Believe it or not, fall is sneaking up on us.  It’s the perfect time to start thinking about planning your fall wardrobe to save time and money.  I challenge you to take an entire day off of work, social media and personal life to focus on you and your wardrobe.  Sort your closet, then head out for a day of retail therapy. Self care isn’t always about manicures and spa days, it’s simply about taking time out to invest in you.  We know how frustrating it can be when it’s time to put together an outfit for a meeting or dinner date and instead of walking out the door on time, we are laying in the fetal position with a half-empty bottle of wine and pile of every piece of clothing we own.  You're shaking your head in agreement, aren't you?  Here’s 5 ways to transition your wardrobe from summer to fall and a chance to win $800 to shop your heart out.

As a wardrobe stylist, I take clothing way too seriously sometimes.  I tend to organize my closet by color, my accessories by size and my shoes my height. These habits were ingrained in me many, many moons ago when I start working on set. If costumes and clothing pieces weren’t organized, then it was impossible to keep track of the characters or actors that wore them and when. I still have the occasional mental breakdowns when I try to put together an outfit, but since I’m mostly organized and can see what I’m working with, those temper tantrums are few and far between.

A few starter tips… Clean up your messy room. Grab your phone, a notepad and pen. Turn on the tunes. Open the closet.

1. COLOR IS KEY.

Bring the neutral and jewel-toned pieces out of your closet and push the pastels to the back.  I like to see what I’m working with before I start shopping for my fall wardrobe. Stick with olive green, teal, navy, plum, deep red, mustard, burnt orange, dark grey, taupe, brown and black. I suggest laying out your neutral pieces and seeing how you can pair them with a pop of color. Take pics of outfit ideas and make notes of a few pieces you can buy in order to complete the look. It’s good to have a reference when you’re shopping so you don’t overspend or buy the same colors you already have.

2. LAYER IT UP!

This easiest way to transition your summer dresses, rompers, tanks and tees is by pairing with a cardigan, blazer or moto jacket. Unless your summer pieces are neutral or the above mentioned colors I would just pack those back into your closet. I’m a big fan of a slouchy cardigan or fitted blazer thrown over a long tank and skinny jeans, paired with a platform sneaker or bootie. It’s my go-to for fall, almost daily. If you prefer dresses and rompers, then a leather moto jacket is a perfect way to layer.

3. PAIR WITH LEGGINGS OR TIGHTS

An easy and affordable way to transition those shirt dresses or skirts is by simply wearing them over a pair of leggings or tights.  Grab a few different colors and textures to play with and you can easily get a few different ways to wear the same piece. I would always suggest black, but if you are comfortable wearing bold colors, then go for it! Have fun and mix up a patterned dress with a mustard or dark green opaque pair of tights. 

4. INVEST IN STATEMENT PIECES

Biker/Moto leather jackets, boots and coats are the best statement pieces for fall.  They can transform an outfit from day to night and keep you warm too.  Quality over quantity. A wool cocoon coat or an ah-mazing, structured jacket can last forever.  I love a bright-colored coat and suggest having fun with your wardrobe (always!), but be sure to also invest in basic neutrals and black too. 

5. SWITCH UP YOUR SHOES

Heels, boots and sexy sneakers. Taking a dress from summer to fall is as easy as pairing it with a velvet pump or knee-high boot vs. an open-toed sandal. When you invest in a statement boot, be sure it's not too trendy and comfortable enough to walk in.  Again, stick to the fun, fall colors and black is always your best friend. 

giveaway is now closed, expired links no longer available