Caroline O’Connor |Transition your Wardrobe from Summer to Autumn
As we begin to transition from summer into autumn (for those of us in the southern hemisphere!), we often need to dress for many seasons in one day. Organizing your wardrobe with a few items from every season is the best way to make your mornings run smoothly. Layers are key - both for practicality and to get the most out of your summer clothes before it’s too cold!
Not sure where to begin? Read on for my top tips on how
Caroline @the_perfect_purchase is a personal stylist in Kent, who believes that clothes have such a powerful impact on how we look at feel, and lives by the motto that ‘life isn’t perfect, but your outfit can be’.
1. Time to organise your wardrobe, and put your high summer clothes away
High summer items are those you wear when the temperature is at its hottest and also the things (we all have them) that you save for holidays. On my list are beach cover-ups, swimwear, shorts, casual playsuits and rompers, and sundresses.
I’m a big believer that if you have your clothes arranged in a way that, what you wear most of the time is right in front of you, getting dressed and putting together outfits becomes quick and easy. This doesn’t mean that all my summer items are gone - I still have dresses, jumpsuits, and tops that I can wear if the weather is warm, and of course, sandals too. I will pack most of my summer sandals away, and keep a few pairs that go with everything!
I recommend having one area in your wardrobe where you keep your day-to-day clothes. Ideally, this would be right in front of you when you open your wardrobe. All the clothes that you know you won’t wear until next summer, move to another wardrobe or put into storage. I store my high summer outfits in a wardrobe in our spare room, and my holiday clothes in vacuumed packs, so I’m not hunting through those things to find something to wear day-to-day.
Any item you haven’t worn this summer, ask yourself why not?
It might be situational (ie. you have not been abroad or had the occasion to wear it), but it’s important not to hold on to items you no longer like, fit into, or that work with your lifestyle. Anything you have not worn in a few summers should be sent to your local thrift store.
It’s time to say goodbye (for now) to those high-summer items, like this gorgeous dress from Amazon, as seen on Mercy @mercykimaliny. Mercy is 5’3” and wears a size S in this dress. Shop her look here.
Amelia @stylestoryteller wears the perfect summer holiday dress from Shein, in size XL. Shop her look here.
2. Make summer clothes transitional for autumn
As you go through your summer clothes, consider if you could wear each item with a layer to make it transitional.
Wear your summer dresses with boots and a hat, as seen on @thecandiceireland. Candice wears the Vava Cognac Patent boots by Steve Madden in size 9 (shop here), and a Pretty Little Thing dress in size 6. Shop similar here.
3. Have a full wardrobe detox and shop for gaps.
Transitioning into a new season is a great time to have a wardrobe detox. As you go through your wardrobe, take note of anything you feel is missing. Do you have an item you love but don’t wear, because you’re missing the piece that will complete it? Would you wear your summer dresses in Autumn, if you owned the right jacket? Consider what you really need, and shop for the items that would add value to your existing wardrobe. There are so many pre-loved online stores and sites now, so shop sustainably (and affordably) where you can!
I wrote a blog in 2021 on my tips on detoxing your wardrobe and it’s still 100% relevant today. Read The Wardrobe Detox here.
If you would like me to help you with your wardrobe, please book in for a free discovery call via my website.