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The Everygirl’s Transitional Workwear Wardrobe (on a Budget!)

When it comes to workwear, summer is absolutely the hardest to navigate. In the colder months, we can layer up in chic coats and sweaters and call it a day; but when it’s hot, we have to figure out how to dress professionally while simultaneously avoiding an episode of hyperthermia and a pool of sweat under our dry-clean-only pieces.

The seasons are beginning to transition, which means that we have another challenge when we’re digging through our closets to get dressed in the morning. We need to prepare for a scorching hot walk to work, followed by a freezing cold office, and then an evening — so what’s a girl to do?

We’ve created a capsule workwear wardrobe for the transitional weather that’s quickly approaching — and everything we found is affordable. Skip the awkward stage of dressing and try one of our go-to workwear formulas:

 

Mock Turtleneck TopH&M
Silk TopEverlane
Wrap Top, Vince Camuto
Wide-Leg PantsEverlane
Paper-Bag PantsH&M
Belted PantsAbercrombie
Short-Sleeve Peplum TopTopshop
Silk Button-UpTopshop
Denim JacketLevi’s
Wrap DressMadewell
Black JumpsuitLeith
Leopard Midi, Madewell
Striped Midi Skirt, Leith
Belted Dress, H&M
Midi Dress, Something Navy
White LoafersMadewell
Leather ToteMadewell
Leopard FlatsSam Edelman
Tortoise HoopsBaubleBar
Heeled SandalsSteve Madden
Flat SandalsEverlane

 

 

How to Wear It

 

 

The biggest key to nailing transitional looks? Layering, layering, layering. By adding a jacket to a summer dress or a knitted T-shirt under a jumpsuit, you can take your summer-reserved pieces into fall without anyone looking twice. Take advantage of midi-length skirts and lightweight tops to tackle transitional weather.

Here, we’ve paired both our summer and fall staples together to create looks that are perfect for days that are freezing in the morning, but still sweltering in the afternoon.

We’re nixing the no-white-shoes-after-labor-day rule and welcoming them with open arms. We love white loafers and sandals to wear on almost-fall days, and treat leopard as a neutral to mix in with our looks. A block-heeled sandal can be worn with anything from summer dresses to sweaters and jeans on a warm fall day, while elevating a look from running errands to heading into the office.