Summer dresses are all over the sale racks right now…but why buy them, right? Seeing as we only have a month or so left of summer?
Wrong!
Go ahead and pick up your favorites, because there’s nothing more fun than taking floaty summer dresses into the fall with thick tights, cozy cardigans, and sturdy boots. And scarves, of course, because pumpkin picking can get chilly.
Below, a “summer dress in the fall” shot from last November.
How to wear a summer dress well into the cooler months:
– Top it with a blazer or boyfriend sweater in a medium-weight fabric. (I also like pairing super-chunky cable-knits with floaty dresses for a more dramatic look.)
– For footwear, choose riding boots, platforms, or oxfords; nothing too strappy or bare. (This fall, I especially love flat, slouchy booties like the Steve Maddens pictured above.)
– Try layering a slim turtleneck underneath and adding a wide belt.
– Go for thick, knit tights rather than sheers (or layer on some luxe leg warmers).
– Drape a big, cozy scarf around your neck, but make sure it’s not too lightweight – think exotic patterns, a bit of fringe, or striped knits.
– Avoid dresses with tropical colors (unless they’re neon solids, which can look great with black and grey), and anything too shapeless and lightweight (the white dress pictured above works because it’s lined to give it more weight and has substantial straps). Basically, if you wore it to the beach, it should stay firmly planted in your summer wardrobe.
Product info after the jump…
Banana Republic dress ($120 on sale)
1. Zad necklace (sold out; try this ModCloth necklace for $26.99)
2. Havana crossbody bag ($48)
3. TopShop sandals ($40 on sale)
4. Dorothy Perkins cardigan (40 EUR; you’ll be able to find similar ones in Old Navy any day now)
5. Shiva elastic belt ($48)
6. Monsoon scarf (16 EUR; or try this one from ModCloth for $17.99)
7. TopShop tights ($20)
8. See by Chloe boots ($360)
