September is finally here thankfully, but it can sometimes be a tricky one for dressing as some days it’s lovely and warm, others it’s chucking it down with rain and some days it’s so cold you just want to grab your Winter coat and go. The key to transitioning is layering, jackets, sweaters, long-sleeve t-shirts, converse high tops, boots and quilted jackets are just some of the essential things you need in your wardrobe for September. I like to use as much of my Summer wardrobe as I can and layer up over the top, whilst also putting some of those high summer pieces away so I can see what I have missing to make my wardrobe versatile.
Shirts & jeans are the perfect transitional combination
Wearing white jeans with Autumn blazers & converse high tops
Wearing strappy summer dresses with a blazer & chunky trainers
A breton stripe jumper, sweater or t-shirt is the perfect transitional piece
There are always items that are key to your style and wardrobe, pieces that never go out of fashion and work for any and every situation. These pieces become part of your style depending on your colours, how you wear them and ensuring they are constants in your wardrobe for when the season changes. I have a shopping list of pieces that I believe are the best items you can buy right now, will last you into Winter and you will pull back out again for Spring. In fact if you refer back to my January 2021 blog post “6 Spring items to elevate your Winter wardrobe”, I either mention the same items again in this post, or you will note that those pieces are still relevant and wearable right now, proving that these staples never go out of style.
Transitional pieces to buy now
1.Shirts
In January 2021 I wrote the blog post “6 Spring items to elevate your Winter wardrobe” shirts featured in the top 6 but now it seems that you can wear anything and everything with a shirt. I feel it’s moved on from the pretty collar styling even though there are still alot of them around especially removable collars, but the want for mensy stripes and oversized dressing has taken over. So top of my list for Autumn styling right now is a stripe oversized shirt, I have lived in the blue stripe one I brought back in February from Zara and I am currently lusting after a new one to update my wardrobe with.
2. Breton stripe top
An absolute classic that you can never go wrong wearing, it’s best to style it up with a twist rather than just jeans but as it’s a fail safe classic I normally advise clients to look at puff sleeves, embroidered details, sweaters or different coloured stripes for more personality. Sometimes though simple is the most understated form of style.
3. Quilted jacket
This is quite a new transitional piece but has been around for a number of seasons and it’s a great option for a transitional jacket. This season the quilting is varied, colourful and comes in lots of different lengths and shapes. The shorter version has been inspired by cult brand The Frankie shop and this has filtered down to Marks & Spencer, Hush, H&M and Zara. It’s lightweight, rainproof, stylish jacket; what’s not to love!
4. Dogtooth blazer
Two colour check blazers are a style staple in anyone’s wardrobe, whether it be a dogtooth pattern, a gingham, a prince of wales check or a tartan it all works with lots of different pieces that you already own. Dogtooth and gingham are having a seasonal moment and whether it’s a blazer or a shacket it’s a great layering piece that can be worn dressed up or dressed down.
5. Boots
This cover all manner of styles, boots are always a wardrobe staple but the ankle boot, chelsea boot length styling always look great with dresses, skirts and jeans. The slimmer slightly longer calf length became the forefront of style last Autumn and that is set to continue this season too. I love the chunky feel to them and wore mine most days last year.
6. Knitted dress
A piece I get asked for a lot, I believe this is something you buy and when you find the perfect one you will hold onto it forever. They are having a revival moment as there have been times over the years I have barely been able to find any to shop for clients but last year they came back into stores due to comfy dressing. Bag one now for transitional and then wear it with tights and boots when it gets colder, it will keep you so warm.
7. Trench coat
Way back in February I wrote the blog post “Spring’s hottest piece of outerwear” all about my quest to find the perfect trench coat. That still hasn’t happened for me yet, though I do have my eye on a Navy one to try, a trench coat is something that can be layered over knitwear, over t-shirts or coats layered over the top of them - it is a very versatile piece to own and something that will never go out of style.
8. Green
This is my ‘trend’ entry, this season there is something about the colour Green that is bubbling under online. It is a bright green, mostly warm and perfect for ‘spring’ colour palettes but it’s something that is growing stronger and is a great colour for knitwear and shirting. So if there is a colour to try in these coming weeks then look at Green, make sure the tone is right for your skintone and then give it a try.
