We’ve waxed lyrical about lace in winter – think sheer but with XL knits and sneaks – and we’re also a sucker for a lace-trim slip worn grunge-style with hoodies and boots.
But there are a ton of other summer staples that you don’t have to jettison just because it’s autumn. Those numerous high-maintenance entreaties to ‘detox’ your entire wardrobe of anything summery/last season? Pah! We’re all about the retox: invigorating your favourite summer pieces with some autumnal force.
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Just because the summer is gone does not mean that your most Vanessa Hudgens of materials (frothy, light) must also be cast into the gloom. So here’s how to keep them in steady rotation right through to those times when you’ll be suffering from frost-bite and bullet-hard nipples (aka winter.)
Your summer denim just needs to be bulked out
Your denim cut-offs and open denim shirts worn low with a slew of gold chains and printed flippy skirts are not in the doghouse just because the summer is drawing to a close. Fray it hard and pile on the layers a la Marques’Almeida, or slip a few essentials underneath: a thin polo neck works well under an old, oversized denim shirt (keep the blouse tight and the shirt loose), while cut-offs will never not work with thick tights and a breton jersey. As old as the hills, that one, and as timeless as it is good.
Denim Shirt Stone Wash, £22 Beyond Retro
A floral summer dress just requires some add-ons
It’s basically the first rule of grunge: a floral summer dress works all year round. Add fishnet tights, some Chelsea boots and a bomber or leather jacket and channel the ’90s, hard. To bring it into current trends, try a full-length suede coat and until it gets cold enough, a light cotton trench. A faux fur stole from Charlotte Simone will add a bolt of colourful warmth.
Nevada Dress, £119.41 Reformation
That cheesecloth or cotton blouse? Goes under, instead of over (a bikini)
You’ve worn it all summer over a bikini, but like a slip, the key to a soft and airy summer shirt is the mid-thigh length. Layer it under a bell-sleeved knit and over flares, denim or leather – with the shirt undone and the lapels hanging down loose. Add some stacked heels, as seen at Stella McCartney AW14 and populating the high street everywhere from Underground to Zara.
Oversize Solid Long Shirt, £88 Free People
But your crop top will actually be in its element
Actually cooler in winter than summer, because no other part of your bod is bare apart from your midriff. Your abdomen therefore becomes the sexiest – if not potentially the chilliest – part of you. Ensure that the crop top in question has sleeves and make up the warmth elsewhere with some high-waisted, printed trousers and coloured faux-fur. Buffalo boots are also back... #justsayin'.
Cropped Fine Knit Jumper, £26 Topshop
A favourite teeny mini skirt makes like a belt – over the top of a long shirt dress
The obvious solution to a tiny weeny skirt is to pair with thick opaques and a flatform, sure – but how about this for a new way? Take your tiny skirt and layer it over the top of a long shirt dress so that the skirt merely functions as a particularly large belt: a pussy pelmet, if you will (don’t know what that means? Ask your mum.)
College Style Fluted Miniskirt, £14.99 Mango
And if in doubt? Add socks. SOCKS
I don’t care if Alexa slayed the whole socks+shoes thing to death, I will forever champion thick sport socks (or the luxe sports-inspired type from Marni) and ribbed cashmere socks in order to maintain bare legs. Bare legs are not the enemy, bare legs (with a lick of E45 and fake tan) are the route to carefree happiness throughout the cold bitter winter. I swear.
Fine-Knit Stripe Socks, £40 Marni at MATCHESFASHION.COM
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This article originally appeared on The Debrief.