Badgley Mischka collection

While floaty dresses and lightweight fabrics are a summer mainstay, designers are offering looks that make the cut for the coming season: from painterly prints, a trend that’s a continuation from spring-summer and now available in darker colors, and the fall florals.

Mix them with sweaters – long and slouchy or fitted and many with embellishments – or short velvet jackets come cooler weather to extend their appeal a little longer.

Pleated blouses in crisp cotton or sheer numbers with floppy bows are perfect with a tweed pencil skirt or basic jeans. Wear them with a tailored jacket and menswear-style trousers when you want to soften a more traditional look.

And these are not the girly-girl looks of spring, thanks to a color palette that is luxuriously rich and playful at the same time. The berry shade that’s being touted as the fall color is quite flattering and proves to be the perfect foil to winter staples of gray, navy and even brown. Go for a monochromatic leg with tights and leggings and toss in a brightly colored shoe for fun. Boots, both tall and ankle style, help give the look that Grey Gardens style; chunky platforms (think suede, especially) add a retro touch.