Transitional Weather Wardrobe Staples To Wear From Now Through Fall

Don’t get us wrong, we’re enjoying summer as much as everyone else, but we’re also already looking ahead to cooler temperatures, particularly all the chic and cozy fall outfits we’ll be wearing come autumn But what about that (somewhat dreaded) in-between phase? When the hottest days are behind us but it’s not quite sweater weather yet? Ahead of that late August-through-early October phase, it’s time to refresh your closet with essentials for easy-to-throw-together transitional weather outfits. 

On cooler summer days, you will need light knits that can be worn on their own or layered over camis; on warmer fall days, you may want a pair of tights to wear underneath a mini skirt or, perhaps, trendy open-toe clogs in place of sandals. From versatile T-shirts and denim jackets to midi skirts and ballet flats, we’ve compiled a mix of foolproof summer-to-fall tops, bottoms, dresses, outerwear, shoes, and accessories that will take you day to night. Scroll on to see these and other clothing items and accessories you can add to your closet right now and wear into fall.

When the weather starts to cool, layering is key. You can never go wrong with a crisp white button-down shirt, no matter the season. Opt for one that's slightly oversized so you can wear it open over a tank top or closed with a cardigan sweater thrown over the shoulders. Classic T-shirts, like the one below, are another tried-and-true addition. Stick to a bright white color, creamy off-white color, and fall-appropriate brown or heather grey for maximum versatility. Other trends to partake in for the remainder of summer and beyond include vests and waistcoats (which you can wear on their own when it’s warm and layer over long-sleeve tops when it’s cool), and sleeveless sweaters.

For bottoms, you may want to stick to longer hemlines when cooler weather hits, moving away from denim shorts and mini skirts and toward wide-leg jeans and midi and maxi skirts. While denim can be worn effortlessly across all four seasons, styles like barrel-leg jeans and maxi denim skirts continue to trend — and are particularly great for transitional dressing since they leave some breathing room for your legs. Silky midi skirts, particularly in more muted hues, are also just as versatile. Wear them with sandals and sneakers in the summer or heels and boots in the winter (and add a pair of tights underneath if necessary). Or go for a pair of lounge-y tapered pants, like the ones that are a part of the Refinery29 reader-favorite Free People knit sweater set below.

Another simple way to create a transitional weather outfit is by sticking to a dress or another one-and-done piece, like a jumpsuit or overalls. In terms of fall dresses, we recommend going for sleeveless, lightweight ribbed dresses that can be paired with a cardigan or jacket. Midi shirt dresses are another great staple, especially for the office.  But if you’re more of a pants person, consider finding a versatile jumpsuit that can be dressed up (with heels) or down (with sneakers), or a durable pair of overalls that can be worn over a wool T-shirt or a thin sweater.

If you're looking for outerwear that you wear time and time again, consider investing in a denim jacket (we are partial to the oversized style pictured above), shackets (the brilliant shirt-jacket hybrid), and other relaxed-fit jackets (like rain-resistant windbreakers and cropped utility jackets).

As the days and nights get less steamy, you’ll likely start stepping out of your summer sandals and into more closed-toe shoes. For an everyday shoe, go for a pair of seasonal-less white sneakers or neutral suede kicks, which are a big fall sneaker trend. If you’re looking for a slightly more elevated shoe that you can wear to work (and that gives more preppy fall vibes), consider heeled loafers or clogs (style with socks if you're going for an open-toe pair). You’ll also continue seeing ballet flats grow more and more popular, so try a classic color for a year-round staple or bold metallic for a fun pop.

While handbags, hair accessories, and jewelry pieces are cross-seasonal, some styles are especially versatile and great for taking you from summer to fall. Square scarves are a travel must-have which also makes them the perfect (unexpected) transitional weather accessory. Pick a patterned or embroidered design and wear it as a headscarf or bag handle charm to update your more uninspired outfit formulas. More classic wardrobe staple accessories include leather crossbody bags and fashion-forward baseball caps. And if you’re looking to stay on-trend, try a cute bow, trending leopard print, or mixed-metal jewelry to blend cool and warm tones (and cool and warm weather) this season.