Leaves become crisper, air becomes cooler and clothes become heavier.
As the colors change from green to red, your clothes shift from white to black. The weather cools from 80 degrees and sunny, to mid-50 degree weather, and we are stuck in the inevitable awkward transition time. Mornings get as low as highs of 40 degrees, and by 3 p.m. you might find yourself sweating in pants and a long-sleeved shirt. So how do you find the ideal transition outfit for this awkward in-between time?
Search for the perfect jacket. If channeling your inner-2000’s is more your style, go for a jean jacket and a blouse. For those who vibe with vintage, find an oversized jean jacket that looks straight out of the 80’s. Extra points for those trendy sew-on patches that look all too similar to a girl scout’s vest badges (but hey, gauchos were once in, so I guess nothing is off limits). If throwbacks aren’t your style, an army jacket might be more for you. Oversized army green jackets paired with layered necklaces can bring your classic black t-shirt and jeans to sophisticated yet feminine street-style. Finally, if you’re feeling particularly fierce, throw on a leather jacket. All black is never a bad idea, so don’t be afraid to pair it with black jeans and a loosely tucked white shirt. You could also pair it with ripped jeans to channel your inner rocker. Then, when the weather gets warmer towards mid-afternoon, throw your jacket in your bag and transform your outfit into summer-weather appropriate.
If jackets aren’t really your thing, pair a winter sweater with a summertime skirt. Don’t be confused, skirts and shorts are not interchangeable. While skirts can be worn in any season, shorts should be left in September, regardless of the 70-degree weather. Try a baggy white sweater loosely tucked with a black jean skirt. Not only does this leave some room to breathe for when the sun decides to shine, it also keeps you warm on your early morning walks across campus.
Finally, if you’ve been waiting to dust off your boots since August, but you’re not quite ready to give up your t-shirt dress, combine them for the perfect pair. Throw a sweater over a casual t-shirt dress and pair it with riding boots to dress up your typical “just rolled out of bed” 9 a.m. class look. Contrary to popular belief, throwing on a dress and boots takes only about 30 seconds longer than putting on leggings and a sweatshirt. Unless you are already five minutes late to your attendance-based language class, time is not an excuse for neglecting your fashion-forward clothes that have been pushed to the back of the closet. If you want to pretend that your walk across Manchester Plaza is actually a strut down 5th Avenue, throw on a simple black dress and bring out your knee-high boots. Don’t let the changing weather wipe out your inner Blake Lively.
The tricky weather changes might force some extra thought when picking out an outfit, but that does not mean you have to wear workout clothes to be comfortable. Follow these tips for an effortless transition from the steamy sun of summer, to the cool breezes of winter.
