Growing up in Florida and now living in Southern California, I have always noticed that people have a really hard time distinguishing the difference between dressing for each season. Everyone reading this that lives in a cold climate is wondering how anyone could possibly mess that up. Well, when living in an area where all of the seasons are one and the same, there are a few things you should remember when you’re trying to be seasonal but don’t want to melt the moment you step out the door (been there, done that). I’ve had a lot of requests for a post on this! So if you think this is an exaggeration of how hot Fall and Winter are in Florida, that probably means you’ve never been there and known the struggle of going September to February without wearing a single coat.
Separate the Seasons
To make sure I stay in season, I try to keep my Spring/Summer clothes completely separate from my Fall/Winter wardrobe to avoid any confusion or fashion blunders. I do this by putting away the clothes I am not using in another closet or storing them away wherever possible. This does two things: allows me to avoid wearing clothes that aren’t seasonally appropriate AND gives me a fresh look at the clothes when it’s time to wear them again. Pulling clothes out of storage that you haven’t seen in 6 months is like getting a whole new wardrobe that you already know fits you! You’ll be much more excited to wear your navy wool coat when you haven’t been staring at it all Summer long, trust me on this one. This applies to people that live in a really cold climate, too! If you find yourself dreading getting back into your clothes when the seasons change, try putting them out of sight when they’re not in use and see if that helps!
Consider Colors and Fabrics
When going through your closet and trying to separate the seasons, pay attention to colors first and foremost. Admittedly, there are some exceptions to the rules but we will get into that later. As a general rule of thumb, try to keep your whites, neon colors, pastels, and bright hues reserved for Spring and Summer. For Fall and Winter, you should typically be reaching for things that are darker, deeper, richer colors such as jewel tones and warm shades. Now, here comes an exception: some people (namely my ridiculously fashionable aunt, Patti) have an obsession with Winter White. This can be the chicest thing in the world (she always does it right!) but you have to know a little something about fabrics to do this. Think Jennifer Lopez in Maid in Manhattan – yes!
There is a huge difference between bright white linen and warm ivory cable knit. Repeat after me: Linen is NOT okay in the Fall or Winter. Regardless of the color, linen is a fabric that definitely needs to be reserved for the warmer months. That’s where the confusion comes in for people that live in a perpetually warm environment! It doesn’t matter if the linen pants are in the deepest shade of eggplant (side note: who would make those?) or black, it’s not a good choice for the Fall or Winter season. Similarly, as tempting as it may be to wear your slinky white cotton dress and strappy sandals when it’s in the 80’s outside, it’s just not the time! Try opting for a lightweight knit mini dress and a pair of lace-up ankle booties instead. You won’t be any warmer in a super light knit but you will definitely look like you’ve at least skimmed through the latest issue of Vogue this season.
Accessorizing Appropriately
Using accessories to change the look of your outfit can be super helpful because they’re usually not going to make you any hotter (in the literal sense) but they definitely make your outfit hotter (in the fashion sense). Hats are a total must for the upcoming seasons because they instantly complete an outfit without making it look like you were trying too hard. Try to find a warm tone fedora or a dark floppy hat. These will add just the touch of “Fall” your outfit needs but won’t make you have a heatstroke.
Shoes are another essential for transitioning your wardrobe – they can add that cozy vibe without making you sweat through your outfit. Excellent options for a hot Fall and Winter would be heeled sandals in a suede material, ankle booties with a peep toe, or a velvet ballet flat. It’s all about what you pair it with! Utilizing Fall fabrics and silhouettes will bring your look right into the season!
Another go-to accessory for me is always a lightweight scarf! I search all over until I find the perfect lightweight scarf in a deep shade or a Fall print. Keeping the fabric light avoids overheating but focusing on dark colors or patterns still gets the job done. That way I can transform my black top and dark wash jeans into a seasonally appropriate outfit just by draping a scarf around my neck.
Teal Hat | Olive Sandals | Infinity Scarf | Cutout Lace Up Booties | Strappy Navy Booties | Gladiator Sandals | Taupe Lace Up Booties | Neutral Scarf | Wine Flats | Brown Hat
Hair and Makeup
Changing up your hair and makeup routine is another excellent way to refresh your look without having any impact on your body’s temperature. If you’re someone who is always dying your hair, take the new season as an opportunity to try out a more ashy tone blonde or a deeper chocolatey brown. Doing this will not only make you more in season but also give you just the change you could be looking for. With the change of season, comes the change of makeup products as well! Tone down the bronzer and highlighter and focus on things such as matte berry tone blushes or deep liquid lipsticks. Play around with all different makeup looks and experiment! Fall is a great time to try a dark smokey eye or a vampy lip. More to come on this in a few weeks!
What do you do to stay cool yet seasonally appropriate?
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