Summer to Fall Transition Outfits

As fall gets closer, it's the perfect time to adapt your closet for the unpredictable weather that can be warm one day and chilly the next. When putting together those tricky fall transition outfits, having a solid set of wardrobe staples is a true relief. Think lightweight jackets, cozy knits, classic button-ups, easy all-in-one dresses, and suede shoes—this list is somewhat endless. The great thing is, you can rock these pieces on their own or layer them up for trendy summer-to-fall outfits. When the season is about to shift, layering is your best friend.

So, what are the most versatile summer-to-fall transition outfits for women you can easily throw together? Let's take a look!

Summer to Fall Transition Outfit Ideas

Transitional clothing is basically a catch-all term for go-to pieces you throw on when the seasons start to change. Hence, early fall weather outfits aren't just about sweaters and leather jackets; rather, they are about mixing textures and, even more importantly, layering up. We've put together a list of 10 cool transitional outfits that are perfect for the in-between time of late summer and early fall, showing you how to blend classic autumn staples with summer clothes to wear in fall.

Shorts and a Pullover

Denim shorts are a must-have for summer, but if you haven't been able to wear your fave pair much this season, you can totally transition them into the warm-weather fall outfits. Just throw on a light pullover and closed-toe flats to make it more autumn-friendly.

For this look, we went with the Relaxed-fit denim shorts from Citizens of Humanity and paired them with the Poloneck cashmere sweater from FTC Cashmere. Layer a tank underneath based on the weather, and finish it off with cute ankle boots.

Lightweight Coat over a Denim Skirt

Bringing skirts into fall can be tricky, but we are here to help you with that. Rock your favorite pencil, maxi, or denim skirt with a lightweight coat or a leather jacket for a carefree transitional vibe. Depending on how chilly it gets, just add some flats or boots to complete your outfit.

Take the Front-slit denim skirt from Tiger of Sweden; it might scream summer, but if you team it up with a sleeveless top and a Short trench coat on top, you'll be all set for September groove.

Jeans and a Knit Top

As easy as it sounds—denim is your first and foremost choice for autumn casual outfits. Make it even more fall-appropriate with a knit top: sleeveless when the weather is still hot, with short sleeves when it starts to cool down, and long-sleeved when the chill is taking over.

We teamed the Loose-fit straight jeans with the Pointelle knit top from House of Dagmar for a look that can work wonders when the weather is tricky. Grab a blazer if you suspect it might get colder.

Basic Shirt and a Leather Skirt

Not ready to put away your light button-ups for those heavy knits just yet? Totally get it. Instead of stashing them, team them up with a leather skirt and a short wool jacket—a perfect combo for easing into fall.

The Suede midi skirt from Tiger of Sweden and the Patch-pocket striped shirt from Beige Brown create a chill vibe in autumn colors, focusing on patterns and textures.

Corduroy Set and Summer Shorts

This pair of summer shorts is something I never want to take off—sounds familiar? Happens to all of us, no worries. You can keep it for now; just pair it with warmer staples like a thick blazer made of wool, tweed, or corduroy. Find the balance between your summer fave and autumnal inserts.

We'll take the Striped linen shorts from Beige Brown into fall by styling them with a corduroy set from House of Dagmar featuring the Corduroy single-breasted blazer and the Corduroy cap.

Mini Skirt and a Turtleneck

Rock your miniskirt in the fall by teaming it up with two must-have items—a turtleneck sweater and flat knee-high boots. This easy combo is your best pick to make the most of your miniskirt and keep you comfy for the season.

For our late summer outfit, we paired the Fringed mini skirt from Lisa Yang with the Turtleneck cashmere sweater from FTC Cashmere. We went for a matching color vibe, but don't be afraid to mix it up with bolder colors.

Trousers and a Knit

You don't have to swap your breezy trousers for denim just yet if you don't want to. Seriously, those easygoing silk, satin, and linen pants hanging in your closet can totally work for fall. Just team them up with a cozy knit and some slingback flats. If it's already feeling somewhat beyond transitional season, you might want to reach for wool trousers instead of linen.

And those Wide-leg suit trousers from Beige Brown? They make a great alternative to your favorite linen ones, especially paired with a sleek Cashmere knit top from Lisa Yang.

Jean Jacket Over a Summer Dress

It might sound repetitive, but just because the weather's getting cooler doesn't mean you can't wear your favorite summer dresses in fall. Actually, those cute sundresses can work great during the weather shift when you team them up with a denim jacket and ankle-high boots.

Warm-weather clothes deserve to be in your transitional wardrobe; you just need to layer them right to make the most of such pairings. The Ruffle cotton dress from House of Dagmar, for example, is perfect for fall when you throw the Oversized vintage denim jacket from Agolde on top of it.

Maxi Skirt and a Tee

We all have that go-to T-shirt we basically lived in over summer. But instead of tucking it away, let's mix it up with some fall favorites. Trust us, you'll love how your favorite tee pairs with maxi skirts or leather pants—it's an easy winning combo for early fall fashion style.

Let's go black-and-white here and pair the white Oversized cotton t-shirt from House of Dagmar with the black Maxi skirt from Beige Brown. Complete the look with ankle boots and minimalist accessories for an elegant transitional look.

Lightweight Knit Over a Maxi Dress

Early autumn dresses can be super light and breezy since it's still pretty hot outside during the day. Usually, you won't need anything extra to stay comfy. But once evening rolls around, it cools down a bit, and you might want to grab a light jacket or blazer. But what if you could just throw on a lightweight knit pullover over your dress instead? 

For instance, wear the Mockneck light-knit pullover from FTC Cashmere on top of the Side-slit maxi dress from Lisa Yang. Both pieces are knitted, both come in a warm color vibe. When your soul needs cozy, go for this ensemble.

Tips for Building the Fall Transition Outfits

Layering: Don't feel like you gotta just throw on a sweater every morning just because it's fall. Have some fun and mix things up! Some days are warm enough that you might not even need a top layer. Wrap a sweater around your waist or tie it around your shoulders instead. 

Colors: The colors you choose can totally set the mood of your outfit. Fall is all about those earthy tones—think deep greens, browns, and burnt oranges. You can also add in some burgundy or great neutral shades to really capture that autumn feel. Going for darker colors can be tough when it's still warm out—seriously, darker hues can feel pretty heavy in the heat. Our hint here: pick breathable fabrics for your darker staples.

Accessories: In some places, the early fall months can feel pretty much like summer, temperature-wise. If you're still sweating and dreading adding extra layers to your outfit, go for some autumn accessories instead. A neutral or earth-toned bag can transition your look, and you can start switching up your makeup to match those fall colors even before you pull out the sweaters. Plus, wearing cute fall hair scarves is a great way to get in the seasonal spirit while keeping your hair out of your face.

Denim Moment: Jeans are the go-to when we think about fall style. The best part is you can easily mix them with your summer favorites—like tank tops, tees, and cute summer blouses—and throw in some fall accessories for a smooth transition.

Shoes: At some point, it just feels like it's time to switch to closed-toe shoes. Mules, ballet flats, and loafers give you that easy vibe of sandals without showing off your toes. Sneakers and low- to mid-calf boots work well for fall, too.