Essential Transitional Pieces

There is no getting away from it, winter is definitely coming! I love the bright colours of the seasons, especially as summer transition into autumn but the cold I could do without. It’s at this stage of the year we finally admit to ourselves that its time to fish out the winter coat and boots and put away the summer clothes. What if I told you there was another way?

Transitional fashion is all about the pieces in your wardrobe that will take you from one season to the next. Pieces that, with a little layering and different shoes will take you from summer to autumn and sometimes through to winter. Here are some of my favourite transitional pieces.

The Transitional Overlayers

Be it a coat, jacket or cardigan. The right overlayers can see you through from one season to another. Neutral colours are always a good option for a transitional coat of cardigan as they can be paired with a host of colours as you layer up underneath them against the cold. Look for light tans and greys in fabrics that will work in different seasons like wool which can regulate body temperature. To add more options to your wardrobe without adding more items or spending more money, look for reversible pieces like this reversible wool coat from White Stuff.

The Transitional Dress

Even your favourite maxi dress from summer can work as a transitional piece of fashion. That is the beauty of dresses - they are so versatile. To turn your maxi dress into a dress suitable for the changing temperatures, layer strappy dresses with a long sleeve bodysuit and tights then throw on your transitional coat and a pair of boots to complete the look.

Two wardrobe staples that will transition with you through every season are the printed cotton dress and the little black dress (LBD). Both of these dress types can be dressed up or down for work or play and work with pretty much any shoe type, within reason. Add a black blazer, tights and boots to your LBD for a winter-ready silhouette. For a glam night out, add sparkle with accessories.

Choose a cotton print dress that has three quarter length sleeves and a round neck for the optimum transition. Wear it with bare legs and sandals in summer and ankle or long boots as the chill sets into the wind. When you want to look and feel cosy, choose a chunky or long length overlayer in a neutral colour to avoid clashing.

Transitional Colourful Knitwear

Going from summer to the colder months there is a temptation to shove all the lovely colourful pieces in your wardrobe to one side and stick to blacks and blues until we see the sun again. Don’t do it!  Brighten up your look, and your day, with some lightweight colourful knits.

Bright yellows, pale greens and berry colours work well for transitioning. For transitional knitwear choose lightweight knitted sweaters in one bright colour paired with dark trousers or a colour block sweater that will work with the neutral tans in your wardrobe too.

Transitional Printed Tops

The great thing about a printed blouse or fitted shirt is that they can be tweaked to suit many a look. They can be worn loose and flowy in the warmer months and layered for the colder ones. To use printed tops in your transitional looks you first need to look at the fabric. If your top is a very lightweight fabric like silk or viscose, then the first step is to layer up for warmth underneath with a cotton or wool-like tank or bodysuit. Add a fitted long blazer and a pair of trousers for a stylish autumn-winter look.

Transitional Denim

We all have at least one denim item in our wardrobe be it our favourite flattering jeans or a classic denim shirt dress. There’s a reason we all have denim and that is the fact it works so well with any number of looks. Trends come and go but denim is ever-present from season to season. The boy-ish jean look is here to stay for now but I always say wear what suits you. To transition your denim to the colder season, wear it with chunky wool layers and statement boots or with your colourful lightweight sweater.

Stay stylish,

Marie