Warm Days and Chilly Nights: Transitioning to Fall
I don’t like fall. It’s a harbinger of bad, terrible things to come…mainly the Canadian winter. Last winter almost broke me, with its glacial windchills, frostbite warnings and heating bills cutting into my Chanel Bag savings account.
At the risk of seeming like a complete negatron, I am the one in the corner, rolling her eyes as people around me marvel at the changing leaves (it’s actually a beautiful sight in maple tree-rich Ottawa), excitedly rush to the garden centre for chilly weather-loving mums, and I throw up a little in my mouth at the thought of PSLs. Wow. That does seems really negative. I apologize.
Ontario’s stunning Algonquin Park in the fall. Photo credit: www.writtenmyway.com.While I do not like chilly weather at all, I love myself some fall fashion! Ottawa begins to get chilly at night around mid-August. I delight in pulling out my light wool cardigans and summery scarves to throw around my shoulders for nighttime visits to patios.
Thankfully, it’s still warm enough at the moment to wear light long-sleeved shirts with shorts, miniskirts, cropped pants and sandals…super grateful for this!
Here are some of my tips for staying comfortable on those fall days which are notorious for being chilly in the am and pm, but still sweltering during the day:
1. Get dressed using layers. Add a lightweight sweater in either wool or cashmere over your t-shirts. Duster jackets are huge this season, and despite being sleeveless, they add a nice layer of warmth over summer dresses and crop tops.
Leandra Medine of Manrepeller layering her sleeveless trench over a camisole and leather shorts.2. Pull out those fall colours. While working in Toronto at the Toronto International Film Festival, I had a chance to do a little shopping during my downtime. I specifically scoured the stores looking for light dresses in fall colours, that I could still wear while it’s warm out. These are the little gems I picked up, courtesy of Aritzia (I think I singlehandedly keep them in business):
Aritzia Basing DressAritzia Ducharme Dress3. Now is the perfect time of year to wear those fun, brightly coloured silk, linen and cotton scarves. I just picked this one up at J.Crew:
4. Light, long-sleeved shirts are your best friend. I love long-sleeved henleys in particular and so happy that they are making a bit of a comeback this fall. Here is one that I’ve been wearing to death which I got from Aritzia also:
Golden by TNA “Hennechar” shirt in white. Long sleeves are warding off the evening chill. Photo credit: Bilal Hamdan Photography5. Put your denim and leather jackets to good use. I use my little cropped denim jacket regularly and it looks great with everything. One of my favourite looks is throwing my denim jacket over a flirty, floral dress, and pushing up the sleeves. Secondly, my black, leather moto jacket is an all-star player in my wardrobe.
Pippa looks cool with her denim jacket over her pretty white sundress, and this model is rocking my favourite uniform: leather moto jacket over a dress.6. Tuck away the t-shirts and pair a pretty blouse with your denim shorts and skirts. Your arms will be covered, but your outfit will still be light enough to be comfortable when the mercury creeps upwards during the day. Even better, pair your shorts and skirts with those versatile blouses that can be transformed into t-shirts as shown below:
Photo credit: Pinterest6. Don’t forget the shoes! Little suede and leather booties are still big for fall, and look great paired with summer dresses and cut-offs. Also, for work, I will wear black wool skinnies paired with a nice blouse under and blazer, but I’ll keep my summer sandals on for a lighter look.
Love it! Photo credit: www.HallieDaily.com7. Don’t forget the nails too! I wear dark nail colours all year round because I’m obsessed, but now is a great time of year to rock them 24/7. Here are my pics (and recent acquisitions) for fall:
Chanel Coup de Coeur and Vert Obscur. Totally obsessed with Vert Obscur right now. Second pic courtesy of Pinterest.That wraps up my favourite tips for transitioning your wardrobe from summer to fall. Got any tips to add? Please feel free to share in the comments!
xo,
*Header image courtesy of www.cutestpaw.com.
Dominique Baker
Dominique is a Canadian-based fashion and beauty influencer with a strong voice in Ottawa’s black community. Since launching her blog Style Domination in 2015, she has amassed a global fanbase. Dominique shares her life through beautiful imagery and compelling story-telling that speaks to her fans on a personal level. She’s been featured in The Guardian, Flare, The Kit and Cityline. She also hosts events for Dress for Success, the Gem Conference, and has been named a United Way Person 2 Know for the past three years.
Love! I won’t be able to “transition” to fall until December here in vegas and then it’s miserably hot again in March! I’m definitely rocking a dark lip for as long as I can, even if it’s October and 105 degrees here ha!
My dear – that sounds like heaven. I’d trade places with you any day – lol!
Patti
September 27, 2015 / 3:01 pm
I’m loving the large wool wraps that are everywhere this year. Plaid. I’m eyeing a beautiful grey/black wool/cashmere wrap from Eileen Fischer … . Lots of people are rolling down their cropped raggie jeans for that cropped at the ankle Jean look. Great with ankle boots.
Definitely! I’m noticing that too. Isn’t Eileen Fisher great? I noticed this past spring that Eileen Fisher did a bunch of wonderful, blanket-like linen scarves!
Awesome tips, thanks for sharing! And agreed. Love fall fashion, & weather here in OT is perfect fr it! Happy to see your sandals are still out too! I’m never sure when exactly you’re supposed to lose them, but I’m definitely not done w my gladiators just yet, so I figure as long as the weather is warm, I can still work ’em and mix in a few fall pieces. Also, it’s great to have a few key transitional pieces I find..for me, a pair of high-waisted dark denim shorts w cute front pockets (Zara) really saved me for those in-between weather days.
Hey Liz! Thanks for reading! Those Zara shorts sound amazing! As for losing the sandals, I hang on for as long as I can stand it. Since my feet are always cold, I tend to pull out the socks and booties right about now. Sigh. Summer just isn’t long enough, is it?
So true :'( Thats why its the most dangerous season fr me! Its crazy but every year as summer is ending, I always find myself frantically trying to wear everything I bought for the season, just so I can feel justified w all my summer wardrobe splurges ? And I hear ya on the cold feet, I literally had 3 numb toes while out the other nite, but was like nope! I can still manage this situation, the sandals STAY. lol
I know, I know!!! BUT….I socked away some extra cash to the CBSA (Chanel Bag Savings Account). I felt somewhat “ok” with my expensive nail polish purchases. LOL! Keep checking me when I need it – I appreciate it! Hahaha!
I love all this … And I tend to feel *exactly* like you do about fall.
This month, I’m going to try a new look with my (usually traditional and conservative) work attire and add stiletto ankle boots with wrap-around straps to my usual silk-blouse-pencil-skirt combo. I think I can get away with it. Wish me luck!! 😉
Great post! Love all the tips which will definitely come in handy once I move up to Toronto. Love the duster jackets, need to add them to my wardrobe! xx
Dusters are so in right now. Pack warm – it gets chilly up here! Toronto isn’t nearly as bad as Ottawa, but January and February are murder. Soooo cold!
Love! I won’t be able to “transition” to fall until December here in vegas and then it’s miserably hot again in March! I’m definitely rocking a dark lip for as long as I can, even if it’s October and 105 degrees here ha!
Author
My dear – that sounds like heaven. I’d trade places with you any day – lol!
I’m loving the large wool wraps that are everywhere this year. Plaid. I’m eyeing a beautiful grey/black wool/cashmere wrap from Eileen Fischer … . Lots of people are rolling down their cropped raggie jeans for that cropped at the ankle Jean look. Great with ankle boots.
Author
Definitely! I’m noticing that too. Isn’t Eileen Fisher great? I noticed this past spring that Eileen Fisher did a bunch of wonderful, blanket-like linen scarves!
Great post either ! I don’t like the weather getting colder either… great tips 🙂
Author
Thanks for reading!!! Means a lot. Glad you liked the tips
Awesome tips, thanks for sharing! And agreed. Love fall fashion, & weather here in OT is perfect fr it! Happy to see your sandals are still out too! I’m never sure when exactly you’re supposed to lose them, but I’m definitely not done w my gladiators just yet, so I figure as long as the weather is warm, I can still work ’em and mix in a few fall pieces. Also, it’s great to have a few key transitional pieces I find..for me, a pair of high-waisted dark denim shorts w cute front pockets (Zara) really saved me for those in-between weather days.
Author
Hey Liz! Thanks for reading! Those Zara shorts sound amazing! As for losing the sandals, I hang on for as long as I can stand it. Since my feet are always cold, I tend to pull out the socks and booties right about now. Sigh. Summer just isn’t long enough, is it?
So true :'( Thats why its the most dangerous season fr me! Its crazy but every year as summer is ending, I always find myself frantically trying to wear everything I bought for the season, just so I can feel justified w all my summer wardrobe splurges ? And I hear ya on the cold feet, I literally had 3 numb toes while out the other nite, but was like nope! I can still manage this situation, the sandals STAY. lol
Author
Hahaha! Good for you! As long as you’re comfortable, go for it (or slightly chilly) – haha!
The Chanel bag savings account…. ?
Author
I know, I know!!! BUT….I socked away some extra cash to the CBSA (Chanel Bag Savings Account). I felt somewhat “ok” with my expensive nail polish purchases. LOL! Keep checking me when I need it – I appreciate it! Hahaha!
Lol! Well as long as the CBSA is getting some love! ?
Author
Totally is. I dump every last quarter, dime and nickle into it. Found a $10 bill in an old purse, into the CBSA it goes! ;o)
Hahaha I like your style! ?
I love all this … And I tend to feel *exactly* like you do about fall.
This month, I’m going to try a new look with my (usually traditional and conservative) work attire and add stiletto ankle boots with wrap-around straps to my usual silk-blouse-pencil-skirt combo. I think I can get away with it. Wish me luck!! 😉
And P.S. Can we talk about the puppy?! 🙂
Great post! Love all the tips which will definitely come in handy once I move up to Toronto. Love the duster jackets, need to add them to my wardrobe! xx
Author
Dusters are so in right now. Pack warm – it gets chilly up here! Toronto isn’t nearly as bad as Ottawa, but January and February are murder. Soooo cold!