Yes, it’s that time of year when we’re sadly packing away our Summer wardrobe and wondering what to wear in this unpredictable weather. I know some people really struggle with trans-seasonal dressing and wearing multiple layers but with a bit of fore-thought it can be fairly easy.

The key for me is not to over-think it and panic-buy loads of new pieces. We’re all too quick to think we have nothing to wear and yet I know there are all sorts of gems hidden in our closets if we make the time to look.

I know for instance that I definitely have animal-print in my wardrobe, some faux-croc high-shine ankle boots and cowboy boots, all of which are very ‘of the moment’. Plus I have a few check things that I bought last year and this Spring. So actually not a lot has changed in the fashion world. The key is in the way you style your existing pieces and knowing when to add a few new pieces to freshen things up.

The things to root around your closet for or add to your wardrobe this season are; straight-leg jeans, belts, jackets (check or plain), ankle boots, print dresses, and anything in animal-print, plaid, check or mock-croc/patent leather/vinyl.

Jackets are key for layering at this time of year and are worth investing in now if you don’t have many:

 

Reiss and Isabel Marant Etoile always have really good quality jackets and Zara and Mango have some great lower-priced alternatives. I’m still opting for the longer-line, more over-sized, masculine fit that can be belted for a more polished silhouette.

A lot of the trends this season have been repeated many times before but the one I like the most is (unsurprisingly) the maximalist trend – wearing a few different prints/textures together in one outfit. For instance you can mix florals with animal-print, check with plaid, leopard-print with tiger-print, tweed and leather with silk – the list is endless. This gives you loads of scope for layering and should make trans-seasonal dressing a bit easier and fun this year.

I still loving wearing white shoes at this time of year to keep things looking fresh. They definitely make animal print and checks look less wintry.

 

If I’m honest, I’ve lived through plaid trends way too many times in my life to get excited about it any more. I think I associate it with itchy clothes having owned some wool tartan trousers about 15 years ago! I do like the blue plaid though and will mainly be adding tartan accessories as a nod to the trend without investing heavily into it. (I’ll do a separate post about check and plaid/tartan another time.)

There are some really great printed trousers around, I picked up these leopard print ones at Urban Outfitters and I can’t wait to wear them. They are a bit of an odd shape – quite peg legged as they taper in slightly. I have linked them below but they are really oddly styled on the website and for some reason strangely coloured on there too. I’d recommend trying them on in-store and prefer to wear them with a pointed loafer, pump or trainers.

If you’re not feeling quite so brave a safer alternative might be a printed dress:

 

I really think printed dresses are a great investment having worn mine all Summer and seeing what’s coming for S/S ’19. There are a lot to choose from, at all price points. Zara is particularly good at the moment. Dresses with more than one print/patchwork are great and do all the talking. I would go for midi to maxi lengths. Wear them now with a sleeveless poloneck underneath, a wide leather belt and trainers or ankle boots. On colder days you can add a chunky knit or coat and longer-length boots.

If you haven’t got the money to spend or simply don’t want to commit fully to certain trends, the best way is to add a few accessories to your wardrobe. By ‘accessories’, this season I am particularly talking about scarves, belts, bags and boots (no doubt with some jewellery thrown in!). As this is quite a wide topic I’ll do a separate post on this.

What are you digging out of your wardrobe and buying this Season?

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