Doesn’t fall feel great? Crisp autumn weather and a little chill in the air means it’s the perfect time to start wearing sweaters, pull out your outerwear and grab all the booties. And pumpkin spice everything just adds to the cozy feeling.
Wait – it’s not feeling fall by you? It’s not feeling fall here either (or a lot of places, I hear). So, even though the calendar says fall started last week, the weather outside still says summer. And you’re just itching to start enjoying your fall style. The good news is that you can.
No, I won’t tell you to suffer in wool sweaters when it’s 80° at 2pm. And neither will I tell you to dress just for air conditioning. But I will tell you how you can start feeling your fall style, even when it still feels like summer. So, here are 3 tips to start feeling fall when it’s warm – or when it feels like fall in the morning, but summer in the afternoon.
PLAY WITH COLOR
There are certain colors that seem to signify the seasons. Pastels connote spring, bright shades seem ideal in summer, and jewel tones recall winter. And shades of orange and rust and mustard and dark green and camel and brown just feel fall. But that doesn’t mean that wearing a full outfit comprised of these shades is the only way to feel autumnal. Because it’s not necessarily about the specific colors you wear – it’s about how you combine them, too:
Shift your neutrals – instead of using white as the base of your outfits, go for softer neutrals like tan or grey.
Combine fall colors with white – if a full fall color story feels like too much right now, pair white with your favorite fall shades. Like white jeans with a rust top and brown sandals. Or a white button-down shirt with olive shorts. (Here’s why white is one of my favorite ‘colors’.)
Go monochromatic – play with different pale neutrals, like oatmeal and beige and camel and similar shades. It’s a super sophisticated combination. (Click here for a bunch of different ways to try monochromatic dressing.)
BONUS TIP: Prints also can signal a shift in seasons (even when the weather isn’t cooperating). Gingham checks are summery, but plaid feels fall-right. Light based florals feel warm weather appropriate, while dark floral prints hit a fall mood.
SWITCH YOUR ACCESSORIES
Accessories can totally change the vibe of your look, no matter the season (check out this article for a few examples). But they can also change the feeling of your outfit from one season to another. So, if you want to start feeling fall, here are 3 things to look at:
Colors – just like I said above, colors can totally shift your look. And this goes for color in accessories, too. White shoes, bags and belts are traditionally for warm weather, while darker neutrals (in tones of browns and greys) seem to align better with cold weather. Part of it is practicality and part of it is tradition. And yes, there are exceptions (like the white bootie trend) - but as a general rule, it works.
Materials – there are some fabrics and materials that feel specifically summery, so you can ditch these when you want to embrace fall style. Store your jute sandals and straw hats and bags. And bring out your suede and leather (and felt and wool and corduroy, if it’s not too hot).
Coverage – showing more skin makes sense when it’s hot. And showing less skin makes sense when it’s cold. So this is a simple shift to start feeling fall, specifically with your shoes. Trade your sandals for loafers. Go from flip flops to sneakers. And ditch your wedges in favor of light colored booties.
LIGHTWEIGHT LAYERS
I’m a fan of layers, any time of year. They provide versatility, they add dimension to your look and they’re just so practical. And they’re also a perfect way to start feeling fall right now – or to deal with days that feel like fall in the morning and summer by lunchtime.
Instead of wearing just an elevated t-shirt with your joggers, wear a chambray shirt unbuttoned over a v-neck t or tank. It’s just as cool – but the layers feel a little more fall-right. And then you can take off the chambray shirt in midday heat. (If you’re not sure what an elevated t-shirt is, read this.)
When it’s still t-shirt and shorts weather, throw a cotton sweater over your shoulders (or tie one around your waist). Think of it – a striped t, khaki shorts, brown loafers and a pop color sweater. It has a cool preppy vibe – and you have a layer if needed for a cool evening.
Lightweight sweaters in general are great layers. A thin pullover can be just as easy to wear as a t-shirt. And if you’re concerned about sweltering, choose options that breathe - linen and cotton are great for this, but so are open weave and crochet sweaters.
Think of a denim jacket or thin vest as your intermediate layer. When it’s a chilly morning, wear a denim jacket in between your top and heavier jacket. And then when it warms up a little, lose the heavy jacket. When it warms up more, lose the denim jacket. And you can re-layer (or de-layer) as the weather warrants. (Click here for the many reasons why I love a denim jacket.)
Scarves are super useful, but you might have ignored yours for a long time. But when all you need on a chilly morning is to cover your neck – grab a scarf. Or when a jacket feels like too much, a big scarf (worn as a wrap) can feel just right. (Read this for other ways to wear your forgotten scarves in between seasons.)
How will you start feeling fall when it still feels like summer? Comment to let me know – and feel free to drop any summer to fall style questions in the comments, too!
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