August can be one of the trickiest months to dress for. Summer is still in full swing, temperatures remain high, and there are holidays, garden parties, and evenings outdoors still to enjoy. At the same time, it’s easy to find yourself looking at the new-season collections and wondering if it’s time to move on from summer dressing.
Rather than rushing into autumn clothes, August is the perfect time to refresh your wardrobe with pieces that still feel summery but have a little more polish and versatility. Think of it as refining your summer style rather than replacing it. Save the true transitional dressing for next month. Right now, it’s all about making the most of the warm weather while choosing pieces that feel current and sophisticated.
If you are shopping for August – for summer and vacations, lots of stores have vacation wardrobe sections and some completely specialize in vacation wear – so you can combine items from the vacation wardrobe with newer fall items. These are some of the best places to look:
- Cos vacaTrtion wardrobe
- Trina Turk
- Lilly Pulitzer
- Farm Rio
- Johnny Was
- Avara
- Everything But Water
- COS
- J.Crew
Eileen Fisher Lightweight Organic Cotton Denim Curved Jacket – EIleen Fisher Puckered Organic Linen Square Top – H&M Asymmetric Viscose Skirt – J.Crew Fisherman Metallic Sandals – Massimo Dutti Split Suede Leather Shoulder Bag – Massimo Dutti Fluid Lines Hoop Earrings
Some tips for August dressing
We’ve created an August capsule filled with easy, stylish pieces to make the most of these final weeks of summer. But before we get to the capsule, below are a few simple ways to refresh what you’re wearing right now, without rushing ahead to fall.
Refresh your color palette
If you’ve spent the summer wearing bright prints and vibrant colors, August is a lovely time to soften your palette. Cream, olive, navy, chocolate, terracotta and warm beige feel rich without looking autumnal. They also mix beautifully with the white and denim you’ve probably been wearing all season.
Eileen Fisher Organic Cotton Pucker Check Shirt Jacket – Eileen Fisher Lightweight Organic Cotton Denim Full-Length Trouser – Lauren Ralph Lauren Jayna Perforated Suede Mary Jane Flat – Mar Y Sol for EILEEN FISHER Beach Tote – Reiss Pixie Polished Knot Earrings
Keep wearing linen
There’s no reason to pack away your linen just because the shops are filling with knitwear. Linen trousers, shirts and dresses are still among the smartest choices for hot weather, particularly in richer shades like olive, chocolate, navy or terracotta.
Add interesting textures
Texture can make an outfit feel more considered without adding warmth. Crochet details, soft suede accessories, woven leather, lightweight knits and natural raffia all add interest while remaining perfectly suited to late summer.
EIleen Fisher Washed Organic Linen Délavé Notch Collar Shirt – COS Tie-detail Pleated Georgette Maxi Dress – Fly London Yorg Ankle Strap Platform Wedge Sandal – Massimo Dutti Split Suede Leather Shoulder Bag – COS Mismatched Knotted Earrings
Think about versatility
August is often filled with weekends away, last-minute holidays and spontaneous evenings out. Choose pieces that can do more than one job. A linen shirt can be worn over swimwear during the day and tucked into trousers for dinner. A simple midi dress can work with trainers for sightseeing or metallic sandals for drinks by the sea.
Your August Capsule
Below, we’ve put together an August wardrobe edit featuring the pieces we’re reaching for right now. Think breathable fabrics, refined silhouettes, versatile accessories and timeless colors that make the most of the final weeks of summer without jumping ahead to autumn. It’s a capsule designed to help you enjoy everything August has to offer, stylishly and effortlessly.
august wardrobe edit
So, let’s get to it. Here’s our August capsule, with versatile pieces you can mix and match to make the most of your summer wardrobe right now. You’ll see there are a lot of clothes, shoes and accessories that you can wear into fall too.
tops
For August, keep your tops lightweight but start introducing a little more depth through color, texture and shape. A silky tank feels polished while remaining cool; deeper shades such as burgundy, chocolate or olive hint at the season ahead, while a denim or chambray shirt adds texture without extra weight. An asymmetric top is another great choice, giving simple summer trousers, shorts or skirts a more modern feel. If the evenings are chilly, you can always pop on a blazer or cardigan.
EIleen Fisher Silk Twill Curved V-Neck Tank – EIleen Fisher Puckered Organic Linen Square Top – EIleen Fisher Washed Organic Linen Délavé Notch Collar Shirt – Massimo Dutti Asymmetric Strappy Top
Haven Well Within Cashmere Shaker Stitch Cardigan – EIleen Fisher Silk Twill Curved V-Neck Tank – Eileen Fisher Puckered Organic Linen Stripe Shorts – Fly London Yorg Ankle Strap Platform Wedge Sandal – Mar Y Sol for EILEEN FISHER Beach Tote – Reiss Pixie Polished Knot Earrings
Coat and jackets
You may not need much of a layer during the day, but a lightweight jacket or cardigan is perfect for cooler August evenings and air-conditioned spaces. Look for breathable linen jackets, softly structured blazers and fine-knit cardigans that add polish without too much warmth. Keep the fabrics light and the silhouettes relaxed so they still feel firmly rooted in summer.
Eileen Fisher Lightweight Organic Cotton Denim Curved Jacket – Eileen Fisher Organic Cotton Pucker Check Shirt Jacket – Massimo Dutti Shawl Collar Kimono – Haven Well Within Cashmere Shaker Stitch Cardigan
Pants and shorts
Keep your pants lightweight and relaxed, with linen and fluid wide-leg styles that will see you comfortably through the last hot weeks of summer. Shorts still have plenty of mileage too, particularly tailored styles that can be worn casually during the day and dressed up for dinner in the evening. This is also an easy place to start introducing richer shades such as burgundy, olive or chocolate, giving your summer outfits a nod towards the season ahead.
J.Crew Soleil Linen Pant – Eileen Fisher Organic Cotton Pucker Check Wide-Leg Pant – Eileen Fisher Lightweight Organic Cotton Denim Full-Length Trouser – Eileen Fisher Puckered Organic Linen Stripe Shorts
Massimo Dutti Shawl Collar Kimono – Massimo Dutti Asymmetric Strappy Top – J.Crew Soleil Linen Pant – J.Crew Fisherman Metallic Sandals – Massimo Dutti Split Suede Leather Shoulder Bag – Massimo Dutti Fluid Lines Hoop Earrings
Dresses and skirts
The weather is still perfect for dresses, but August is a good month to opt for styles with a little more structure. Shirt dresses, softly draped silhouettes and elegant midi lengths feel elegant enough for city breaks, lunches and evenings out while remaining wonderfully comfortable.
Eileen Fisher Silk Twill Band Collar Shirtdress – COS Tie-detail Pleated Georgette Maxi Dress – H&M Midi Skirt – H&M Asymmetric Viscose Skirt
Shoes
Swap flip-flops for elevated sandals, sleek sneakers, loafers or elegant ballet flats. These styles instantly make summer outfits feel more polished while remaining comfortable for holidays, sightseeing and everyday wear.
Fly London Yorg Ankle Strap Platform Wedge Sandal – Lauren Ralph Lauren Jayna Perforated Suede Mary Jane Flat – J.Crew Fisherman Metallic Sandals – Massimo Dutti Leather Tassel Loafers
EIleen Fisher Puckered Organic Linen Square Top – Eileen Fisher Lightweight Organic Cotton Denim Full-Length Trouser – Massimo Dutti Leather Tassel Loafers – Mar Y Sol for EILEEN FISHER Beach Tote – Reiss Paige Choker Necklace – COS Mismatched Knotted Earrings
accessories
One new bag, a pair of statement earrings or a fresh pair of sunglasses can completely transform familiar outfits. Woven bags, sculptural jewelry and metallic sandals all continue to work beautifully throughout August and add a sophisticated finishing touch.
Mar Y Sol for EILEEN FISHER Beach Tote – Massimo Dutti Split Suede Leather Shoulder Bag – Reiss Paige Choker Necklace – Reiss Pixie Polished Knot Earrings – Massimo Dutti Fluid Lines Hoop Earrings – COS Mismatched Knotted Earrings
Your August wardrobe edit together in one capsule
Below, you can see the outfits from above together in one capsule. You can easily mix and match all of this for August, and then add some fall styles like knee boots or booties, leather or suede jackets and cashmere sweaters to create transitional outfits into the next season.
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