Summer Styles to Keep for Fall

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  Pumpkin-spice lattes are appearing on menus, the aisles of Target are filled with Back-To-School supplies, and Halloween recipes are starting to pop up on my Pinterest feed. This can only mean one thing: Fall is coming. Living in AZ, this is quite exciting as it's been a long, scorching summer. For others, the cooler temps and falling leaves might evoke a sense of dread as a precursor to the imminent winter ahead. Whether you're ready to jump into fall feet-first but can't because it's still 100 degrees outside, or are determined to cling to the last notes of summer, we've got good news. You don't need to pack up your summer threads just yet. In fact, you can keep wearing them all throughout fall. Here's a helpful list of summer items that can easily transition into your fall wardrobe and where to buy them!

Distressed Boyfriend Jeans

Boyfriend jeans are like are like an old friend, you can always count on them despite any tattered rips or frayed edges that may have occurred along the way. Lazy day with your hair in a baseball cap and sneaks on your feet? Boyfriend jeans. What to wear with your new strappy heels to happy hour? Boyfriend jeans. Trying to dress down that new blouse? You guessed it, boyfriend jeans. You can get just as much wear out of these this fall as you did this summer. Throw them on with suede booties and lots of bold jewelry for a boho-glam vibe, or use them to contrast the polished sophistication of your longline vest.

Button Front Denim Skirt

If you haven't noticed, the 70's are back in a major way. From high-fashion houses like Chloe and Jill Stuart to fast-fashion outlets like Zara and H&M, there's fringe, suede, fur, and flares in abundance. While not all of this is super wearable day-to-day, the a-line denim skirt is an exception. Button-front skirts started popping up all over the place this summer, most often seen paired with a bib-style crop top and booties. All this outfit is missing for fall is some layers for warmth. Cue the turtle necks, bell sleeves, and chunky knits.

Birkenstocks

Whether you're a fan or not, there's no denying that Birkenstocks are having a BIG moment in fashion. While they were great paired with an easy, breezy oversized tee and shorts for summer months, they'll transition into your fall wardrobe quite smoothly. Pair them with boyfriend jeans, a shift dress, or cozy leggings to take you into the cooler months. And when it gets chilly, don't be afraid to throw on some slouchy knit socks with them, too!

Overalls-Twenties Girl Style
Overalls-Twenties Girl Style

Overalls

Overalls are great because they can work for virtually any season. Finding the right pair may be tricky but it's worth the hunt because it's a piece you can keep forever, and these bad boys have great potential for fall. Layer a turtle neck or striped tee underneath, tie a flannel around your waist, or throw on a chunky sweater and booties like Ashley, from Twenties Girl Style did above. Boom, effortless it-girl chic.

Longline Vest

Longline vests (also referred to as sleeveless blazers) are fairly new on the fashion radar, but are a great staple to have in your wardrobe. These aren't the frumpy, short vests of the 90's, but instead have a longer, sleeker, more modern appearance. Great for a professional look with a tailored ankle-length trouser, or throw it on with ballet flats (like these from Topshop) to dress up a graphic tee and shorts. Either way, long live the longline vest.

White Denim

The great thing about fashion these days is that there are no rules. "No white after labor day" is truly a thing of the past. Also, no styling tips needed because they go with just about everything! So go ahead, rebel against this fashion faux pas and keep the white denim in your fall line-up to keep things fresh. You rebellious spirit, you.

Summer Sundress

Don't pack away your summer dresses quite yet. Instead, challenge yourself to get creative and play around with layering. Put a white tee underneath, throw on a trench, or cover up the entire top of the dress with a sweater and pretend you have yourself a new skirt. The possibilities are endless.

Chunky Platform Sandals

Platform heels are great for a few different reasons. First of all, they are SO comfortable. Platforms give you the height of a stiletto or pump, minus the pain. They were a huge hit this summer, especially when paired with flirty dresses and skirts. To make them even more fun, carry them into your fall wardrobe and wear them with socks. This look would be ideal with a flowy midi dress, allowing you to show off your funky footwear situation.

Don't have some of these versatile items in your closet yet? No worries! Here's where to find them:

summer styles layout
summer styles layout

Style Inspired by Key Lime

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Lindt25web

Raise your emoji hand if you like key lime pie. I DO!!! Raise your hand if you like chocolate. I do, especially while pregnant! Did you know that Lindt makes citrus Lindor Truffles? Yes. Yes, they do, and I am very thankful because they are a little slice of heaven during these hot summer days.

Lindt asked me share some outfits inspired by their indulgent truffles, and what better choice than a citrus inspired palette for summer?! It tastes like melt in your mouth white chocolate with a key lime filling, so I chose white skinny maternity jeans from H&M with a graphic pattern halter top from Alixandra Collections that incorporated lime green along with a beautiful aqua and, everyone's favorite color, black.

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Lindt30web
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Lindt31web

I love that women are embracing the color white. Just have a gallon of bleach near by, and don't worry too much if you spill something on your pants. Halter tops are a shape that many designers are using this summer. In general, plan to expose those beautiful shoulders of yours with off-the-shoulder tops, strapless tops or halters.

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Lindt32web1

If you're nervous about incorporating bright colors such as lime into your wardrobe, pick a print that incorporates it. Prints are also great for disguising a large mid-section (you can't even tell I'm pregnant from the front).

Get the look: Hat from Alixandra Collections Sunglasses from Target Top from Alixandra Collections White skinny jeans from H&M Black mules from Shoe Dazzle

Photos by Gina Meola

This post is sponsored by Lindt.

Winter Whites

White is a color normally reserved for spring and summer, but recently, I have seen white incorporated into winter outfits. White separates with darker winter ones is a surprising pairing that can spice up your outfit when everyone else is in black and navy. Here are a few ways to pair your white pieces with a winter outfit. Wear white pants! Add a utility jacket and menswear inspired button-down to insure your outfit is not too "summer brunch".

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Throw on a white blazer instead of the usual black so you stand out in a sea of dark winter coat wearers.

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And my favorite: a white faux fur! Chic AND warm...like a polar bear.

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Images by: Style Scrapbook, Cupcakes and Cashmere, We Wore What, Fashion Squad

White Denim = Bad Idea

You may or may not heard that white denim skinny jeans are one of the summer staples for 2010. Well, I finally scored my pair of jeans at TJ Maxx last week ($12), and let me just say that I'm glad I only paid $12. My mind must have been clouded by wanting to be on trend rather than thinking, "Alex, you can barely keep white tank tops from getting stained. What makes you think you can keep white pants from the same death sentence?!"

I wore them ONE DAY, and then got dirty! I washed them and put them on this morning...Stain! Stain!!!! Right on my knee, and I can't get it out with bleach. Grrrrrr!!!!

Word to the wise - This is not a trend worth partaking in.