As much as it truly pains me to say, August is here, which means summer is coming to a close and it’s time for fall — at least in the fashion world. The N Sale is here, fall styles are popping up everywhere, and if you live somewhere with seasons, it’s time to start thinking about how to transition your wardrobe from summer to fall.
The change from summer to fall is probably the most jarring AND the most exciting — evenings by the water turn into crisp nights with cool breezes, you can finally wear a sweater out of the house without drenching yourself in sweat — to me, it’s perfect. But it can make styling your favorite summer outfits for fall a little more difficult.
Here in DC, it will probably be oppressively hot and humid at least until October. But since I truly live to serve (and plan to travel north soon where it might at least be a little bit cooler), I figured I would look through my closet, share two of my favorite transitional fashion pieces, and offer a few tips on how to wear your summer clothes through into fall.
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Summer to Fall Transition Outfit Staple #1: The Mini Skirt
Y’all, I can’t even tell you how much of a resurgence the mini skirt has had in the past couple of years, and how I have gone completely and 100% all in on it. A simple a-line mini skirt is hands down my favorite piece of clothing for ANY season.
It’s an obvious contender for spring and summer, but I assure you fall and winter are sleeper mini skirt hits. Here’s a simple outfit I have pairing a basic shoulder pad tee with one of my favorite mini skirts and some heels.
Top: Nasty Gal | Skirt: Abercrombie (similar from Lulus, same skirt/different pattern from Abercrombie) | Shoes: Dolce Vita
It’s a basic outfit that’s so easy to wear for spring or summer. It’d look cute on a date, out with your girlfriends, or even at work if you have a more laid back office. More than that, it’s a simple outfit formula that anyone can put together with clothing they have at home: Tank top + A-Line Mini + Statement Heels = Cute outfit for spring or summer.
Now, taking that outfit over to fall is so easy. When your outfit building blocks are basic, all you have to do is add a couple more things to account for the weather, and you’re totally good to go.
Cardigan: Aerie | Booties: Franco Sarto
Here, I threw on a big, easy cardigan and switched out my heels for a pointed toe ankle bootie.
Same look, but now ready for slightly cooler weather!
If it gets even colder, we make a couple more switches and you wind up with what’s probably my favorite girly winter outfit.
Sweater: Amazon | Boots: Goodnight Macaroon
Take the same a-line mini but ditch the tank and cardigan and replace it with a heavier sweater. Some people like to bra-tuck their sweaters so they’re not bulky tucked into their skirts, and if I have a particularly chunky sweater, I’ll do that too. For this though, I picked one of my favorite Amazon finds — a sweater that was warm but still relatively thin, and also slightly cropped so you can’t see it underneath the skirt. That’s my one big sweater and mini skirt pro tip: go with a cropped sweater to cut down on bulk!
Summer to Fall Transition Outfit Staple #2: Over the Knee Boots
The finishing piece for this summer to fall transition outfit is another fashion item I thought I would hate but actually completely adore: over the knee boots. Say what you want but I truly honestly don’t think there’s any look that screams cute, flirty, sexy, whatever, than a mini skirt and over the knee boots. It was my every date night outfit combo in the fall and winter last year, and probably will continue to be until you forcibly peel these boots off my cold dead legs. I love them that much.
Getting the right over the knee boot for this is a challenge, as there are so many options out there. I have personally been influenced into buying the Goodnight Macaroon over the knee boots, and I’m about to go on an embarrassingly long tangent about why these are the absolute best over the knee boots you can buy.
Jacket: Primark (similar) | Tee: Fireworks (also listen to fireworks) | Skirt: Tobi | Boots: Goodnight Macaroon
Let me talk about these OTK boots for a minute. As often as influencers peddle garbage products for a quick buck, let me tell you — these boots are not that. They are as good as they say and worth every penny. I have them in black and taupe (which is really just gray), and if I could come up with enough looks for the brown ones I’d get those too.
They are an amazing closet staple and functionally are the best over the knee boots I’ve ever worn. The leg is stretchy and snug and doesn’t slip down or make your thigh bulge out (cute) like ones you have to tie in the back. They come up high and stay up. I am 5’3″ with short, thick legs (lol ugh) and these boots hit mid thigh for me and still manage to be flattering and not *too* high. The toe is perfectly pointed, making your leg look even longer which is very important when your body is 50% boot. The heel is the perfect 2.5 inches, which for me is low enough that I can’t even tell there’s a heel and high enough that it doesn’t somehow make me look shorter (idk why, but some low heels literally make me feel like I’m shorter than if I were just wearing flats. just me?).
Jacket: Zara (exact here on poshmark if you’re a small!) (similar) | Dress: Lulus | Boots: Goodnight Macaroon
If you prefer to ball on a budget like I do, the price tag of these boots may stress you out. But even though they’re on the pricier side, they almost always run a 40% off sale! Even more, since their sizing is confusing and their return policy is, how you say, garbáge, tons of people sell them on Poshmark as well. However you get them, I swear they’re worth every penny. I truly wish they were paying me to say this, but they’re not. I really just simp for the Goodnight Macaroon over the knee boots.
And I don’t just love taking a mini skirt into fall and winter with these OTK boots. I’ll do it with a dress too — they look amazing playing with proportion with a flirty swing mini dress, or sleek and sexy with a bodycon moment. I personally can’t yet pull them off flawlessly with leggings or jeans (I just feel like they make me look too short), but I’ve seen so many women successfully rock that look too.
Cardigan: Target (similar) | Cami: Abercrombie (bodysuit version) | Skirt: Tobi | Boots: Goodnight Macaroon
Ok, raving over. The bottom line is for me, the ultimate way to transition any outfit from summer to fall is to just add over the knee boots. Whatever you’re rocking in the summer, throw on the boots and you’re instantly fall-ready. And if your summer outfit includes shorts or jeans, just switch them out to a basic a-line mini skirt! I love mini skirts and dresses, and I refuse to let them die when summer ends. Mini skirt + OTK boot = the perfect fall outfit. You’re done! It’s that easy.
What’s your favorite way to transition your clothing from summer to fall?
