By the time mid-August rolls in, a lot of us are a little sick of roasting alive and refuse to leave any air-conditioned environment until further notice, secretly wishing away summer and praying for fall, good hair days and pumpkin spice. Until then, we’ll just have to practice our expert East Coast layering from the other side of the thermostat in preparation for fashion’s favorite season.

As for the remainder of the summer ~ technically until mid-September ~ there are plenty of ways to bypass those boring, one-note summer outfits that you may think it’s too hot to keep trying to fight. One of the most fun ways to layer, even when you’re faced with hotter-than-hell heat, is to use bralettes or bathing suit tops as layering tools under loose tissue tops or low-back tanks.

Corresponding perfectly with this are any of those oh-so-sweet lace or chiffon summer tanks you just don’t want to live without as soon as the humidity begins to creep up. Mixing the sheerness of these summer staples with an opaque under layer will create the kind of depth you’ve been aiming for while still keeping you cool. Try pairing this top idea tucked in with cutoffs and a belt for some extra visual interest.

A foolproof, classic and easy way to layer, even in August, is with jewelry. Perfect, too, as you can convert timeless pieces across seasons. Accessorizing a basic dress with a necklace, belt or cross-body bag and an embellished sandal can make just as large of a layering impact as a jacket and boots.

Give the illusion of layering in the summer months with a sheer kimono jacket. These boho staples are trendy as ever right now ~ therefore, very easy to find ~ and so lightweight and sheer, you’ll barely even realize you’re wearing anything remotely jacket-like. Its versatility is also a summer force to be reckoned with; throw it over almost anything to instantly elevate your outfit.

A great trick to transform any lengthy tunic or a summer dress you accidentally made baby-size in the dryer are biker shorts. Plain black, lace trimmed or printed, they’ll add color, print or texture to an otherwise simple outfit. At the very least, they’ll save you from a swift gust of wind. In any case, try trimming an old pair of leggings and see if the look is for you.

You’ll be able to play around a little more when the sun goes down, but try out some of these fresh daytime looks while the summer still lingers and get inspired for fall, whether you never want summer to end or can’t wait until it’s over.

By Stacia Kindler