Transitional dresses to take you from summer to autumn — for less than £100

Does your wardrobe contain a good trans-seasonal dress, or TSD for short? No idea what I’m on about? Let me explain.

A TSD is one that you can throw on with sandals to hit a summery pub garden, and similarly pair with boots and a leather jacket for work come autumn — or even heels and a blazer for a smart dinner. A good TSD is a one-stop shop for stress-free dressing throughout the “is summer over yet? Do I need a cardigan?” months.

And while the exorbitant and fast-rising cost of daily life means many of us are swerving a back-to-work wardrobe splurge this year, there are hundreds — nay thousands — of excellent TSDs available to snag on the high street and in the summer sales, with many of the best giving you change from a £50.

If you do decide to trawl (or scroll) for a bargain, avoid super summery kaftan-like fabrics and pastels and instead opt for darker colours and long-sleeved silhouettes that can remain in action when the heatwave’s history.

The trick to hitting on a transitional dress that’ll still look on point come spring is to either opt for classic shapes and minimal fabrics or play into one of next season’s trends.

Polka dots and boho paisley prints are set to supersede florals in 2022. For dotty dresses look to Next and H&M, both of which have easy options under £50 to take you from desk to dinner.

Zara has a lovely paisley print wrap dress for £79.99 (shop here) and Warehouse does a scarf print chiffon empire line maxi for £71 (shop here) that works with black strappy heels for a summery event, and boots and a leather jacket for work. If you do go for florals, make them dark, that way the dress will work with black tights once autumn proper hits.

When it comes to fabrics, lightweight knit dresses look Rosie Huntingdon-Whiteley levels of elegant paired with sandals and a tan but also work brilliantly with boots and a blazer. A sleeveless pinafore mini (try this one from & Other Stories) looks great worn solo or with a t-shirt in summer and then layered with shirt, tights and penny loafers when the cold sets in.

A hardworking TSD needn’t be expensive, but really will pay dressing dividends.