I am reposting ”Global Warming and the Transitional Wardrobe” in response to requests to highlight this once again and it still applies more than ever. The original post was in September 2008 so, it showcased collections available during that time period plus some of the pieces lean heavily under the spring/summer category, however, the seasonal-mixing theory is still the same and can be applied today.
It seems that paying more attention to what you wear amidst each seasonal change can no longer be postponed. In the past three or so years it has become quite evident that global warming is no longer allowing designers and the fashion conscious to identify their designs by seasons. It’s almost as if these longer seasonal transition periods have become a ‘new season’ and thereby are not only having effect on what we wear but also what we buy. It used to be that one could slide by for around three weeks wearing, in this case, summer clothes as we head into fall because the fickle weather didn’t last long. And so if we got caught wearing a summer outfit on a cold day early in the season then it was easily survived and forgotten. However, nowadays this transitional fashion grace period is becoming extinct. Consequently, more attention needs to be paid to this ‘new season’ which I refer to as the Transitional Season. Thank goodness for the Pre-Fall Collections!!!
For all of you that are struggling with the transition right now from summer to fall, here are some chic weather proof suggestions to help build or to add to your transitional wardrobe:
LAYER DIFFERENT SEASONS
Diane von Furstenberg – PF08 – Style
Diane von Furstenberg – PF08 – Style
Diane von Furstenberg in her Pre-Fall 2008 Collection did a wonderful job here pairing a spring/summer dress with a fall/winter sweater coat and blazer. The idea of combining staple pieces from different seasons is a fundamental styling technique for a transitional wardrobe. Be sure to note that the darker color scheme and sporadic prints on the dresses have pre-fall undertones. And the open-toe platforms top off the outfit. These shoes can easily transition into fall and be worn with opaque tights. Here are some more examples of this trend.
Nina Ricci – PF08 – Style – Kevin Sturman
Rachel Roy – PF08 – Style – Kevin Sturman
ADD A MIXED-SEASONAL PIECE
Louis Vuitton – PF08 – Style
Oscar de la Renta – PF08 – Style – Don Ashby
I love what Marc Jacobs did here for the Louis Vuitton Pre-Fall 2008 Collection by designing an ivory closed-toe oxford pump. One tends to typically catch sight of oxfords during the fall/winter months; however these are in a light spring/summer color. Same with this gorgeous floral brocade Oscar de la Renta coat made with a heavier fall/winter fabric. These mixed-seasonal pieces add an unexpected twist to an outfit. Again, combining seasons is key.
MERGE SEASONS
Narcisco Rodriguez – PF08 – Style – Firstview
Burberry Prorsum – PF08 – Style
Dolce & Gabbana – PF08 – Style
Vera Wang – PF08 – Style – Kevin Sturman
The idea here is to wear spring/summer pieces on top and fall/winter ones on the bottom. Narcisco’s lovely short sleeve dress combined with dark opaque tights is an easy transitional outfit. Burberry’s Christopher Bailey shares with us a wonderful example of seasonal merges as well. As do Dolce & Gabbana and the ever so talented Vera Wang.
A TOUCH OF LIGHT GREY
Oscar de la Renta – PF08 – Style – Don Ashby
Michael Kors – PF08 – Style – Kevin Sturman
Dolce & Gabbana – PF08 – Style
Luca Luca – PF08 – Style – Don Ashby
Luca Luca – PF08 – Style – Don Ashby
By adding a touch of light grey to an outfit it just seems to make the overall look appear less heavy and dark. And therefore it is the perfect addition to include in your transitional wardrobe. Plus this shade of grey, especially when combined with more saturated colors looks well on most everyone.
SLIP ON SPRING/SUMMER SHOES WITH DARK OPAQUE TIGHTS
Valentino – PF08 – Style – Don Ashby
Valentino – PF08 – Style – Don Ashby
Zac Posen – PF08 – Style – Don Ashby
SHEER TOPS
Michael Kors – PF08 – Style – Kevin Sturman
Valentino – PF08 – Style – Don Ashby
Bill Blass – PF08 – Style – Kevin Sturman
Wearing a sheer blouse or twinset on the top half of your body while wearing dark fall/winter pieces on the bottom half is a splendid tactic for a transitional ensemble.
AUTUMNAL COLORS
Nina Ricci – PF08 – Style – Kevin Sturman
Nina Ricci – PF08 – Style – Kevin Sturman
Rachel Roy – PF08 – Style – Kevin Sturman
Incorporating autumnal colors with existing seasonal pieces is a surefire approach to putting together a chic transitional outfit. Here are some further samples.
Rachel Roy – PF08 – Style – Kevin Sturman
Nina Ricci – PF08 – Style – Kevin Sturman
Tory Burch – PF08 – Style
Bill Blass – PF08 – Style – Kevin Sturman
Remember that a designer’s expertise in part is not only to create and to manufacture beautiful clothes and accessories but it is also an opportunity to inspire us. So, perhaps you see an outfit that you really like however, the shape doesn’t work best with your particular body type. Then look at which specific elements you are drawn to from that ensemble and try to incorporate/tweak/adjust them as necessary to get the overall desired look. A simple example might be that you like some of the dresses showcased here but they are too short for you, your professional position or the suggested samples just don’t fit into your wardrobe budget. Then try to find longer and/or lesser expensive versions with the same shape, color, print, fabric or general silhouette created by the designer. When a designer puts an inspirational outfit together – break it down to find the main reason(s) you’re attracted to it or what makes it so special and then take those attributes and make it work for you and your lifestyle. However, please note in this particular example regarding dress length, oftentimes there are adjustments made to the pieces worn on the runways so as to support a larger audience in the stores. Plus the average height of models is 5’9” so a dress hem may fall longer on you.
These were just a few suggestions to get you started when thinking about expanding your transitional wardrobe so as to thrive and be better prepared for random weather patterns however long they may last.
What are your foolproof pieces that you wear during a change in seasons? Have you noticed a difference in your approach to buying staple pieces for your wardrobe based on recent weather conditions?
If you don’t have time to find new pieces to successfully mix with items currently in your wardrobe be sure to sign up for my new Virtual Styling Services by clicking on the link and I will do the rest! 