Your Ultimate Guide to Transitional Dressing: 5 Outfit Formulas to Take You Into Fall (whether we are ready or not)
There's something uniquely challenging about dressing for transitional weather. Summer's laid back uniform no longer feels right, but pulling out your fall pieces feels premature (and sweaty). The key to navigating this sartorial limbo isn't about having more clothes—it's about having the right formulas.
Transitional dressing is an art form that revolves around adaptability, texture mixing, and creating looks that feel seasonally appropriate without committing fully to fall. When you master these concepts, getting dressed becomes effortless, regardless of what the weather throws at you.
Skirting The Issue
The Look: A billowy white skirt (midi or maxi length) paired with a tailored blazer.
Why It Works: This combination feels effortlessly sophisticated and bridges summer's lightness with fall's need for structure. The white keeps things fresh, while the blazer adds instant polish and warmth when needed.
Make it yours: Try a linen blend skirt for texture, or choose a blazer in a rich fall color like burgundy or olive to ground the look. The contrast between the flowing feminine bottom and structured top creates visual interest that works for both casual and professional settings.
Brighten Your Whites
The Look: Multiple white pieces layered together in different textures and proportions.
The Styling: Think white jeans + white tank + white cardigan, or white dress + white denim jacket.
Why It Works: All-white feels crisp and intentional, never boring when you play with different textures, fabrics, and silhouettes. It's also surprisingly versatile for transitional weather since you can easily add or remove layers.
Make it yours: Mix textures like cotton, linen, and knits to keep it interesting. Add warmth with cream or ivory pieces and pops of suede, or introduce subtle patterns like white-on-white stripes or embroidery for depth without breaking the monochromatic palette.
Take From Me My Lace
The Look: Incorporating lace details as accent pieces in otherwise simple outfits.
The Styling: Lace camisole under a blazer, lace trim on sleeves, or delicate lace accessories.
Why It Works: Lace adds femininity and texture without overwhelming your look. It's a subtle way to introduce romantic details that feel appropriate as we move toward the softer, more layered aesthetics of fall.
Make it yours: Start small with lace-trimmed tops or delicate lace socks peeking out of loafers. For a bolder approach, try a lace skirt with a simple sweater, or layer a lace dress under a denim jacket. The key is balance—let the lace be the star without competing details.
The Long & The Short of It
The Look: Tailored shorts paired with suede accessories or suede-detailed pieces.
The Styling: Think high-waisted shorts + suede loafers + knit top, or shorts + top + suede jacket.
Why It Works: This formula lets you hold onto summer's ease while introducing fall textures. Suede instantly makes any outfit feel more seasonal and sophisticated, while shorts keep you comfortable in warmer temperatures.
Make it yours: Choose shorts in rich fabrics like wool or ponte for a more elevated feel. Suede details can come through shoes, bags, jackets, or even a suede belt. The key is balancing the casual nature of shorts with more sophisticated styling and fabrics.
A Change Of A Dress
The Look: A midi or mini dress layered over a pair of drapey pants.
The Styling: Slip dress over straight-leg pants and even add a scarf as your belt.
Why It Works: This unexpected combination adds visual interest while providing extra coverage for cooler moments. It's also a great way to transition summer dresses into fall without retiring them completely.
Make it yours: Try a slip dress over wide-leg trousers for a modern look. The contrast in textures and proportions creates an effortlessly cool aesthetic that feels both comfortable and fashion-forward.
Putting It All Together
The beauty of these formulas is that they work individually but also complement each other beautifully. You might combine elements from different formulas—like wearing a white blazer (from Formula 1) with suede loafers (from Formula 3) and a lace-trimmed camisole (from Formula 5).
Here are my key tips for making transitional dressing effortless:
Mix formulas freely - Don't feel confined to using just one approach per outfit
Focus on texture contrast - Combine smooth and textured fabrics for visual interest
Keep a consistent color palette - This creates cohesion even when mixing different elements
Layer strategically - Choose pieces you can easily add or remove as temperatures change
Invest in quality basics - Well-made foundational pieces elevate any formula
Remember, transitional dressing isn't about following strict rules—it's about creating a wardrobe strategy that makes those in-between days feel effortless instead of overwhelming.
Need some inspo? I've curated a transitional edit with all the key pieces you need to master these looks. Shop my transitional picks and build your own in-between season wardrobe that actually works. You also add me to your Shopmy circle to get access to all of my latest finds.
Loving all of the inspo!! Those Aloha flats are definitely going on my carted wishlist.
This is so good and such unexpected combos! I really appreciate your fresh take, not just a regurgitated list of typical fall layering. Thanks, Kim!