Transition Your Closet From Summer To Fall

Fall has officially arrived, but depending on where you are, you may not be ready for cozy sweaters and slouchy boots. What do you wear when it’s still warm outside, but you need a change from your white summer shorts and sandals? How about on those cool summer mornings and warm sunny afternoons? If you want some fresh, fall outfits that won’t leave you sweating, here’s how to transition your closet from summer to fall…

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Storage Ideas To Transition Your Closet From Summer To Fall

First, let me suggest that you actually put your off-season clothes away, making it easier to pull together your outfits in the morning. Most of us have seasonal clothes, pieces we only wear for special occasions, and if we’re really being honest, more clothing than we need! Less clutter makes it easier to make an outfit decision.

If you don’t have a spare closet, here are some suggestions for your off-season clothing:

Use Garment Bags To Hide Off-Season Items

I have two garment bags on either side of my closet to “hide” off-season items. I use them for clothes that I don’t want to fold like pleated pieces, fabric that wrinkles easily, and full skirts.

Keep Your Shoe Boxes To Store Off-Season Shoes

Sure, shoe boxes take up space, but I find that keeping them helps me keep track of what I already have especially when I shop pre-season, like during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.

Use Storage Bins

Depending on where you have extra space, storage bins can be a great way to store away off-season clothes and accessories.

Now, here’s what I’m putting away and taking out of storage to transition my closet from summer to fall…

1. Put Away White Sandals – Wear Slides, Mules & Clogs

Okay, so let’s get that “don’t wear white after Labor Day” myth out of the way first. You can wear white any time of the year, so hang onto your white t-shirts, tanks, jeans, shirts, and sneakers. But, it’s a good time to put away the white sandals that you wore all summer long,

Instead, wear your slides, mules, and clogs, especially the ones in warm colors or dark colors. Even if you wear them with your denim cut-offs, they’ll give your outfit more of a fall feel.

I’m keeping these Bernardo Obrie Slides handy for now, as they are easy to slip on and look great with jeans. “Craftcore” which includes patchwork, mixed prints, and crochet, was a big trend in the summer and will continue into fall this year.

(These slides are available at DSW in this color as well as a gorgeous brown version. If they’re sold out in your size, Sam Edelman’s Adaly Sport Sandals have a similar diamond pattern.)

Mules are an easy way to transition your outfits from summer to fall. Earlier this year, I found some simple black mules at Banana Republic that I’ve been wearing a lot lately.

If you’re looking for mules for work, I really like Sam Edelman’s Lavina Mules, especially in the Black/Ivory zebra print. The square toe and buckle detail make these elegant and unique.

Leopard print shoes like Linea Paola’s Athea Pointy Toe Modern Buckle Mules (left) or Kate Spade’s New York Carnation mules (middle) are always in style for fall.

Clogs are back in style, and fun for a casual look. Traditionally, clogs were made entirely of wood, but now (thank goodness) the upper part is usually leather! UGGs Judi Clog or Sandgren’s Swedish Handmade Wooden Clogs (image on the right) are both highly rated. I have to admit, I have not bought any clogs yet, but they’re on my wish list for fall!

2. Swap Your Summer Prints For Fall Florals, Plaids, And Animal Prints

Tropical prints, fruit prints, pastel florals, and gingham checks tend to be summer favorites. You can still wear them, but it takes a little finesse to make them work in a fall outfit. If you want an easy fall outfit, wear your dark florals, warm plaids, or animal prints.

A plaid shirt always works in the fall, so if you don’t already have one, take a look at Sanctuary’s Boyfriend Cotton Plaid Tunic. The GAP also always has a nice selection of basic cotton flannel shirts in various plaids.

If it’s too warm for a shacket or flannel shirt, try a lighter weight blouse in plaid like this beautiful Square-Neck Blouse from Anthropologie.

Do you already have some animal print clothing in your closet? Animal prints transition really well from summer to fall. A leopard camisole looks cute under a cashmere cardigan. A cheetah print handbag makes a plain sweater dress into a fun outfit.

3. Retire Summer Colors – Opt For Saturated, Warm Or Muted Colors

So I hesitate to talk about what colors you should wear in the fall because you really should wear what suits your skin tone. However, here are some fall colors trends that you might like to keep in mind as your transition your closet from summer to fall:

Traditional Fall Colors

Olive green, rust, orange, mustard, brown give you a fall look even if you are wearing a tank top and shorts. If you can’t wear these warm tones, opt for jewel tones. Deep blue, burgundy, purple, hunter green and chocolate are beautiful rich saturated colors that are always in style for fall.

Madewell always has a huge selection of warm, rich colors. I love my Madewell Whisper Cotton V-Neck T-shirts which are lightweight for warm weather but come in deep, fall-friendly colors.

Saturated Colors For Fall

This fall, there’s a lot of talk about saturated colors: cobalt blues, fuchsias, golden yellows, bright greens, and shocking purples. They’re not your typical fall colors, but they work if you wear them in the right fabric and style. For example, if you have a cobalt blue cotton mini dress, it might be better suited for summer. But a cobalt blue cashmere sweater works for fall.

Soft Dusty Colors

Soft mid-tone colors are also good options for fall.

This sweatshirt is their Madewell’s V-Neck Cotton Sweatshirt in Warm Violet. It has sold out since I bought it, but they do have long-sleeved t-shirts in the same color. (A heads up; these whisper t-shirts are fairly thin so they may need a little extra care when washing).

So what do you pack away? Light but bright colors (lemon yellows, bubblegum pinks, sky blues, etc) are traditionally spring and summer colors.

4. Pack Away Shorts – Switch To Capris And Joggers

It may still be warm enough for shorts where you live, but it might be time to put some of them away. White shorts, short denim cut-offs, and bicycle shorts all look like summer, so try capris instead.

Athleta is my go-to brand for lightweight capris and joggers. Their Brooklyn Jogger is one of my favorites, and they almost always have a color or print that’s marked down. They’re perfect for those cool mornings and warm afternoons.

Crop-flare capris jeans are also summer to fall transition pieces. Madewell’s Demi-Boot Jeans look good with flat mules, sneakers, and ankle boots.

5. Store Ruffle Sleeves – Introduce Long Statement Sleeves

As the weather gets cool enough for jackets and cardigans, you may want to put away your tops with ruffles and short puff sleeves. (Keep some plain camisoles, tanks, and t-shirts for layering).

There are some really fun statement-sleeved tops that are in stores and online right now. I bought this Nordstrom Mixed Media Cowl Neck Organic Cotton Blend sweatshirt from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale this year. It’s soft, lightweight and so comfortable! It’s currently marked down and available in black and pink.

If you’re looking for a special occasion sweater, I absolutely love this Juliet Mozart Lace Sleeved Sweater. The square neck and sheer sleeves make this piece so beautiful!

6. Put Away Straw Bags – Use Your Leather Or Vegan Leather Bags

I like to change my handbag throughout the year, so I have a few straw bags and floral bags that just don’t work for the fall. I’ve stored these away in their dustbags, to keep them out of sight and well-protected.

Bag trends for fall include camera bags, color block totes, slouchy bags, hobos, and almost any style in a warm tan color!

If you’re looking for a classic new handbag, take a look at Coach’s Color Block Tabby which is currently marked down at Nordstrom. It combines some gorgeous, rich fall colors into a compact convertible handbag.

Staud’s Shoko tote (left) and Kate’s Spade’s Darcy Graphic Leopard Satchel (right) are also classic fall handbags.

7. Pack Up Summer Print Dresses – Bring Out Fall Midi And Sweater Dresses

White eyelet dresses, pastel florals, tie-strap dresses are cute for summer. But in the fall, wear your sweater dresses, midi dresses, wrap dresses, and long-sleeved dresses.

For a desk-to-dinner classic look, try Ann Taylor’s Mock-Neck Belted Flare Dress.

I have this LOFT Eyelash Tie Waist Dress which I wear with my mules, or with a cardigan and ankle boots. It’s marked down but it is a final sale item.

Prefer skirts to dresses? I just bought a maxi skirt in a batik print that has all the fall feels!

What are you wearing this fall?