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True fall is still at least a month out, maybe two, yet cold-weather clothes and accessories are already trickling into stores. The pieces are tempting following months of the same faithful sundresses and shorts. Indulge in a smart autumn purchase now and even wear it this week — if you scoop up one of the pieces we've outlined below. See ten of the best bets for wearing now (as well as for months to come), from key silhouettes to top colors and prints.
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A-Line Miniskirt
Fall's key skirt style is the A-line mini, which sits at the natural waist and skims the hips in a flirtatious, '60s silhouette. Style it with simple tank tops and gladiator sandals now, and wear with a mock turtleneck and knee-high boots when it's cooler.
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Jewel tones
You can start mixing fall's rich jewel tones — jade green, pumpkin orange, cayenne red — into your summer look if you temper them with soft neutrals like oatmeal, ivory, and camel. Picture this maxi dress with flat, straw-colored sandals and a little tan cross-body bag for summer, and layered up with a bordeaux wool coat and a long gold pendant necklace in a few months.
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Tie-neck blouse
The standout blouse for next season is a '70s-influenced tie-neck style. Because it doesn't button all the way to the top and has a billowy cut, it's easy to mix in with shorts and culottes now. Pair it with trousers and a blazer this autumn for a fresh work look, or add it to high-waisted denim flares for a totally doable '70s vibe.
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Sleeveless Jacket
Add a layer to your summer outfits without adding extra heat by way of an elongated vest. This style looks great over a dress of a different length — either shorter or longer — and can be used to polish a denim look. When the temperature drops, it's a versatile layer over sweaters and jackets.
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Windowpane PatterNs
Squared-off windowpane checks were everywhere on the fall runways, especially in navy and white (think of them as the pinstripe's cool cousin). Pair with white accessories, like bags and sandals, to keep the mood light for the rest of summer. As for fall, feel free to break the navy-and-black rule with tights, smooth leather bags, and patent shoes for a dark preppy vibe.
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Loafers
There are so many good loafers out for fall, and they're the perfect solution for when you're sick of wearing sandals but can't yet commit to boots. A slide style, with built-in ventilation, is easy to get into now. These will look great with ankle-length pants this fall but are equally sweet with summer dresses and skirts.
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Ribbed knit
Body-hugging ribbed knits are another slinky '70s comeback to pick up this fall. They come in all forms, including tank tops and crop tops, so you can easily wear them now as part of an disco-inspired evening look. For fall, they're great layered with other knits for a cozy sweater-dressing vibe.
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Cropped Flares
The most exciting thing happening to pants for fall is the cropped flare. The silhouette, kicking out slightly from the knee and ending at the ankle bone, works surprisingly well with flats, heels, sandals, and boots. They're a versatile bet to take on now and love 'til it's freezing.
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Duster Length
Long, looong coats are the thing this fall — get a taste for the silhouette without a lot of extra weight through a duster-length vest or sweater. This Mango piece is an especially good candidate because it's light in color and adds a lot of texture to an outfit. It's an instant upgrade for light-wash jeans and a white tank top, and perfect protection against late-summer office A/C.
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Something snakeskin
Expect to see a ton of snakeskin prints this fall, largely thanks to Alessandro Michele's super successful inaugural collection for Gucci. The print looks best when it's more "grandma" than The Nanny, so work it in through timeless accessory shapes like top-handled bags and block-heeled pumps. The rich pattern pops with white shirt dresses now, and can be part of a layered look with wool, knits, and fur come fall.