Dos & Don'ts: Transitioning Your Summer Wardrobe Into Fall

Ah, good ol' fall: A season filled with falling leaves, shorter days and, our favorite — completely unpredictable weather. With the sun blazing one second and freezing rain pouring the next, is there a trickier time of year to get dressed? Read on for some real-life examples of what works — and what doesn't.

Transitioning summer to fall wardrobe dos and don'ts

DON'T assume your zip-up hoodie goes with everything

When the weather turns brisk, avoid the easy cover-up solution: your ratty sweatshirt. Unless you're headed straight to the gym, opt for a more tailored jacket or hip shrunken blazer.

©Glamour

1 of 12 Woman wearing sweatshirt © Ronnie Andren

DO borrow your guy's cardigan (or get one of your own)

Make your favorite sundress fit for fall by wearing it with a longer cardigan. Cinch both dress and cardi with a belt at the waist for a cool, fresh look.

2 of 12 Woman wearing cardigan sweater © Ronnie Andren

DO put away your beach-babe essentials

While some summer styles can continue to be worn, wearing beachy sandals year-round is a definite DON'T! Flat sandals or tights, people, never both! (When is it OK to wear tights with sandals? With—and only with—a heeled pair of sandals.)

3 of 12 Sandals with dark tights © Ronnie Andren

DO add cold-weather accessories

Pair black tights or a light scarf with any look to carry your summer wardrobe into fall. (DON'T, however, pair said scarf and tights with anything too clingy or loud.)

4 of 12 Woman wearing black scarf and tights © Ronnie Andren

DON'T go to extremes

If it's hot enough to wear shorts, you don't really need to be wearing a puffy jacket. (And if the weather does warrant a puffer, you need to swap out the shorts for a great—and much warmer—pair of jeans!)

5 of 12 Woman wearing jean shorts © Ronnie Andren

DO layer on the leather

A cool leather jacket over a bright, simple dress is always a DO—just make sure the jacket fits snuggly and the dress isn't too fussy.

6 of 12 Woman leather jacket © Ronnie Andren

DO learn when (and what) to tuck

Don't force roomy jeans into super-narrow boots, unless you're into the swashbuckling look. Instead, stick to skinny styles that won't bunch up over your favorite pair of boots.

7 of 12 Woman wearing cowboy boots © Ronnie Andren

DO ignore old-school style rules

Don't be afraid to rock white after Labor Day. Crisp white jeans can work year-round, especially when worn with a snappy blazer.

DO get real raingear

Just because they are both made of rubber doesn't mean flip-flops can double as rain boots. This girl should've taken a cue from her identically cloaked pal and worn a pair of wellies instead.