Summer to fall wardrobe transition tips from the experts!
Wednesday, September 1st, 2010
Today is September 1 and for me, it’s the unofficial end of summer. Yes, I know that we still have the Labor Day weekend to look forward to, but somehow, turning that calendar page to September has a final feeling.
One of the things that is guaranteed to cheer me up is the fact that soon I can break out the fall wardrobe. But since we are still in the midst of a major heat wave here on the East Coast, I guess it’s not quite time for the transition to leather jackets and over-the-knee-boots!
In fact, transitioning from summer to fall is always something of a challenge for me. What can I keep? What needs to go? And just how long can I wear white? So this year, I asked some of the most sought-after stylists in the business for real transition tips that we can all use!
Colin McDonald is a New York Style Editor for Examiner.com. He has worked alongside some of most influential stylists in the industry today like Mary Alice Stephenson, Patti Wilson, Adam Glassman, and even Joe Zee! Colin has created fashion magic on a variety of editorial shoots and sets including The Oprah Winfrey Show.
Colin says think of transition from summer to fall in terms of layers.
Go through your wardrobe and keep some of your basic pieces from summer. As the weather starts to change, go ahead and add some of your fall pieces.- That favorite cotton v-neck t-shirt you wore all summer and just can’t part with? In the fall, layer it with your wool boyfriend blazer, cashmere scarf, skinny jeans and oversized fedora.
- If you’re uncertain about color, pair likes with likes. Monochromatic is a trend we will be seeing more of this coming fall, so don’t be afraid to look uniform.
Katharine Polk’s work has been featured in Vogue, Glamour, InStyle, Elle, and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, among others. She has styled for photo shoots, editorials, and runway — her career even extends to the world of television. Katharine styled a fully-accessorized 14-look fashion show previously on America’s Next Top Model and a 27-look show on the Lifetime series Blush. As for celebrity dressing, she even styled Emmy winner Bruce Gowers (‘Best Director’) as well as the 2007 American Idol, Jordin Sparks- both on their award-winning nights.
Katharine says that opaque tights or stockings are a great and inexpensive addition to your wardrobe for fall. Tights are super versatile and are great for turning a summer outfit into a fall look! The great thing about black opaque stockings is that they are warm and slimming as well. They also make your legs look long and thin!
- Black opaque stockings with your floral summer dress: It becomes a chic bohemian look to go out in. You get to re-use your favorite floral summer mini all fall just by throwing on some opaque stockings.
- For the office or school, grab a loose sweater dress and black stockings.
- A fun easy, day-look would be your black stockings with a cream or white linen short day dress. The black opaque tights contrast the linen and add a little toughness.
- For an evening look, pair your black opaque stockings with a tailored chic print mini and some great platforms.
Susan McNeill is a wife, mother, author, entrepreneur and social activist. In addition to Style on a WHIM Susan also writes for It’s how you play the game! , Success Won’t Wait! and Susan Said What?!
