by Maria Pierides

Getting the perfect petite summer wardrobe is no easy feat, which is why we can be forgiven for feeling a little disheartened when autumn arrives. However, saying goodbye to summer doesn’t necessarily mean saying goodbye to our summer clothes. While there’s no place for a sarong in our November wardrobes (sorry!), there are certainly a few ways to rework that trusty petite skirt; and we definitely aren’t ready to say goodbye to one of our favourite leopard print dresses just because of a slight drop in temperature.

No one likes splashing out on new clothes every season – especially when perfect-fitting petite clothes can be challenging enough to find – so we love the idea of hanging onto our summer clothes for as long as possible. Adding just a few simple things such as an extra layer, ankle boots or an oversized knit, for example, will instantly help us get the most out of our clothes on a personal and practical level. Not only will it increase cost per wear (which is never a bad thing) but we can get to enjoy our beautiful summer clothes for longer.

With the help of some of our favourite petite Instagram stars, we’re going to show you some of the ways you can tweak your summer wardrobe to make it autumn/winter ready.

Swap short sleeves for long sleeves (and slightly warmer fabric) and you have the perfect way to re-wear your favourite summer skirts during the new season. Extra points if the skirts come in rich and autumnal hues, too – as demonstrated by Helmi Pikari and her gorgeous pleated midi. Autumnal colour palettes are completely optional though. Channel petite style maven Katie Sands (@honestlykate) and hang onto summer by teaming delicate, feminine miniskirts with chunky knits and ankle boots. Easy!

A simple solution that doesn’t involve any substitutions! Adding a dreamy faux fur coat to a staple summer outfit like Abi (@stealmystyle40) allows you to keep your expertly-put-together summer outfit, but also adds extra dimension (not to mention warmth) in an instant. It works great with simple jeans-and-tee combos, but there’s something quite spectacular about adding a luxurious fur coat to your go-to wow-factor dress. The way Joanna, aka @lovestyle40, has teamed her stunning leopard print dress with a deep blue faux fur coat has given the dress a new lease of life, creating a whole new outfit in the process. The look pops so much that we now can’t imagine the dress without it!

Adding just one extra layer is sometimes all you need to take a look from summer to autumn – just like adding a statement necklace or swapping flats for heels instantly takes a look from day to night. Additions are everything, and there is nothing quite as hardworking as a leather jacket – especially in the confusing autumn season when the weather is so unpredictable. Too cold for your summer outfits but not quite cold enough to pile on the layers, the leather jacket is the ultimate meet-in-the-middle piece. Use it to toughen up more feminine summer outfits like @rinasamantha and Karen, aka @missionstyleuk have, or wear it to create bold, head-turning autumn looks like Helmi Pikari. And it goes without saying, but black ankle boots are the number one footwear choice.

Throw everything into the mix and create the ultimate summer-meets-autumn look. Every woman needs a classy, longline autumn/winter coat, so when she finds one that ticks all her boxes, she’s going to want to team it with her favourite pieces. And luckily, the perfect coat is so easy to work into existing summer outfits. @Maryorton, demonstrates how adding a bright, belted jacket to a favourite summer dress – along with some must-have ruched knee boots – instantly takes the look from summer to autumn. Take a leaf out of @stealmystyle40 Abi’s book and let your winter coat do some of the hard-work, by way of adding a much-needed pop of colour, or just for extra dimension.

The trusty turtleneck has been with us during the coldest of winter days, which is why we never neglect it when we make those summer to autumn transitions. Lightweight turtlenecks are just what the style doctor ordered for autumn, as they’re the perfect replacement for summer tops and blouses, allowing us to hang onto our summer staples just that little bit longer. Look no further than petite fashionistas Rachel (@petiterachelle) and @thekittyluxe for inspiration.