Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer, although it doesn’t officially end until the autumnal equinox on Sept. 22. Whichever date you use, there’s no denying that September means change, and that goes double for your wardrobe. Flip-flops and sandals are gone, replaced by closed-toe shoes. Strapless summer sundresses have to be replaced with sleeves and sweaters. Still, fall fashion shouldn’t feel like a slog. You’ll need to be warmer, but you don’t have to completely replace your wardrobe. By a few new pieces and remember to have fun. Here are three more ways to make dressing for fall feel easier.
Wear White After Labor Day
Of all the confounding fashion rules, the one that says you can’t wear white after Labor Day might make the least sense. Then again, rules made my snobs rarely do. According to Mental Floss, the rule was devised by rich women in the late 1800s as a method for telling “new money” from “old money.” By the mid-20th century, the belief that white was a “summer only” color had spread to the middle class as well.
Thankfully, we’re in the 21st century now, and while a few people will still tell you not to wear white after early September, it’s more of a loose guideline than a hard-and-fast rule. If you can find a great pair of white sneakers to go running in, then you should buy them. You should probably avoid wearing a white dress to a wedding, because that’s still a faux pas. But otherwise, go crazy.
Buy a Maxi Dress (or Three)
Sure, summer is great for wearing mini-skirts and short dresses that show off your gams, but fall is still a great season for dresses of a different kind. If you want to flaunt your curves, you can still do that. For instance, a navy blue maxi dress with a plunging neckline is a fabulous way to display a classy amount of cleavage. Look for something with at least short sleeves to help you stay warm when an autumn breeze blows through. If you’re wearing the dress in November, you may need a cardigan or other cover-up in case things get really chilly, but no law says you have to stuff yourself into shapeless clothing just because it’s fall. Maxi dresses work for almost every body type, too, because they lengthen the figure, and dark colors in particular make people appear slimmer.
A maxi dress is more versatile than a short dress because it works for a lot of different settings. Whether you want to explore Henry County, Georgia, with your Southern relatives or attend a cocktail party in downtown Chicago, a maxi dress has got you covered (literally and figuratively). People will see you in a dress and automatically assign you more style points, even if the piece is more casual than formal.
Accessorize with Bright Colors
We tend to associate fall colors with fall foliage, which makes sense on a certain level. Who wouldn’t want to wear a vibrant orange sweater to go pumpkin picking in the middle of October? However, the clothing racks can go a little overboard with the earth tones. Brown is a nice enough color, but there’s no need for 23 different shades of it. If the selection of shirts and pants is too dreary, find shelter in the accessories aisle.
When the leaves have fallen off and all the trees are dead, let a bright scarf or handbag be your antidote to the gloom. When the skies are cloudy and you fear you’ll never see the sun again, grab a pair of yellow gloves to keep your hands warm and cozy. Seasonal depression begins in the fall and gets worse once winter hits, so it makes sense to start fighting it early. The internet makes it easy to shop regardless of the weather outside, so start browsing deals now to get ready for cooler, darker conditions.
