STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Surviving Seasonal Limbo

Last week marked Labor Day and with it, the end of summer. Students across the country are trading in their beach bags for backpacks and resetting their alarms. It’s time to say goodbye to relaxation and rest, and embrace exams and the accompanying exhaustion. To make matters worse, the seasons are changing and with this transition comes the ever frustrating summer/fall wardrobe limbo.

September is a month of conflicting wardrobes. We face an unpredictable mix of temperatures ranging from brisk days that remind us that winter is coming, to scalding hot days taunting us with flashbacks of summer. This is what makes September such a difficult month to dress for. It’s not quite time to break out our cardigans and boots, but it’s too chilly to rock our go-to looks from the past months. So how does one merge these two different wardrobes into one perfect September style? By pairing pieces, fabrics and colors that are characteristic of both seasons into one magical collection of clothes.

Take this Fashionista for example: her look doesn’t make us flash back to the days we spent paddling about in pool toys, nor does it make us want to cuddle up under a blanket with a pumpkin spice latte. It’s the perfect balance. She achieves this equilibrium by wearing two pieces that traditionally fall into very different seasons based on their color and fabric compositions.

Her white, off-the-shoulder top was one of THE trends of summer due to its charming silhouette and light, breathable fabric. As for the skirt, corduroy is traditionally considered a staple fabric in fall wardrobes due to the additional warmth it provides the wearer. Put them together and we have the perfect outfit for a fall-esque day of school. To complete her look, this Fashionista selected a pair of sandals that perfectly match, a navy Longchamp bag and a multitude of Alex and Ani bracelets. Overall, the outfit is sophisticated, effortless and ideal for the transition into fall.

So when you’re trying to come up with a great standout look before the weather truly turns, remember that mixing is key. Play with colors, textiles and cuts that come from both your summer and fall wardrobes. Have fun exploring these combinations and discovering ways to make them work together. If you do this, you’ll have no problem looking fierce despite the seasonal limbo.

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