I’m currently in the process of turning my spare room into a walk-in wardrobe (yes, it’s the viral IKEA PAX hack) so a mass cleanse is happening. But as a fashion editor with a lot of clothes, I’m still having to prioritise the pieces I’ll be wearing most over the next few months. The only issue is, while summer is still in full swing, autumn is fast approaching, so is it best to focus on shorts and cami tops or knitwear and jackets? The answer: both.

The awkward time between summer and autumn can be tricky to navigate, but it’s all about merging the seasons together with cleverly layered looks that don’t fully sit in one seasonal box. To further explain what I mean, I took it upon myself to get some transitional outfit inspiration from some of the most stylish women I follow. The outcome is five outfits, all of which will serve us well throughout this time. Think drummer jackets with jeans and sandals, oversized jumpers with sporty shorts and flip flops. Meanwhile, key pieces—including a shirt, a cropped trench and the humble T-shirt —are coming into full fruition. Here are the effortless outfits to copy over the next few weeks using items you most likely already have in your wardrobe.

5 Summer-to-Autumn Transitional Outfit Ideas to Copy in 2026

1. Cropped Trench + Satin Top + Balloon Trousers

Style Notes: If we have to be back in jackets, they should be a worthy addition to our outfits—right? A cropped trench is the perfect style to bridge the gap between seasons, and I love how Hannah has elevated hers with volume and texture in the form of balloon trousers with satin and suede.

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2. Long Sleeve T-Shirt + Short Sleeve T-shirt + Midi Skirt

Style Notes: Clever layering is Nnenna’s speciality, and this time, she’s focused on stacking tops. This micro trend was already huge in summer, but now it’s coming through to autumn too, and it’s such an easy way to adjust to the changing temperatures without instantly swaddling up in a jacket or coat.

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3. Jumper + Sporty Shorts + Flip Flops

Style Notes: I’ll forever love the look of autumn on top, summer on the bottom. Whether it’s a knit and sporty shorts (as seen above on Aimee) or a jacket zipped up with a skirt, it’s the perfect formula for the midst of this in-betweeny time of year.

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4. Fitted Shirt + Canvas Jacket + Utility Trousers

Style Notes: This is one of those looks I would happily wear to the office. Mixing shirting with relaxed utility pieces, I’ll forever back the power of a shirt layered over a vest top, and 18-year-old me, who didn’t leave the house without a statement necklace of some kind, is so glad they’re back.

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5. Drummer Jacket + Jeans + Sandals

Style Notes: The hat, the drummer jacket, the jeans with just the right amount of slouch—Dawn has indeed nailed the brief. Looking polished from top-to-toe, I’m already packing away my summer shorts to copy this look (albeit with a warm-weather appropriate sandal).