Shacket Season Is Here: How to Dress for the Awkward Gap Between Summer and Fall

Every year, there's a brief window where nothing in your closet seems to fit the weather. Turns out, the fix isn't more clothes, it's smarter layering.

It's that time of the year when it's warm enough for shorts at noontime, but cool enough for a sweater once the sun sets. It's shacket season, and here's what that means for your wardrobe.

A shacket, which is part shirt, part jacket, is one of the easiest ways to handle this weather pattern. It's light enough to wear all day without having to take it on or off, but substantial enough to serve as the main layer of your outfit.

Shackets made of corduroy and other textured fabrics are especially great because they provide that extra layer of warmth for cooler nights, but are still appropriate for the season. You can wear them over a simple t-shirt and jeans during the day, then add a thin knit layer underneath once temperatures really start to drop.

But the shacket is not the only thing that should dominate your wardrobe this season. According to fashion and trend analyst Mandy Lee, this season is also about personality, and that means ditching the ultra-minimal, quiet-luxury look in favor of something more colorful.

"We will see people really get in touch with their personal styles and add personality to their looks," Lee says. So expect more colors like chartreuse, earthy green, deep blues, and even purple.

Celebrity stylist Erin Walsh says the trick to this transitional period isn't buying more clothes. Instead, simply pick items in your closet that can carry you through the shift.

This could mean a great pair of jeans paired with a transitional jacket or sweater in warmer textures like wool or cashmere. She also suggests layering a thin turtleneck under a shirt, or throwing an oversized denim jacket over a summer dress with slouchy socks and chunky boots for an easy fall-ready look.

Meanwhile, Glamour's styling advice is all about mixing seasons rather than picking one. Think Bermuda shorts paired with a blazer or cardigan that you can tie around your shoulders when it gets warmer. Moto boots also pair nicely with skirts, dresses, and shorts. You don't need to give up on sandals just yet. You can still wear them with a long-sleeve knit dress.

One of the more useful recommendations from Glamour is mixing "winter silhouettes" with "summer textures," and vice versa. For instance, try a cashmere polo paired with lightweight pants, or a wool mini dress. It's a reminder that the fabric matters just as much as the silhouette when the temperature can't make up its mind.

So whether you're investing in a new shacket, swapping your color palette for something bolder, or just layering smarter with what's already in your closet, the goal this season is the same: dress for two seasons at once without looking like you're wearing two outfits.

A few key pieces, some strategic layering, and a little more personality than you've allowed yourself in a while, and you're set for whatever the weather decides to do next.