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Transitional outfit strategies

SarahD8

Veteran

Hello, friends. Can we talk about strategies for dressing in transitional seasons? (Here is one place where Northern and Southern Hemisphere Fabbers might actually be seasonally aligned!!)

For me, one of the lessons of the past 6 months of getting dressed has been how weak my transitional wardrobe is. In the past I have not paid much attention to it because I have thought of transitional seasons as being quite brief here in Seattle. But this year we have had a LOT of transitional weather it seems to me. Not sure if this is a fluke or the new abnormal with climate change, but in any case it's focused my attention on this area of my wardrobe.

I am wondering what your outfit formulas and shopping strategies for transitional season dressing are.

I *think* I know what I want my outfit formulas to be, but I've had trouble actually putting them together:

1. cropped jeans + woven printed (or otherwise detailed) tank + cardigan (sleeve length and weight can vary depending on weather)

Problem: I am still having trouble finding the kind of woven tanks that I want (these have been a HEWI for my summer wardrobe too). I've bought a handful this year but the truth is they are just ok at best and I don't reach for them.
Also problem: Months of lockdown inactivity mean that my cropped jeans are, uh, a little snug. I'm working on this (having finally made the mental shift to realize that no, I will not be able to return to swimming for quite a long time, so I had better find a workout I can do at home) but for now I kinda tend to default to sweatpants. :-S

2. soft, fluid pants (like joggers or cropped palazzo pants with an elastic waist) + 3/4 sleeve pullover

Problem: I am having a devil of a time finding joggers/palazzo pants that fit. My short stature + short torso + short rise mean that I am effectively sized out of the vast majority of what's available at retail, and these styles weren't very prevalent back when rises were low so there's not much to be had secondhand either.

Anyway, in the interest of brainstorming other possible solutions, I'm curious to know about your formulas and general approach!

Dressing

24 replies

Latest reply was from SarahD8

nemosmom

Veteran

What qualities are you looking for in a woven tank? I wonder if the collective hive mind here can help you source something. Would a sleeveless blouse work? As for fluid joggers or palazzo pants, how short are you talking about? Would a junior’s size work? I wonder if Rack, or even Macy’s junior’s dept would have something. Or, H&M or Uniqlo big kids dept? Even boys’ joggers?

If you are open to secondhand, try ThredUP. You can search palazzo as a style, specify the rise and inseam, and see what turns up. Many of the listings have measurements, and they have a 14day return policy.

SarahD8

Veteran

Oh, that’s kind of you, nemosmom.

For the tanks, I want cotton, cotton-linen, or cotton-silk blend. Scoop neck and 1” straps (but open to narrower). A problem that I am having with some of the tanks I’ve bought is that they seem to be made for a person with a longer upper torso. So the narrow part that is meant to be above the bust falls closer to the fullest part of my bust and smooshes my chest unattractively. But if I experiment with taking up the straps the garment then digs in painfully under my arms. (In fact some of them dig before even shortening the straps.) I’m not really sure how to diagnose that fit issue. Maybe I need a petite cut? I usually avoid petite tops because they tend to be too narrow in the shoulders but maybe that wouldn’t be a problem here. I do have one that is absolutely the perfect cut but more sheer than I’d expected. Maybe I should turn it into a pattern and finally do something with that Liberty lawn I bought in London lo these many years ago, hmm?

Re: the pants, I am open to purchasing from any department! The issue is that I need a 10” rise. (I could shorten palazzo pants as needed!) We just bought some joggers for my daughter from the boy’s department and they have an 11” rise but it’s always worth checking. Great tip re: thredup. I didn’t realize they provided measurements. I’ve had a search on eBay for a couple of months now and haven’t turned up much of anything but maybe I’ll download the thredup app too and keep a lookout.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

So, by "transitional" what temps are you talking about? Now that I'm in the PNW, I think it is "transitional" weather all the time.

But I'm guessing you're talking about the part of the year when it's cold enough for a sweater and maybe even a scarf for a few hours in the morning and your feet would feel cold in sandals...but by afternoon, you're perspiring in shirtsleeves on a fairly low-key walk. And by nightfall, you almost want a coat. Like yesterday and today?

My fallback for these temps is cropped jeans or "relaxed" and casualized suit trousers, long sleeve cotton shirt, cardigan (for at home work), possibly a jacket instead if (gasp!!) going out. Scarf for added warmth. Sneakers for outdoors. Heaven only knows what for indoors because I am struggling with an indoor footwear capsule, LOL.

I would happily wear a skirt or dress but only have one that seems to work for this weather and it's a bit too dressy.

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Joy

Veteran

I wear a cotton tank Every. Single. Day. For years I bought the 100%.cotton tanks at Target, but, in the last year, most are racer backs, a deal breaker for me. Walmart has inexpensive tanks but they are a cotton/ poly blend, another deal breaker. The Rack usually has BP tanks that work well. They are a bit longer than ideal for me. I wear white, black and nude the most often and wash them in the washer on permanent press or even normal with sheets or towels. They can be hung to dry or dried in the dryer. These are usually knit’s, not woven. I have some woven ones but they are usually worn as a top that shows, although maybe under a jacket. These tend to be silk or linen. Almost all are Eileen Fisher from sales. I would love to wear them every day but that would be too expensive and hand washing that often could Be too fussy. I also have a couple of silk ones from LL Bean that are sold as underwear. Good luck.
Transitional is now my major season. I make sure every summer dress and top has a possible topper. I like pants that can be worn full length or rolled to ankle length or higher. In the past I has different item colors for spring and fall but have been trying new color combinations mixing spring and fall colors, like olive and pink or pale blue with brown. That will hopefullly translate into needing fewer clothes..
Footwear. I do not wear sandals so the closed shoes work until cold weather.
Outerwear. I have more light weight coats and jackets than those for colder weather. These are great for transitional times. I endorse light weight sweaters in cotton or linen and sleeves on tops. When it gets colder pop long silk underwear tops or Heattech under those shirts and maybe a topper over it. Nylon stockings and knee highs are great for keeping feet and legs warm. Get a good nude for you and no one will know you don’t have bare legs.

Joy

Veteran

I forgot to say hold onto the hot weather things that you like. Seattle is supposed to have the climate of Austin, Texas, by 2050.

Gigi

Veteran

Am I correct that the type of transitional weather you are referring to is when it is changing between super hot and slightly chilly? In that case, I rely on very light toppers over a tee, like the topper pictured in Finds, or maybe a light denim jacket over a tee.

Right now my area has transitional weather on the cooler end, when the weather changes during the day from only slightly warm (but still short-sleeve weather) to pretty chilly. On those days, I have found short-sleeve sweaters to be my friend. The fabric is thick enough that my core is kept warm, but since I'm not totally covered up, I don't sweat. I especially like the ones with almost-elbow-length sleeves.

As far as finding palazzo pants, that sounds like something Anthropologie would have. Anthro carries a lot of petites' sizes. They're expensive, but at least you find something that fits! And for your top, it does sound like you need a petite size, because the bust appears to be in the wrong spot. I would try a petite size, but size up one or two sizes because of your shoulders not being narrow (you are right that petite sizes are cut for narrower shoulders).

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Bijou

Veteran

Living in Australia, I suspect my winters are very much the same as your transitional seasons. I often buy clothing from the Northern Hemisphere spring, summer and fall collections - but never the winter wear, as it simply is too warm for my climate. I find layers work well for transitional weather (and my winters). Today we had a sunny 21C high and low of 13C - so jeans, sneakers, t-shirt and blazer worked well for me as I was working from home and popped out to walk Margot during the day.

My favourite outfit combinations for work - pumps / boots, dress and topper (coat or jacket)
Stay at home - jeans / skirt, sneakers / boots, top and jacket.

I really find my leather and denim jackets come into their own in transitional weather as often I don't need a heavy topper when out and about. Cardigans are good for being inside.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Love the idea of using that Liberty fabric, with the too-sheer tank as a pattern but I’m also thinking of ways to wear the one that’s too sheer. Can you layer a strapping cami underneath? Interesting about the joggers, because we tend to have the opposite problem; to get them down to the smallest part of my ankle, I basically have to pull them straight. For my lanky son, not even that works. I guess they are really height-specific.

Anonymous

Have you checked ON for the joggers? They have some labled medium rise that could be worth a try.

I love transitional dressing because nearly all my wardrobe is in play at once. For a couple weeks of the year I can pair my sleeved tops with my skirts, my sleeveless tops with pants, and bring out the short sleeves/crops/light jackets and cardis/ transitional shoes that are just too hot for our summers.

RobinF

Veteran

We have very short transitional seasons here in Michigan so I basically wear for winter or summer but pay more attention to the topper and shoes. I would also love some comfy joggers but have a hard time with fit - they are not easy to hem and I am also short. Instead my go to is usually to wear my jeans and give them a little cuff. I also have some sweaters with 3/4 sleeves that are chilly in winter but get a little bit of wear during the transitional seasons.

cindysmith

Veteran

I'm trying to figure this one out myself. After years of heat and humidity in the American South, I became very intolerant of cooler temperatures; then I worked in a literal refrigerator for 18 months and my internal thermostat has been reset. Where I once turned into a meat popsicle when the temperature dipped below about 75F, I now sweat when the temperature rises above about 68F. Right now, transitional weather is happening, meaning I can wear jeans without dying of heatstroke, and even though the mornings are cool-ish by our standards here in Texas I have yet to need anything like a sweater or topper.

Thus far, my only solution has been to leave all my clothes accessible rather than do a seasonal changeover. I've been mixing actual pants with my lightweight tank tops and it's still almost too much fabric but I was sick of all the mosquitoes at work so here I am. I actually don't have a plan for what passes for cold here other than wear my usual lightweight tops and take advantage of my collection of leather jackets and wool coats.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

My dear SarahD8, as Suz said, we have a LOT of transitional weather here in Seattle! It's not a bad idea if 50% of our wardrobes reflect transitional items:

jeans, pants, toppers across a range of thicknesses, long sleeved tops, closed shoes, vests, sneakers, booties, scarves.

If you are dressier like me:

trousers (that I wear with sneakers), dressier toppers, dressy shirts and blouses, lightweight knitwear, long sleeved dresses, thicker midi skirts.

Let's get you sorted for joggers. Have you tried a petite or short size?

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I’m doing it wrong for Berlin. Everyone else has pulled out their boots & black leggings. I’ve worn boots on the chilliest, darkest days, but today, when it’s in the mid 60s & sunny, I ran around in a summer sundress with closed shoes and a cardigan. In August I wore it with open-toe slides and no topper.

nemosmom

Veteran

If you have a tank that fits you perfectly, you should definitely consider using it as a pattern! What about Ann Taylor or Loft for tanks? They do have petite sizes, and woven options...

As for my own wardrobe, I do have a LOT of transitional pieces (coming from San Fran), but not a lot of transitional weather. The transitional items are the pieces I love the most, and I've had them a very long time. Woven joggers, jeans, tees, button-up shirts, cardigans, scarves, and lightweight pullovers are the bulk of it. I am weird in that I often wear scarves when WFH. I usually avoid jackets and skirts at home, but I am not sure exactly why. They aren't necessarily dressy, but feel constricting... or... something... it's up for a deep think.

I need to get more creative to make the most of these pieces and extend their wear. I think some creative layering will work, I just need to carve out time to play.

SarahD8

Veteran

Thanks all for the suggestions! This is very funny, I started my original post thinking "transitional weather" would mean the same thing to everyone but in fact as the responses make clear it varies WILDLY. For example I think that "transitional" for Joy and Gigi is akin to my "high summer," and my "transitional" is indeed like the Australian winter you describe Bijou. You're right, cindysmith, it all depends on what you're used to and

As for what I mean by "transitional" -- yes, Suz, basically Cascadia's current weather pattern. So, lows in the mid-50s F (~13 C) and daytime temperatures in the 60s F (~18 C), and mostly dry conditions. For me in those temps it's too hot for heattech camisoles or two layers of long sleeves, but too cool for true summer wear. Funny that both you and nemosmom mentioned having trouble with skirts in transitional seasons. Same here. I wear skirts/dresses almost every day in summer, but I tried wearing skirts (longer length for more warmth) a couple times this week and I was just a bit too chilly!

RobinF I'm with you, no matter how thick and fluffy the sweater I just gotta have my wrists covered in winter! It's been nice to find the last few years that 3/4 sleeves actually do have a place in my wardrobe in warmer seasons. And FashIntern, I get it, once I pull out the boots and leggings/skinnies I know I'll be wearing them nonstop for 9 months so I'm in no hurry to get started!

suntiger funny that "transitional" is such a period of ease for you and so much more difficult for me! I suspect I have more heavier stuff that I wear in winter (or maybe layer more) compared to you.

Anyway, on to solutions! I will look out for petite tops next year and will try sizing up per Gigi's suggestion. Re: joggers, I've already ordered and returned some Old Navy mid-rise ones (I think they were also petite) so I know those don't work for me although I can't recall the measurements. My sweatpants from ON that do work well were specifically marketed as low rise. I also tried a pair of petite velvet joggers from Ann Taylor a year or two ago, and a pair of petite rayon joggers from Anthropologie this year. Both of the latter had a 12" front rise and it was simply way too long for me. I guess I could wear harem pants and embrace the dropped-crotch look in a deliberate way? (Frustrated joking, haha.)

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Interesting that you are cold in skirts/dresses. I probably wear more of them in winter than I do in summer. You have gorgeous tall boots. Do they work with dresses for you?

Sal

Veteran

I suspect most of my year is transitional weather to many of you. As in between 13 C and 20C........We do get colder months and hotter ones but much of the time is inbetween weather.

My most common outfits would be

- jacket, tee, pants/jeans, boots or sneakers
- dress, bare legs, boots or sneakers
- sweater, pants or skirts, boots or sneaker

I will layer under with a cami or bodysuit, and over with a coat if needed.

For me the mistake I can make is adding in tops that I can't layer over, so simple tees or blouses are best. I don't like layering over most of my midi dresses except with a coat so I tend to not wear them until it warms up a bit.

I can't offer shopping suggestions really but maybe it is worth trying the liberty fabric - either yourself or getting someone else to do so.

SarahD8

Veteran

Fashintern, most of my dresses would look pretty seasonally confused with tall boots but I do have some skirts that would work. And I have done the boots and bare legs look a couple times in the past for work outings and liked it. But we don’t wear outside shoes indoors so that would still leave my legs chilly for 99.95% of the day. (I could put on tights of course but the whole thing with transitional dressing is not wanting to bundle up until I really have to.)

Sal, yes! Your winter average temps are my transitional temps. Those sound like good outfit formulas. I agree re tops that are layerable, that is a major concern for me too!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

This might not be Sarah's answer, Fashintern, but I know why I wouldn't wear tall boots with dresses in transitional weather -- it's purely because of WFH and not going out! Sometimes the look is great, and in the before times when I used to go out into the world I actually did enjoy a tall boot with a skirt or dress and no hose. But now...sitting around at home the boots wouldn't be on and without hose the legs would be cold. Add the hose, and you end up hot by mid-day.

I wear a lot of skirts and dresses in summer without hose. But by this time of year, it's too chilly without legs covered up a bit. And too hot to wear tights.

I second Gigi's suggestions for tops in petite and sizing up if you do go with petite. I agree that natural fibre woven tank tops can be a difficult item to find (at least in colours or patterns you like). BR usually has a few at the beginning of a season, and sometimes J. Crew also. Another place to look might be Everlane.

Another item, which I think Gigi mentioned is short sleeved knitwear. This is the weather when it works best. Not a "tee" (though that is okay, too) but a sweater with short sleeves (or sleeveless).

Cotton or cotton rich knitwear also comes into its own at this time of year (and in spring).

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SarahD8

Veteran

Haha, Suz, we must have cross-posted. You nailed it exactly re: boots and bare legs!

DonnaF

Veteran

I run super cold so almost never go bare legged unless temperatures are at least in the mid-70s. But if it's too warm to wear tights and I want to wear a dress, I wear fishnets or maybe slip shorts. I guess that's not an option if you have kitties! Also, mules are cooler than full shoes, but warmer than sandals, and warmer still with mule socks. I am thinking of getting the Bog indoor/outdoor slippers for my Reynaud's challenged feet.

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LaPed

Veteran

Uniqlo often has good sleeveless woven options and I find they tend to work well for short torso proportions. Stock for sleeveless tops may be a bit limited now that it's fall, but it might be worth checking clearance and again when spring stock comes in. I've also noticed that the pants in the Uniqlo/IDLF collabs have very low rises (like 7-9"), but I'm not sure if they've done joggers or palazzos recently. Also, maybe the Gap? They had some nice looking linen joggers this summer. Their pants always look good to me on the rack but then sit way too low whenever I try a pair. How do you feel about boyfriend styles? Rolled-up boyfriend chinos, and similar silhouettes in soft lightweight denim, are my go-to bottoms for not-too-hot, not-too-cold temps. And a lot of them are designed to sit pretty low.

I love transitional weather because it means I can wear cropped/cuffed pants without having cold ankles, throw on a denim jacket over a tee and not freeze or overheat, wear scarves for looks instead of for warmth, and enjoy my closed-toe shoes that aren't water resistant and insulated (of which I have way more pairs than makes sense for my climate). It feels like we get maybe 2-4 weeks per year of this magical, fleeting weather here in New England.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

These are not tank tops, I know, but would they work? https://www.sundancecatalog.co.....38;from=fn

SarahD8

Veteran

DonnaF, ha, yeah the kitties would have a field day with fishnets for WFH. But I really like the look and that's a great idea for OITW transitional wear. I like those slippers too! I'm noticing this week that it's really my feet that are feeling the chill. Results in some funny getups!

La Ped, oooh, great tip about Uniqlo and the IDLF collabs. I would never have thought of checking there! I haven't had luck with Gap for pants recently but will keep trying. Yeah, there is something very wonderfully carefree about cropped pants, it's great to enjoy them during that fleeting time when the weather is right.

FashIntern that's in the ballpark for sure! Thanks for thinking of me.