The big Saturday trip to all your favorite fall outfits, bags of sweaters and new jeans and maybe a funky T-shirt or two, a stop by the Food Court with your mom for a slice of pizza. Those were the days, eh? (Who's with me?)
Well, I don't know about the rest of you, but those days (and Dad's deep pockets) are gone for me, and a brand-new fall wardrobe every year isn't an option anymore. Luckily, there are some easy ways to carry some of your summer favorites into fall, and some tricks for making old pieces seem new again. Read on!
Dressing Up
We all know how nice it is to throw on a fluttery dress and some ballet flats and head out for a walk or a bike ride on a warm summer's day. But, no need to pack that dress away until the snow melts. Take your favorite summer dress and throw it on over a pair of jeans. Just make sure your jeans are nice and tight and your dress is knee-length or shorter. Also avoid wearing dresses that are too formal either in style or fabric. Jersey knit and cotton dresses work the best.
Throw on a turtleneck or other long-sleeved shirt under the dress, or a long cardigan over it, (or both!) and complete the look with a wide belt, a must-add for fall that will make your summer staple look and feel brand new.
Longer dresses can also follow you into fall. Pair them with a kitten heel slingback, ballerina flat or even stylish, heeled boots.
A Leg Up
No need to kiss your mini-skirts (especially denims) good-bye. Instead, put them on with a pair of dark-colored leggings or tights, your favorite sweater and a colorful coat to carry you through the dreary winter. Finish off the look with a flat boot, ballet slipper or pointy-toed flat.
Or put on your favorite walking shorts or cotton capris over a pair of textured tights.
With a collared shirt and well-fitted jacket on top, you have the perfect fall outfits 2011 for work or play.
And, if the right pair of leggings is hard to come by, cut off the feet of an old pair of tights and wear them as leggings. Cut them off so they hit approximately an inch below the knee. It's a perfect way to save some cash while cashing in on items you already have.
Layering it On
Layering your shirts is one of the best tricks you have up your sleeve. It helps you get more mileage out of the pieces in your wardrobe and helps mix up fall 2011 outfits.
Put that summer tube top over a slim turtleneck, or throw on your favorite graphic tee over a button-up. Your sheer summer shirt will look great under a sweater vest and that tank top you can't live without is the perfect thing to complement a winter cardigan.
Layering your light-weight summer sweaters with a tank top or camisole helps you bring two summer trends with you into the next season. Pull it on over a pair of jeans or wool pants and finish it off with a pair of boots for a fresh, fall looks 2011.
