The first signs of autumn are beginning to creep in yet it is not cold enough to don your winter woollies. It can be a bit of a challenge to know what to wear between seasons. Under and over-dressing all have their perils whether it is catching a chill or feeling you are in a sauna when you are only going for a leisurely stroll around town.
Here are some tips to help make trans-seasonal dressing simple and easy to incorporate into your lifestyle:-
1. Layering is key. Versatile outfits should be your go-to choices as autumn is ushered in and summer fades away. Even lightweight pieces can work well for this time of year if you team them with a cardigan or a jacket. This provides an extra layer that can be easily added or removed. Overshirts are a great fashion option too as you adjust to changing temperatures.
2. Mix textures and colours. Choosing different textures and combining lighter and darker colours will help shift the mood from warmer to cooler months. A tailored bouclé or tweed-type jacket can be dressed down with a casual top and jeans or elevated for evening with a more formal pencil skirt or dressy black trousers. Waistcoats, which have made a comeback recently, offer endless style possibilities and can be a smart layering choice when teamed with a shirt or top for warmth. They can add a touch of sophistication to your office look or weekend attire be it casual or stylish.
3. Be imaginative. Look at your wardrobe through the fresh eyes of a stylist. What outfits would transition well as you embrace the new season? Plan to re-wear trusted garments that flatter your appearance and make you feel good. Sometimes, adding or removing an item, switching shoes, or including a statement accessory is all that is required to effortlessly take a garment from one season to the next. Your aim is to extend the life of well loved favourites and inject a feeling of newness through creative styling.
Do not be bound by any self-imposed seasonal dressing limits. Forget about florals being just for spring, these blooms will work all year-round. Big, bold florals are eye-catching and will add a splash of colour to everything from a day dress to special occasion wear. Micro-florals will create a similar romantic colour palette that can be teamed successfully with dark solid colours to add a touch of solemnity.
4. Invest wisely. All you may need to get you through the coming season with style are a few well chosen pieces that will slot in seamlessly with your existing wardrobe. Think clever curation and look at how classic buys coupled with a few on-trend items can work well. Many of these high fashion pieces have staying power and may well become timeless staples which will take you through several seasons. Knit or shirt dresses, sharp blazers, or structured tops in the same colour as the rest of your outfit are fashion-forward transitional options. Trouser suits work well in most situations, too. Remember, your objective is to fuse practicality with polish.
5. Cherish wardrobe heroes. These are the "essential" items that complete your wardrobe, in short, they are guaranteed to always save you from sartorial disaster. They are usually the hardest working garments or accessories you own which can be taken out time and time again and always look perfect for the occasion. They can be dressed up or down and include everything from the piece of jewellery you wear each day, the practical handbag that also makes an understated style statement, to the tailored trousers or figure flattering blue jeans which go with everything and require little styling. A well fitting navy jacket may be your go-to hero piece because it has staying power and is directional. These pieces make you feel good, lift your mood, and always seem to work well when you are putting a look together.
6. Switch colours. This is one of the easiest ways to adapt to the changing fashion seasons. If you love the lighter shades of summer, do not turn your back on them altogether. You can marry summer and earthy autumn colours to stunning effect. Burgundy is hitting new heights right now and is popping up everywhere from footwear and handbags to trousers and jackets. Other autumn shades are also making their presence felt, watch out for warm browns (mocha, espresso ), earthy greens (olive ), and golden yellows (mustard ), as well as rich jewel tones (plum, deep teal ) and classy neutrals such as steel grey and beige.
7. Sleeves are a must. While layers play a major role in trans-seasonal dressing, it is important that one, at least, if not all of them, have sleeves, particularly when autumn gives way to winter. Even light sleeves provide some level of warmth when the temperature drops and allow you to still cling to the feeling that bright days are not just a bygone memory.
8. Cover up in style. A light coat is a must for every season, especially for autumn. Raincoats are worth their weight in gold because you will get lots of wear from them because of our variable climate. Perennial favourites include the ever-popular trench coat or the versatile wax version, a wardrobe winner that never goes out of fashion and is continually updated. If you find coats too restrictive, a jacket may provide the level of protection from the elements that you need while allowing you to still look put-together and smart underneath.
9. Embrace the 333 method. If you are finding it challenging to mix and match staples from recent seasons that are hanging forlornly in your wardrobe with new autumn buys, it may be time to consider adopting this rule. All that is required is that you pick out nine items from your existing wardrobe, for example, three tops, three bottoms and three pairs of shoes, and set yourself the task of creating as many outfits as you can from this collection. You will be surprised how many combinations you can achieve with a little flair and ingenuity. If you are buoyed up by your success, think about re-doing it with the remaining items in your wardrobe.
10. Say "yes" to denim delights. Denim has huge trans-seasonal appeal. It is durable, warm, stylish, and it works for everything from the school run, a walk in the park, or Friday night drinks with friends. It is also low-maintenance and can be environmentally friendly through the use of recycled or organic cotton and water-saving techniques. Denim trends for 2025 put the accent on comfort and relaxed silhouettes, with key styles including wide-leg, barrel-leg, and baggy jeans. Darker, rich washes, such as indigo and caramel, are popular as well as updated bootcut and straight-leg styles.
