Q. With the recent drop in temperature, I’m tempted to splurge on a whole new wardrobe of winter clothes but I’m on a tight budget. Can you suggest some ways to make my summer clothing stretch just that little bit further?
A. It's here: transition season. The most difficult time to figure out what to wear during fluctuating temperatures. Add to that the challenge of looking up-to-date without tossing out last autumn’s wardrobe and starting over. It's cool in the morning and again in the evening, but warm during the day, so what temperature should we dress for? Trying to decide is not fun. But you can learn the art of transition dressing and greet the new season in style, with a few easy tips – and you don't have to blow the budget on upcoming trends for a brand new look.
TRANSITION TRICKS
* Colors and fabrics: Resist the urge to wear super-summery pastels. Stay with neutral colors such as black, beige and brown. Retire the cotton, crochet and flimsy lace clothing and start wearing heavier-weight fabrics.
*Add animal prints. Even tossing on a lightweight animal-print scarf over a dark-colored summer dress and heavier shoes can make a great autumn look. Try to bring in something a little more cool- weather looking, so even if it isn't a heavy weight, it has a heavy visual (look) to it.
* Summer dresses: These can be converted for fall by wearing long-sleeve T-shirts under strapless or sleeveless dresses. Try this look with tunic tops.
* Layering: Wear your summer-weight short- sleeve or sleeveless tops over thin, fitted sweaters, and then belt them at the waist or hip.
* Cropped jackets: These are the perfect transition tools. Finish any outfit with a muted or darker- color jacket.
*Don't worry about rules, but do think about coverage. Save the beach looks for next summer. When it comes to fall dressing, something needs to be covered, whether it's shoulders or legs.
* Shoes: Stop flip-flopping around and dust off your boots, pumps and sling-backs. Wear them with darker-color summer outfits.
* Handbags: Anything made of straw should be pushed to the back of your closet. Pull out the brand- new leather handbag we told you to buy last spring on sale.
* Let the accessories do the work. You'll be surprised how a heavy necklace and the right shoes can bring a sleeveless shirt and pencil skirt into autumn. Wrap one around the neck, and you have more coverage. And when cool morning gives way to blazing September afternoon? Unwrap.
