How to get the fall feeling when it’s still 85 degrees outside
We moved to South Carolina five years ago, and there are very few things I miss about colder weather. Snow? I’m good. Scraping ice off my windshield? Absolutely not.
But early fall dressing? I miss it.
There is something about September and October that makes me want to pull out jeans, loafers, sweaters and jackets—even when the weather here is saying otherwise.
In South Carolina, I typically don’t start breaking out the real fall layers until November or December. And even then, you can wake up to a beautiful crisp morning only to be questioning every clothing decision you made by 2 p.m.
So I’ve learned to dress for fall energy instead of fall temperatures.
The trick: change the mood, not the weight
When it’s 80–85 degrees outside, I’m obviously not putting on a chunky sweater and boots just because the calendar says October.
Instead, I start changing my colors, textures, shoes and accessories while keeping the actual clothes lightweight.
Think chocolate brown, denim, burgundy, taupe and warm neutrals. Woven leather, suede details and bandanas. A great jean with a tank instead of a sweater. Shorts with a knit tee. A fall-colored Birkenstock instead of a boot.
It feels like fall without pretending it’s 55 degrees outside.
Outfit 1: Jeans + a white tank + woven flats
This might be the easiest early-fall formula.
Take the jeans you’re excited to wear for fall and pair them with a simple white tank. Add a woven ballet flat and a bandana in a rich brown or burgundy print.
You get the feeling of a September outfit without adding a single unnecessary layer.
And later in the season? Throw a cardigan or jacket over exactly the same outfit.
Outfit 2: Denim shorts, but make them fall
I am absolutely not packing away my shorts just because Labor Day has passed.
Instead, I change what I wear with them.
A great pair of denim shorts paired with a lightweight cashmere tee immediately feels more transitional. Add a woven leather mule and layered necklaces in earthy tones and suddenly the outfit feels much more October than July.
This is one of my favorite tricks because you still get all the comfort of a hot-weather outfit without looking like you're headed to the beach.
Outfit 3: Jeans + a tee + a great fall accessory
This is where accessories do most of the work.
A simple neutral tee and jeans become a completely different outfit when you add a chocolate brown shoe and a bag with rich embroidery, texture or autumnal color.
You don't need five layers to make an outfit interesting. Sometimes one really good accessory does it for you.
Outfit 4: The layer you can actually take off
There are mornings in South Carolina when you can convince yourself it's officially fall.
Take advantage of them.
I love a white tank, denim or chambray button-down, cutoff shorts and sneakers. Wear the shirt open or loosely buttoned in the morning, then take it off when the temperature inevitably climbs.
It's practical, but it still gives you that layered fall look we're all craving by September.
Stop waiting for sweater weather
I used to feel like fall clothes had to mean sweaters, jackets and boots. Living in the South has completely changed that.
Now I think about fall dressing as a palette and a feeling more than a temperature.
Bring in the denim. Swap bright summer colors for chocolate, burgundy, camel and cream. Add woven leather, suede and deeper accessories. Wear the jeans with a tank. Wear the shorts with a knit. Keep the layers removable.
Because when it's pumpkin spice latte season but still 85 degrees outside, you can still dress like fall—you just have to edit it.
And that feels very Dear Lucy Edits.
Shop the Fall Energy Edit
I pulled together the pieces I'm loving for this weird in-between season—easy denim, lightweight tops, woven shoes, transitional accessories and all the pieces that give you fall without the heatstroke.
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