Recycling Summer Fashion

Written by Guest Blogger: Suzanne Townsend

Cultivating an appropriate seasonal wardrobe is a labor of love for me. It usually begins a month or two before the season in question, and through visits to clearance racks, consignment stores, and the occasional high-end department store, I am able to assemble a storehouse of items that will get me through fall, winter, spring, or summer. Ultimately throughout the season, I pick up additional items and, due to their late inclusion into my wardrobe, they are unfairly cast aside before I’m ready to move on. I’d like to think that they aren’t ready to move on either. Here are my tips for helping you and your summer wardrobe go the distance well into fall.

Show me what you’re made of – Part of determining whether or not your summer clothes will translate well into fall fashion pieces is thinking about their weight and the fabric they are made of. Heavier cottons and linens can easily be paired with wool trousers to create a cohesive cool weather look, while lightweight chiffon might need to hide out in your closet until spring.

I think I met you last season – The thing about colors is that there are only so many in the color spectrum and the thing about fashion is that trends are always changing. This means that colors once strictly forbidden from being worn at Thanksgiving dinner can now be displayed proudly during even the most awkward of family dinners. Be a fashion trend prowler, reading up on what fashion forecasters are predicting for the coming seasons so that when you’re shopping for winter you already have spring in mind. With this fall’s trend of color blocking bold saturated hues of blues, reds, and yellows you probably have more fall appropriate clothing in your summer wardrobe than you might think.

Summer footwear – No matter how much your heart sings a love song to summer, if you wear your gladiator sandals in winter your toes will be singing a sad ballad of frostbite. However, mixing fall footwear with summer clothing is one of the best ways to bring your fashion into the next season. Rather than pairing your cream tunic dress with a pair of red flats, wear it with a pair of textured tights and brown knee high boots. Then stomp all over the fashion law that says it is not permissible to wear white after Labor Day. 

Get under it and then get over it – Keep layering in mind when you’re looking to breathe new life into summer items. If you have a bold patterned sun dress you love, put a lace trimmed camisole and buttoned up cardigan over the top. By pairing this ensemble with a pair of grey sweater tights and ankle boots, you’ve successfully turned a summer dress into a fall work-appropriate skirt. Or, get under your summer fashions by wearing a pair of leggings under this summer’s trend of high-waisted denim shorts.

Last week I wore an empire waist dark orange dress over a white v-neck ¾ sleeve shirt, dark skinny jeans and a pair of black flats. My co-workers marveled and did a double take, asking me to explain to them how I took a summer dress and made it fall appropriate. Even if you don’t feel the need to recycle your summer fashions, let your friends, family and co-workers know it’s okay to do so. You might have thought this was a matter of fashion, but by keeping these tips in mind, you could save the world – one summer dress at a time.

Suzanne is a blogging Seattlile with an affinity for fashion and a healthy obsession with bootcut jeans. She loves helping others find their personal style and believes that every day is an opportunity to shine.