Seasonal transitions

Smoldering days and alpine-chilled nights are typical as summer winds down. Don’t let the anticipation of next season’s styles sour your thoughts of early fall ensembles. As September sweeps in, add autumn-inspired flair to your warm-weather favorites and you’ll never think twice about the closet-switch-over-conundrum again.

Haute days, cool nights

The vicious cycle of hot-cold-hot-cold has the ability to swing any fashionista’s mood into pendulum frenzy. Keep the highs and lows at bay by complementing your summer tanks and tees with a BCBGMAXAZRIA crochet sweater ($178, Kiwi Boutique). The cream-colored sweater permits a hint of your summer palette and, as white is the “it” color from fall 2013 runways, this crocheted cover up can easily be worn until the first frost. Pair the charcoal C&C California sweater ($118, Kiwi Boutique) or the blue-gray, colored-blocked BB Dakota Alice Sweater ($80, Cashmere & Coco) with Makers short-shorts ($63, Kiwi Boutique), skinny-skinnies or the super-slim, boot cut Aventura Cameron Pant ($79, Pinecones) to take the chill out of twilight festivities.

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When nighttime activities call for a toastier fare, snuggle into an Iris von Arnim cashmere scarf ($695, Gorsuch) or the adorable She’s A Rainbow cashmere sweater ($850, Gorsuch). The hefty price tags may take your breath away in a swoosh, but you’ll have this one for many fall and winters to come.

The ol’ boot

Rumor has it that mountain mavens show signs of craving the first snow around mid-August. And, it’s a known fact that the truly fashion savvy covet fall’s posh-wear at exactly the same moment. Regular intervals of donning summer sandals and autumn boots is perfectly acceptable during late summer. When the sun sets, evenings call for chi-chi Fryes (Colorado Footwear) or cowboy kickers (Kemo Sabe) paired with Bootights’ Darby’s lacy knee-high bootsocks ($24.99, P.E. 101). Show off your killer calves with these peek-a-boo knee socks. Outfitted with a moisture-wicking performance ankle sock and opaque nylon knee-high, your post-hike-barking-dogs will look simply mahvelous and feel cushioned and soothed.

The sandal-boot collab featured on the 3.1 Phillip Lim and Derek Lam fall runways may not speak your alpine couture language, but we saw a plethora of booties and thigh-highs that render an avant-garde elegance to your fall feet. For us frugal fashion gals, there’s no need to give last season’s ankle kicks the boot. The clever, budget-conscious way to transition into the new season is to take one accessory and mix it up. If you’re feeling jaded by what’s in your closet, invest in one of designer Lisa LeCroy’s convertible boot accessories. The former Creative Director of FURLA and DKNY Shoes + Handbags has fashioned a new line of interchangeable brogan uppers with stirrups and buttons to easily convert your bootie into a lace-up riding boot. The Calgary Suede ($240, Sols in Vail Village) is a lace-up top and the sable brown Virginia ($320, Sols in Vail Village) has a perforated top.

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Although National Lucky Penny Day has come and gone, your très fabu sonar for good fortune will never run out once you spot the Seychelles Lucky Penny Boot ($140, Cashmere & Coco). Arriving to Cashmere & Coco this month, the metallic, suede ankle boot is designed with a pillowed foot bed and anti-slip rubber soles. Cashmere & Coco is truly a local’s paradise – the boutique appreciates the Vail Valley customer and offers a 10 percent discount to all local fashionistas on every shopping spree.

Harvest bling

Summer jewelry has the advantage of looking twice as radiant next to your sun-kissed skin. With the Old Farmer’s Almanac predicting cooler than normal temps for September and October, the suntan to fade ratio won’t effect your shimmery accessories. The Colored Drusy Toggle Necklace from Bloom Jewelry ($174, Perch) is a timeless piece that gives an urbane accent to your neckline, especially when worn with the unpretentious LA Made black v-neck tee ($43, Kiwi Boutique). For the rag trade visionary, gussy up with a pair of Bloom Jewelry Drusy Wrap Hoops ($174, Perch) and a Vince Camuto baseball jacket ($129, Cashmere & Coco). This vegan leather and wool jacket is a throwback to the Top Gun days, but with a quintessentially fresh twist.

Coiffed crossroads

The super-dry air in the mountains can wreak havoc on your hair. Although a rain cloud passing by here or there generates a low level of humidity into the air, the minute those showers pass, you’re immediately parched again. Westin Riverfront’s Spa Anjali hair stylist Vanessa Thomassie says the key to locking in moisture as we head into fall is through your hair products. Her favorite hydrating shampoo and conditioner is Kevin Murphy’s Hydrate-Me.Wash ($34, Westin Riverfront Spa Anjali) and Hydrate-Me.Rinse ($32, Westin Riverfront Spa Anjali). Both formulated for dry-climate tresses, the Wash and Rinse hide signs of damage while working to repair and replenish lost moisture. Using the unique properties of Evening Primrose Oil (an ingredient frequently found in your grandma Blanche’s skincare regimen) and sunflower oil (a natural sunscreen), this thirst-quenching system will bring hair back to its original luscious state and leave it silky soft and manageable.

Haute Alpine Couture quenches your thirst with a cocktail of cravings and élan that turns an “insider’s favorite” into your monthly buzz. With an eye for uncovering the most sought-after trends, Jennifer Geisman is a self-professed product junky. Geisman fuses her expertise in PR and the beauty and fashion worlds to deliver quintessentially modern hot spots, styles and trends.