5 summer dresses you can still wear in the fall

August is just around the corner, and even though the temperatures are still soaring, we can’t help but feel the end of summer starting to creep up on us (sigh). Fall dressing undoubtedly has its perks, but there’s just something about light and breezy summer dressing, and you best believe we’re not ready to give up just yet. Luckily, some of our favourite summer staples can be easily styled for warm, early autumn days. If styled correctly, many summer dresses will see you through at least until mid-October.

Of course, this doesn’t apply just to every summer dress; we’re talking about transitional pieces with the right style and fabric composition to look and feel appropriate even when the temperatures slightly drop. But what exactly makes a dress transitional?

1. Fabric – The perfect transitional dress should be light enough to keep you cool in the summer heat, but not so light it looks out-of-place on a September day. Natural fabrics like 100% cotton are our go-to for the warmer months.
2. Length – Midi and maxi dresses are a chic and modest option for the summertime, and transition into fall way better than a mini dress.
3. Sleeves – Short and mid-length sleeves are a hit both in the summer and fall, on any length of dress. Midi dresses with long sleeves are easier to transition into autumn—and you can always roll the sleeves up in the summer. On the other hand, you can get away with halter and sleeveless designs if the dress is on the longer side.
4. Colour and print – When shopping for a transitional dress, focus on colours that work year-round: neutrals, earthy tones, jewel shades… Pastels and Y2K palm prints are tempting for the summer, but they won’t serve you as well when August ends.

Transitional pieces you can wear (almost) every season are the building blocks of a capsule wardrobe that transcends seasons. Investing in versatile items is also a great way to reduce their CPW (Cost Per Wear). If you’re looking to get more life out of your summer wardrobe, these are the five dress styles you should invest in.

A puff-sleeve midi or maxi dress is not only a Scandi girl staple, but also a great transitional piece that will be on your wardrobe rotation from May to October. These voluminous dresses are breezy enough to not have you sweltering in the heat, while their longer mid-sleeves make them just as perfect on a chilly autumn day. Style them with practical sneakers and fun stockings for a true Scandi look.

A forever-chic date night look, satin slip dresses are stylish far beyond the summer months. Maxi designs with thin shoulder straps are perfectly suited for both summer happy hours and can easily be layered for cozy autumnal coffee dates. A slip dress will effortlessly you from desk to drinks 365 days a year.

Shirt dresses are a must in the summer, but did you know you can keep wearing them in the fall too? Long sleeves are the most versatile option: roll them up in the summer for a chilled-out look and unroll them in the fall for added warmth. A shirt dress never goes out of fashion, so we recommend going for a high-quality, classic style: 100% cotton is a must! Try styling your shirt dress as a duster coat, wearing it fully open over a simple t-shirt and jeans look.

A timeless classic if there ever was one. A LBD—or LRD for that matter!—is a truly seasonless staple that every woman needs in her wardrobe. Whether you go for a fitted, sexy style, a classic A-line, ultra-mini, or midi, the perfect LBD should represent your personal style and will make you feel put-together and confident for years to come. Transitional occasion dressing: sorted.

Come rain or shine, denim is the true day-in-day-out staple in all our wardrobes. Often overlooked, the denim dress can prove itself to be a great piece to transition from summer to autumn. Cool enough for July but hefty enough for October, a midi denim dress can be dressed up with elevated accessories, but also serve you well on casual weekend outings.

We talked about the best dresses for transitional weather, but how do you actually style a summer dress for the fall? Here are some useful tips.

• Layer, layer, layer! – That’s all there is to it, really. The ultimate key to fall dressing is layering, and the right transitional dress can be layered effortlessly. For example, you can wear a second-skin long-sleeved top underneath a denim or puff-sleeved dress, or you can layer a chunky jumper over a maxi slip dress. Generally speaking, layer under heavy or voluminous dresses, and layer on top of flow, light dresses.
• Lean into leather and suede – Leather and suede are your best friends in the fall. Simply throw a leather biker jacket over your dress and watch the vibe immediately change.
• Swap sandals for boots – Soon it’ll be time to temporarily say goodbye to sandals, and finally say hello to boots. Combat, knee-high, and biker boots are the key to going from beach-ready to autumn-ready.

Original text and content: Kayla Kuefler