@_kendrabailey wearing a pair of brown straight leg sweatpants with a matching sports bra and a white oversized collared shirt on top while sitting on a boucle chair smiling for the camera.

5 Transitional Wardrobe Essentials You Need

Effortlessly transition from summer to fall with these 5 staples

Music to the many ears who’ve had their fill of summer heat and vitamin D: it’s time to get your transitional wardrobe essentials ready.

A trip to the farmer’s market now involves the selection of a coverup for early morning breezes. Mother Nature feels warm and sunny one minute then cool and rainy the next, demanding layers that can be shed and put back on as needed. And those lovely days of either opting for a long-sleeve-and-short (or tennis skirt) ensemble versus a trousers-and-tank (or bodysuit) look is back at last.

The key to effortlessly handling this time of the year (a.k.a. no longer summer but not quite fall) is curating a collection of transitional essentials. These pieces can be paired and layered and blended to in-between-season perfection.

This trip around the sun, we’ve developed a full lineup of styles that make transitional dressing easy, comfortable, and on-trend — so look no further, here is your one-stop-shop for transitioning into the new season with functional fashion at the lead.

A woman shopping in an Alo Yoga Sanctuary wearing a pair of sage green pants with a snap side slits on the legs along with a pair of alo slides and bodysuit.

1. TROUSER / PANT

THE LEGEND SNAP PANT

If you haven’t had a chance to check out our post about all things trousers, now is the time.

As we journey through this transitional period, a lightweight pair of pants is going to be your go-to style. Why? Well for one, they have endless pairing opportunities: bodysuits, tank tops, short sleeves, sports bras (the world really is your oyster when you add a pair of trousers into the mix). Additionally, our trouser styles combine forward design with performance details, making for comfortable essentials that move and wear beautifully.

For this specific transitional need, we’re highlighting the Legend Snap Pant — a right-now style inspired by the snap-up pants of the 90s and early 00s with a relaxed fit and cool woven fabric ideal for varying weather conditions. As you pull out those designer sneakers and trending loafers, these snap-slits provide the perfect opportunity to showcase your fave shoes and sun-kissed legs.

@haileysani wearing a pair of black Alo sweatpants with a matching black cropped cardigan while standing in a parking lot looking at the camera.

2. LIGHT LAYERS

RIBBED CROPPED WHISPER CARDIGAN

When you’re expertly placing your heirloom pumpkins in stacks upon the front porch during a crisp, early morning, a lightweight cover is an essential. It’s just enough to fend off any goosebumps while elevating a casual outfit.

Whether you’re enjoying a homemade PSL and a good book while buried beneath blankets, or you’re headed out to meet friends for some pre-holiday shopping, the Ribbed Cropped Whisper Cardigan will be the pick of the patch. As soft as a whisper and cutesy as mini ivory pumpkins, this cropped cardigan is meant for lounging around, stepping out, and covering up as you transition through the day.

We love to wear it solo, on top of a statement sports bra, with a pair of go-to leggings or our bestselling sweatpants.

@danielleknudson1 wearing a brown sweat skirt with a matching hooded sweatshirt while walking her dog in a street lined with large green trees.

3. SKIRT

HIGH-WAIST ACCOLADE SKIRT

When it hovers around 75-degrees, the #1 question before walking out the door is whether you’ll go short up top and long on the bottom or vice versa. Since you’ve been dedicated to soaking up the summer’s abundance of vitamin D (with 100% clean sun-protection, of course), we’d love to introduce you to a staple transitional style that you might have not yet considered: a tennis skirt.

Not only do our tennis skirt styles make just about the most versatile item you can throw into your rotation, but they come in an array of colors and styles for your choosing. While this style featured above isn’t necessarily one you’d take on-court, the High-Waist Accolade Skirt is a staple transitional style with its next-level comfort and pairing opportunities. Equipped with an internal short, the comfiest French terry fabric, a curved hemline, and hidden pockets, this skirt is a style you can’t forego. Pair it with a matching crew neck sweatshirt, a cropped long sleeve bra tank, or your go-to long sleeve and step out in style.

@laurenjauregui wearing a pair of taupe-colored flared leggings with a split hem along with a matching corset bra tank while posing for a picture at Alo’s NYFW presentation of the Aspen Collection.

4. FLARED LEGGING

FLUTTER LEGGING

The easiest way to level-up the classic leggings-and-crop-top look: add some flare. This iconic silhouette is celebrated year-round, but it just hits different during transitional seasons. Our bestselling Flutter Legging with a forward front split, skinny waistband, and sculpting performance fabric has makes for an entire outfit that pops.

This movement-ready fabric transitions from morning yoga to rooftop brunch effortlessly, with a sweet-from-every-angle design. We love pairing it with everything under the sun — a high-neck bra top in an on-trend seasonal color is our fave.

Check out our post that details all of our updated flared legging styles.

A woman wearing an ivory capri length activewear onesie with a full-length trench coat and knee-high boots posing cross-armed in front of a clay-colored wall.

5. ONESIE (BONUS: LONG COAT)

AIRBRUSH PHYSIQUE ONESIE + VIP BLAZER TRENCH

We can’t think of a better way to switch it up and stand out in the best way possible than starting this iconic look with the Airbrush Physique Onesie. This capri, scoop neck onesie with crisscross straps, smoothing Airbrush, and contouring seams at the waist elevate your wardrobe in one fell swoop. Top with Alo’s full-length blazer trench coat that can be worn on the shoulders when the heat creeps out mid-day and a pair of knee-high boots and get ready to wear this ensemble on repeat.

Using other Alo styles to transition into the new season? Show us how you’re moving into fall by tagging @Alo on IG!