Is it warm or cold?: The stresses of transitional fashion and how to resolve them

by Sophie Andrews

Amber leaves fall as you take a morning stroll, the sun fades into the dull grey clouds, it’s not summer anymore… but it’s not exactly Autumn either? ...

We already know the complexities of ‘the British autumn’, you can’t get away with those denim ripped shorts anymore, but coats somehow feel… too hot? It’s confusing.

Typically associated with warm colours, pumpkins, and coffee; Autumn differs greatly from the common stereotypes of its preceding season, Summer. Summer is notorious for vibrance, beaches and sunshine. So, what are you meant to wear during this awkward transitional period? To begin with, don’t ditch your Summer clothes! Not just for the sake of environmental sustainability, but you can utilise ‘the power of layering’. Strappy Summer dresses can be easily saved by layering a plain tee underneath, and if it’s still too cold, throw on a cardigan. A material known for always looking timeless and classic is leather, whether real or faux, it always looks amazing in Autumn. If you don’t have them already, definitely consider investing in a pair of plain black Dr Martens, I can’t recommend them enough.

Also high on the recommendation charts are sweater vests, on a summery day, they can stand alone and add a preppy feel to outfits. On colder, duller days, however, layering a button-up collared shirt over the top transforms the look, and rather than preppy, your outfit will better fit into the infamous ‘academia aesthetic’. To summarise, for this uncomfortable transitional season, I’d recommend picking items that can be layered whilst also having the ability to stand alone. My top picks include thin jumpers, long sleeve t-shirts, collared tops, midi skirts, maxi skirts and thin-material flares.

Now we move onto colours; most people tend to steer away from brighter hues as Autumn creeps upon us, but it doesn’t have to end this way…

I’d recommend starting with a neutral colour, such as: black, white, beige, tan or grey. Layer this with a complementary colour, this can be easily googled, for example, blue perfectly enhances beige. Finally, you can still include a bright and vibrant pop into your outfits, known as accent colours. In this case, accent colours typically include, pink, red, yellow or orange. To successfully work as accents to an outfit, they must be less visible and smaller in proportion than all other colours included. Accent colours can be incorporated best as accessories, these could include: scarves, hats, shoes, watches, and if you’re lucky enough to witness the appearance of the sun… sunglasses.

And lastly, crucial in elevating any outfit in any season, is, of course, jewellery. Don’t forget your jewellery and you’ll be just fine.