By That Girl Whitney Team
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Early fall is the most confusing season to dress for. It’s 55 degrees when you leave the house and 82 by lunch. You want to wear your new sweater, but you also want iced coffee. Your closet is full of summer clothes, and the fall pieces still feel too warm.
The answer is transition dressing. A few smart pieces bridge summer and fall, so you can stay comfortable as the temperature swings and start enjoying fall colors and textures before it’s actually cold.
This guide covers the transition pieces that work in two seasons, outfit formulas for warm days and cool nights, how to update summer pieces for fall, and the colors and fabrics to start wearing now. Pumpkin spice is optional.
Transition Pieces That Bridge Two Seasons
These pieces work in late summer and early fall, so they earn their spot in your closet.
A lightweight cardigan. It’s easy to take off when the afternoon warms up and cozy when the evening cools.
A denim jacket. It goes over sundresses and knit dresses, and it’s warm enough for a breezy fall evening.
A shacket. Part shirt, part jacket, a shacket is the perfect early fall layer. Our guide to plus size flannel shirts and shackets has favorites.
Ankle boots. They work with dresses and wide-leg pants, and they’re the first step into fall footwear.
Long-sleeve tees. A soft long-sleeve tee layers under dresses and over jeans for in-between days.
Midi dresses in fall prints. A floral or paisley midi in rust or olive works with sandals now and boots later.
Shop Whitney’s storefront: plus size lightweight cardigan or plus size denim jacket
Outfit Formulas for Warm Days and Cool Nights
These combinations handle temperature swings with ease.
Sundress plus denim jacket plus ankle boots. Your favorite summer dress gets an instant fall update.
Jeans plus a tee plus a shacket. Wear the shacket in the morning, tie it around your waist at lunch, and put it back on for the evening.
Wide-leg pants plus a tank plus a long cardigan. A breezy base with a cozy layer keeps you comfortable all day.
A midi skirt plus a long-sleeve tee plus sneakers. It’s an easy, comfortable outfit that feels fresh for the new season.
Dress in layers you can remove, and keep a tote bag big enough to carry them when the afternoon heats up.
Shop Whitney’s storefront: plus size ankle boots or plus size long sleeve tee
Updating Summer Pieces for Fall
You don’t need a whole new wardrobe. Your summer clothes can carry into fall with a few tweaks.
Add tights or leggings under dresses. A summer dress with black tights and boots feels completely seasonal. Our guide to the best plus size sundresses shows which styles transition best.
Layer a sweater over a dress. Tie a sweater over your shoulders or wear a cropped cardigan over a sundress.
Swap sandals for closed-toe shoes. Loafers and ankle boots change the whole feel of an outfit.
Switch your accessories. Trade straw bags for leather or suede, and swap bright summer jewelry for gold and tortoiseshell.
Darken your denim. Swap light-wash shorts and jeans for darker washes. A deeper wash looks more seasonal and pairs well with boots and cardigans.
Store summer pieces gradually. Early fall changes from week to week, so there’s no rush. Keep a few sundresses and tanks in rotation for layering, and pack away only the pieces you truly can’t wear until spring.
Linen pants work into early fall too, especially in darker colors. Our plus size linen pants guide covers styles that pair well with boots.
Fall Colors and Fabrics to Start Wearing
Fall is all about warm colors and cozy textures.
Colors. Rust, olive, mustard, camel, burgundy, and chocolate brown all feel seasonal. Start with one fall color in an outfit, like a rust top with your favorite jeans.
Fabrics. Lightweight knits, corduroy, suede, and brushed cotton add texture without too much warmth.
Prints. Plaid and fall florals on darker backgrounds feel right for the season.
If you’re heading to a fall wedding, our plus size fall wedding guest dresses post covers rich colors and dressier fabrics.
You don’t need to replace your whole closet to wear fall colors. Start with one or two pieces in a rich shade, like a rust cardigan or an olive shacket, and wear them with the neutrals you already own. Accessories are an easy entry point too. A mustard scarf or a cognac bag adds fall color to an outfit you’ve been wearing all summer.
Welcome, Fall
Early fall outfits are all about smart layering. Invest in a few transition pieces like a denim jacket and ankle boots, use outfit formulas that handle warm afternoons and cool nights, and update your summer favorites with tights and sweaters. Add a fall color or two, and you’re ready for the new season before the leaves even change.
Shop Whitney’s favorite fall finds on her Amazon storefront, and follow @thatgirlwhitney on Instagram for more plus size outfit ideas.