How To Dress During Season Transitions
We all know that feeling of surprise when one day you're basking in the beauty and sunshine of Summer, and then the next you're suddenly shivering from the brisk gust of Fall rolling into season. And from there you struggle pinning down exactly how you should dress until conditions finally settle in - dancing between dressing lightly and bundling up. I personally find this transition between seasons really annoying, and I usually end up overdressing or underdressing because I tend to neglect the weather forecast for the day or conditions take an unexpected shift. Not to mention I love shorts, which makes it hard to let them go in exchange for more weather-appropriate attire. So I tend to use this period as a style challenge - identifying versatile outfits that will allow me to keep it fresh while being prepared for either side of the weather coin.
Fortunately, conditions are still permitting here in New York, so I'm getting away with lighter-weight styles. Now in Colorado, I would probably still be pushing the shorts boundary with my fits, but would probably end up regretting it more often than not. And as for Florida, I would actually be looking forward to wearing heavier-weight pieces since shorts are pretty much a staple year-round. Now before we get into the breakdown, I just want to state that shorts are not the only way to dress for season transitions (obviously). So I encourage you to think about how you could potentially dress inverse to what I'm proposing here and get creative with where you can take inter-season styles.
The Perfect Contrast
The look that I find myself gravitating to during this time consists of a sweater, shorts and boots (usually casual, but in this case a little more flashy). I find the contrast between the sweater and shorts to be an interesting combination - and as far as practicality is concerned, the sweater keeps me cozy while the shorts allow for cooling if I start to get too warmed up. Here we make a statement with a fitted pink sweater from Zara and a flawless pair of white shorts from H&M. But what really helps set this outfit apart are the fancy, pointed-toe boots from Topman.
If These Boots Could Talk
Taking a moment to discuss these boots, when I first saw these puppies I wasn't really sure about getting them. While they drew me in with the color (a good pair of gray boots is harder to find than you'd think) and decorative elements, they reminded me of cowboy boots given how pointy they are. I love rocking a variety of looks, but country isn't necessarily something I strive for. But of course, after trying them on and hearing how strongly they clicked the ground when I walked around, I was sold. When it comes to boots, if people can't see me approaching, then I want them to hear me approaching. It's also enjoyable finding ways to make a unique pair of shoes work with an outfit, and in this case, mission accomplished.
Moment of truth: these boots are painful after extensive walking or standing. If you have skinny feet, you may be fine. But my feet are a bit wider around the toes, and unfortunately they fall victim to pressure with the tightness of the boots and swift strides I tend to take. So a couple of recommendations here:
- If wearing a look congruent to this one, boots and all, it's best for an occasion where you are taking a car wherever you're going and where you'll be sitting for most of the time. I mean, you ultimately want a strong look like this that will make others envy your style, but be wise in your use.
- If you plan to walk around and be somewhat active in your day's happenings (especially seeing as how this look is meant to support you in navigating the inter-season weather), choose a different pair of shoes that keep you comfortable, and still complement the other pieces you'll be wearing.
Own Inter-Season Style
Extra Credit: If you plan to step out with this kind of look and you find that the weather is leaning a bit more cool with a chilly breeze, add another layer of flair to this look with cashmere or silk scarf. You will literally embody the definition of of inter-season fashion. And no worries, I'll let you have all of the credit. *insert wink emoji*