In this post, we’ll sort out the differences between a summer and fall wardrobe, which clothes to pack away for the season, and which clothes to keep for your fall wardrobe. We’ll also cover how to get through those transitional months when the weather is teetering daily between summer and fall. There’s even a FREE PDF CHECKLIST of which items to pack up at the end of the summer season.

How do I Transition My Wardrobe from Summer to Fall?

Transitioning your wardrobe from summer to fall involves layering, adding more neutral and earthy tones, and introducing heavier fabrics. Start by integrating fall items with your summer clothes, such as pairing a summer dress with a cardigan or denim jacket. Swapping sandals for ankle boots or wearing tights under skirts can also make a summer outfit more fall-appropriate.

Even if you live in a warm climate and don’t see much temperature change, there are wardrobe adjustments you can make as the seasons change.

When should I switch to fall wardrobe?

Traditionally, Labor Day marked the unofficial end of summer. The "no white after Labor Day" rule originated in the early 20th century, possibly as a way for the elite to differentiate themselves from the new money crowd. White was considered vacation attire appropriate for the relaxed summer months. Once back in the city, and post-Labor Day, darker clothes signified a return to work and the seriousness of city life.

Similarly, flip-flops, being quintessentially summer footwear, are often put away after this holiday, marking a transition to more closed, formal footwear.

However, in today's fashion world, rules are more fluid. Winter whites have become popular, and in warm climates, flip-flops might be year-round footwear. Yet, the Labor Day marker remains a cultural nod to the changing seasons, even if not strictly adhered to.

When should I switch to a fall wardrobe?

There isn't a strict date to transition from summer to fall wardrobe, especially in climates where the change is subtle. Here are some pointers:

Weather Indicators: Start to notice consistent changes in the weather. Cooler mornings, decreased humidity, and even subtle changes in the sunlight can hint at the approaching fall. Monitoring upcoming weather forecasts for cooler temperatures can give you a heads-up.
Natural Cues: The changing colors of the foliage, shorter days, and even the types of birds you might see migrating can serve as your cue to start swapping in your fall pieces.
Post Labor Day: If you're one to follow traditional fashion rules, the period right after Labor Day can be a starting point. While you might not want to pack away all your summer wear immediately, you can begin incorporating more fall-appropriate pieces into your outfits.

While tradition gives us some guidelines, modern fashion embraces personal style and comfort. Transition to your fall wardrobe when it feels right for you, taking cues from both the environment and your own fashion sensibilities.

How do you seasonally rotate clothes?

In essence, there’s a simple system for rotating seasonal wardrobes. This can be done twice yearly (winter/spring, summer/fall) or quarterly for each season. Whichever you choose depends on your climate and wardrobe needs - there’s no right or wrong decision. Here’s how to rotate your wardrobe in a nutshell. If you want a more in-depth how-to, keep reading this post.

Sort: Begin by sorting through your current wardrobe, separating items into summer, fall, and transitional piles.
Clean: Wash or dry-clean summer items before storing them. This prevents stains and odors from setting in.
Store: Place summer clothes in storage solutions, which can range from under-bed storage boxes to garment bags.
Retrieve: Pull out fall clothing from storage, ensuring they're in good condition and still fit your current style.
Organize: Rearrange your closet so the most frequently worn fall items are easily accessible.

How do I know which clothes should go in storage and which should stay in my fall wardrobe?

Keep versatile, layered items, such as T-shirts, tank tops, and lightweight dresses. Any distinctly summery garment, like tropical prints, lightweight linen pieces, or beach attire, should go into storage. Your fall wardrobe should be dominated by pieces in heavier fabrics, darker colors, and those that can be mixed and matched for cooler weather. Not sure what clothes and accessories in your wardrobe are “summer”? The next section will help you deep dive into your closet and remove all those summer pieces.

What Are considered summer clothes?

Summer clothes are typically designed to keep the wearer cool and comfortable during the warmer months. They are often made of lightweight, breathable fabrics and come in styles that provide more ventilation. Here's a list of what's generally considered summer clothing:

T-shirts and Tank Tops: Made of lightweight cotton or blends, these are staple items for summer.
Shorts: They come in various lengths and materials, like cotton, linen, or denim.
Short Skirts and Skorts: May be flowy and light, cotton, denim, or athletic material.
Sundresses: Flowy and light, they are perfect for staying cool.
Swimwear: Bikinis, one-pieces, swim trunks, sarongs, cover-ups and beach towels.
Linen Clothing: Linen is an especially breathable fabric, making it a favorite for summer trousers, shirts, and dresses.
Lightweight Skirts: Particularly mini and midi skirts.
Sleeveless Blouses: Often made of materials like silk, cotton, or synthetic blends.
Crop Tops: Shorter tops that expose part of the midriff.
Romper/Jumpsuit: One-piece outfits with short sleeves and shorts (rompers) or sleeveless and cropped leg lengths.
Sun Hats: Wide-brimmed hats made of straw or lightweight fabric.
Summer Scarves: Made of lightweight materials like cotton or silk, they can be draped around the neck or shoulders on cooler summer evenings.
White Jeans or Trousers: While jeans or trousers can be worn year-round, white or lighter-colored ones are particularly popular in the summer.
Bralettes and Bandeaus: Worn either as innerwear or outerwear, these lightweight options offer minimal coverage.
Sandals and Flip Flops: Open-toed footwear to let the feet breathe.
Espadrilles: Canvas shoes with a plaited fiber sole, ideal for summer.
Sunglasses: A functional and stylish accessory for sunny days.
Sheer or Lightweight Kimonos: Often used as cover-ups over swimwear or as a light layer over summer outfits.
Tank Dresses: Sleeveless dresses, often with a relaxed fit.
Maxi Dresses: Full-length dresses, usually made of lightweight materials.
Colors & Patterns: Bright neon colors, nautical stripes, and tropical prints.

Here’s a handy FREE PDF CHECKLIST of all the items listed above so you can print it out and use it while clearing the summer items out of your closet.

How should I store my summer clothes?

Storing your summer wardrobe correctly can help preserve the life of your garments and keep them fresh for the next season. Here's a guide to storing summer clothes:

Clean Before Storing: Make sure everything is clean before packing away any items. Dirt, oils, and stains can become permanent over time and attract pests.
Choose the Right Storage Solution:
- Plastic Bins: These are ideal for most clothing, as they protect against moisture and pests. Opt for clear storage bins to easily see the contents.
- Vacuum-Sealed Bags: Especially good for bulkier items to save space. However, compression-sealed bags can sometimes cause certain fabrics to lose their shape, so they might not be suitable for more delicate items.
- Cloth Storage Bags: Suitable for items that need to breathe, such as silk and wool.
Avoid Cardboard Boxes: Pests can easily infiltrate cardboard, and it doesn't protect against moisture.
Include Moth Repellents: Consider using sachets of lavender or cedar blocks. They deter pests and leave a pleasant smell.
Use Acid-Free Tissue Paper: For delicate or light-colored items, you might want to wrap them in acid-free tissue paper. This helps prevent creasing and avoids color transfer between garments.
Store in a Cool, Dark, Dry Place: Attics and basements can have significant temperature fluctuations, which may not be ideal. A closet in a main living area often offers the most stable environment.
Keep Shoes in Shape: If you're storing summer shoes, use shoe trees or tissue paper to help them maintain their shape. Make sure they're clean, especially the soles, before storing them away in shoeboxes or shoe bags.
Handbags and Accessories: Empty out all handbags to ensure no forgotten items are left inside. Stuff them with tissue paper to retain their shape and store them in dust bags or pillowcases.
Inventory and Label: Make a list of what's inside each storage container and attach it to the outside. This will make it easier to locate items without having to rummage through every bin or bag.
Check Periodically: Every so often, especially if you're storing for more than just a season, check your stored clothes to ensure there's no moisture build-up or pest activity.

By taking these steps, you ensure your summer wardrobe remains in top shape and is ready to wear once the warmer weather rolls around again.

What are transition techniques?

Transition techniques are strategies to shift from one seasonal wardrobe to another seamlessly. These techniques can be tricky because summer and fall fabrics and colors are so different from one another.

Some popular techniques include:

Layering: Wear a summer piece under a warmer fall item.
Color Palettes: Blending summer and fall colors.
Accessories: Swapping summer accessories for those more suited to fall, such as scarves or heavier jewelry.
Footwear: Transitioning from sandals to closed-toed shoes, flats, or boots.

Instead of stretching summer items into fall, why not try transitional garments? These clothes and accessories bridge the gap from summer to fall and may be worn for many months during this seasonal change's unexpected weather/temperatures.

Not sure what transitional style is? Let’s talk about it!

What is transitional fall style?

Transitional fall style refers to the blend of summer and fall fashion elements to create outfits that are suitable for the unpredictable weather of early to mid-fall. It's characterized by layers, versatile pieces, and a mix of bright summer and muted fall colors. It often involves pairing lighter summer pieces with elements of fall fashion, resulting in a balanced and seasonally appropriate look.

What is a transitional piece of clothing?

A transitional piece of clothing is an item that can be worn in multiple seasons, often due to its versatile style, fabric, or functionality. Examples include denim jackets, lightweight cardigans, midi dresses, and ankle boots. They can be layered, paired, or styled differently to suit each season's changing temperatures and vibes. In fact, I’ve put together an entire Transitional Capsule Wardrobe to help you move effortlessly through this time of year.

Transitioning from Summer to Fall in Warmer Climates

Everything we have discussed so far has been perfect for northern states and countries. However, what if you live in a warmer climate that doesn’t see as much seasonal change? Should you ignore this entire conversation or make slight changes based on your area?

Since I live in Southern California, transitioning from summer to fall is something that I want to talk about! To visitors, it may not seem like the weather changes that much here, but locals do notice a change and dress for it. Here are the seasonal changes to make if you live in a warmer climate.

Even in warm climates, the transition from summer to fall can be marked by subtle changes in fashion. While the temperature difference might not be as pronounced, the desire to embrace the changing seasons through clothing is still present. Here's how to transition summer to fall clothing in warm climates:

Color Palette:
- Summer: Bright and light colors like whites, pastels, and vibrant hues.
- Transition to Fall: Incorporate earthy tones such as burnt orange, olive green, deep yellows, and browns. These colors evoke a fall feel without adding warmth.
Fabrics:
- Summer: Lightweight fabrics like cotton, linen, and chiffon.
- Transition to Fall: Introduce slightly more structured fabrics, even if they're still lightweight. Think chambray, lightweight denim, or thin wool blends. Consider fabrics with textures like ribbing or slub that can add a touch of fall.
Patterns:
- Summer: Tropical prints, florals, and nautical stripes.
- Transition to Fall: Opt for muted florals, plaid, or paisley. These patterns can bring in a fall vibe without adding weight or warmth.
Layering:
- In warmer climates, layering might not mean heavy jackets or sweaters. Instead, think of lightweight kimonos, vest jackets, or open-weave cardigans. This gives a nod to the season without overheating.
Accessories:
- Summer: Beach hats, straw bags, and sandals.
- Transition to Fall: Swap to felt hats or fedoras, leather or suede bags, and closed-toe shoes or ankle boots. Accessories can play a massive role in transitioning the feel of an outfit.
Footwear:
- Transition from strappy sandals or espadrilles to mules, loafers, or ankle boots. Even in warmer climates, boots can be styled in a way that doesn't overheat by pairing them with dresses or skirts.
Sleeve Length:
- Even if the weather remains warm, you can start to opt for 3/4 sleeves or long-sleeved tops made of lightweight material. Rolling or pushing up the sleeves can provide versatility based on temperature.
Details and Accents:
- Introduce fall-centric details like suede patches, fringes, or wooden beads. These touches can subtly hint at fall.
Transitional Pieces:
- Maxi dresses in darker colors, jumpsuits, and long skirts can work well as they cover more but can be chosen in lightweight materials.
Evening Wear:

While days might be warm, evenings can sometimes cool down a tad. A light jacket, shawl, or cardigan is practical and in line with fall fashion.

Remember, the idea isn't to mimic the fall fashion of colder climates entirely but to capture the season's essence practically and comfortably for warmer temperatures. This way, you can feel the change of seasons without compromising comfort. Don’t forget to download the FREE Summer Storage Checklist!