11 Fall Transitional Outfits For When It’s Hot At Noon And Cold By Dinner

Fall transitional outfits are what I live in from September all the way into November, because fall doesn’t show up all at once where we live. It can be 85 degrees at noon and cool enough for a cardigan by dinner, so I need clothes that work for both.

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Bloomingdale’s.

This post started as a fun project with Bloomingdale’s, and I still wear these pieces every fall. I updated it with more outfit ideas, easy layering tips and answers to a few questions a lot of women have about dressing between seasons.

The trick is simple. Keep wearing the pieces from your summer wardrobe and add one fall layer, one fall color or one closed toe shoe. That’s it. You don’t need a whole new closet, and you won’t have to change three times a day.

11 Fall Transitional Outfits For Hot Days And Cool Nights

1. A Sleeveless Dress With A Matching Cardigan

This is my favorite trick for in between weather. In this photo I’m carrying the matching cardigan instead of wearing it, and that’s exactly what I do on warm days. Once the sun goes down, I put it on and the outfit looks like I planned it that way.

A dress and cardigan set gives you two outfits in one. Later, you can wear the cardigan with jeans or a skirt too.

2. A Plaid Set You Can Wear Together Or Apart

I love checkered patterns for fall, and this bright pink plaid was such a fun change from all the browns and rust. Buttoned up, the cardigan and dress look like a set. Apart, the cardigan goes with white jeans and the dress goes with a denim jacket.

The fabric is really soft, and it doesn’t feel heavy on a warm afternoon. If pink feels like too much for your style, a black and white or camel plaid works the same way.

3. A Tweed Mini Dress With Pumps Instead Of Boots

Since our fall stays so mild, it’s usually way too warm for tall boots until winter. So I wear my fall dresses with a classic pair of pumps or flats instead. I wear flats for a casual day and pumps when we go out to dinner.

This navy tweed dress has puff sleeves and little button details, so it already feels like fall even without a coat.

4. Navy When Black Feels Too Heavy

Navy is one of my favorite colors for fall and winter. It feels softer than black but still classic, and it goes with camel, cream, gray and even burgundy. I ordered this navy dress from Bloomingdale’s, and I still reach for it every fall.

Here I wore it with a small silver bag and navy pumps. Add a light cardigan and you have an easy outfit for those days when you have no idea what the weather will do.

5. Your Summer Dress Under A Denim Jacket

A denim jacket is the easiest way to keep wearing your summer dresses. It’s warm enough for a breezy evening but not so heavy that you’re hot by lunch, and it goes with almost everything.

I like it over a floral midi or a simple slip dress, with flats or ankle boots. Push the sleeves up during the day and you’re set.

6. A Leather Jacket Over Jeans And A Tee

A good leather jacket makes the simplest jeans and tee look so much better. Add ankle boots or white sneakers and you’re ready for errands, lunch or a casual night out.

If leather feels too edgy for you, a long cardigan in camel, gray or beige gives you the same easy layer in a softer way. It looks really pretty with dresses, leggings or tailored pants.

7. White Jeans With A Rich Long Sleeve Top

I keep wearing my white jeans well into fall. They look so crisp next to deep fall colors, so I pair them with a burgundy, forest green or mustard long sleeve top.

A ribbed knit or a soft flannel adds some texture, and a light cardigan on top keeps you warm when the sun goes down.

8. A Lightweight Sweater With A Summer Skirt

Lightweight sweaters are so easy to mix and match. Tuck one into a summer skirt you already own, or wear it with leggings or pants. It’s not too warm and not too cold, which is what you want on those unpredictable fall days.

Later in the season, the same sweater goes right under your winter coat, so you get a lot of wear out of it.

9. A Forest Green Midi Skirt With A Cream Knit

Forest green is such a pretty fall color. A satin or pleated forest green midi skirt with a creamy knit sweater looks polished but still feels relaxed.

I also love midi skirts in burnt orange, brown or deep burgundy this time of year. Add ankle boots or pumps and you’re done.

10. Animal Print With Denim

I love animal prints, and they work like a neutral more than people think. A leopard blouse or a light leopard sweater with high waisted jeans and ankle boots is one of my favorite casual looks.

If you only want a little touch, tie a leopard scarf on your bag or wear snake print booties with a solid outfit.

11. Ballet Flats Now, Knee High Boots Later

Shoes are the easiest way to slowly switch seasons. I start with ballet flats and pumps while it’s still warm, then bring out my knee high boots once it really cools down.

Flats look so pretty with a pleated skirt or jeans, and knee high boots keep your legs warm with a dress or a leather skirt. Just go with whatever fits your weather that day.

Quick Tips For Summer To Fall Transition Outfits

• Wear a tank or sleeveless top under a cardigan or button down you can take off later.
• Layer your summer dresses with a light jacket, cardigan or blazer.
• Swap denim shorts for jeans, but keep your favorite tees and tanks.
• Add one fall color, like rust, olive or burgundy, to a summer outfit.
• Keep breathable fabrics like cotton and linen as your base and add knits on top.
• Try a chambray shirt with white pants for an easy weekend look.
• Wear ankle boots or cowboy boots with a summer dress.

Bottom Line

Fall transitional outfits don’t have to be complicated. Keep your summer favorites, add one cozy layer, and swap your sandals for pumps, flats or ankle boots when it cools down. A dress and cardigan set, a denim jacket and a good pair of jeans will get you through most of the season. Before you shop for anything new, check what you already have at home.

I hope these ideas make getting dressed a little easier while the weather makes up its mind. If you want more outfit ideas, I have lots more on the blog.

FAQs About Fall Transitional Outfits

What Is A Fall Transitional Outfit?

It’s an outfit that works for warm days and cool nights at the same time. Usually it’s a summer piece, like a dress or a tee, with a fall layer such as a cardigan, denim jacket or light sweater.

When Should I Start Wearing Fall Transition Outfits?

Most people start in late August or September, once mornings and evenings get cooler. Where we live it’s more like October, so go by your own weather, not the calendar.

Can I Wear Summer Dresses In The Fall?

Yes. Add a cardigan, denim jacket or leather jacket, and switch your sandals for pumps, flats or ankle boots. Darker colors and plaids make a summer dress feel more like fall.

What Shoes Go With Fall Transitional Outfits?

Ballet flats, loafers, pumps and ankle boots are the easiest. Save knee high boots for when it’s really cool outside.

What Colors Work Best For Fall Transitional Outfits?

Rust, olive, burgundy, camel, navy and forest green all work well. You can also keep a few bright colors, like the pink plaid I wore, and pair them with simple shoes and bags.

How Do I Dress For Hot Days And Cold Nights?

Wear something light as your base and bring a layer you can carry, like a cardigan or a denim jacket. Pick pieces that look good both with and without the layer.

What Pieces Should I Buy For Fall Transitional Outfits?

A denim jacket, a light cardigan, a lightweight sweater, a good pair of jeans and one pair of ankle boots. With those, you can turn most of your summer clothes into fall outfits.

Related Articles

• Fall Travel Clothes That Pack Light And Mix Together Easily
• A Fall Capsule Wardrobe From Nordstrom That Goes With Everything
• What Colors Go With Brown Clothes For A Chic Fall Look
• Casual Fall Jacket Outfit Ideas: The Light Layers I’m Buying Early
• Long Sleeve Midi Dresses I’m Wearing All Fall

Love,

Sherry XOXO