We all love our lightweight dresses, cropped pants and tank tops during a Minnesota summer, but as the warm days wind down and cooler breezes begin to blow, consider making a smooth transition between your summer and fall wardrobes by adding a few stylish pieces perfect for those early school-year events, soccer games, errands or a girls’ night out.
Change your look from top to bottom by adding cardigans and leggings, says Debbie Slusar, owner of Amore & Fede in Excelsior.
“You can easily toss a cardigan over a summer dress, put on a pair of black leggings and swap out the strappy sandals for a pair of boots,” says Slusar. “You’ll have a look that’s casual yet dressy at the same time.”
Another option for a tunic or wrap dress, like the popular black and coral print dress by Papillon ($59) that has become a customer favorite at Amore & Fede, is to layer it with a long-sleeved tee by Kavio ($29) to add a little warmth and a lot of flair. Pull on the leggings ($12) and you have a perfect go-to outfit.
Skinny jeans—denim or colored— are another popular item, and if you’ve paired them with a short-sleeved tee or tank for summer, consider making the switch to a “boho” butterfly-style tunic with a camisole underneath, again adding a pair of taller boots to complete the look. Amore & Fede sells refurbished styles that look like new starting at $59.
Trending for fall are activewear pieces. Yes, you can wear your yoga pants outside of the gym, as Slusar says comfort is key, especially for moms who are running their kids around or trying to squeeze in a few errands after yoga class.
“There are definitely options out there allowing you to transition from workout to everyday—and again, this would be a good time to toss on a long cardigan,” she says, suggesting a basic style by Chris and Carol ($29).
When it comes to color for fall, Erin Martin, owner of Martin’s, with locations in Wayzata and Excelsior, says the bright jewel tones of summer will still be hot this fall in sweaters and tops.
“The teals, the garnet reds, the rich pretty colors we saw this summer will all transition beautifully into fall,” she says.
