With summer slowly coming to an end and fall being just around the corner, many of us are wondering what essentials to stock up on for the upcoming season. Transitioning your wardrobe from summer to fall is all about investing in versatile pieces that will last for several seasons. These are the pieces you can easily mix and match and layer when the changing weather calls for it.

The tricky part? Identifying the best pieces to invest in and get the most bang for your buck. To help you out, we’re listing several fashion pro style secrets to transitioning to fall successfully.

Go for pieces you can easily layer and dress up and down

One of the best ways to transition your wardrobe from summer to fall is to reach for versatile, classic pieces. Think slip dresses, relaxed-fitting suits, denim jeans, and different length skirts you can layer and dress up or down. Cover your legs with comfy tights, layer a button-down or a turtleneck underneath, or simply throw on a blazer, a light cardigan, or a duster, and voila – you’ve got a perfectly appropriate outfit for cooler months.

Aside from investing in versatile year-round wardrobe staples, you’ll also need to stock up on transitional pieces. These include denim jackets, leather skirts, plaid shirts, and scarves you can easily match to your existing wardrobe. As for the summer-to-fall transitional footwear, leather flats, oxfords, and moto boots are your safest bet. When cooler months roll around, just swap them out for their sturdier and knee-length counterparts that are more cold-weather appropriate.

Introduce details such as puff sleeves, ruffles, and cold shoulders 

Part of developing an effective transitional style is paying close attention to details. The months leading up to winter are the right time to take advantage of somewhat mild weather. One way to do this is to incorporate dramatic, feminine details into your summer-to-fall #ootds. Go for puff sleeves to create some volume and add an attention-grabbing element. Or, pick shirts and dresses with cold shoulders to show some skin and give your outfits a feminine, bold edge.

You can also invest in pieces with ruffle details like the ones from the MODA fashion brand collections. They’ll keep your summer-to-fall outfits flirty and feminine while also adding volume and flair. To take your fall outfits up a notch, get these pieces in trendy fall hues. Lavender and pistachio are certainly gaining momentum, but you won’t be making a mistake with red, clay, army green, silver, or fuchsia either. Want to keep things classic? Go for camel, khaki, white, black, or some other neutral hue.

Invest in corduroy, denim, and lightweight knits

Different seasons call for different fabrics and materials. To give your summer-to-fall outfits a more autumnal feel, invest in knitted pieces and those made of denim and corduroy. A lightweight knit sweater in a neutral hue can be worn with everything from jeans to skirts. Denim and corduroy jackets are the perfect pieces to top off your summer-to-fall outfits and will keep you warm and cozy as you transition into cooler months. The same goes for corduroy and denim pants – get a wide leg model for an on-trend look.

You can style your denim jacket and corduroy pants together and rely on neutral accessories to pull everything together. You can also wear them as separates with other fall wardrobe essentials. Also, remember to incorporate add-ons like sunglasses, hats, and woven tote bags. They’ll help retain that summery feel and result in perfect transitional looks.

Spruce up your fall outfits with floral and animal prints

Prints and patterns are another great way to transition your wardrobe from warm season to a cooler one. Florals are particularly popular when it comes to summer-to-fall outfits. Because bright florals may look out of place in fall, it’s best you look for florals in the fall palette. Think mossy green, plum, burnt orange, copper, and burgundy red.

Animal prints such as crocodile, snake, zebra, and leopard look just as amazing in fall as they do in summer. They make a bold statement as opposed to feminine florals, and they work best with neutrals. Because they’re eye-catching, it’s best that you keep the rest of the outfit plain. Pair your animal prints with sandals in summer, and rely on classic coats, knee-high boots, and tights to stay cozy and modern as you transition into colder months.

Wrapping up

Getting your hands on pieces that will seamlessly ferry you into a new season may seem difficult. However, all it really takes is some styling know-how to create the chicest transitional looks. Keep these expert tips in mind when building a summer-to-fall wardrobe. That way, you’ll be able to feel confident about your future sartorial choices.