It’s that indecisive, stuck in the middle, uncertain time—like when you’re choosing whether to break it off with a fling, move to a new apartment or quit Facebook. In other words, it’s transition season. The new fall wares you fell for when you saw them on the runway are hitting stores and e-commerce sites, while the spring and summer goods that once looked so inviting hang onto the sales rack like that fling who got a little too clingy. And while those fall goods—those Dior over-the-knee boots and Gucci pleated leather midi skirts and Céline fur collar trenches—are still as beautiful as the first time you laid eyes on them, you can’t help but get visions of melting on Madison Avenue, Wicked Witch of the West-style, when you look at them. So the question remains, what do I buy now?

The anatomy of a transition piece is straightforward: it must be appropriate in style and fabrication to wear now and ideal to layer for cooler seasons. In a couple of weeks, we’ll officially say goodbye to summer, but the autumnal equinox doesn’t necessarily correspond to an immediate drop in temperatures. So how can we make the seasonal shift comfortably and fashionably? You’ll still be able to wear sandals for many more weeks; just go with darker colors like tan, black and brown. You can also begin pairing your outfits with heavier fall fabrics. For instance, throw a little tweed or wool jacket over a white shirt, jeans, and metallic sandals. When September gets cooler, bring out the longer sleeves and transition with a pair of suede booties, and wear them with bare legs to show off your tanned legs a little longer.

“The anatomy of a transition piece is straightforward: it must be appropriate in style and fabrication to wear now and ideal to layer for cooler seasons.”

When looking for a muse for my fall outfits for this post, I turned to Gossip Girl’s Serena and Blair to be inspired (their style never gets old in my book). Girly lace dresses, romantic florals and sophisticated frocks. Flirty, yet elegant and classy. Velvet and statement sleeves were BIG last season, and guess what…they’re even bigger this season! Dramatic proportions and unique details make sleeves choice focal points. I swapped my pink, coral and French manicures for shimmery metallic, and paired my outfit with my favorite Stuart Weitzman boots (the most comfortable boots every made). I invested in a new “it” bag for fall this season – a rose powder limited edition bag from Louis Vuitton’s newest collection.

I would love to hear what your favorite Pre-Fall outfits and styles are – Do share!  All my outfits are Fall’17 styles from For Love & Lemons. Happy mid-August! xoxo, Charlotte

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