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![Transition Your Wardrobe Into Fall 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](https://aarp.widen.net/content/ktre0kzagq/png/0-fall-transition-wardrobe.png?crop=true&anchor=0,0&color=ffffffff&u=1javjt&w=1140&h=655)
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:
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1. Lean into layering.
![Lean into layering Gap Factory Crewneck Cardigan in Moss Heather; Talbot Fringe Wool Wrap in Indigo Blue](https://aarp.widen.net/content/7kzqqdi7lr/png/2-layering-clothing.png?crop=true&anchor=0,0&color=ffffffff&u=1javjt&w=1140&h=655)
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.
![Deepen your color palette Ann Taylor Pleated Wide Leg Pant in Plum Rose](https://aarp.widen.net/content/ei8bfcrpeh/png/1-deepen-color-palette.png?crop=true&anchor=0,0&color=ffffffff&u=1javjt&w=1140&h=655)
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.
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