Fashion Forward: Transitional Fashions

 Autumn is in the air and words can’t describe how hopelessly in love I fall for fall. It’s that time of year of foliage splendor and the beauty of the Northeast coast shows off its finest.  Leaves are falling and there’s an invigorating rush in the cold, crisp air—well, almost. 
             I don’t know what’s up with the ozone layer or if it’s Delaware weather in general, but I’m writing this column towards the end of October in shorts and a sleeveless blouse. Mother Nature seems to be a bit bipolar this month, teasing us with a few days of a true fall climate that just doesn’t seem to stick.  My cozy knit scarves, warm flannels and overcoats look so sad in my closet all dressed up and with nowhere to go. So what’s a girl to do during this awkward time of limbo? Fortunately there’s a way to incorporate summer’s hottest pieces into a cool fall wardrobe during this time of transition. 

Last June, I was confident and ready to spend my summer working in London. I heard that their summers were less oppressive, more warm and breezy— so I packed a suitcase full of dresses, shorts and thankfully a pair of boots all to walk out of the airport in rainy weather in the low 50s. Unfortunately, it stayed that way during my whole time there, but with some improvising and lots of layering, I transformed my summer wardrobe into a fall one.  
Tights are a girl’s best friend when the temperatures fall. Pretty floral dresses from the the spring and summer don’t need to go into hibernation just because it’s autumn. Pair a dress with some tights and boots and you’ve got a cute outfit for the fall. Denim cut-off shorts over tights can be a stylish outfit with a blousy shirt and an overcoat.

Mix, match and combine and get creative when it comes to dressing. If the floral hues or bold prints look too bright for fall, layer deep shades that complement the outfit. For example, mix maroon or burgundy cardigans over pretty pink spring pieces. Burnt oranges, olive greens, navy blues, browns and mustard hues blend in well with their lighter relatives, transforming a summer look into a deep, rustic one. The neon trend has been all the rage this year and you can keep these electrifying statements in check with black, minimal outfits. Take advantage of bright colors and use them as accents and slight bright pops in your outfit.  
Don’t be afraid to mix up textures and create interesting, innovative outfits. Leather pieces like shorts, skirts or dresses were edgy statements for the summer, but if you mix them up with contrasting textures you’ll create a cool, balanced ensemble great for the cooler weather. For example, leather shorts over some tights along with a chunky, warm pullover sweater makes for a comfy outfit. Fur vests over leather dresses or silky, delicate tops with leather skirts make for the perfect juxtaposition. 
     
Another major hit for the spring and summer seasons were floral pants. They may have bloomed for spring but they have grown well into the fall. Use the pants as a statement piece and keep the surrounding pieces mute and subdued. Pair floral pants with basic colors like a black blazer or sweaters in gray, cream or navy to keep the outfit appropriate for fall.  
 The beauty of fall attire relies on layering. Throw everything on and don’t be afraid to experiment. Combine different color combos and intermix textures. So while we’re in this transitional stage of the season, take another look into your closet before you pack away warm weather clothes and remember: they have major potential to fall right into fall.