Sizzling Summer Trends that Fall Can’t Flee

Before you pack up your summer wardrobe of floral dresses and neon-bright separates, take a moment to transition those seasonal favorites into fall and winter runway chic. By retooling your warm-weather looks with the right mix of accessories and seasonal additions, your casual dresses can do double duty throughout the cooler days ahead.

Color

You can repurpose your summer brights by mixing with neutrals and darker tones for a sophisticated fall look. Black opaque tights, a winter staple for the fashion forward, pair nicely with a bright red pump or magenta ballet flat. A textured tight in cocoa or ecru can set off summer’s bright coral skirts, and neon handbags add a strong pop to a winter look, providing a nice contrast against neutral coats and jackets. Black and white continues to make a bold statement on the fashion runways, an appealing contrast look that works well in the fall and winter months.

Pattern

Floral prints were all the rage during the summer months, and you can keep their feminine allure alive in your winter wardrobe by pairing floral blouses with jackets, blazers and coats in the same or contrasting hues. A grey wool blazer comes alive when layered with the soft, colorful appeal of a tie-neck floral blouse; a printed skirt goes well with a solid cardigan, belted for a finished workday look. Playful geometric prints move easily into fall, under sweaters or paired with leather skirts and slacks, and stripes adapt easily under winter coats and shawls.

Texture & Line

The timeless texture of lace, so popular in this year’s summer casual dresses, works well with an edgy leather jacket or suede topper. A nubby wool blazer in cranberry can be worn over the one-shoulder dress you wore in July, paired with tights and pumps for pulled-together fall appeal. Peplum dresses can be worn under smart cropped jackets, and asymmetrical hemlines shine with textured hose, pulling together your winter look.

Accessories

The belt is everywhere this fall, adding a chic, polished look over sweaters, blouses and even coats. Scarves are a cold-winter must, and summer cottons can be intertwined with winter wools for a pop of color to brighten the season. Mufflers in bold colors remain strongly on trend, delivering impact in jade, aquamarine and blueberry. Animal prints are a durable staple, now popular in smaller, more delicate workings, be they leopard, snakeskin or crocodile. Metallics play a role in the winter wardrobe, adding shine with gold, silver or bronze accents to brighten shoes, bags and belts.

Make a strong fashion statement this fall by blending your cold weather wardrobe with chic summer favorites for a look that stays on trend and moves seamlessly from season to season.

Helen Hoefele is a part of an elite team of writers who have contributed to hundreds of blogs and news sites. Follow her @For_You_To_Know