Your Ultimate Guide To Nailing Transitional Dressing As The Seasons Change

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Choosing the perfect outfit can be hard enough, but throw in unpredictable in-between season weather with hourly shifts from bright sunshine to cool rain, and it only gets tougher. That's where smart transitional dressing comes in. The term refers to an ensemble that can easily weather the storm of a climate that can't seem to make up its mind, but is super stylish and practical.

The good news is you don't have to buy an entirely new wardrobe every time autumn and spring roll around.Whether you're moving from the heat of summer into a chillier fall or from the cold of winter to spring, there are several staples and styling tips that can keep your wardrobe put-together for every season. So grab your tights, trench coats, and ballet flats, because with our ultimate guide to nailing transitional dressing, you'll never fear getting dressed as the seasons are changing again.

One of the most important fashion concepts you can incorporate into your transitional dressing wardrobe is to dress in layers. It gives you an opportunity to create contrast between colors and textures, and signifies that you put more thought into an outfit that just throwing something on. It's also generally practical for unpredictable weather days. Perfect if you're commuting in the cold but then sitting in a warm office all day.

But there are a few things to remember to get it right. Firstly, ensure your bulkiest item is your final layer. This could be the likes of a wool coat or a knitted sweater. That's because wearing a thinner item over a thicker garment won't be flattering (and may also be pretty restricting). Equally, the lighter each of your layers are, the less likely you are to find yourself suddenly burning up or adding unwanted volume to your figure. Remember too that layering can extend to your accessories. Scarves, hats, or gloves can instantly upgrade your outfit and are a smart way to stay warm if the day starts off cooler, but they can easily be removed if things start heating up.

Incorporating oversized pieces into your wardrobe is another way to ensure you're geared up for those in-between season weather days, because they offer a lot of versatility. Oversized clothing naturally lends itself to layered ensemble, as it won't look odd with other pieces underneath. An oversized sweater, for example, can easily be worn over a t-shirt without looking too bulky.

Farrah-May Archer, leader of the Styling Team at Stitch Fix U.K., recommends an oversized denim jacket as a go-to garment for transitional dressing. "When my clients are looking for a classic denim jacket, I always suggest a slightly oversized style from the likes of Levi's or Whistles, as it'll look chic draped over dresses during the summer, but will also allow you to wear jumpers underneath during the colder months," she told Women & Home. "In terms of wash, you can't go wrong with mid-wash denim, as the shade will go with everything," she added. Try Levi's Women's Original Trucker Jacket in a size up for an oversized aesthetic, or Wrangler's Women's Relaxed Fit Girlfriend Denim Jacket for an overall more slouchy feel.

Want to wear that summer mini-skirt into autumn? Add a pair of tights. Along with giving you some added warmth, they add a sense of polish to an otherwise breezy summer look. Even better, you may find the garments are trending in the season you're stepping into, like when tights lit up the runways in fall 2023.

To make sure you wear the hosiery the right way though, it's important to choose a style that works for the time of year where you live or where you're visiting.  "Winter is great for black opaque tights, but once it starts to warm up, you can slowly opt for tights with a lower denier. The warmer it gets, the more sheer the tights can be," stylist Shea Daspin explained to Marie Claire.

One of the easiest ways to be ready for whatever the in-between seasons throw at you is to invest in a range of colors and deniers, so you can mix and match depending on the temperature. For hosiery beginners, we'd recommend adding a 20 denier and 100 denier pair in both nude and black to your wardrobe, as they're arguably the most versatile and will carry you from season to season.

Though ballet flats sometimes get a bad rep for being basic, they're perfect for transitional dressing. You can throw them under a flowy sundress just as well as a plaid mini skirt or under the hottest 2025 denim trends. Part of that may be due to their simplicity. The simple, sleek design is dainty, yet composed. It doesn't need to be the center of attention when it comes to your outfit, but it will keep your outfit equally polished enough for work and a day out with friends.

Even better, you can pair them with accessories to lean into a more playful vibe for fall. Throw on a pair of socks for a touch of warmth and dark academia. We can take a little inspo from Victoria's Secret model Elsa Hosk on this, as she's nailed the flats and socks look multiple times. As we headed into fall 2024, she gave us a masterclass in transitional dressing and the sandwich method of styling on Instagram when she paired a black top with a white maxi skirt, with slingback, black, pointed toe flats and white socks.

A fun scarf can not only instantly elevate your look, it can also be very practical in between seasons. When it's warmer, a silk scarf in a fun and sunny color attached to your pocketbook takes a basic bag from drab to fab. Meanwhile, during fall, a neck scarf takes a basic blazer and white-tee look and adds a bit of fun. You could even place it over your head on blustery autumnal days or during spring showers. Invest in a few styles made with high quality materials in shades that best flatter your skin tone, rather than whatever colors match the season (No, you don't need to wear pastels for spring).

Too hot to wear on your neck? Drape the scarf over your shoulders and wear it as a casual accessory to bring a little extra texture to your outfit.

According to YouGov, up to 25% of Americans wear jeans every day, while around 35% wear them a few times a week. And there's a reason the classic pants are so popular with no sign of going out of fashion, as they're the ideal transitional pant. Jeans don't look out of place in any season, as they'll look just as stylish while you're sitting around the Thanksgiving table as they will during a Fourth of July celebration. So it's worth investing in a good pair.

It's important to consider your own style and what will make you feel most comfortable as well as the 2025 denim trends, but it's hard to go wrong if you lighten your jeans hue with the seasons. Entering or leaving summer, a light wash will have you looking bright and fresh. As you head into the traditionally colder seasons though, like fall and winter, black jeans may feel more appropriate. If you want a single pair to wear no matter what the season though, try a mid-wash jean, such as the Women's Wide Leg Jeans by Sidefeel in Blue in Blue or Amazon Essentials Women's Jeans Mid Rise Straight Leg in Medium Wash. When it's warmer, your fave jeans can be paired with everything from a tank top and flip flops to a t-shirt and sneakers. When you need something a little warmer though, you can add degrees by tucking them into a pair of knee-high boots and tucking in a sweater.

Dresses can be more versatile throughout the year than you might think and a knitted piece can offer various styling options. When it's colder, it can be layered with a collared shirt underneath and a jacket (which you could drape over your shoulders or remove entirely when the weather gets warmer). When shifting towards the traditional spring or summer sunshine though, you can wear it on its own.

The main thing to think about with a knitted dress though is how thick the material is from season to season. Spring to summer and summer to fall will require a thinner garment that can be worn with ballet flats or light sneakers, but you can embrace cozy knits with boots and hosiery going from summer to fall and fall to winter. There are several different types of knit to consider too. A traditional, chunky knit is the natural choice going into fall or winter, but a ribbed or pointelle piece will work better as you leave the cooler weather behind.

Another dress option for those in-between days? Shirt dresses. The reason so many of us turn to these looser, flattering pieces as the seasons change is because not only do they look good on a range of body types, they're really easy to style depending on the weather. A classic shirt dress — like Sharagano Women's Button Front Pleated Shirt Casual Dress or the Women's Button Down Shirt Dress by ANRABESS — can be worn alone around spring and summer, with the option to undo a few buttons if you're feeling overheated. They also look great with a ballet flat, sandal, heeled Mary Janes, or pretty much any of 2025's biggest shoe trends, for that matter.

When the year is hovering around fall or winter, undo a few buttons on your shirt dress and throw on a tank top underneath. Adding a cardigan or chic blazer on top can make it ready for work or weeknight happy hour. Most shirt dresses also lend themselves perfectly to hosiery and/or boots, so you won't have to worry about finding the right shoe, no matter what the weather throws at you.

No matter what time of year it is outside, it's hard to go wrong with a trench coat. The classic outerwear offers slight warmth and protection from the elements, but isn't so thick that it will look out of place or feel too hot moving into spring or a cooler summer day. Layer it over the likes of a knitted dress or jeans and a t-shirt. For chilly fall days, throw it on over a sweater or hoodie.

The greatest thing about a classic trench coat, though? In its classic beige/sandy shade, it won't clash with the rest of your wardrobe. "Choosing a trench in a neutral shade will help it work with most of the items in your closet," Gloria Cospito, wardrobe stylist and personal shopper, told Today. But, while you want it to have a little give so you can layer pieces underneath, it's important it doesn't swamp your shape either. "You don't want a trench coat too oversized with layers because it will add unflattering bulk. Also, you don't want your trench to be too fitted, as you want to be able to move with comfort and ease," said Lucia Gulbrasen, image consultant credentialed by the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC.

Although hoodies are traditionally thought of as a winter piece, they offer more versatility than one might realize. A comfy pullover over a t-shirt or tank top and jeans is an effortless outfit formula that will leave you looking comfortable and relaxed, whether you're on a walk or running errands. On cooler days, throwing on a hoodie over sweats creates a casual yet cozy vibe. When you're heading into warmer seasons, an oversized hoodie over a pair of shorts serves effortless cool-girl vibes.Taylor Swift showed us how to achieve this in 2018, wearing a hot pink hoodie over distressed, denim shorts, and leopard-print ankle boots, which mixed several different seasons into one eye-catching look.

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Because hoodies are designed to be worn over something, they're perfect for those days when the weather could change on a dime. They're also on the roomier side, which means you shouldn't notice crumpling or creasing to your undershirt once you take it off. For a truly transitional hoodie to take you into fall, avoid a bright color like Swift's and opt for something in a more muted shade, like the Hatant Oversized Hooded Sweatshirt for Women in Maroon.