Fall is here, and with it comes cooler weather and bright colors, pumpkin cappuccinos, and boots. Splurging on a new dress or two may be a great way for customers to treat themselves after months of quarantine and restrictions. Being able to transition that dress from fall back into their summer wardrobes makes those dresses a good investment as well.
Colors for Trans-seasonal Dresses
Investing in a dress with universal season colors is a smart idea. Black is a common choice for womens dresses and the “little black dress” wears well in both seasons. It can be paired with a sweater or shrug in the fall along with tall boots. In summer, one needs only to add a bright necklace or scarf and some strappy sandals to change the look. In fact, by changing to heels and trading the scarf for a string of pearls, women can go from work to a dressy dinner in a matter of minutes. Green is another universal color. While most designers stay away from neon greens, grass green and the deeper shades mix well with fall golds, reds and browns. This year, especially, the brighter colors of summer seem to be staying around. Green can work as a neutral foundation for an outfit, even paired with shades of pink and purple. Other great choices for trans-seasonal colors in womens dresses are rusts, tans and blues in natural patterns and soft florals.
Fabrics that Make the Jump from Fall to Summer
When thinking about fabrics in womens dresses, light wools such as cashmere are good choices. They hold in heat but are light enough for warmer days. Gaberdine is water-resistant, and so is perfect for fall and rainy summer days as well. Denim, of course is the go-to fabric for many women. A denim dress or skirt, or even a jacket, works in nearly any season and can be dressed up or down. Poplin is a trans-seasonal fabric as well. It works great layered under sweaters and jackets for cooler fall days yet looks fresh with lighter accessories and sandals or flats for summer. Crepes and silks are light enough for warmer days and can be accessorized with sweaters or shawls when it is cool, but they also are dressier. This time of home confinement has been hard on women. While comfort is always a consideration, they seem to be anxious for opportunities to actually “go out” and dress up.
What Length Makes the Shift
Traveling from fall to summer, classic knee-length dresses go casual with calf-high boots but can also look good with low heels or flats. Longer dresses with cap or short sleeves or crop jackets can be worn with the jackets in fall and as stand-alone beauties in summer. In fact, excluding very short dresses, most lengths can be accessorized to work for both seasons.
This year so far has been a trial, and many businesses are open only online. Still, women want to get back to normal and to feel feminine again. Womens dresses that can transition from fall to summer are not splurges but wardrobe investments that can make women feel good about themselves and their choices.