It's about that time of year... the summer style slump. It's August, autumn is right around the corner, but the sun is still blazing hot, and we're getting bored with buying tank tops and swimsuits. The summer fatigue is setting in, but in North Carolina, the temperature could still be in the 80's by the time Halloween rolls around.
We're dreaming of crisp mornings and pumpkin spiced sweets, but the blazing sun has other plans! It feels silly to buy another sun dress since autumn is just a few weeks away, but if you purchase a chunky knit sweater for the season, you'll end up melting. That's why we're introducing our Wear Now, Layer Later method for picking the perfect pieces to put in your seasonal transition wardrobe. Read ahead to find out more!
A Transitional Base Layer
Texture and fabric are everything right now, and the wide variety of clothes on the shelves give you tons of room to experiment with your style. While you're playing around with different looks, make sure you're focusing on picking out breathable fabric. It doesn't matter how gorgeous an outfit is, if it's made of 100% polyester then you'll turn into a hot, sweaty mess after wearing it for a couple minutes in the sun.
Focus on natural materials for the most breathable fabrics. Cotton, linen, and bamboo are your friends right now--synthetics and polyester weaves need to stay on the rack for now. Look for things like gauze, muslin, lightweight fabrics, and loose, open weaves. These are the traits you'll need in an outfit that's breezy, naturally moisture-wicking, and will feel just as good as it looks!
The key to success here is to gravitate towards styles that have more coverage and are slightly more structured than most summer styles, so avoid the flimsy beach coverups still on the rack. Instead, opt for a cute midi or maxi dress (we have tons in our complete looks collection) that looks cute solo for a summer date, or paired with a jacket for autumn.
A brand for women we really love at the boutique is MIOU MUSE. Their styles are beautiful and the high-quality materials are perfect for the hot weather. Every season, they stun us with their stellar styles, and we promise you'll love them just as much as we do. Check out our MIOU MUSE collection for women here.
When it comes to your kids' transitional styles, you can't go wrong with Quincy Mae. This is one of our absolute favorite brands at Wrightsville Ave Boutique, and for good reason. Their apparel and coordinating sets are super comfortable now, and easy to layer with once the cool weather comes around. Quincy Mae apparel is made of natural materials that are uber high-quality, which means your kid is always as comfortable as they are cool-looking. Check out our Quincy Mae collection for kids and babies here.
Bridge it With Denim
It's not a secret. Everyone knows it: denim is the ultimate transitional fabric. No matter what, there will always be a way to incorporate denim into your outfit while still looking completely chic. It looks good year-round, and you can wear denim in all sorts of different styles, shades, and silhouettes!
For summer, we were all about the denim cut-off shorts, but now is the time to start reaching towards the lightweight wide-leg denim pants, or a structured denim skirt.
At Wrightsville Ave Boutique, we carry denim all year long! The Kris Baggy Wide Leg Denim Pants are a favorite here thanks to its 99% lightweight cotton makeup and beautiful silhouette. These are the types of pants that look sweet and summery when worn together with a tank top and some flip flops, while easily transitioning to autumn when you wear it with cute booties and a sweater! Check out our women's bottoms collection to discover even more styles!
The Color Shift
When you want to dress for the season, but the weather isn't cooperating, you need to express yourself with color!
Feel like fall without sweating by simply swapping the shades and colors you're wearing. Summer's over, which means we're getting rid of vibrant colors, neon, buttery yellows, and pastels. Instead, pick up some styles in earth tones, deep burgundy, mustard, and more neutral, subdued shades.
This is a super quick tip that can still do a ton of the heavy lifting when it comes to updating your seasonal style! Even if you're wearing short sleeves, doing a simple "color shift" is your ticket to automatic autumn vibes.
Get Ready, Get Dressed, and... Go!!!
Here you go: you officially have our permission to start shopping for the new season! Don't let the heat keep you stuck in a style rut! Just remember these tips: acquire the perfect transitional base layer piece(s), bridge your seasonal wardrobes with denim, and perfect your autumn outfits with the color shift.
Start building your transitional wardrobe and come visit us in the boutique! Grab a Drift coffee from next door, pop in, say "hi," and let us help you find the perfect pieces for you. Can't make it in? No problem. Check out our women's new arrivals collection to find your next favorite fit!
