The Transit of Closets

Inspired by a vintage military workshirt, J. Crew’s khaki-colored shirt has just the right, in-between-the seasons feel and look. $69.50, jcrew.com.

You can swish around and feel the flow of summery air in this Tibi maxi skirt, but the color and the cotton crepe fabric edge toward fall. $425, netaporter.com.

As August comes to a close, a dark floral print on a stretch silk sheath dress says you’re in step with the season. $595, suno.com.

It’s the right time of year to pull out your dark denim again, like this tunic with breathable bell sleeves and bateau neckline. $395, suno.com.

Comfy and retro, these Melanie crop jeans with a frayed contrast hem create a silhouette that emphasizes the smallest part of a woman’s body. Wear with a tucked-in T-shirt. $238, citizensofhumanity.com.

Layer this Sincerely Jules diamond-shaped quilted bomber jacket over a T-shirt on a cool, early September night. $169, nordstrom.com.

A 24 karat gold-plated cobra-shaped bracelet with Swarovski crystals makes an excellent wrist adornment any time of year. $251, gasbijoux.com.

J Crew’s Biella Crackled Leather Loafers in a warm rust color are all you need to transit the season. $298, jcrew.com.

Keep wearing sandals but change to this Stuart Weitzman Nearly Nude blocked heel in sumptuous red suede to signal you’re sneaking some fall into your summer. $398, stuartweitzman.com.

Change the pattern of your wardrobe with Clare V’s clutch made from panels of leopard-print calf hair that create a patchwork effect. $245, netaporter.com.

A sublimely neutral-colored (olive) large leather saddle bag from Loeffler Randall is a smart, end-of-summer buy. It will go with everything. $495, saksfifthavenue.com.

New season, new white shirt, but this DKNY mandarin collar shirt goes happily beyond basic. $178, dkny.com.

Switching seasons calls for swapping accessories. This dark floral scarf with frayed edges helps make the leap. $20, loft.com.

Don’t have a thing to wear for the weather? Throw on this lightweight knit stretch dress with a feminine, flared sleeve. $125, cosstores.com.

IF THERE’S A TIME of the year when I truly feel as if I have nothing to wear, it is about to arrive. Despite the triple-digit heat of last week, I can hear the rustle of leaves. Don’t ditch your white jeans yet or any of your warm-weather go-tos, but it’s time to start thinking transitional. There’s no bigger fan of wearing white tip-to-toe, but by the beginning of September, it starts looking a little less, er, crisp than when you wore it in June. As  August wanes, sneak a little fall into your summer — with color, pattern and textured fabrics.

—Janet Kelly
Janet Kelly is the editor of MyLittleBird. She recently wrote a post about the new look of pantsuits.