I hate to be the bearer of bad news but summer is over, my friends. If the raucous cheers of parents dropping their kids off at school didn’t tip you off, then the appearance of pumpkin-themed everything in your local supermarket probably did.
The grand stretch has all but gone and there’s a definite crispness to the air that can only mean one thing; autumn has arrived. A favourite for many, solely based on the sartorial choices it affords us—shiny patent loafers, taupe trench coats, cashmere pullovers—it’s a season synonymous with cosiness. That said, we can’t always rely on the Irish weather to co-operate and September usually entails cool mornings, hot afternoons and muggy temperatures that leave us at a loss for how to get dressed in the morning.
The good news is, you don’t have to retire your silky slip dresses just yet and there are plenty of ways to extend the life of your summer wardrobe while still making it autumn-appropriate.
Here are three ways you can bridge the gap between both seasons.
Adjust your colour palette
One of the easiest ways to make your holiday ‘fits work in autumn, is to stick to pieces that you can incorporate into the next season’s colour palette. In summer, it’s all about bright hues and floral prints; in autumn, the focus is on richer shades of rust, khaki and cream. If those specific tones don’t suit you, neutrals (beige, brown, black, white) are always a safe choice. Pattern doesn’t have to go out the window though and Nicole’s outfit is a great example of a statement look that can be styled in various ways, depending on the time of year.
Layer up
I’ve waxed lyrical about the importance of layers before, but no harm in hammering the point home once more; layers are an Irish person’s best friend. Why? Because they allow you to prepare for every eventuality. The forecast may say ‘sunny and dry’, but we all know better than to take that as gospel. Start with a simple base outfit—a pair of jeans and a white T-shirt, for example—then add a light cardigan or something similar on top. The idea is that you can add or subtract layers throughout the day without having to really change what you’re wearing at all.
The same applies to summer dresses. For shorter silhouettes, a pair of tights will probably be necessary but for maxis, a long-sleeved top underneath is all you need. Button-up gúnas also work really well over a pair of trousers—I’m a 90s child, what can I say? Only button the dress down to your waist so it looks like a top/kimono of sorts.
Swap your shoes
A simple shoe swap can work wonders in making an outfit more seasonally appropriate. Sandals scream summer and aren’t always the most practical once the temperatures drop and there are piles of leaves to wade through on your commute to work. That doesn’t mean you have to go straight to Uggs (also not advisable for tackling soggy foliage), though closed-toe shoes do work best. Black boots, ballet flats or loafers—autumn’s it shoe—are all great choices and go a long way in extending the wear period of your favourite warm weather fits.
Feature image via @fellaby
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