The transition from summer to fall can be overwhelming and, if you ask me, dishearteningly abrupt. It seems as if casual beach-goers, the ones who were wearing bikini tops and cut-offs just last Saturday, trade in their sandals for loafers and swimsuits for sleeves almost overnight in the sudden transition from August to September.
I struggle with interim periods in general and the summer-to-fall fashion scene is no exception. When shopping this time of year I find myself tempted to purchase everything off of the summer clearance racks—the reduced price American Apparel high-waisted swimsuit that I fell in love with in June, a Madewell off-the-shoulder white poplin top that was too expensive for me to afford at full price—until I remember that I should be searching for more adaptable pieces to carry me through the cooler fall and winter months. However, even though it’s technically mid September, it’s still hot out and quite impractical to start wearing your favorite dark stockings or wool blend peacoat. Therefore, I suggest indulging in some versatile accessories and a few tops that can work in the current heat but can also be layered once the temperatures drop. My advice? A vintage graphic T-shirt has never gone unworn in my closet and neither has a black cross-body bag and a good pair of sunglasses.
When walking down the streets of Rome last week, the city where I am studying abroad this semester, I couldn’t help but admire this Fashionista’s edgy yet feminine vintage-inspired outfit. She maintains an air of “cool” (more literally) as she dresses in a breezy T-shirt, high-waisted shorts and sandals while displaying an effortlessness in wearing season-fluid items. While the denim cut off shorts are clearly meant for warmer weather, the black T-shirt and matching accessories serve as perfect transitional pieces and their versatility is part of what makes this outfit so classically fashionable. Peruse the Internet or hit up your favorite thrift store this week for a vintage T-shirt that will serve as a new “staple” in your seasonal wardrobe.
