Transition Summer's Pastels

If thoughts of deep purples and chocolaty browns have you clinging to every last inch of summer, there is good news for you. This year, designers, store window dressers and fashion mavens alike have found creative, elegant ways to transition summer pastels into fall. In fact both Marc Jacobs and Rodarte switched falls predictably dark palette for softer sorbets. Can’t afford it off the runway? Enhance the neutral colors you have with your favorite warm weather pastel pieces.

The Jean. A personal favorite, pink, purple and light blue jeans coasted their way from Spring to Summer. If you aren’t ready to give them up just yet,  The key is keeping the other pieces neutral so as not to overwhelm onlookers. A light pink denim pant pairs brilliantly with a long, neutral sweater, a rugged boot. Glam it up with six inch stilettos and a charcoal grey military blazer. Need inspiration? Top Shop, Madewell and Charlotte Ronson do this look right.

The Dress. The easiest way to transition a dress is to throw on a sweater and cinch the middle with a chunky belt. This look smartly goes from workday to dinner. Like pairing pastel denim, be sure the accessories and complimentary pieces remain neutral. Cooler weather may call for boots, but we advise a simpler style depending on the brightness of the dress. For Rodarte’s Fall 2009, the daring designer paired neutral thigh high boots with his pastel dress.

The Skirt. An option you may be most comfortable with is the pastel skirts. Paired with a slouchy boot, structured blazer or plain t-shirt, the skirt can be warmed up through winter with… tights!  Longer pastel skirts are better worn sans tights like this Fall 2009 number paired by color mastermind Chris Benz.