sun-dress over pants (even corduroy or leather).  You may want to add a long vest as well.

• Shorts are still usable with tights or tall, over-the-knee boots or both.  You may want to add a long-sleeve top, a 3/4 length coat, etc.
• Between seasons, a scarf will update and warm up any outfit:  A light scarf for temperate days, a warm scarf for chilly days.
• A sleeveless  or short-sleeve sweater or mock-neck, or other partially-exposed sweater worn alone or layered with other knits.
• Layer your favorite summer tops under a cardigan or vest.
• Add a faux suede or leather vest to summer pieces to warm them up for fall.

• Use a faux fur vest as a jacket when it’s not too cold yet. At the end of fall, if it gets very cold, add a jacket or coat over your fur vest outfit.
• A long vest over a summer outfit.
• A t-shirt over a thin hoodie top, or a hoodie over a t-shirt.
• Add a jean jacket to a summer dress.
• Add a jean jacket to a summer maxi-skirt and tee.

• Wear a jean jacket over or under an olive utility jacket.
• Add a safari jacket or army jacket to almost any casual outfit.
• A blazer in place of a jacket, with a sweater or hoodie underneath.
• Now is the perfect time to wear a faux leather jacket as outerwear.
• Wear a fleece vest with a turtleneck or under a coat.  This vest offers versatility in unpredictable autumn weather.

• You can still wear sandals with a warm outfit.  If it’s cool, you can wear socks with sandals, even if they are heels.
• You can even continue to wear your wedge sandals, but pair them with fall colors.  See my posts on fall colors:  “How to Combine the New Fall/Winter Fashion Colors Now” and “How to Use Colors That Will Make You Get in the Fall Spirit.”
• A short skirt with any boots, including Uggs.
• For evening:  Layer a lace top or a top with long, sheer sleeves under a summer top.

Transitional Outfits

Here are outfit ideas based on the general guidelines as listed above. You’ll find outfits to bridge the seasons using dresses, skirts, pants, jeans and other bottoms.

Ways to Wear Dresses for Fall

Outfit Formula:

Top a sleeveless dress with:  a kimono worn open, a jean jacket open with sleeves scrunched up, a moto jacket, a short or cropped jacket (must look just right) or a drape-front cardigan.

1. A summer maxi dress + a moto jacket.  Add flats.
2. Drape a lightweight scarf around your summer shirts and dresses to keep the chill off.
3. A favorite summer dress + tights.  You might like to add a tailored shirt underneath + a faux leather or suede jacket.
4. A summer dress or tunic + pants.  Add boots.
5. When going out, throw a faux fur jacket over a summer dress. 
   

   

6. Pair a printed dress with a bomber jacket.  You might like to add pumps.
7. A dark floral (such as navy) dress + a jean jacket.  Add ankle boots + colorful layered bracelets on one hand + rings on the other.
8. A cool-weather blazer + a summer dress.  You might like to belt the dress or blazer.
9. Wear a velvet kimono to warm up a summer maxi dress.  You may also like to add boots, an ethnic bag.
10. Add a lightweight jacket over a sleeveless dress.
11. A turtleneck + a summer dress + a faux leather jacketLong cardigan from H&M
12. Pair a slip dress with a cardigan. You might like to layer necklaces. Add sneakers.
13. A short-sleeve midi dress + a chunky sweater, a cardigan, a leather jacket, or a jean jacket.  You might like to layer on some cool accessories.
14. An easy tee dress + a jean jacket + slip-ons or mules.  Add a chunky chain necklace.
15. A maxi t-shirt dress + cut-out booties.  You might like to add a long, gold, tassel necklace and a bracelet.  If cold, add a sweater, tights, boots.
16. A short dress or skirt + over-the-knee boots + a slouchy cardigan or jacket.
17. Add bold accessories + heavier layers on top of a beach dress (i.e., a cardigan, jacket, etc.)
    

    

18. A little black dress (LBD) + over-the-knee boots.  Add pendants + bangles.
19. An LBD + an olive utility jacket.
20. An LBD + a jean jacket + boots.  You may want to roll up the sleeves, add a cuff and a necklace.
21. Gray poncho over a long gray dress, or wear a dress that matches the color of your poncho.
22. A maxi dress + a toned kimono or duster.Velvet midi dress over a floral thermal top from Free People 
23. Wear a thermal top under a summer dress.  Try adding chunky boots or menswear brogues with warm socks.  Then add your favorite jewelry.
24. Layer a flannel shirt over a t-shirt dress.
25. Top a slip dress with a plaid flannel shirt worn open as a jacket.  Add ankle boots + long necklaces + bracelets.  You might like to add a beanie for extra warmth.
26. Pair a suede jacket with a floral dress.
27. A slip dress + a suede vest.  Add bracelets.
    

    

28. A dress over skinny jeans. You might like to wear heels with this.
29. Pair a caftan with cowboy boots.
30. Warm-weather dress + leggings + boots.
31. A short dress or skirt + over-the-knee boots + a slouchy cardigan or jacket.
32. Add bold accessories + heavier layers on top of a beach dress (i.e., a cardigan, jacket, etc.)

Ways to Wear Skirts for Fall

1. A white tee under your most madcap, bright-color blouse over a neutral (navy, gray, brown or black) pencil skirt.  Add black tights + ankle boots.
2. Wear a short-sleeve t-shirt over a pencil skirt & a jean jacket.  You may want to add tall, flat boots.
3. A boyfriend cardigan buttoned over a scoop-neck tee over a pencil skirt.  Add flats + neck chains + a bangle.
4. Tuck a short-sleeve t-shirt into a gray maxi-skirt. Add cut-out booties or tall black boots + a black bracelet + a pendant on a long black cord + a headband or black beret.
5. A long-sleeve ivory t-shirt tucked into an earth-toned maxi-skirt (such as taupe) + a colorful infinity scarf.  Add an earth-toned cuff bracelet + snakeskin sandals (or other neutral leather sandals).
   

   

6. A short-sleeve black sweater + a brown midi-skirt or maxi-skirt.  Add leopard slip-ons.
7. Pair a black motorcycle jacket with a black midi skirt. Add black strappy sandals & a shell top of your choice. 
8. A cozy Fall sweater + a summer skirt or dress. You might like to add ankle boots, tassel earrings.
9. Pair a black floral skirt with a short-sleeve black sweater, or any dark floral print with a short-sleeve sweater to match. 
   

   

10. A cashmere sweater + a floral dress or skirt.
11. A short-sleeve knit shirt over a long white or beige skirt.  A drawstring skirt is good here.  Sling a big belt over it + mixed metal bangles.
12. Pair an animal-print skirt with a short-sleeve sweater in a neutral color.
13. A short-sleeve turtleneck + a short faux suede skirt.
14. Pair a bomber jacket with a short jean skirt. Tuck in a shirt that’s toned to the color of your bomber or skirt. Add tall black heeled boots + small, wide, gold earrings + a hold handbag. If sunny, wear sunglasses!

Ways to Wear Pants in the Fall

1. Pair a t-shirt with velvet pants. Add a statement necklace & sneakers.
2. A camisole over gray trousers.  May add peep-toe booties.
3. Wide-leg trousers + a long-sleeve tee or fine-knit sweater + a blazer.  Add sneakers.
4. Wide-leg trousers + a warm sweater + sneakers.  Add an oversize coat or trench.
5. A cozy cardigan + a Henley or a top with pretty cuffs  + skinny corduroy pants.  Add a pendant + rings.
   

   Jean Jacket and cargo pants

6. A jean jacket + a t-shirt + cargo pants.  Add sneakers.
7. A feminine top + cargo pants.  Add a lightweight scarf looped around your neck.
8. Push back the sleeves on a black shirt & leave the top three or four buttons undone and wear with printed palazzo pants. Add black & gold earrings + a narrow gold ring + booties. If your palazzos don’t have a black ground, match the color of your shirt to the ground of your print.
9. A rust boyfriend cardigan + a rust tank top over brown skinnies.  Add a rust printed scarf looped loosely around neck with the ends tucked in front center + gold ballet flats + a gold bangle + small gold earrings.  Push back sleeves.   
10. Wear a black tunic-length blouse with leopard-print pants or leggings. Add black flats & tortoise-shell earrings.
    

    

11. Add tortoise-shell earrings to a leopard-print tunic and black pants.
12. Top a column of black (such as a black wrap top & black pants) with a faux suede jacket, poncho or ruana (poncho open in front.) Add a concho belt at waist. Add big black gemstone earrings or something similar + a triple-strand black & gold bead bracelet. 
13. A white or tan cashmere sweater + pants in any shade of white or tan + poncho or ruana in any shade of white or tan.
14. A jean jacket + a white tee + stone-color pants.  Add flat sandals.
15. A utility jacket + brown pants or jeans.  Add a printed scarf in toned colors twisted around neck with ends in front.

Jeans Outfits for Fall

Outfit Formula:

Pair fluid tops of mid-hip length with jeans. Than top with a utility jacket, blazer, bomber jacket or straight coat. Add a scarf & loafers.

1. Combine white jeans with a sweater and boots in earth tones.
2. A silky button-down + white jeans.  Add bright sandals or wedges.
3. Pair a gray leopard shirt (or solid gray or solid black) + white jeans.  Add black jewelry.
4. A white shirt +skinny blue jeans.  Add crystal stud earrings + a printed scarf.
5. An indigo cardigan over an indigo t-shirt over blue jeans.  Add sneakers + hoop earrings with blue beads.
6. A teal or other color sweater + blue jeans + any ethnic bag slung across body.  Colors don’t have to match.
   

   

   
   

7. A t-shirt, either graphic or solid + blue jeans + any topper.  Try a poncho, a blazer, a leopard-print jacket, a snakeskin cardigan, a rust-color duster, etc.
8. A chunky cardigan + a metallic tank top over blue jeans.  Add a lightweight printed scarf tied European style (fold lengthwise, then thread ends through loop.)
9. Unlace a lace-up t-shirt enough to show a camisole beneath and wear with jeans.  Add a cardigan toned to the colors you are wearing or a chambray shirt worn open as a jacket.  Accessorize with peep-toe booties + a few necklaces + a few bangles.
10. A chambray shirt over a Henley top + jeans.  If you like, button just one button on the Henley to show layers.
11. A bomber jacket + a striped tee + blue jeans.  Add a long, fuzzy scarf looped around neck with ends in front + pendants on cords + sneakers.
    

    

12. Skinny jeans + an oversize sweater.  Add ankle boots.
13. A cardigan over a plaid shirt + skinny jeans + ankle boots.
14. A long-sleeve plaid shirt + jeans + motorcycle jacket.  Add flat ankle boots.
15. Top a black t-shirt & blue jeans with a black bomber jacket. Add sneakers.
16. A tank top + blue jeans + a kimono.
    

    

    
    

17. A duster or a shirtdress worn open as a duster + any top + jeans.  Add clogs or boots. For instance, tuck a navy blue top into bootcut jeans and wear with an indigo duster, brown belt & boots. 
18. Wear a flannel shirt open as a jacket over a lace top + jeans + a biker jacket.  Add socks + sandals (match or tone them.)
19. A short-sleeve plum tunic + skinny jeans.  Add an olive jacket.
20. An olive jacket + a black scoop-neck top + blue jeans.  Add peep-toe booties + a long chain necklace & bracelet.  Roll up sleeves.
21. A long-sleeve gray t-shirt + skinny jeans + olive utility jacket.  Add ballet flats.
    

    Demi bootcut jeans from Free People 

22. A long shirt + blue jeans + a vest + a velvet duster.  Add a chunky chain necklace and ankle boots.
23. Combine a faux leather jacket with a longer-length t-shirt and coated jeans.  You might like to add a gothic pendant & combat boots.
24. A faux black leather jacket + a black peplum top + coated jeans.  Add heels.
25. Combine a black blazer with a black top & coated jeans.  Add a statement necklace & black heels.
26. A buffalo plaid shirt + skinny jeans + a moto vest.  You may like to add tall black boots over the jeans + a leopard-print coat.
27. Wear a sheer tan or champagne color peasant blouse over a matching-color camisole tucked into ivory jeans. Belt in ivory. Add ivory or stone-color flats + hoop earrings + a beaded bracelet.

Other Bottoms:

1. An animal-print top + cropped trousers.  Add boots.
2. Start with a maxi-skirt or culottes + one of your dressy tops.  Add a thermal, tall boots, leather jacket, and a scarf for chilly weather.
3. A long-sleeve white t-shirt over black culottes.  Add big colorful earrings + multi-color bangles + flat black sandals.
4. Start with any style of bottoms + a tank top + ankle boots.  Add a hat, lightweight cardigan + jacket.
5. A long-sleeve top + denim shorts.  Add black tights + black boots.  If cold, add a 3/4-length coat.
   

   Fringed knit kimono with printed joggers from Anthropologie

6. A warm knit kimono belted over jogger pants.  Add neutral mules + layered necklaces.
7.  Top a t-shirt & olive leggings with a sage-color duster.  Or use a different-color duster and leggings.  Or use a different topper and/or different bottoms.
8. A black tunic + brown leggings.  Add flat brown boots + a brown cord or cuff bracelet.
9. A black tunic + black faux leather pants or leggings.
10. Wear a sweater over track pants. Layer a couple of gold pendants (one short and one long.) You might like to wear sandals!
11. A sleeveless tunic + black skinnies (denim or not) + a long black cardigan.  Add black heels.

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Angie

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How to Look Great in the Cold? Layer Up! October Is Your Chance to Choose Outfits for the Spooky Season! Fall & Winter Outfit Ideas for How to Wear Denim Jackets

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Fall Outfits, Outfit Ideas, Transitional Weather