Between Summer and Fall: 4 Looks Only Possible Now

These days, signs of autumn can be found everywhere. The air is getting lighter, and the days are growing shorter. I don't know how many times I've mentally simulated how to style the clothes I bought to wear in the fall.

My mind is full of the excitement that 'fall is coming soon,' but pulling out fall clothes and wearing them right now is a no-go. It's still hot enough at midday to need short sleeves and shorts. At the same time, just stepping out in a thin spaghetti-strap top feels risky because the night breeze can be unexpectedly chilly. It's neither midsummer nor clearly the start of fall, so this ambiguous period forces us into 'ambiguous' outfits.

But maybe this transitional period between seasons is the most fun time of year to dress. You don't have to follow summer-or-fall styling rules — you can freely mix pieces from both seasons. Pair a short-sleeve T-shirt with boots, or throw a fall jacket over a dress you've been wearing all summer. Scroll down to check four transitional-season styling tips that are especially appealing because they're only valid during this in-between time.

Camouflage Pattern

Camouflage, whose colors are dull and which automatically evokes 'military clothes' like field jackets, is a pattern that can give a somewhat heavy impression. That means it suits chilly weather when you need to button up rather than sweltering days. Alexa Chung recently proved that you don't need to wait until fall to wear items in this trending pattern. She added lightness to the look with ballet flats that show a bit of the instep and a tank top that looks cool at a glance. This is a useful tip not only for camouflage pants but also when you want to start wearing thicker 'autumn pants' one step early.

Show Off Your Belt

Before summer completely leaves, it's a good idea to go all out with styling that's impossible in fall. When you repeat coats and jackets for months, you inevitably start to miss the looks you can only do on hot days. What I most recommend is styling that puts the belt front and center. In fall and winter, when you have to wear outerwear, attention naturally drifts away from belts. If you have a belt you want to show off, now is your last chance.

Loafers Instead of Flip-Flops

The easiest way to enjoy fall a step earlier than others? Change your shoes. Like Kendall Jenner, ditch the flip-flops you've worn all summer and choose loafers. You don't have to worry about the seasonality, and because loafers are such a versatile item, you can create a variety of looks.

Funnel-neck Jacket

The funnel-neck jacket, which is ready to take over the streets again this fall, might seem unsuitable for weather like now because the neck-hugging design, but if you style it well, it's perfectly wearable now. Don't overthink it — just keep your pants and shoes typical summer items and you're done. Anything that shows skin, like a mini skirt or shorts, works.

Published: September 1, 2026

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