Too early to think about wearing fall clothes? Cool off inside an air-conditioned mall, and you’??ll be sure to find a few new items to freshen up not only your summer wardrobe but also add some changes to your fall clothing.

As fall fashions start to trickle into the stores, it’??s the perfect time to update your closet. And if you’??re clever, you can wear your new purchases now — and later. You might even find a few bargains on sale. Here are a few tips on making the transition:

— Look for lightweight sweaters and tees. These can be the workhorses of your wardrobe. As long-sleeve versions start hitting the store shelves, stock up. Then think about mixing them into your summer wardrobe. Toss an off-the-shoulder sweater over a swimsuit top and shorts. And in the fall you can wear the long-sleeve tee under the sweater.

— Go for darker colors. Even if it’s a sleeveless silk top you’d love to wear over jeans, look for one in a darker jewel-toned print. The berry colors are blooming for fall in deep purples, violets and rosy reds. Wear the sleeveless top by itself now and layer a cropped jacket over it for fall.

— Scope out the denim. A classic staple all year-round, denim can easily put you in a fall mood with darker finishes and new silhouettes. Even your summer cropped styles can transition into fall when teamed with tights and boots.

— Buy a new suit. If your professional wardrobe needs a lift, check out the ladylike suits in stores for fall. Take apart the pieces to wear for late summer with breezy blouses, and then layer with turtleneck sweaters and scarves for fall.

— Invest in a vest. With menswear a big trend for fall, expect to see this classic on store racks in abundance. Wear the vest by itself or with a tank top underneath this summer. Top it off with cropped jackets for fall.

— Snap up a new skirt. The pencil skirt promises to be one of fall’s favorite basics. Worn with sandals and a crisp white blouse in the summer months, the classic style can be worn with thick tights and sweaters in the fall or dressed up with a stylish plaid coat.

— Shift into dresses. One of the easiest ways to get a summer into fall look is with the all-time favorite shift dress. Sleeveless for summer with high-heeled sandals, it can transition into fall belted and paired with a cardigan sweater or coat.

— Add on accessories. Don’??t want to spend a lot of money on clothes? Update the basics you already have with a new oversized tote or satchel that you can take to the beach or to the football game. Cruise the shoe departments for flats in darker metallics. Pick up a big, bold necklace to wear with T-shirts now, sweaters later. And don’??t forget to check out the sales on sunglasses. They’re a necessity year-round now.

Sharon Mosley is a former fashion editor of the Arkansas Gazette in Little Rock and executive director of the Fashion Editors and Reporters Association. To find out more about Sharon Mosley and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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