I know some of you jump straight into fall weather, but I’m used to “summer to fall transition” season for a while. 😄 In case you’re in the latter camp, I’m sharing a mini summer to fall capsule wardrobe to help you through the transition!
This mini capsule wardrobe takes 6 pieces and turns them into 6 outfits for casual style, elevated casual style, and work. You can use colors and prints that look just like the ones shown, or you can choose your own by simply following the text descriptions to personalize it all.
Let’s talk through the pieces!
Shop the Items:
tank top | utility jacket | solid-colored top
boyfriend jeans | dress | statement pants
1. Casual Solid-Colored Tank Top or Tee
Either a colorful one or a neutral one works! I wanted to change up the outfits a bit so I went with orange as opposed to a neutral color.
This tank is super affordable at just $6.99. It comes in 22 colors, which you can see HERE. I wear size S.
In the middle of summer, you can pair a tank top with shorts, but during the transition to fall, you can wear it with boyfriend jeans and lightweight pants, which I’ll show you in a minute!
There are plenty of other tanks out there, and you can check them out in the widget below.
2. Solid-Colored Top
I added another solid-colored top, but instead of a basic top, I went with one that is casual but a tiny step up with special details. It has puff shoulders and a little texture to differentiate it from a basic t-shirt. It is fitted rather than loose with a good drape, so it tucks into high-waisted pants nicely. It is insanely affordable at just $8.69. Check it out HERE. I wear size S.
If you’re looking for other options that feel a bit nicer, try THIS one or THIS one.
3. Jeans or Shorts
I included boyfriend jeans, which I gravitate towards during the summer and warmer months. You could also go for denim shorts, and the outfits will work just the same.
This particular pair of boyfriend jeans is fairly thick in a way that helps you feel secure but is also surprisingly stretchy! And, this pair is super affordable at just $34.99 (and only $26.24 until 8/19)! They run really large. I’m wearing the color Medium Halo in size 4, and even then they’re a tad loose. Find them HERE.
For another great pair of girlfriend jeans, I also reallllly love Wit & Wisdom’s girlfriend jeans, HERE. They are suuuuuper soft, stretchy, and comfy, and they have the game-changing stretchy waistband with the elastic strip sewn in the back. Plus, I love the mild distressing. I wear these in size 6, and they are loose with a relaxed fit. Find them HERE.
4. Lightweight Statement Pants (or Basic Pants!)
Since this capsule is for the transition from summer to fall, I added a pair of lightweight statement pants—emphasis on lightweight. While you don’t have to go with printed pants, I did to add some variety and visual interest to the outfits.
This pair is really soft, lightweight, and comfy to wear. Plus, they have an elastic waistband! That said, they are very inexpensive, so if you are looking for a high-quality, luxurious-feeling pair of pants, this is not it. They are, however, a nice comfy pair of pants for the price! Find them HERE. I wear size S.
5. Dress
Dresses are great options for the transition from summer to fall! You can wear a dress by itself with sandals in warmer weather, or you can add layers as the weather cools, which I’ll show below. This dress is soft, stretchy, and comfy! I like to call these types of dresses “pajama dresses” because they’re so comfortable that you feel like you’re wearing pajamas. 😆 This one is very affordable, at just $14.99 with the current sale (until 8/19), and it feels great! Check it out HERE.
6. Utility Jacket
A utility jacket is my go-to choice for the fall, and it’s great when you need another layer over summery options. This jacket has good structure that provides shape for you, and it has drawstrings that allow you to cinch in the waist to create a perfect fit. Find the jacket HERE. I wear size S.
If you’re looking for additional options for each of these pieces, there are several more in the widget below. Scroll through and click on an item to shop:
Those are the pieces in this mini summer to fall capsule wardrobe. Now, onto the outfits!
SIZING: I’m 5’6″ and usually S/M or 6 in clothes and 8.5 to 9 in shoes.
Outfit #1: Solid-Colored Top + Jeans
Easy combo, right? If you try this combo and it still doesn’t look right, remember, good style starts with having the RIGHT pieces. When you have the RIGHT pieces, you can wear simple combos and still look stylish and put together. (This is something we go into depth in Simply Put Together. You can learn more about what I mean by the RIGHT pieces in my free style class 6 Common Style Mistakes + 3 Keys to Fix Them.)
Since this outfit uses a nicer casual top, you can wear tons of different kinds of shoes, like sandals, booties, and flats to dress it up. Or, you can dress it down with slip-on sneakers like I did here.
Shop the Outfit:
Top: JCPenney (exact—wearing size S)
Jeans: JCPenney (exact—wearing size 4 in Medium Halo)
Shoes: (similar)
Bag: (similar)
Earrings: c/o Nickel & Suede (exact—wearing size M)
Outfit #2: Casual Solid-Colored Tank + Jeans or Shorts + Utility Jacket
Pair the casual solid-colored tank with jeans and sandals, and layer on a utility jacket if you need it. Remember, you can also do this combo with shorts and ditch the jacket if it’s still warm where you live.
These footbed sandals are very, very affordable at just $11.24 right now(!!!) and pretty comfortable. They have 130+ reviews with 4.7 stars! As for styles, I like the heavier vibe these provide, especially for fall. Often, fall shoes feel a little more substantial or “heavier” (even if they are actually lightweight to wear), which goes along with heavier textures we tend to wear in the fall. Thicker sandals like these kind of provide that feeling of heavier fall shoes while still allowing your feet to breathe—great for that in-between period of summer to fall when it’s still pretty warm but you’re heading into the fall. Catch them while they’re on sale for just $11.24, HERE! I’m wearing size 9 but wish I had gotten size 8.5. (Unfortunately, my size is now out of stock, but size 9 is good enough. Just looks a little long, but functionally it’s fine.)
Shop the Outfit:
Top: JCPenney (exact—wearing size S)
Jacket: JCPenney (exact—wearing size S)
Jeans: JCPenney (exact—wearing size 4 in Medium Halo)
Sandals: JCPenney (exact—wearing size 9)
Bag: Nordstrom (exact)
Earrings: c/o Nickel & Suede (exact—wearing size M)
Necklace: (similar, similar)
Outfit #3: Casual Solid-Colored Tank + Statement Pants
This is great when it’s warm, but you don’t want to wear shorts! Lightweight pants offer airflow. If you’re going for fall vibes and it’s still warm, a tank top in a fall color helps!
Shop the Outfit:
Top: JCPenney (exact—wearing size S)
Pants: JCPenney (exact—wearing size S)
Sandals: Target (similar, similar)
Tote: Nordstrom (exact)
Earrings: c/o Nickel & Suede (exact—wearing size M)
Necklace: (similar, similar)
Outfit #4: Solid-Colored Top + Statement Pants
Dress up a little by pairing your nicer solid-colored top with statement pants. Add heels and you’ll be ready for work! If your pants are lightweight like these are, you’ll stay cooler than you would be in typical work slacks. 👏🏽
Shop the Outfit:
Top: JCPenney (exact—wearing size )
Pants: JCPenney (exact—wearing size S)
Shoes: (similar, similar)
Bag: (similar)
Earrings: c/o Nickel & Suede (exact—wearing size M)
Necklace: c/o Dear Mushka (exact)
Outfit #5: Dress + Sandals
Pair a dress with sandals in the warmer months. Make sure to add an accessory or two to pull it all together!
Shop the Outfit:
Dress: JCPenney (exact—wearing size S)
Sandals: (similar, similar)
Tote: Nordstrom (exact)
Earrings: c/o Nickel & Suede (exact—wearing size M)
Necklace: c/o Dear Mushka (exact)
Outfit #6: Dress + Utility Jacket + Booties
As the weather cools, throw a utility jacket over your dress for an extra layer. Then, swap the sandals for a heavier shoe, like booties. Slip-on sneakers like the ones in Outfit #1 would work as well.
Shop the Outfit:
Dress: JCPenney (exact—wearing size S)
Jacket: JCPenney (exact—wearing size S)
Boots: (similar, similar)
Bag: (similar)
Earrings: c/o Nickel & Suede (exact—wearing size M)
Necklace: (similar, similar)
Free Back-to-School Outfit Guide!
Did you download the free Back-to-School Outfit Guide yet? It has 15 outfit ideas to help you out during the busyness of school! Complete with:
- 5 outfits for relaxed casual / athleisure style
- 5 outfits for elevated casual
- 5 outfits for work
(Truth be told, this is a guide for anyone, whether you’re a mom or not. Just had to add “for moms” so that you didn’t mistake it for a BtS guide for kids! 😁)
Enter your info below to grab your free copy!
