5 Easy Ways to Transition Your Wardrobe Into Fall

A little layering and some darker hues and textures help announce the arrival of a new season

Cindy Weber-Cleary,

AARP

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En español

Published September 09, 2024

A variety of women's clothes from a green blouse, dark pants, a woman wearing a white sweater, a blazer and a slingback heel pump

Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: The Gap (3); J.Crew; Ann Taylor; Getty Images (2))

The Fashion Week runway shows started in New York last week. When I used to attend them as a magazine editor, I sometimes found it challenging to figure out what to wear. After all, the weather was usually still hot and summery, but many fashionistas felt pressure to be wearing new clothes from the upcoming fall season — like little kids wanting to wear a brand-new outfit for the first day of school.

In my opinion, it makes more sense to dress for the weather, but if you are feeling the urge to get your September vibe on right away, here are five easy tricks:

1. Lean into layering.

(Left to right) Gap Factory Crewneck Cardigan in Moss Heather; Talbot Fringe Wool Wrap in Indigo Blue

Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Talbots; The Gap)

It’s tricky when the mornings can be cool and the afternoons, sweltering … or when it’s humid outside and freezing in the air-conditioned office or lunch spot. Cover your bases by wearing cool tops, like Banana Republic Ribbed Cutaway Tank in Super Bloom ($80, bananarepublic.gap.com), and crisp shirts such as Uniqlo’s Women Cotton Shirt/Striped in Off White ($40, uniqlo.com) with removable layers, like lightweight wraps, like Talbot’s Fringe Wool Wrap in Indigo Blue ($90, talbots.com) and cardigans such as Gap Factory Crewneck Cardigan in Moss Heather ($23, gapfactory.com).

2. Deepen your color palette.

Ann Taylor Pleated Wide Leg Pant in Plum Rose (left and right)

Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Ann Taylor (2))

Keep the weight of your fabrics light, but go for autumnal shades, such as burgundy, rust and dark green. Just one item in a darker hue will telegraph the changing seasons. A cotton shirtdress in a fall color, like Banana Republic’s Oversized Poplin Midi Shirtdress in Driftwood Brown ($160, bananarepublic.gap.com) will do the trick.

Pairing a cotton shirt in a pastel color with trousers in a deeper shade, such as Ann Taylor’s Pleated Wide Leg Pant in Plum Rose ($97, anntaylor.com) is another easy solution. And a blouse in a dark print, such as this equestrian-inspired Lauren Woman Slim Fit Stretch Jersey Shirt in Burgundy Multi ($125, ralphlauren.com) pairs beautifully with jeans or chinos.

3. Switch your accessories.

(Left to right) Olivia Miller Women’s Sonia Crossbody in Black; Ann Taylor Flannel Cap Toe Block Heel Slingback Pumps in Heather Onyx

Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Macy's; Ann Taylor)

Swapping out shoes and bags are an easy update. You might trade your summery canvas slip-on shoes for an animal-print loafer such as Rothy’s The Driver in Amber Cat ($189, nordstrom.com). Just as comfortable, but the pattern conveys coziness. Replace your straw tote with a leather shoulder bag in a warm tone like ruby, such as the Staud Ollie Zip Leather Shoulder Bag in Pinot ($250, neimanmarcus.com) or saddle, or a cozy texture such as, Olivia Miller Women’s Sonia Crossbody in Black ($48, macys.com). Instead of wearing a sandal, try a slingback in an autumnal fabric such as these Ann Taylor Flannel Cap Toe Block Heel Slingback Pumps in Heather Onyx ($111, anntaylor.com) and you will instantly feel fall-ish.

4. Throw on a blazer.

(Left to right) Gap Relaxed Plaid Blazer in Brown Plaid; Eloquii Long Relaxed Blazer in Totally Black

Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: The Gap; Eloquii)

A fail-safe trick for transitioning the seasons is to top off an airy print dress or a cotton shirt and jeans with a blazer, such as Eloquii’s Long Relaxed Blazer in Totally Black ($59, eloquii.com) or Gap’s Relaxed Plaid Blazer in Brown Plaid ($148, gap.com). A pinstripe one, such as the J. Crew Factory One Button Blazer in Navy White ($98, factory.jcrew.com) is just as versatile as a solid color. The structure of the jacket anchors the look. If the temperature rises, wear the blazer, capelike over your shoulders. This is a fashion-editor trick. Works every time!

5. Play with textures.

J. Crew Wide-Leg Corduroy Trouser in Deep Chocolate; Gap Factory Relaxed Crochet V-Neck Sweater in Ivory; Mango Tweed Jacket with Frayed Ends in Aqua

(Left to right) J. Crew Wide-Leg Corduroy Trouser in Deep Chocolate; Gap Factory Relaxed Crochet V-Neck Sweater in Ivory; Mango Tweed Jacket with Frayed Ends in Aqua

Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: The Gap; J.Crew; Mango)

The simple contrast of a textured fabric to a flat one goes a long way in the shift toward fall. In summer, it’s all about keeping things light and airy. Come September, a little roughness in the mix conveys the change in the weather … even if it hasn’t happened yet. Feel free to add an open-weave cotton sweater, such as Gap Factory Relaxed Crochet V-Neck Sweater in Ivory ($35, gapfactory.com) to a crisp white shirt and capri pants — or pair a textured jacket, such as Mango’s Tweed Jacket with Frayed Ends in Aqua ($100, mango.com) with jeans and a cool cotton tee. A wide-leg trouser in corduroy, such as J. Crew’s Wide-Leg Corduroy Trouser in Deep Chocolate ($117, jcrew.com) says “Fall is almost here.”

Before you know it, you may be wearing a coat — so enjoy these balmy, changeable days while they last!

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Cindy Weber-Cleary is a freelance writer, consultant and on-air fashion expert who has appeared on Oprah, The View, Good Morning America and the Today show. She began her career as a fashion editor at Vogue and was fashion director at InStyle, Glamour and Cosmopolitan.