5 Fall Transition Wardrobe Staples

We are officially entering September, and I have resigned myself to the fact that summer is coming to a close. I love summer and all that comes with it, but I have never been one to hate a seasonal shift, and the shift into Fall is always a time of year that I love.

Now I am not going to go overboard like some of these other bloggers who are already switching out their home decor for pumpkins, or buying sweaters in bulk. But I do love a good wardrobe switch-up, especially as the seasons shift. Living in tiny apartments in NYC, that means packing the summer clothes away in some very creative storage situations, and bringing the next season’s wardrobe to the front of the closet.

However, climate change is real, and the past couple of Falls haven’t been all crisp air and falling leaves starting in September. In the City, it’s still hot, and when you work in a building without central air, you need to plan to sweat, a lot. So for me, finding staple items that I can use to transition between the heat and those perfect, cool Fall days is key.

Which brings us here. Last week, one of my friends texted me and asked what are some things she should buy for her Fall wardrobe. And no one has to ask me twice, I immediately got inspired to create a post that focused on a personal goal of my own- creating a wardrobe built around a couple of key pieces. I wouldn’t quite call it a capsule wardrobe, but it’s a pretty similar concept.

I picked out five staple wardrobe items, all under $100, and create two transitional looks for each piece that you can wear anywhere from work, to a walk in the park, as the seasons start to shift. I selected items like a denim jacket and booties that could be used on repeat, and create set looks that focus on a few key pieces that are stylish and comfortable.

I know many of us aren’t going in to work right now, but I will be, so that’s where my mind is. And the hope is, the longer the weather stays warmer, we may be able to keep some of our social activities outdoors. Right now, any excuse to dress up is an excuse to have fun with your wardrobe. So I built looks that are comfortable enough to wear while sitting on your couch with your laptop at home, or to meet friends for some outdoor dining, if you are so brave.

While I only built a total of ten looks, many of these items could be used together in different combinations to create ten more. That’s the fun of this. Many of these are pieces I already have in my own closet, that I get so much use out of, or new pieces that just came in that I am already mentally planning outfits for. Bottom line, there is nothing here that I haven’t put to the style test, and each of these pieces are great to mix and match.

My first staple is this darling little cotton black dress from Target. I ordered this recently, and have seen so many people styling similar looks with a puffy sleeve and free-flowing fit. This dress is not only great because it can be cool enough for hot temperatures, but I think it transitions really well from a park hangout with sneakers, to a night of dining out the switch of some fall booties.

These two pairs of shoes are also great wardrobe staples alone. I know these sneakers are expensive, and you might be wondering what’s so great about them that you have seen them all over Instagram, but the truth it, their craft and comfort are just superior. To be blunt, they are the nicest sneakers I will ever own. And I love white leather booties or loafers. You don’t have to worry about the black/brown clash- they go with everything.

This staple might seem like a no brainer, but I picked these jeans for a reason. For the last few years, I feel like every curvy girl has wanted a pair of classic mom-jeans from Levis. And every curvy girl has been disappointed to either order multiple sizes up for a still ill-fitting look, or to find that these jeans just aren’t meant for their bodies.

Look no further- I have found that the Ribcage style of Levis in various cuts fit me perfectly, and I have seen them on other curvy influencers, like Raeann. I have these in two colors, and more of a crop flare pair in two colors. I size up one size to a 31, and I find that they fit perfectly, especially if a shorter inseam is available. These pair perfectly with so many things, but they are perfect with a cute shoulder-pad tee and leather bag for running errands or going to the farmer’s market (a big trend for Fall), or styled with another cute and flattering puff sleeve top (clearly, I have a thing for this).

This is perhaps another obvious staple, but I really love this button-down from Madewell to transition from summer to Fall. It’s the softest material, so it doesn’t have that starched, trapped feeling that many white shirts have, and it can easily be transitioned to be tied up without creating a weird bulge.

If you missed my post on denim shorts, check it out here to see why I love these denim shorts from Topshop. I basically lived in them all summer long, and I don’t seen any reason why you can’t wear them in the warmer parts of Fall. Paired with my favorite Gucci belt and some mules. or throw it on with a denim skirt if you’re headed into an office. Either way, I think this is the perfect staple to dress up or down. And if you’ve been on the hunt for a great white button-down, this is it.

If you have not jumped aboard the slip skirt or slip dress train, you are missing out. Period. A slip skirt or dress (see below) are the perfect pieces to style so many ways. I have multiple slip skirts from last Fall, and I am excited to style them again this season. If you don’t think leopard is a neutral, think again. Similar to camo, these are prints that can be paired with fun colors, and serve as a staple piece in a wardrobe. I have this skirt in pink from last season, and the quality is excellent- I would suggest sizing down.

Pair this skirt with my favorite bodysuit and the perfect loafers, or take it more casual and throw on a graphic tee with sneakers. Either way, you will not regret this staple in your closet for all seasons. Bonus- this skirt is on sale with 40% off this weekend for Labor Day.

Last, but never least, the cardigan. Once you find a good one, you basically live in it. Maybe you leave it on your office chair, or you wear it as a coat through Fall. But this cardigan, I grabbed during the Nordstrom sale a few weeks ago, and I am so glad I did. This cardigan is a great length, and it’s a substantial cardigan that will be ready to wear through winter. I think this oatmeal is the perfect neutral, and I am gravitating towards paring this chunky knit with a more refined satin slip cami or dress underneath to play with textures.

Personally, I am so excited for a change in seasons, and for putting together new looks that make me feel something great about myself more so than the past few months of living in sweats and biker shorts (no shade if that’s where you are still living) have made me feel. My clothes often boost my confidence, and I love having key pieces that I can mix and match to create stylish looks without breaking the bank.

Like I said, each of these staples are under $100, and I included four pairs of shoes that I think are also great wardrobe staples – a loafer, a booties, a mule and a sneaker. These four alone could be paired with countless outfits, perfect for Fall.

I hope these pieces help you build an easy-to-style Fall wardrobe!