Do you need me to tell you how to transition your wardrobe from summer to autumn / fall?

‘How to transition your wardrobe from summer to autumn’ is a typical title for blogs and YouTube videos at this time of year, but really the cynical side of me wonders why? Why on earth do we need someone to tell us how to dress? It’s not rocket science: As the weather gets colder, our clothes get warmer. Right; let’s go home!
However, as you probably know by now, I love all things fashion, so I absorb this sort of content all the same. So here’s my take on how to transition your wardrobe from summer to autumn…..

At this time of year, you need four things:

1. A fairly large bag.
2. An umbrella.
3. A cardigan.
4. A pair of tights or leggings.

And then you put numbers two to four into number one and you’re good to go! Right; let’s go home again!

Not so fast; I’ve been thinking about it and actually I do have some more pearls of clothing wisdom that genuinely might help you pick your outfits for autumn:

*Don’t let go of your summer wardrobe too quickly. Yes, there is a sound of rustling leaves on the pavement and the night creeps through the country earlier than we’re used to, but that doesn’t mean the temperature is suddenly freezing during the day. Yesterday I was in the garden relaxing for a change, and I actually had to go indoors because I started to get heat rash. I’m currently perfectly comfortable in a summer dress as I’m writing this, but I do have a cardigan nearby for later on. It’s all about the layering folks!

* I’m not a big fan of tights. Actually that’s putting it somewhat mildly. I HATE tights with a passion. This may have something to do with the childhood trauma of the fact that my Mum wouldn’t buy me any new and so I only had my older sister’s hand-me-down tights even though we were exactly the same height and grew at the same rate since I turned eleven. Needless to say the crotch came to just above my knees throughout my secondary school life. (Trousers were not allowed back in those days.) My chunky adult-life thighs probably don’t help matters either.
I realise I’m taking a long time to get to the point. So; if you don’t have any problems with tights, this particular suggestion doesn’t really apply to you, because you could wear skin-coloured tights with whatever colour dress or skirt. I DO wear leggings, and really I don’t care that’s it’s not majorly fashionable to do so. I own a couple of grey and brown leggings, but the majority are black. (Skin-coloured leggings are just no.) So now is the perfect time of year to pick out the darker coloured summery dresses; perhaps floral ones with a black background. And go bare-legged for most of the day, but if you’re still out and about at 6pm, surreptitiously pop behind a bush or building (or preferably in an actual changing room) and slip on those leggings. Warm and toasty all the way home.

*It’s also a great time of year to mix up those typically expected outfits. During the 2018 summer heatwave I wouldn’t dream of pairing a dress with biker boots and thick socks. It was definitely a flip-flop and sandals summer. However I do love the ’90’s grunge look of the summer dress with boots, and now is the perfect season to carry it off. These brown calf-length Timberland boots in the photos have been worn this way several times already this September and I love it!

*Also, now is your chance to do it the opposite way round. Mix your jeans (or if you’re bang on trend; cords) with flip-flops or sandals. This works particularly well if they have a slight platform sole. Your feet won’t be sloshing around in puddles so much if there’s an unexpected shower!

*Don’t rush into wearing coats. Unless the weather turns suddenly for the worse, we really don’t need them yet, despite what the bloggers and magazines and shops are telling us! I don’t know about you, but come March, I’m sick of wearing a coat all the time. Instead, embrace the season of the jacket; be it denim, leather or a lighter-weight cotton shacket (a cross between a shirt and a jacket btw). I’ve got a very nice dusky pink velvet one I can’t wait to wear. And if jackets aren’t for you, well…

*Autumn is really the season of the chunky knit. Yes, you may well have to carry it most of the day and only put it on once the sun sets and the temperature drops, but once it’s well and truly coat season, you’ll be glad you’ve already got your wear out of your chunky knits. Particularly the ones at the moment with massive sleeves or frills and ruffles. Chances are, (unless you were very sensible and sized up in your coat) your arms won’t fit inside. If you do manage to squash in all the fluffy thick yarn and bell sleeves and shoulder ruffles, you might find your arms are permanently sticking out to the sides. Not the best look in the world!

So, to tell you about the outfit in the photos. I bought the dress from a shop called Lola Blue in Padstow in Cornwall, but there is no label. This summer I’ve seen more and more people wearing the same style dress in different colours and patterns. But being of no particular brand, I can’t point you in the right direction; you just have to look out for it. Market stalls and places selling clothes by the brand Made In Italy are a good starting point. On holiday this summer in Rome and Venice, I saw several places selling versions of this dress.

I’ve seen it described as The Magic Dress because it fits all sizes. This is true to a point. I’ve recently put on a little weight and am definitely in the size 18 camp at the moment, and the dress is now a little tight in the armpits. It still fits everywhere else though, which is pretty clever! The dress basically gets wider with you, but also gets shorter. I saw someone in Italy wearing it, who was probably a size 10, and it came to below her knees. If your weight changes, this dress is definitely a good investment piece!

Let me know in the comments if you have any tips to share for choosing clothing as we transition from summer to autumn.

Shop the look:

I’ve found it! But not in blue:

This seems to be a sleeveless version of a very similar dress:

And here’s my YouTube video to go with this post:

Linking with #iwillwearwhatilike at Not dressed as Lamb and #VisibleMonday at Not Dead Yet Style.