Seasonal transitions sometimes mean slim pickings, but not when you … Buy now, wear later

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I have a confession to make: The beginning of August and the three weeks after Christmas are not my favorite times of year to write this column. Why? Two words: Slim pickings. Of course, there’s the excitement of the end-of-season clearance, but haven’t we all been shopping those sales for weeks? And besides, does anyone really need ANOTHER ribbed tank top? In the words of Amy Winehouse: Nooooo, nooooo, nooooo.

Despite all my grumbling, I did encounter something last week that made me say yessss, yessss, yesss. Get your mind out of the gutter, kids, this is a family newspaper. The object of my desire was a pair of shoes worn by my stylish new friend Alan. They were Converse All Stars, of all things, and since Chuck Taylors appeared in last month’s Vogue, I know I’m not alone in my prose for Cons.

I loved these shoes – navy blue, distressed, laceless, with striped-tie fabric in place of the tongue – so much that I took a picture of them with my cell phone. When I got home and immediately started shopping, I found the brown version on clearance at Journeys. But I wanted blue. And for once in my life, I paid full price for them on Zappos.com. I rationalized my purchase by telling myself that unlike my Havaianas, I could wear them now and I could also wear them in November.

My rationalization led to a revelation: Aha! I could set out in search of other things shoppers could buy now and wear later. Not an original concept, I know. But a girl’s gotta shop. Especially this girl. Here are my pickings – and come to think of it, they don’t look so slim, after all.

A teeny-tiny shirt that fits everyone

$19.95, Best Bib & Tucker, Main Street, Bangor

Wear it now: To dress up clean-cut Bermudas or a solid skirt. These nubbly, doll-size “popcorn shirts” are just the thing for day or evening, and they’re available in a rainbow of colors.

Wear it later: Under a jumper dress – so cute for fall.

The beautiful, lovely, amazing Converse

$47, Zappos.com

Wear it now: With cargo Bermudas and capri jeans.

Wear it later: With skinny jeans and a navy blazer belted with a man’s tie. Sass.

Double bag it

Twice the Bag, $9.99, J.B. Atlantic, Ellsworth

Wear it now: Because it’s such a ridiculously cool idea.

Wear it later: Because you’re giving an old bag new tricks.

The short story

Dress Bermudas, $19.99, Target

Wear it now: With a shell and heels.

Wear it later: With tights, chunky heels and a turtleneck

Tees if you please

Giraffes in love T-shirt, $9.99, Target

Wear it now: With Keds and jeans that don’t give you a muffin top.

Wear it later: Under an oversize cardigan.

The cropped jacket

Corduroy trapeze jacket, $29, Old Navy

Style tip: Go down one size with these jackets. If they’re too big, they look ridiculous.

Wear it now: On a chilly evening over a camisole or a slip-dress.

Wear it later: Over a sweater dress.

The in-between sleeve

Fine-gauge sweater, $3.74, Target

Wear it now: Because it’s so cheap.

Wear it later: With wide-leg menswear-inspired trousers.

Bold nail polish

NYC, 97 cents each, Target

Wear it now: “Love Me Red Cr?me” – an ’80s pink in the style of the Go-Gos – on your toes.

Wear it later: “Skin Tight Denim Cr?me” on your fingers – it’s the new Vamp: supertrendy.

In the box

Now and Later, $1, Target

Wear it now: Because this miniature, candy-packed version is only a buck.

Wear it later: Buy something more substantial – such as the great lunchboxes at Myrtle Tree in Presque Isle – and pack your lunch to go.

Cuff ’em – don’t stuff ’em

Resin bracelets, $8.50 each or three for $24, Best Bib & Tucker, Bangor

Wear it now: With a tank top and a tan.

Wear it later: With your cropped-sleeve trapeze jacket.