The days are certainly getting a little colder here on the MU campus, and students are starting to swap out their summer dresses for thicker sweaters and exchanging sandals for warm boots. I, however, am from Malaysia, where we get precisely one season: summer. That means that I don’t exactly own a lot of thicker, cozier pieces to keep me nice and toasty on these chilly days. Plus, thicker clothes can be a lot more expensive compared to T-shirts, and there are some clothes that look amazing but just don’t sit right with the cold. So, I’ve set out to find some simple ways to transform these summer clothes to fit the autumn temperatures.
An awesome way to keep warm is to layer. That’s pretty much the whole point: layers. Not only does it keep your skin from goosebumps, it’s super stylish too. It adds a lot of dimensions to a simple look. Love that pair of shorts that make you look great? Keep them in your closet. Just throw on a pair of tights under those shorts. It might sound a little old-school but it’s definitely coming back in style. This obviously works great with shorter skirts as well. Channel your inner Ariana Grande and wear your shorts and skirts with thigh-high boots. Or if that’s a little too over the top, knee-high socks are cute too. Still cold? Layer more! Wear tights and those knee-high socks together! Pair that with a long-sleeved mock turtleneck top to look totally on trend.
Layering applies to your summer dresses, too. Just throw on a jean jacket over your summer dresses and you’re all good to go. If you have a more feminine dress, adding a bulkier jean jacket could totally add some street style, creating a completely different look. A leather jacket works, too. Cardigans can complete a more feminine look, while a power blazer can add an edge to your style. If the days aren’t as chilly, you can still wear a nice button-up top or flannel and let it hang loose. It adds a lot of style, and you can button it up or tie a knot to fit. It’s super flexible and you can play around to accentuate your figure if wanted. Throw a sweater over the dress and it’s cute too! This all works with rompers as well. See how much layering can do?
I own a lot of T-shirts. Of course, you can just wear a jacket over it, but you could also consider styling it up by wearing denim or corduroy overalls. Pinafores are super popular right now too. If they’re denim or suede, they are usually thick enough to keep you warm. A flowy tank dress works too if it’s just a little bit breezy out. If your arms are still getting chilly, swap out the tee for a long-sleeved shirt or even a button-up blouse. With that same idea, it’s back on trend to wear shirts underneath camisoles, so don’t be afraid to rock that ‘90s look! It’s on trend now to wear a slip dress over a casual tee. It’s effortlessly cool and it warms you up a little bit, too.
If you want to wear your summer crop tops, you can still do so. Wear them with some high-waisted jeans and a stylish coat or jacket. A bomber jacket would look extremely rugged and stylish if that’s a look you want to try. When the wind starts to make you shiver, you can just button up your coat and you’re good to go! Love your summer bandanas? Use it as a cute scarf to keep your décolletage warm. It’s a perfect accessory fit for every season.
You don’t need hundreds of pieces in your wardrobe to look good every day. Mix and match your pieces and you’ll find putting different color combos together will make it look like an entirely different outfit. Invest in a few statement pieces, like a quality denim or leather jacket, and you’ll find that it really adds a lot of style to your wardrobe and helps you transform any casual look into couture fall fashion. Add your personality to your outfits affordably by just adding an accessory, tucking in that shirt, adding a pop of color with a belt—the options are countless. Stay fashionable, but don’t try to break that wallet while doing it. No matter what look you want to go for, just wear it with confidence and all style will follow.
_Edited by Siena DeBolt | sdebolt@themaneater.com_