I am always sad to see my breezy summer wardrobe relegated to the back of my closet, trading in floaty dresses for wool sweaters. September is a transition month for fashion, so don’t retire those warm weather wears just yet.
Whatever your style this fall, enjoy all of the family fun this season brings. It doesn’t hurt to look good while jumping in that pile of leaves!
Here are three pieces to invest in that will take you from sultry summer nights to crisp fall days.
Wide leather belt
My summer staple is a mid-length dress paired with ankle tie sandals and a little boho jewelry.
For fall, I add a wide leather belt and knee high leather boots with more substantial metal accessories to transition the look.
Florals for spring are an obvious choice, but what about fall or winter florals? In muted tones, anchored with a wide leather belt, it is a fresh and unexpected way to keep fall fashion from feeling flat. You can score summer dresses on major sale at this time of year since stores have moved their official fall lines in.
I found this handmade Moroccan belt at a farmers market over the summer and this faux leather bag with coordinating metals for under $10 in the juniors section. The dress? Target! They are the perfect pairing to wear to fall festivals and upscale tailgates.
Something red
Red is the unofficial color for Fall 2017. Thankfully, this is one color that is fairly flattering on most skin tones. We often think of gray, camel, black or olive for fall, but adding in a burst of red can brighten up some of those blustery days.
My favorite pairings are red sweater + camel pants or skirt, red scarf + gray monochrome top and bottom, and all black with cherry red shoes and lipstick. Want to really make a statement? Grab a red wool coat—many times, I don’t even remove my coat if it is chilly so it is often the only thing people see. Try to find a fitted style or a belted waist for ultimate flattery.
There are so many shades of red—from an orangey poppy to deep scarlet, so see which one works with your skin tone.
Mad for plaid
The Burberry scarf is a classic, of course, but this season’s plaid prints are more of the “That 70s Show” style. Since plaid has been in style for decades, I shop for mine at vintage or thrift shops. I scooped up a wool plaid mini skirt at Goodwill for $5—easy to pair with knee-high boots and that something red you also picked up for this fall. A plaid trench coat is a fresh take on the khaki topper and helps set you apart from the thousands of black coat-clad Chicagoans that huddle against the breezy gusts. How about a plaid fedora for fall? This can be another vintage store score that will have you happily giving in to hat hair.
