9 Transitional dressing outfit ideas and the best pieces to shop


Looking ahead to the cooler weather? From trench coat looks to clever layering hacks, see our influencer-approved dressing ideas for the upcoming season


Anna Wein wears white black belted white waist pants DISSH, black wide ruffled turtleneck tap Arakii, beige bag Demellier London, heels YSL, big sunglasses VEHLA on August 10, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Christian Vierig/Getty Images)© Getty Images

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Lauren Ramsay
Lauren RamsayDeputy Digital Editor
55 minutes ago
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This might be controversial, but I'm rather looking forward to the weather cooling down (and yes, I'll be eating my words when I'm freezing on my way to work). But whether you're still loving the heatwave or not, inevitably the long, warm nights are going to come to an end very soon, so it will be time to swap the linen sets and sandals for layers and something a little more weather-appropriate.

The transitional season from summer to autumn is personally my favourite time to dress. It allows us to be more experimental with layers - from playing with different textures to adding pieces to a mini dress to make it feel a little more autumn-ready, without going full knitwear just yet.

Looking ahead to the new season, plenty of It-girls from across the globe are inspiring us as we speak, cleverly using wardrobe staples, layering summer favourites in unexpected ways and proving that you don't need to overhaul your entire wardrobe just because the temperatures start to drop. From long-sleeved co-rds to trench coats paired with bare legs, there's plenty of inspiration to take note of now - and, thankfully, you can start recreating these looks before autumn has officially arrived.

Justyna Czerniak wears white pants, white long sleeve shirt, white scarf with tassels over her hips, black sunglasses, black and white bag and black sandals outside Stine Goya show during the Copenhagen Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2027 on August 05, 2026 in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo by Raimonda Kulikauskiene/Getty Images)© Getty Images

Justyna Czerniak

Is this not the chicest combination? Wrapping a matching tasselled scarf around a co-ord is a super simple way to make even the most understated of outfits interesting. This high street scarf is perfect for wearing with white outfits, jeans and everything in between.

Nina Sandbech is seen wearing a tiger print blazer, a black top, black cropped trousers, oversized sunglasses, black pointed toe pumps and carrying a matching tiger print clutch outside the Gestuz show during Day 2 of Copenhagen Fashion Week Spring Summer 2027 on August 4, 2026 in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo by Moritz Scholz/Getty Images)© Getty Images

Nina Sandbech

Capri pants are a major trend this summer, but to give it a transitional season twist, Nina Sandbech layered her black pair with a tiger-print blazer. I love this Rejina Pyo piece to get the look.

Anna Wein wears white black belted white waist pants DISSH, black wide ruffled turtleneck tap Arakii, beige bag Demellier London, heels YSL, big sunglasses VEHLA on August 10, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Christian Vierig/Getty Images)© Getty Images

Anna Wein

White trousers are the ultimate summer-to-autumn staple. Simply swap out your spaghetti strap tops for a darker-hued thicker layer and you're on to a winner. I love this cape which adds a little more interest than a classic jumper. Anna's exact cape is from Arakii, but this Mango option is only £25.99.

Melissa Vale wears wide brown pants, brown short sleeve top, ombre brown sunglasses, black bag with metal details outside MKDT show during the Copenhagen Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2027 on August 04, 2026 in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo by Raimonda Kulikauskiene/Getty Images)© Getty Images

Melissa Vale

We all know by now that brown is the new black, and this look is incredibly polished. To add some more interest, opt for fun-shaped trousers like these barrel-leg ones from M&S.

Julia Kammerer© Getty Images

Julia Kammerer

I love high-low dressing, and thankfully for us, comfy sportswear is right on-trend. Julia always nails making clashing colours look cool. This exact jacket is available on ASOS, and her yellow suede shoulder bag is only £27.99.

Laura Schulte is seen wearing a red long sleeve button up shirt with rolled sleeves; a black cord necklace with a round pendant; dark brown wide leg trousers with a black leather belt; black square toe leather shoes; a dark brown leather shoulder bag; silver drop earrings, silver bracelets and silver rings; a transparent umbrella; blonde hair worn loose beneath a red plaid headscarf during Day Two of the Copenhagen Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2027, outside the MKDT show, on August 4, 2026 in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo by Moritz Scholz/Getty Images)© Getty Images

Laura Schulte

Red has been a fashion-girly favourite for the last few seasons, and the street style set has made it clear that it's not going anywhere for the foreseeable. Not only do we need a red shirt like Laura, but a clear umbrella may come in handy too... 

Sophia Roe wears white top, black long maxi dress with a belt, black sunglasses and a black pointy high heels outside MKDT show during the Copenhagen Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2027 on August 04, 2026 in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo by Raimonda Kulikauskiene/Getty Images)© Getty Images

Sophia Roe

I'm a huge fan of a maxi trench. Not only because it will keep you dry from (almost) head to (almost) toe in the rain, but also because you can throw on quite literally anything underneath, and nobody will know. This one from The Frankie Shop is *chef's kiss*

Justyna Czerniak wears dark brown mini shorts, beige cropped trench coat, brown bag, oversized yellow sunglasses and flip flops outside MKDT show during the Copenhagen Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2027 on August 04, 2026 in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo by Raimonda Kulikauskiene/Getty Images)© Getty Images

Justyna Czerniak

This look is the definition of 'cool-girl'. The beige trench with a funnel neck gives the classic jacket a contemporary feel. And paired with dark shorts and flip-flop heels is so chic. The high street is loving this silhouette right now, so there are plenty of options, like this £44.99 Bershka one.

Yvonne Schuppler-Kammerer is seen wearing a cream double breasted blazer from Zara; a red sleeveless top from Zara; a cream Bermuda shorts from Zara with a brown leather belt from Mango; red mesh Mary Jane ballet flats; a vintage beige and brown Monogram canvas handbag with blue leather handles and gold tone hardware from Gucci; a pendant necklace from Dremiskin and a red bracelet from H&M; oversized tortoiseshell frame sunglasses with dark tinted lenses from Gina Tricot; brown hair worn in a sleek low bun on August 7, 2026 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. (Photo by Moritz Scholz/Getty Images)© Getty Images

Yvonne Schuppler-Kammerer

If you haven't seem bermuda shorts on your social media feed, then you're not following the right people. I love this co-ord with the red underneath, and matching flats to really emphasise the pop of colour. This jacket and shorts set, believe it or not, is a good old Zara number.

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