Chico’s Now and Later Outfits to Wear Through Early Fall

Shopping in the middle of summer can be a little confusing. The stores are starting to bring in darker colors and early fall pieces, but the temperature outside is still saying, “Don’t even think about a jacket.” Lol!

That is why I look for clothing I can wear right now, then continue styling once the weather begins to cool. I’m not interested in buying something that has to sit in my closet for two months before I can wear it. These Chico’s outfits include lightweight tops, breathable layers, jeans, and pants that can move from summer into early fall with only a few small changes.

I’m wearing my usual size in everything unless I mention otherwise. I’m 5’6″ tall, which should help you judge the lengths and proportions.

A Lightweight Crochet Top That Doesn’t Feel Too Summery

This brown crochet top was one of the first pieces that caught my eye. The open-knit design gives it texture, but the rich chocolate color keeps it from looking like something you could only wear on vacation.

You don’t have to worry about the crochet knit since the top is lined. The armholes offered good coverage on me, and the top had enough room through the middle without looking oversized.

I first paired it with solid brown, cropped, pull-on Brigitte ankle pants for a tonal outfit. Wearing similar shades from top to bottom creates a long, uninterrupted line, and the statement horn necklace keeps all that brown from feeling flat.

Wear It Now

Add flat sandals and simple earrings. The crochet is lined, but still allows some airflow, and the sleeveless cut makes it comfortable during warmer weather.

Wear It Later

Once temperatures drop, I would add a denim jacket, a soft cardigan, or a lightweight blazer. Loafers or ankle boots would also take this outfit further into fall.

One Top, Two Completely Different Outfits

I also tried the crochet top with these Brigitte printed ankle pants, and this combination has much more personality. The print includes brown, cream, and navy, so the solid top gives the eye somewhere to rest.

This is a good example of why I don’t automatically pass over printed pants. A print can be very wearable when it includes colors already hanging in your closet. These would work with brown, navy, cream, white, and several shades of tan.

The pull-on pants have a slim, ankle-length shape without clinging tightly to the leg. That makes them easy to wear with sandals now and loafers later.

Printed Pants That Do Most of the Styling for You

This soft tan elbow sleeve top gave the printed pants a quieter look. The embellished detail adds interest near the face, but it doesn’t compete with the pattern below.

I liked the sleeve length and the relaxed fit through the body. It isn’t tight around the waist or hips, and the hem falls low enough to provide coverage without swallowing my shape.

This outfit would work well for lunch, casual church events, appointments, or travel. It has more interest than a plain tee-and-pants combination, but it is still comfortable enough for a normal day.

Wear It Now

Keep the outfit light with neutral sandals and minimal jewelry. Since the top already has embellishment, it doesn’t need a necklace.

Wear It Later

Add a navy cardigan or jacket and switch the sandals for loafers. Navy would pull out the darker shades in the pants and give the outfit a more fall-like appearance.

The Same White Shirt With Everyday Jeans

Here is the same shirt styled with Frayed Ankle Jeans, which may be the combination I would wear most often. It is simple, but the collar and button front make it feel more finished.

The shirt falls away from the body and has enough length to wear untucked. You could also add a small front tuck, although I would probably leave it loose on days when comfort is the priority.

The girlfriend jeans have a slim shape and a cropped raw hem. That length works especially well with sandals because it shows some ankle and keeps the outfit from looking heavy.

Wear It Now

Wear the shirt alone with sandals and lightweight jewelry.

Wear It Later

Layer a cardigan, denim jacket, or lightweight utility jacket over it. The sleeveless cut also prevents extra bulk through the arms when you add a layer.

A Watercolor Tee That Makes Jeans More Interesting

I love the soft blue-and-white print of this Drop Shoulder Tee. It gives you the ease of a T-shirt but looks more special than a solid version.

The sleeves provide comfortable upper-arm coverage, and the body has a relaxed drape. I gave it a loose tuck near the pocket to create a little shape, but it can easily be worn completely untucked.

The shades of blue work naturally with denim, which means you don’t have to think very hard about putting the outfit together. That is always helpful on mornings when my brain is still waiting for the coffee to take effect.

Wear It Later

This top would look pretty under a navy cardigan or white denim jacket. You could also wear it with navy pants once you’re ready to give the jeans a rest.

Neutral Leopard That Can Be Worn Like a Solid

Leopard print comes back every fall, but this softer neutral version doesn’t feel harsh or overwhelming. The lower contrast makes the print easier to wear, especially if you usually avoid bold patterns.

I paired the Animal Print Jeans with a tan High Neck Rib Tank. The matching neutral tones keep the outfit cohesive, and the darker statement necklace adds contrast near the face.

The tank has a simple neckline and a close-but-not-tight fit. It can be worn alone now, then layered under jackets and cardigans later. That is exactly the type of piece I look for when stores begin rolling out fall merchandise before the weather cooperates.

Wear It Now

Choose neutral sandals and let the pants be the main feature.

Wear It Later

Add a chocolate-brown cardigan, a denim jacket, or a camel blazer. Loafers in tan, brown, or metallic would work well with these pants.

Bold Floral Pants With Two Ways to Style the Top

These brightly colored, Wide-Leg Crop Pants were certainly not hiding in the corner. The magenta is bold, but the black background makes it easier to style than you might think.

I styled the pants with a black Travelers^™ Classic Side-Slit Tank worn completely untucked. This gives more coverage through the stomach and hips and creates a relaxed silhouette. The top has side slits, which help it move instead of hanging like one solid block of fabric.

However, the longer top also hides the waist and some of the beautiful shape of the pants.

A Simple Tuck Changes the Entire Proportion

I tucked the black Side-Slit Tank into the Wide-Leg Pants for a different look. This made the waist more visible and allowed the wide-leg shape to stand out.

Neither styling method is wrong. It depends on the amount of coverage you prefer and how you feel most comfortable.

If you like a longer, looser line, wear the top untucked. If you want more definition, tuck it in fully or try a small front tuck. You could also add a cropped cardigan or jacket that ends near the waistband without tucking the top in at all.

The pants appear long on my 5’6″ frame, especially without shoes. Heel height will make a difference, so check the inseam carefully. I would try them with the shoes I planned to wear before deciding if they needed hemming.

Wear Them Now

Add a simple black sleeveless top and sandals. Since the pants have so much color and movement, the rest of the outfit can stay quiet.

Wear Them Later

Wear them with a fitted black sweater, a black blazer, or a short cardigan. A closed-toe shoe would give them a dressier fall look.

What I Look for in Now-and-Later Clothing

When I’m shopping for pieces that need to work across seasons, I pay attention to more than the color.

The fabric needs to be light enough for warm weather but substantial enough that it won’t look strange in September or October. Sleeveless tops are useful because they can be worn alone now and layered without adding bulk later.

I also look for colors that connect the seasons. Brown, navy, cream, black, and muted blue work during summer but feel natural as fall approaches. Prints can also help because they often include several colors you can pull from when adding layers.

Fit matters just as much. A top that only works with one pair of pants isn’t nearly as useful as one you can wear with prints, denim, and solid bottoms. I want each new piece to get along with the clothing I already own. My closet does not need any high-maintenance houseguests.

My Honest Take on This Chico’s Try-On

The most versatile pieces in this group are the sleeveless white shirt, the blue watercolor tee, and the brown crochet top. Each one can be worn with more than one bottom, and all three can be layered as the weather cools.

The printed ankle pants offer several styling options because of the mix of brown, navy, and cream. They make an outfit more interesting while still working with basic tops already in most wardrobes.

The flowy, wide-leg pants make the strongest statement. They may not be the pair you wear three times a week, but they would be fun for dinners, church, events, or any day when you want something beyond jeans.

That is the balance I try to find when I shop: plenty of practical pieces, plus one or two things that make getting dressed more fun.

Which outfit would you wear now, and which one would you save for later? I’m curious to see if the bold, flowy pants win anyone over.

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Verse Of The Day

Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)
²¹ Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
    but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.