This article was co-authored by Paul Julch, MA and by wikiHow staff writer, Jennifer Mueller, JD. Paul Julch is a Personal Wardrobe Stylist, Speaker, and the founder of Urbanite | Suburbanite, a wardrobe styling business in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over 25 years in the fashion industry, Paul works with clients to make getting dressed easier, less time consuming, and more enjoyable. Paul has years of experience in retail visual merchandising - styling windows, displays, and floor sets for Banana Republic, Gap, and Express. He also has experience styling fashion photo shoots and corporate videos. Paul holds a BS Degree in Management from State University of New York at Binghamton, an MA in Clinical Psychology from Long Island University. He also studied Interior Design at the University of California, Berkeley.
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Spring and fall mean it's time for transitional dressing—a great way for you to get the most out of your wardrobe. Those 60-degree days can feel great after a hot summer or a cold winter, but they also call for a little mixing and layering. Read on to pick up all kinds of fun and fashionable ideas that will take you through the transitional seasons in style and comfort.
Steps
Layered tops + casual pants
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Thin layers provide warmth without adding bulk.[1] X Expert Source Kathi Burns, CPO®
Board Certified Professional Organizer Expert Interview. 31 December 2019. 60 degrees isn't really cold, but it's not exactly warm either. Dress in several thin layers, starting with a tank, that you can gradually remove without taking away too much warmth or coverage.- Basic: a tank top, a tee, and a light sweater with jeans and flats or sneakers
- Casual: a tank top, a tee, and a hoodie with leggings or joggers and sneakers
- Dressy: a tank top, a tee, and a light sweater with tailored trousers and heels or boots
Button-down + jeans
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This look is comfortable in mild weather and never goes out of style. If you had to find the perfect transitional look, this would be it. You can dress it up or down easily. If you're cold, you can easily add a sweater or jacket over top without really changing the overall look.[2] X Research source
- Basic: jeans and a button-down with loafers or ballet flats
- Casual: jeans and a button-down, more relaxed fit, with sneakers
- Dressy: tailored button-down with French cuffs tucked into jeans with heels and statement jewelry
Shacket + shorts
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The shacket (shirt-jacket) gives you more options in mild weather. While the shacket is a trendier piece, it's versatile enough to look like it's here to stay, so you'll be able to keep it for more than one season. And it gives you an extra layer of warmth so you can go ahead and break out those shorts, even in early spring.[3] X Research source
- Basic: plaid shacket over a tee with jeans shorts and loafers, boat shoes, or ballet flats
- Casual: solid shacket over a tee with athletic shorts and sneakers
- Dressy: solid shacket over a shell with tailored shorts and heels
Miniskirt + tall boots
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Get some extra mileage out of your favorite short skirt or dress. A miniskirt and boots are practically a staple of transition dressing, especially in the fall. If it's a little chilly, add some tights—you can always shuck them later if it gets warmer.[4] X Research source
- Basic: denim mini skirt and sweater with riding boots or cowboy boots
- Casual: denim mini skirt and hoodie with rain boots
- Dressy: bodycon mini dress with black tights and black stiletto boots
Peasant skirt + boots
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Tall boots keep your legs warm with style. When paired with a flowy peasant skirt, you're not actually showing any skin at all, so you don't have to worry about any tights underneath. The light weight of your skirt won't matter because your boots will keep your legs warm.[5] X Research source
- Basic: peasant skirt and tee with riding boots
- Casual: peasant skirt and tee with rain boots
- Dressy: peasant skirt and silk shell with black stiletto boots and statement jewelry
Mock turtleneck + pants or skirt
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Mock turtlenecks can keep you just warm enough. These shirts were practically made for 60-degree weather! A regular turtleneck might make you break a sweat, but a mock turtleneck covers just the right amount of skin to keep you cozy.[6] X Research source
- Basic: lightweight mock turtleneck sweater with jeans and flats or sneakers
- Casual: mock turtleneck shirt or sweater with leggings and sneakers
- Dressy: mock turtleneck sweater with a silk or satin skirt and heels
Shawl + sweater dress
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The shawl provides a stylish emergency layer in case it gets chilly. Sweater dresses provide all-over warmth in a simple, one-and-done outfit that'll have you out the door with style in a snap. On a 60-degree day, a shawl or blanket scarf just keeps you a little cozier and can add some texture and contrast to your dress.[7] X Research source
- Basic: Sweater dress and shawl with riding boots or flats
- Casual: Sweater dress and shawl with sneakers
- Dressy: Sweater dress and shawl with heels and statement jewelry
Cardigan + sundress
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Use the sweater to ward off the chill you'd get in a light dress. If you're not ready to let go of summer yet, keep your favorite sundress out a little longer by pairing it with a chunky oversized sweater or a fitted cardigan. You'll stay warm and really capture the spirit of the transitional season.[8] X Expert Source Paul Julch, MA
Personal Wardrobe Stylist & Speaker Expert Interview. 16 November 2021.- Basic: sundress and chunky sweater with ballet flats
- Casual: sundress and chunky sweater with sneakers
- Dressy: sundress and fitted cardigan with heels, a thin belt, and a chunky bracelet or necklace
Blazer + jeans
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A well-fitted blazer changes the tone of any outfit.[9] X Expert Source Paul Julch, MA
Personal Wardrobe Stylist & Speaker Expert Interview. 16 November 2021. With jeans and a tee, the blazer makes you look a little more serious and classy. Throw it on over a fancy dress, and you instantly turn it a little more casual. There's really nothing a good blazer can't do—and its light weight makes it perfect for those 60-degree transitional days.- Basic: navy blazer over jeans and a tee with ballet flats
- Casual: bright blazer over jeans and a tee with sneakers
- Dressy: black blazer over black skinny jeans and a silk shell with statement jewelry and heels
Bonus look: trench coat + any outfit
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Trenches are especially helpful if rain is in the forecast. A well-fitted trench coat can instantly elevate any outfit you wear—it even makes a basic tee and jeans look more polished and intentional.[10] X Research source It also doesn't add a lot of weight, like a puffy winter coat, so you won't be sweating in the sun on a mild day.
- Basic: a trench over a tee and jeans or trousers with sneakers or loafers
- Casual: a trench over a button-down and jeans or leggings with sneakers
- Dressy: a trench over a classic little black dress with pearls, pantyhose, and heels
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References
- ↑ Kathi Burns, CPO®. Board Certified Professional Organizer. Expert Interview. 31 December 2019.
- ↑ https://www.glamour.com/story/cute-fall-outfits
- ↑ https://www.vogue.co.uk/gallery/how-to-do-transitional-dressing
- ↑ https://www.glamour.com/story/cute-fall-outfits
- ↑ https://blog.petitedressing.com/60-degree-weather-outfit/
- ↑ https://gabriellearruda.com/how-to-style-a-turtleneck-outfit-ideas/
- ↑ https://www.vogue.co.uk/gallery/how-to-do-transitional-dressing
- ↑ Paul Julch, MA. Personal Wardrobe Stylist & Speaker. Expert Interview. 16 November 2021.
- ↑ Paul Julch, MA. Personal Wardrobe Stylist & Speaker. Expert Interview. 16 November 2021.