Transitioning Your Wardrobe from Summer to Fall: Knitwear to the Rescue!

As the days grow shorter and the air gets that first hint of crispness, it's time to start thinking about transitioning your wardrobe from summer to fall. For those of us who love to knit, this change of seasons is the perfect opportunity to showcase our handmade creations in fresh and stylish ways that feel fallish.

Layering with Sleeveless Sweaters

One of the easiest ways to transition your summer wardrobe into fall is by layering. Those sleeveless sweaters you loved all summer? They don’t have to be packed away just yet! Put that sleeveless top on over a crisp blouse for a polished, preppy look that’s perfect for those cooler mornings. For a more relaxed vibe, I like to wear a blouse over a summer tank. It’s like a light cardigan, only lighter, and gives you the flexibility to shed a layer as the day warms up while still looking put together.

Cardigans: The Unsung Heroes of Fall

Speaking of cardigans, fall is their time to shine! A well-knit cardigan is the ultimate transitional piece. It’s perfect for those in-between days when it’s too chilly for short sleeves but not quite cold enough for a coat. Choose one in a rich fall hue to instantly bring your outfit into the new season. Layer it over a simple tee or that sleeveless sweater for a look that’s both cozy and chic.

Shawls: The Perfect Fall Accessory

Don’t forget about all those beautiful shawls you’ve been knitting! As the weather cools, shawls become the ideal accessory for just a touch of warmth. Drape one over your shoulders for a pop of color and texture, or wrap it snugly around your neck on a brisk morning. Shawls are incredibly versatile, and their lightweight nature makes them perfect for layering during the fall transition.

Lightweight Sweaters in Fall Colors

The key to early fall dressing is color. Having a few lightweight sweaters in autumnal shades—think rust, mustard, burgundy, or deep plum—brings an instant fall vibe. A simple three-quarter sleeved sweater in a seasonless fiber like cotton or linen and silk (Coleman anyone?) can be worn on its own during the early days of fall and layered under jackets or cardigans as the weather gets cooler.

Denim: The Ultimate Fall Staple

Denim is your best friend during this transitional period. Pairing your knitwear with jeans adds an instant touch of casual, autumnal style to your look. The texture and weight of denim make it the perfect complement to knitwear, and it pairs well with just about anything in your wardrobe. Maybe try a pair of the new wide-leg denim styles that are popular now.

Don’t Forget the Footwear

Finally, nothing says fall quite like swapping out your sandals for closed-toe shoes or booties. Even if the weather isn’t quite cool enough for boots, transitioning to closed-toe footwear can give your outfit that unmistakable fall vibe. Pairing booties with a knit sweater and jeans is a classic look that never goes out of style.

As you sip your first pumpkin spice latte of the season, enjoy this chance to transition the beautiful wardrobe pieces you’ve created across seasons. Because isn’t this what fall is all about—cozying up in your favorite knits, layering creatively, and embracing the season’s rich, warm hues.

Join me and Ginni this week on YouTube as we share our favorite transitional sweaters you’ll want to knit right now.

I would love to hear in the comments how you transition your wardrobe to fall and what your favorite pieces are.