15 Best Transitional Clothing Picks to Take You From Summer to Fall
From jeans and booties to cozy cardigans, here are the essential summer-to-fall pieces you need in your closet.
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The period between summer and fall makes for one of the best and most exciting times of the year: It's just starting to get cool outside, you can finally go outside without sweating buckets, and there's all that anticipation for beautiful fall foliage (and pumpkin spice-flavored everything, of course!). But when the weather is getting a bit too cool to keep wearing your go-to summer outfit but still isn't quite chilly enough to break out your favorite fall sweaters and wool coats, it can be a bit challenging to figure out what to wear. Luckily, there are quite a few great clothing items that are perfect for transitioning your summer wardrobe into autumn — and we've rounded up some of the best (and most stylish) buys here.
From cozy cardigans and fall jackets to chic dresses, booties and more, these 15 wardrobe essentials are great to wear during that transitional period between summer and fall — and will definitely come in handy on days when it's not really hot or cold. Whether you're swapping out your summer tank tops for lightweight sweaters or simply layering your favorite skirt with some tights, boots and a jacket, here are some of the best transitional clothing picks for easing your wardrobe into the cooler season.
If there's anything that's an essential summer-to-fall wardrobe piece, it's the reliable (and super cozy!) cardigan. Just throw it on over a cami, tee, or dress and watch it instantly transition your outfit to a fall-ready look.
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A classic button-up shirt — like this super-chic one from Everlane — makes for a great fall transition piece since it's a lightweight top you can easily dress up or down. Layer it with your favorite fall jacket if it's cool outside, or just throw it on with a pair of jeans and roll the sleeves up for a more casual and summery look.
Hold onto those long, breezy dresses you've been rocking all summer! Maxi dresses like this one (which is an Amazon favorite with over 5,000 reviews) are great for when the temperature starts to drop — especially when they're paired with florals, the perfect print for both summer and autumn.
Consider peep-toe booties as the ideal middle ground between summer sandals and fall boots. This one from Macy's even has a stylish cut-out pattern, so your feet will still be able to breathe while it's not-quite sock season.
Getting a bit chilly outside? Reach for a versatile wardrobe essential — your basic knit sweater — which you can easily pull on during those brisk late summer nights or even layer over a collared shirt for a chic fall outfit.
Everyone knows that a good pair of jeans is a year-round closet staple, but we especially love the idea of switching out your light-wash summer pair for a darker denim as the weather starts to get cooler. To make it even more fall-chic, pair it with some great fall boots and a cute belt!
A blazer-style jersey jacket is a great way to add some sophistication and style to any look — not to mention it's the perfect solution for when it's getting a little nippy outside, but it's not quite time to bust out those heavy fall jackets and coats.
Meet your next go-to closet staple: the versatile (and super stylish!) chambray shirt. The soft, light fabric makes it the perfect pick for the transitional season — especially since you can choose to button it up under a cardigan or just leave it open over a white tee.
When it's still a little too warm outside for full-length coverage of your legs, opt for a cute floral midi dress instead of a maxi — it's the perfect length for easing your wardrobe into the fall season. Plus, you can still keep warm by layering it with a jacket and some tights along with your go-to pair of ankle boots!
RELATED: 18 Best Fall Dresses to Shop Now
It's never too early to start donning plaid for the autumn season — especially if it's a cute mini skirt that you can easily transition from pairing with summer sneakers to layering with some tights, boots, and a cozy sweater.
It's no secret that every wardrobe needs a good pair of black booties. Not only are these reliable shoes a great year-round staple, they're also an ideal piece to kick off (no pun intended!) the fall season.
RELATED: 20 Stylish and Functional Fall Boots to Carry You Through the Season
Who doesn't need (or want) a great jumpsuit in their closet? This simple piece is a fantastic summer-to-fall essential as it's lightweight and breezy but still easy to layer with other items — not to mention it's also super comfy to wear all day long.
A cozy flannel is basically a must for going into the fall season, but it also works great for late summer days when paired with a tee and shorts. You can even tie it around your waist for a cool, stylish look!
For a truly effortless fall transition piece, opt for a shirt dress that's relaxed and breezy yet so easy to dress up for colder weather (just throw on a cardigan and some boots!). We especially love this khaki green color, which offers a beautiful earthy tone for going into the autumn season.
When in doubt, go with a good old denim jacket! This classic piece is the perfect summer-to-fall outerwear, as it looks just as great layered over a cute floral summer dress as it does paired with a warm sweater and boots.
Hannah Jeon is an Associate Commerce Editor at Prevention, where she covers expert-driven commerce content for all things health, beauty, and wellness. Previously the Editorial Assistant at Good Housekeeping, she earned her bachelor’s degree in creative writing and psychology from Johns Hopkins University. When she’s not on the hunt for all the best products online, you can often find her trying out new food spots in New York City or clicking away behind a camera.
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