How to Prep Your Fall Wardrobe While It’s Still Summer

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There’s a funny in-between moment at the tail end of summer. The days are still hot, but the evenings start whispering of cooler weather. That golden late-summer light makes me itch to pull out my knits and boots, even if the Texas sun insists otherwise. Prepping your fall wardrobe while it’s still summer is one of those small joys that makes the shift into a new season feel smoother, and it’s something I’ve always loved.

When I was a newlywed, I didn’t have the luxury of shopping every season. I stretched summer pieces into fall and leaned heavily on thrift shops. One of my favorite finds back then was a soft cardigan in a muted rose — I wore it over sundresses in August and then layered it under a coat in November. That simple cardigan taught me how to build a wardrobe that could work hard across seasons. To this day, I still prepare for fall by blending what I already own with just a few new (often thrifted) treasures.

Here’s how you can do the same.

Start with Layers You Can Peel Away

In August, a full sweater feels stifling, but a light cardigan or knit vest is just right. I love slipping one over a cotton dress in the evenings when I’m sitting out on the porch with tea. Think of pieces you can drape over your shoulders now and then button up later when the temperatures drop.

Try these combos:

• White cotton dress + tan knit vest

• Linen pants + chambray button-up (worn open like a jacket)

• Flowy skirt + crochet cardigan

These outfits move seamlessly from 95-degree afternoons to breezier evenings without weighing you down.

Rotate Your Colors

One of my favorite ways to ease into fall is by shifting my color palette. Bright florals give way to earthier tones — sage greens, soft browns, golden yellows. Even a summer blouse feels different when paired with a deeper skirt or darker cardigan.

Color shifts to try:

• Summer whites → pair with mossy green

• Blush pink → grounds beautifully with plum or rust

• Light blue → flows into navy or denim layers

I once found a mossy green wrap skirt at a thrift store in August, and it instantly transformed my airy tops into something autumnal. Color alone can carry your wardrobe into a new season.

Bring Out the Boots (a Little Early)

I start wearing ankle boots before the weather truly calls for them, often pairing them with dresses or skirts. They ground an outfit and hint at the season ahead.

Ideas for now:

• Midi dress + ankle boots → perfect for farmer’s market mornings

• Wrap skirt + blouse + short boots → works for homeschooling lessons at the kitchen table or an afternoon out

• Jeans cuffed above boots → casual and practical for garden chores

Pro tip: thrift shops are full of boots in late summer. If you scoop them up now, you’ll be ready before everyone else starts hunting.

Keep Summer Fabrics but Add Fall Textures

Cotton, linen, and lightweight blends are still your friends in late summer, but try layering in touches of texture: a crochet bag, a suede belt, or a knit shawl. My grandmother always said texture makes an outfit feel “richer,” and she was right.

For everyday cottagecore living, this looks like:

• A linen dress with a suede belt for berry picking

• A cotton blouse with a knit shawl for baking days

• A crochet market bag for carrying herbs or bread

It’s a way to nod to fall without overheating in 95-degree weather.

Prep Your Closet Now

Before the school year sweeps us all away, I like to go through my wardrobe. I donate or resell pieces I didn’t reach for this summer, pull my fall clothes out of storage, and see what still feels right.

Every year I surprise myself. There’s usually a piece I loved last year that I’ve fallen out of love with, and sometimes an old favorite feels brand new again. This little ritual makes me more grateful for what I already own, and I spend less when the true fall collections hit the stores.

Quick checklist:

• Donate or resell summer pieces you didn’t wear

• Pull out stored fall clothes and try them on

• Make a list of 1–2 intentional pieces to thrift or buy

Add One New Thing with Intention

Whether it’s a thrifted knit, embroidered jeans, or a classic coat, choose one piece you know you’ll wear all season long. When I bought my first real wool peacoat, it was in the middle of August. Everyone thought I was crazy, but it turned out to be one of my best purchases — it’s still in my closet today, nearly ten years later.

Fall will arrive soon enough, but the beauty of preparing early is that you don’t have to rush when it does. By slowly weaving in layers, textures, and colors, your wardrobe will be ready before the first leaf turns.

What’s one piece you can’t wait to wear when the weather cools? Tell me in the comments or tag me on Instagram so I can see your early fall outfits.

Brooke

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Welcome to my cozy corner of the internet! I’m Brooke, and I’m so thrilled you’re here. As a homeschool mom and a lover of all things Cottagecore, I’ve built a life that’s all about creating warmth, charm, and simplicity—and I can’t wait to share it with you!

Cottagecore, for me, is about slowing down and embracing the beauty of intentional living—finding joy in baking fresh bread, tending a garden, or savoring a quiet moment with a cup of tea by a sunny window. It’s about blending the rustic charm of Cottagecore with the refined elegance of French Country style to create a life that feels both beautiful and attainable.

One of my greatest passions is curating unique, timeless treasures that reflect this way of life. Whether it’s a vintage find, a sustainable piece, or a handmade item with a story to tell, I love sharing these special discoveries with you. And now, you can shop these carefully chosen pieces right here! Each item is selected with love, bringing charm, sustainability, and elegance into your home and wardrobe.

This little community of like-minded women makes everything even sweeter. I’m so excited to connect, inspire, and celebrate the magic of Cottagecore together. Thank you for stopping by—it means the world to me. Let’s embrace a simpler, more beautiful life, one lovely find at a time!