With Labor Day quickly approaching, it’s finally time to start thinking about fall style. Ninety degree weather can make it difficult to see ourselves searching for that favorite leather jacket, or go-to denim any time soon. But, come on! We are ready to move on from our over-worn summer looks and move onto the season of cool air and cooler outfits!
Don’t go packing up those summer pieces just yet. So often, people put away their clothing before they need to. The key move in prolonging the life of your closet is to re-imagine your pieces. Think layering, mixing, matching! These steps will breathe new life into worn-out outfits and leave you feeling refreshed, without depleting your bank account!
A jacket might be a little much just yet to commit to, but an open button down shirt (bonus points for a fun, very now print) is the perfect transitionary piece! You can throw it on over a sleeveless midi or maxi dress and be ready to go in a fuss-free minute. Or, you can add another level to your look and pair a longer skirt with a simple summertime tank top for a three piece ensemble! Tying it at the waist makes the silhouette all the more flattering, while adding an extra level of interest. Make sure to pair whatever you choose with some strappy sandals and light jewelry to keep the look from going too fall, too fast!
If you aren’t ready to hang up those short-summer dresses for good just yet, don’t fret! The contrast between a short, flowy dress with tall boots is a faultless way to hold on to that dress a little longer! A small peek of your leg gives you the perfect breeze, while still maintaining the fall feel with a knee-grazing boot. And, if you’re feeling extra fashion-forward, these pieces pair perfectly with a felt hat, large sunglasses and an oversized bag (which is going to be so IN this season)!
An ideal outfit for these weird in-between weather months means options! More specifically, the option of to-jacket, or not-to-jacket. Being outside in the daylight is hot, night time can be cool, and inside is just plain cold, so a girl needs a plan. You cannot go wrong with jeans, a sleeveless top and your trustiest sidekick and wear-with-everything item, a leather jacket. This time of change is a time for being bold, so think big with the jeans! Flare jeans, especially when paired with leather, are the ultimate recipe for cool. Also, thanks to Houston weather, this outfit will take you well into Winter!
Autumn on top, Summer on the bottom! This is the total representation of transitional dressing. A lightweight or short sleeve sweater is a good piece for fall, but can be broken out earlier when paired with some summer bottoms. Lightweight, loose pants can move through seasons depending on what they are worn with. A short-sleeved sweater offers the perfect amount of warmth that balances the light pants’ summer feel. A sweater also goes great with a shorter skirt, which keeps the outfit from looking too frumpy and allows you to show off those summer-bod legs you worked so hard on for a little longer!
Pants-haters, rejoice! A longer-length skirt or maxi dress with an equally long, but light weight coat, over it is the absolute way to put-off pants and prolong flowy freedom! A good way to keep it from looking too springy, is to keep your dress patterns in dark tones, solid or print or contrast lighter patterns with a darker jacket or coat. Pair these versatile pieces with booties to add a little edge, or pumps for a night out. And as the temps go down, go for a heavier jacket or slip on some tights underneath and you have an outfit that will stand the tests of time (and weather)!
This ones for you, leather lovers! There’s no secret us Texas-gals love ourselves a good leather jacket, and we are finally getting close to breaking them out again. As leather-friendly weather creeps its way back in, keep your mind on balance. A heavier top layer is perfect for pre-fall when put on over a lightweight dress or skirt/top combo. Don’t be afraid to go as frilly as you want underneath, because the leather jacket will edge up whatever you wear with it! The fashion world has taken notice of this leather jacket love affair and has started offering the staple with all sorts of embellishments (like this one from Alice + Olivia pictured above!). So whether you wanna go more Joplin or Jagger, there is something for everyone!
So don’t worry about cleaning out your closet as we make our way into Fall. Hold onto your breeze-begging items by just giving them a taste of fall, for a little while longer, and you might just end up re-imagining your whole wardrobe!
Feature image courtesy of @neimanmarcus