How To Build A Transitional Wardrobe

Dressing in between the seasons is something of an art form. It can be hard enough putting together an outfit that’s commute-friendly, office-appropriate and reflects my personal style – but throw in fickle weather and it’s made that much harder. I’m often faced with a chilly morning but by lunchtime, it's surprisingly warm. I would be the first to admit that my preferred season is spring/summer, so as the days grow cooler and the leaves begin to turn, I really have to be intentional with my choices. 

Now is the time to rethink your wardrobe essentials. It’s also the perfect time for a wardrobe cleanse. For a truly successful transitional wardrobe, I need to find ways to blend my summer favourites with my autumnal staples. I do this by seeing which pieces in my wardrobe can be updated with a few simple additions or styling tweaks. For example, the jorts I wore all summer with a simple vest can now be paired with a bright long-sleeved top or knit. Footwear can go from a mule to a knee-high boot, and I can repurpose my slip dresses by adding a chunky knit – the contrast of the two fabrics will create the perfect balance. 

Mastering transitional workwear comes down to a few key strategies: layering, versatility and smart fabric choices. Layering allows me to add or remove pieces as the temperature fluctuates – for example, a lightweight trench over a t-shirt is a foolproof look at this time of year. The trench adds structure and polish while the t-shirt ensures I’m still comfortable as the day warms up. By versatility, I mean relying on pieces that are easy to style in different ways – not only can I maximise cost per wear (something we should all be doing year-round) but it means I have options to match the many different weather scenarios. Finally, smart fabrics tend to translate into quality (always my preference over quantity). It means pieces can become building blocks for an adaptable wardrobe where most things play well together. In short, transitional dressing is about having a reliable capsule you can go to day after day.