Reader Request: Styling a Summer Dress in Fall

Good morning!  Today I'm back from a great weekend trip and totally dreading the upcoming weeks of work now that I have no upcoming trip to look forward to.  However, one bright spot is that fall is starting to roll into Texas.  Hopefully we're done with our 100+ degree days, and it's time to start transitioning our less obvious summer clothes into autumn styles.

This week, I'm happy to help Valentina, who bought this great colorblock dress from J.Crew and wants some help styling it:

Source: jcrew.com via Megan on Pinterest

As you can see, the dress can be layered over a classic chambray shirt and paired with this season's smoking slippers or ballet flats,  However, I have a few more ideas:

Summer Dress in Fall - Three Ways by cardiganjunkie featuring leopard print flats

Nothing here is groundbreaking in terms of pairings, but I think a lot of people are quick to put a dress intended to be worn with sandals on a sailboat into a drawer after Labor Day.  However, adding a denim jacket and boots, or a belt and some unexpected (but neutral) flats can buy several more weeks of use.  Then, when it begins to cool down, layering a cozy cardigan and warm tights will bring a cotton dress into the winter (in climates where it's not freezing).

What's your favorite way to transition summer pieces to fall?  I hope Valentina gives one of these looks a shot, and finds ways to wear a really great dress in a new way.

If you have a style dilemma, send me a note and I'll try to help out.