How to Transition to Fall?

Everyone’s doing it…

When my kids said something like that, my response was usually along the lines of “Would you play in the middle of the street if everyone was doing it?” Somehow, I bet there were a few of you who were singing a little ditty in your heads that began with those same three words! It seems with the changing of the seasons we always get the ubiquitous posts about transitioning looks. I’m not sure if I’m actually showing a transitioning look or not. I am wearing sandals after all!

Indiana weather…

As I pondered doing this post, I started thinking about our weather here in Central Indiana. We’ve lived here for almost 7.5 years. Before moving here, we lived in northeastern Indiana. The weather is about the same except for the extremes. You’re probably wondering what I mean by that. Here’s an example. Last week, we had a dusting of snow on Monday, October 17th. Fort Wayne, just west of where we used to live (and about 2.5 hours from us now), got between 1-3 inches of snow. That seems to be the norm. We get some kind of weather; they get it just a bit worse/better. We have had a truly lovely fall this year, though. The trees have been giving us quite the show as they turn from green to gold to burgundy. Nigel and I were just talking about how much more colorful the trees seemed this year. Usually, we have spring or fall for a couple of weeks, and then it’s on to the next season in full force. I guess what I’m trying to say is I don’t think I’ve ever really had much reason for transition type clothes.

Transitioning closets…

In the house before the house before (did you follow that), we had a small walk through closet after doing a big bathroom remodel. It was like a galley kitchen only a closet. It really held very few clothes, and it was for both of us. By this time, we were empty nesters and had three bedrooms on the second floor. Two of those bedrooms had two closets, and one had just one really big closet! I kept my off season clothes in a couple of those most of those closets. It was a major chore transitioning closets for the seasons. I would take an armload up to the second floor, take an armload back down and over and over again until I was done. In the last house and this one, I didn’t/don’t have to do that. I love it! I don’t ever have to think in terms of transitions between seasons! Everything is at the ready.

What about this look…

I’m calling this a transitional look because the dress has just the slightest cap sleeve. I would consider it a spring or summer dress. In my opinion, the colors make it trend more fall. By adding the denim jacket, I’ve added that layer of warmth necessary for those chilly nights we have in late summer and early fall. I thought about putting on boots to really make it a transition look, but I just didn’t want to wrestle with tights! Yes, I am just that lazy. Actually, I knew if I put on tights, a hot flash would be sure to follow, and the hair would fall! So, I went with sandals!

This look…

I recently took advantage of my birthday discount at J Jill. I had been looking at this dress (available in very limited sizes) online for weeks. I hadn’t ever seen it in the store, but I haven’t really been there much lately. I was delighted when I saw it on the clearance rack with an additional 40% off the discounted price. I snapped it right up. This dress is basically one very long tee shirt! There is no shaping to it at all. I don’t mind that because, right now, my shape is no shape either! The front is heavily embroidered which is what drew me to it in the first place. The embroidery is in shades of pinks, browns, and creams. I pulled out my rose colored denim jacket (also from J Jill and a few years old) to add that extra layer of warmth.

Transition looks in general…

I guess what makes a transition look is when you take something suited more for a specific season and add something to make it suitable for the following season. Most of us just do that, right? We pull on the tights, the sweaters, the jackets, or the boots. But, sometimes, just a hint of how to do something will cause that little light bulb to go off for someone. I know that frequently happens for me. I see someone on Instagram, Facebook, or even just on tv and think, “Oh, I hadn’t thought of that.” I’m not sure I’ll ever wear a sundress in the winter with a sweater over it. But, then again, I never thought I’d wear short boots with dresses, either! So, I’m just going to be open to whatever strikes my fancy and see what happens!

The Lewk!

So, you want to talk old? These earrings? They’re Avon. And, I bought them prior to 1980! I know that because I was still working at Lincoln Life Insurance Company when I got them from an Avon Lady there! I “retired” from Lincoln after our oldest was born! See! I told you I kept things for ages! The multi “strand” cuff is old and from Premier Designs, I think. The other cuff is a gift from my bestie…I love her more than words can tell! The sandals are old Jack Rogers. I am not usually a matchy-match person, but the buttons on my denim jacket were silver so I just went with that. I’m not sure why accessories are so low on my priority list right now. I’m sure they’ll be back in the limelight soon enough!

Wrap it up, Marsha!

Well, I’m sure this was a whole lot of “I already know that” nonsense, right? I honestly wanted to showcase this dress because it is so very pretty! I know many of you have to do quite a lot of transitioning when it comes to your clothing while some of you may do little or none. I also know I am quite lucky in that I have the room to have all of my clothes in one space. So, can we talk? Do you change out your closets completely when seasons change? Or, are you lucky and have everything all in one place? Maybe you’re a minimalist, and have created a carefully curated closet (how’s that for alliteration)? Please leave a comment or two, and we can talk. I promise I will respond as quickly as possible!

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16 Comments

  1. I absolutely love this outfit on you. You look amazing!
    xoxo
    Lovely
    http://www.mynameislovely.com

  2. I wear sandals still too; even as I transition into fall! I pair them with long sleeves and jeans, sweaters, whatever. I try to hold onto them as long as I can. My mother even noticed I was wearing a pair last week and asked “still wearing flip flops?” I assured her I’ll wear them right up until it snows… on those warmer sunny days! That dress is beautiful and it pairs so perfectly with that jacket.

    • Thanks, Joanne! I was so glad to snap this dress up when I saw it on clearance in the store! I wear sandals for as long as I can which is funny because my feet get cold and stay cold! When I was teaching, one of the parents remarked on my sandals in late November!

  3. I would say a transitioning look, is a style you can also wear in the cooler weather. Like a leather jacket would be the perfect example of a transitioning look. Fall is one of the coolest time of the year especially when you get to see the wonderful new styles coming out. Sipping a hot drink and just enjoying the little things in life. Such a fun uplifting post I hope your having a great week 🙂
    https://www.bauchlefashion.com/2022/10/9-trends-that-are-worth-investment-for.html?spref=pi&m=1

  4. Beautiful dress…and I love how you styled it with the rose jacket and silver accessories. It’s fun to see 40 year old earrings mixed into an outfit with a new dress.

    • Thanks, Sally. I was so glad to find them because every once in a while I think I need to purge things! I have always been drawn to leaf motifs in jewelry. I’m pretty sure I’ve far surpassed the 30 wears category with these! I have a couple other pairs of Avon earrings that have stood the test of time, too…unless I truly did purge those!

  5. First, you’re going to love my post next Friday because it’s totally this idea (only I’m not wearing sandals, haha).
    As for transitioning closets. I only wish I didn’t have to. But what I think I’m going to do is just keep them as is, and train myself to go to the guest bedroom to grab the pieces I need. I’ll let you know how it goes, haha.
    XOOX
    Jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

    • I can’t wait to see it, Jodie! My guest bedroom closet is my craft closet so it’s stuffed! My daughter’s wedding dress is also in there. I do miss having a craft room totally devoted to crafts! One of the things I’m missing in this house is the getting away from it all ability! There are a limited number of places to go, and the crawl space is not one of them! Good luck with your guest room transition place!

  6. You’re right Marsha, that dress is very pretty! And there are times when a ‘shapeless’ dress is exactly what we need. I bought a long dress with navy stripes on it earlier this year and it’s basically just a long t-shirt and I love it. It’s the one dress I’ve worn more than any other this year!
    As for transitional dressing, I find it quite difficult because of where we live. The temperatures are still quite warm (outdoors) here in Portugal at the moment, which drives me mad because I desperately want to wear the thick jumpers I’ve bought recently! And I’ve got those FAB white boots I bought last winter that have only been worn once lol. But I must wait…currently, I’m wearing trainers most days, with t-shirts, jeans and cardigans which come on and off throughout the day.
    Big hugs
    Suzy xx

    • Thanks, Suzy! There are just some dresses that are so dang comfortable, right? I have a friend in Portugal right now. Have you seen her? Hahaha!! Well, I do hope it cools off soon for you so you can get out the goodies! Right now, I’m sitting in my flannel jammies waiting to curl up under two heavy quilts and an afghan while watching a baking show! I did wear a heavy cotton sweater today. By the end of the day, I was wishing I’d put on a tee underneath it! I just pulled a throw around my shoulders instead!

      Have a fabulous weekend with that gorgeous new haircut!

  7. This is a fabulous transitional outfit, Marsha! Shapeless dresses are some of my favorites! You just add some shape with your jacket or belt or some other creative way. I love your pink denim jacket, too. It is such a pretty color! I am fortunate to not have to transition my wardrobe for the seasons either. Everything except my bulky sweaters and blanket scarves fit in my closet room. My sweaters are stored by color and style in bins in the basement where I can easily find and grab what I need. And since my basement is my “smoking room”, I go down there a dozen times a day making it very convenient as well!

    Shelbee

    • Thanks, Shelbee! I was going to add a brown belt but had already decided to nix the brown boots! But, it’s something I’ll do later this year. I miss having a basement…not for a smoking room…but just to store stuff and go down there to visit it!!!

  8. This looks lovely together Marsha. I love the maxi dress with the casual jean jacket – what a super soft colour too. Thanks for sharing with my #Chicandstylish linkup Jacqui xx

    • Thanks so much, Jacqui! This dress is really gorgeous in person with all of the embroidery. I was so glad the jacket went with it!