Making My Summer Wardrobe Work for Fall & Spread The Kindness Link Up On the Edge #775
Fall has officially arrived but the weather is indicating otherwise. We have been steadily experiencing summer-like weather all month with the average daily temperatures sitting around 10-15 degrees Fahrenheit above normal for this time of year. Granted, summer didn’t officially end until a few days ago, but if you are familiar with the North Country climate, then you know that we generally have two seasons here…Winter and July. In fact, in the 12 years that I have lived in Watertown, New York, the only months that I have not seen snow are July and August. It is not at all uncommon for frost to occur from September through June with occasional snowflakes manifesting during the months when one would not expect or desire snow. So when we are blessed with extended summer temperatures, I get very excited to keep my summer wardrobe going for as long as I can.
Fall used to be my favorite season and summer was my least favorite. I never really enjoyed the heat and humidity of the summer months, but I have always loved snuggling up in warm layers, starting a fire in the fireplace, enjoying seasonal soups and hot drinks, and the sound of football games playing on the television. While I do still love fall and I have always really enjoyed the transitions between seasons, the older I get the more I appreciate warmer weather and no snow.
As a result, the size of my warm weather wardrobe has far surpassed the size of my cold weather wardrobe. These days, I much prefer long flowy dresses with dramatic robes and other toppers over the heavy layers of sweaters and leggings required for the cold seasons.
So now I am on a mission to transition my summer wardrobe into the colder months. Right now, it is not a difficult endeavor because the weather is still warm. But fall is in the air and it makes me crave the rich deep colors of autumn. So I have been pairing together summer pieces in earthy tones to keep my warm weather wardrobe relevant for the fall season.
Last Friday, I shared my Retro Floral Autumn Blossom Dress from last summer which is such a fabulous dress that I initially bought it in two other color ways…solid burnt ochre and black batik suns print. This summer, I added two more of these dresses to my wardrobe…solid black and this one in deep black with a print called Bella Jaco. The colors on this dress along with the abstract leafy floral print allow it to transition perfectly into the fall months.
To further enrich the lovely autumnal color palette of the dress, I added my burnt orange kimono robe as a topper, my forest green straw hat, and my dark green Furkenstocks. I accessorized with a necklace and earring combination that I wear often which includes my Shelbee mala beads, my wooden owl necklace, my funky flea market ring necklace, and my burnt orange crocheted flea market earrings.
I hope that you all are experiencing lovely weather this time of year as well. How do you transition your seasonal clothing?
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Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.
22 Comments
Suzy Turner
Gosh, Shelbee, you really do have bad weather up there, don’t you!? I did have to chuckle when you said you have two seasons: Winter and July!! I can totally understand why you want your summer wardrobe to last as long as possible! Whereas I’m just dying for the cold season to arrive here, because it’s so warm for so long! Plus, I can’t wait to wear my new cowboy boots!!!
I love these dresses that you’ve bought in many colours—I’d do the same! And your dark green furkenstocks are absolutely FAB. I reckon they’d be great for here, as it’s still sandal weather but my feet are starting to crave a little more softness, if you know what I mean. I shall have to have a look and see if I can find me a pair. You’re a bad influence LOL!!! In the best possible way, my friend!
Huge hugs
Suzy xx
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Oh my gosh, Suzy, you crack me up! Thank you so much! I bought these Furkenstocks in dark brown as well and they are so comfy. Actually, both of my gray pairs had fur at one time but I wore it all clean off. My toes are always chilly even when it’s hot so the furry inside is really wonderful for me. These dresses are great to transition as well because the fabric has substantial weight to it. With adequate layers, I could possibly make these dresses work all year long. I am not ready for the snow but I am definitely getting ready for chopping wood and having a fire in the fireplace. Do let me know if you get yourself some Furkenstocks! And I can’t wait to see your new boots all styled up!
xoxo
Shelbee
Suzy Turner
LOL you’re actually looking forwrad to chopping wood?! That’s brilliant!! I’ll keep you posted…I’m already looking on Vinted. I found a similar pair in dark brown but I’d really like the green! But maybe I’ll wait until Christmas and treat myself then, because they ain’t cheap lol!!
Hugs xx
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I really am looking forward to chopping the wood! It is one of my favorite household chores. I find it incredibly relaxing and rejuvenating at the same time. It requires a certain amount of attention so you don’t hurt yourself which is good for the brain and it requires some strength so it is also good for the body. I enjoy the repetitiveness of the process and stacking the wood is like a really interesting game of Tetris! I hope you find the perfect Furkenstocks. I bought mine as the new summer styles were being released so I got them for 50% off. That’s why I bought two pairs. I had budgeted for one pair and when they were half off I decided to just go for it!
xoxo
Shelbee
Suzy Turner
I’m super impressed, Shelbee! When we were in the other two houses prior to this one, I would occasionally chop some wood—but only the fire starter pieces LOL!! We had the bigger bits delivered!!
SCORE on the 50% Discount, that’s AWESOME!!
Have a lovely weekend, my friend!
Suzy xx
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
We have the wood delivered all chopped up as well, but the pieces are way too large for our fireplace so they need to be split. My husband splits the really big pieces with an axe and then I take the smaller ones and split them on a kindling splitter contraption using a 4 pound mallet. I do love swimming that mallet and splitting the wood into smaller bits…almost as much as I love 50% discounts on shoes! LOL
xoxo
Shelbee
Amy Johnson
Thank you so much for the feature. I so appreciate it. Our weather in Wisconsin is quite similar to yours, although I think you still get more snow than we do. I feel exactly the same way about fall as you do. I have found that the people that love fall tend to live in warm climates. My fall dressing philosphy is the same as yours too. I look for fall colors in my clothing more than anything because it is usually too warm in the fall for sweaters.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
You are very welcome, Amy. I always enjoy your posts. I think that the more eastern states on the Great Lakes tend to get hit harder with lake effect snow. I suppose it’s the way the winds blow over the lakes. But I imagine you are still susceptible to the snow when storms come over the lakes. I have always found it such an amazing weather phenomenon to witness, but I am tired of it now! Enjoy your lovely weather for as long as it lasts, my friend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Nancy
You lucky girl. We have real fall temps here and I’m cold all the time. Also wearing my cardigans and sweaters already. Great to wear your summer dress still. Enjoy your weekend.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Nancy! I am feeling rather fortunate that our summer weather is lasting longer than normal. I am trying to enjoy it but I have caught a nasty virus and have been sick all week. It happens every year a few weeks after the kids return to school. Ugh.
xoxo
Shelbee
Melynda Brown
Ah, we have humidity in the fall here in East Texas. A couple of days ago at 6am it was 77 degrees, with humidity at 96% and a dewpoint of 76 degrees. We were practically breathing water it was so humid! Funny even when I lived in a less humid/hot climate I have operaated with just clothes in my closet. No winter clothes or summer clothes to turn to. Just what was in my closet. The only difference to my group of clothes (I never had what I would call a wardrobe) was a winter coat when I lived in Eastern Washington state where winter was snow. But I am a cold feet, can’t sleep woman and have been all my life.
Have a great week ahead!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Oh, Melynda, that kind of humidity sounds unbearable! I have visited Texas on a few occasions and it is one of my favorite places on earth, but I don’t think I could live there. I would never survive the climate! Honestly, other than the tremendous amounts of lake effect snow that we get, our temperatures are pretty ideal all year long. So I guess I shouldn’t;t complain too much, but I will anyway after 6 months of snow! I don’t rotate my wardrobe for the seasons either. Everything stays in the same place all year round. But I definitely have pieces that I only wear in the summer vs the winter. I hope you have a lovely weekend, my friend! Thanks for stopping by!
xoxo
Shelbee
Sally in St Paul
Living in the American south, fall was my favorite season. Living in the frozen north, spring is now my favorite season (summer is still too hot and getting hotter all the time). I absolutely delay pulling out pullover sweaters, boots, and tights as long into the fall as possible because I know I’ll be stuck with them for ages. And with summers lasting longer every year, that gets easier and easier. I do like using fall colors, textures, and motifs once the start of fall hits the calendar, but continue to wear summery styles until about mid-October because of the weather. Your outfit is a perfect example of this approach!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Sally! Although I also live in the frozen north, our summers still remain fairly mild. Most summers, we only get about 10 days that temperatures break 80 degrees. It generally stays in the 70s range all summer long. This summer, however, was a bit hotter with most days breaking 80 degrees. We rarely hit 90 and have never reached 100 here. For that, I am thankful. Honestly, other than the tremendous amounts of lake effect snow that we get, our weather is rather ideal. I, too, will keep wearing my summer pieces for as long as I can.
xoxo
Shelbee
Rena
This dress suits you to a T and is a fabulous choice as summer moves into fall. I rarely think to shop at this store, but I’ll need to reconsider that. Thanks for hosting and I hope you have a glorious weekend.
Rena
finewhateverblog.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Aww, thank you so much, Rena! If you do decide to shop this retailer, watch for sales. Their prices can be kind of steep but once they hit clearance, you can find amazing deals!
xoxo
Shelbee
Joanne
That is such a fabulous dress and pairing it with the burnt orange kimono just makes it even more perfect for fall. Our fall has been oddly warm too but I wasn’t smart enought to leave out much of my summer wardrobe so I’m sstruggling to dress each day without melting into a sweaty puddle by afternoon. I’m not complaining though as I am loving this weather.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Joanne, thanks so much! I never switch my wardrobe around for the season changes so everything is always right there for me to choose from. Except my sweaters. I have so many that they are stored in bins in the basement. I need to clean them out and get the ones I wear into my closet because my current set up is rather tedious. But for now, it is still warm enough that I don’t need sweaters! Stay cool, my friend, please don’t melt!
xoxo
Shelbee
Marsha Banks
I think, here in Central Indiana, we have two seasons, too…Hot and Cold. Our colder seasons seem to be shorter and shorter every year. Sadly, Fall is my favorite season. So, I enjoy it as much as possible. We had false fall just a couple weeks ago and are back to Hot. This dress (and the way you’ve styled it) is perfection! I love how you pulled the green color out and focused on that. I have a pair of Birkenstock wedges. I have never been able to wear the regular Birks because the bands hit one of the pressure points on my Frankenfoot sending my nerves into quite the tizzy! Thank you so much for the feature! Gosh, I wish my hair stayed that color longer. It’s now got only a few strands of purpley pink left. I need to remember to tell my stylist not to put the opal color on the rest because our water turns it very dull and yellowy. And, thank you for this week’s link up!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Oh, I wish our colder seasons got shorter and shorter each year. Instead they feel longer and longer, but likely they just stay the same as always. That is a bummer about Birkenstocks hurting your Frankenfoot! I bought my husband a pair of them and he absolutely hated them. I am passing them onto my sister’s husband because they are darn pricey! I always love your fun hair colors. Do you use a purple shampoo after you have it colored? It might help with the yellowing of the dye. I use it on my gray roots to keep them vibrant and fresh instead of just dull and gray. I hope you have a lovely weekend, my friend.
xoxo
Shelbee
gzingkala
Such a beautiful way to transition your wardrobe from summer to fall! I love how you’ve paired earthy tones and light layers to keep the summer vibe alive while embracing the warmth of autumn. I’m curious, do you have any tips for incorporating fall accessories into a summer wardrobe without making it look too heavy? Would love to hear your thoughts
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much for your lovely comment! You know, I have never really considered my accessories as seasonal…except for some hats, scarves, and of course, gloves. I do wear some of my heavier felt hats in the summer time but heavy scarves and gloves I really only style in the colder months. I find it much easier to transition my warm weather accessories into the colder seasons. But I suppose on a cool summer day, you could definitely make fall accessories work…especially those that are in lighter colors to avoid that feeling of heaviness. I don’t think my response was very helpful, but I do appreciate your question. I will keep it in mind going forward and see if I can come up with any other ideas! I hope you are enjoying a wonderful weekend.
xoxo
Shelbee