Picture the scene: It’s a crisp autumnal or spring morning and you’re heading out to work or play.
You’re wearing your favourite snugly jumper (you know, the big, chunky one that feels like a warm hug). You’re also wearing a trusty pair of jeans with boots that will stop your tootsies from getting cold.
However, you’ve just checked the weather app on your phone and whoah – what is this? This afternoon’s forecast is 20 degrees and sunny?
Like, are you being serious, pal? Do you not realise how long it took me to get ready this morning?
If you’re getting tired of putting certain clothes on in the morning only to be sweating or absolutely freezing a few hours later, then stress no further.
Whether you’re travelling or just doing your thing at home, here’s our guide on transitional dressing and deciding what to wear in between seasons.
1. Do Your Research
The definition of transitional dressing or transeasonal dressing (they’re one of the same) relates to your styling choices for the period of time in between seasons. You can’t refer to this time period as the previous season but it’s also not quite classed as the next season.
(We know – complete mind-boggle, right?)
If you’re confused whether it’s still acceptable to wear your crop top with the bell sleeves from Spring/Summer or if this time has been and gone, a bit of investigation into upcoming seasonal trends will soon see you right.
The best industry magazines, like Vogue and Elle, tend to report on the next season’s trends just after they’ve seen the designer shows (which are always a season ahead). Have a quick Google, take note from top influencers and also have a general nosy at what people are currently wearing on the high street.
And you know what? This will provide the inspo that you need to stay stylish while also dressing for the moment.
2. Re-Vamp Your Wardrobe
Once you’re down and you’ve got the 411 when it comes to upcoming trends (shoutout to my fellow Mean Girls fans), you’ll know which pieces you need to push to the back of your wardrobe. You’ll also know which pieces you need to start investing in.
Having said that, you might find that you already own items that tie in with new seasonal trends that you can simply dig out and re-use. After all, fashion always has a habit of coming back around!
If your wardrobe needs a serious update, be sure to take the time to shop around before purchasing. Don’t just buy the first thing that you see only to realise that it’s not going to work with your personal style, body shape or budget.
Instead, spend a couple of hours re-organising your wardrobe and try to utilise what you already own. Then spend your hard-earned cash indulging in new key pieces that you’ve spent time pondering over and know if you truly want or need. Simple and smart, right?
3. Mix Old and New Trends
During a transitional period, most fashionistas aren’t sure whether to keep rocking key pieces of the previous season or whether to abandon them for the new trends.
My advice? Mix and match both the old and new trends. It’s the safest way to ensure that you’re still considered ahead of the style curve regardless of seasonal reference.
4. Layers Are Your Friends
The weather can be a pesky fiend when it comes to transitional dressing. Keep checking your weather app as often as you look in the mirror when wearing lipstick to see if it’s smeared all over your face.
But your safest bet during this evasive period? Layer up your outfit. Why? Well, if you’re wearing layers, you can simply remove one if the temperature gets too warm or add one if that autumnal breeze is feeling a bit nippy.
Personally, we love a good knitted jumper or leather jacket in between summer and autumn, just as much as we love a light cardigan or denim jacket in between winter and spring.
Since layers are always interchangeable and known as classic staples regardless of the time of year, you should make the most of them to truly nail transitional dressing.
5. Stick to the Classics
If all else fails and you’re sobbing in despair because you SUCK at transitional dressing and you really don’t have a Scooby what to throw on every morning – don’t sweat it, sister! Just stick to the classics.
By this, we mean wear outfits made up of wardrobe staples that are accepted as timeless. We’re talking about a basic tee, jeans and trainers combo to serve as cool casual-wear. Then you can champion a white button-up shirt, black pencil skirt and heels for those dressier occasions.
If you stick to the classics while you’re getting your fashion sh*t together, there’s absolutely no way that anyone can criticise. After all, the staples are considered staples because they’re the most-loved and most-worn items in our wardrobes over the longest time period. Duh.
Transitional Dressing for Champions
Transitional dressing can be tough when the weather is constantly dancing around all over the place. That said, you know what to do now:
- Research and re-organise your wardrobe according to the next season’s fashion forecast
- Layer up your outfits
- Don’t be afraid to temporarily strip back your style to rock some classic staples
And if you’re really struggling with transitional dressing? Don’t panic – these in-between periods never stick around for long!
How do you tackle transitional dressing? What are your favourite pieces?
Katie Davies is the Yorkshire-based freelance writer who founded Trendy Tourist. Since 2017, she has written for over 100 companies on a range of subjects, from fashion to marketing. When she’s not producing content, you can find her shopping, exploring a new place or sitting somewhere having a cup of builder’s tea.
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