By Laura Cinotti – Dear North Carolina,

I love you, but by the time September rolls around, I’m ready for a change. I’m ready for sweaters, boots, layers and that first morning when I walk outside and think, “OK, this feels like fall.”

Unfortunately, you usually have other plans.

Every year, I get a little ahead of myself. The stores start putting out fall clothes, I see that first chunky sweater or pair of boots, and suddenly I’m mentally putting together outfits for crisp 65-degree days.

Then I check the forecast. Eighty-six degrees. Apparently, North Carolina did not get the fall fashion memo.

So, over the 10 years I’ve lived here, learning how to dress for fall in North Carolina has required a little creativity—and a lot of patience.

The good news is that some of this year’s fall trends are perfect for our not-quite-fall weather. Rather than waiting for the temperature to cooperate, I like finding ways to bring the new season into what I’m already wearing.

If there’s one piece made for this tricky in-between season, it’s a great pair of silk pants. They give you that elevated fall look without the weight of heavier trousers. Wear them with a simple tank or T-shirt and flats or sneakers during the day, then add a kitten heel for dinner. When temperatures finally drop, add a sweater or a blazer. They’re the ultimate double-duty piece.

If you’ve been shopping lately, you’ve probably noticed Mandarin-style and funnel-neck jackets popping up everywhere. Both feel polished and a little unexpected and are an easy way to add structure to a simple outfit.

Blazers are shaping up this fall—literally. We’re seeing less of the oversized, boxy look and more tailored silhouettes that define the waist. That doesn’t mean everything is cropped—longer blazers are still very much in the mix—but they’re being belted, cinched or simply cut to create a more flattering, feminine shape.

Sometimes the quickest way to convince yourself it’s fall—even when the weather says otherwise—is from the ground up.

Swap your summer sandals for this season’s standout shoes. Two-tone ballet flats, mules, loafers or a retro, low-profile sneaker can instantly make an outfit feel more fall-ready. And if you want to have a little fun with it, add an animal-print shoe. It’s an easy way to bring one of fall’s biggest trends into your look without adding a single layer.

And then there are the Bermuda shorts. Or as my boys lovingly call them, “jorts.”

I know they may not be for everyone, but I’m loving the longer, looser short right now. You still get the practicality of shorts on an 80-degree Carolina day, but the longer silhouette feels more fall.

Pair them with a simple top and kitten heel or mule, and they feel surprisingly chic. My boys will probably still roll their eyes and call them jorts, but I’ve learned not to let teenage boys dictate my wardrobe.

And yes, I’ll still be wearing my white jeans after Labor Day. The trick to wearing white denim year-round is pairing it with the colors, textures and fabrics of the season you’re actually in. For early fall, think lightweight pieces that still “read” fall—a soft knit or lightweight jacket, suede or leather accessories, and richer shades like chocolate brown, camel and burgundy.

That’s what I love about this in-between time of year. A summer dress with a fall shoe. Silk pants with a tank. White denim with richer textures. Pieces you already own mixed with one or two new trends can make your closet feel fresh again.

As a stylist, I’m much more interested in helping someone find the trends that work for their style than convincing them they need every new thing they see. Fashion should be fun. Take the trends you love, leave the ones you don’t and make them your own.

So, North Carolina, take your time. I’ll keep my sandals nearby, my sweaters waiting patiently, and a jacket in the car that I’m hoping I’ll actually get to wear before Thanksgiving.

But whenever you’re ready to give us that first crisp fall morning, I promise you—my closet and I are ready.

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Laura Cinotti is a local stylist. Follow her for more style tips on Instagram @lc_styled.