About warm falls and cool-ish winters - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

About warm falls and cool-ish winters

Vani

Veteran

I enjoyed my first fall and winter in Florida, but now they just get on my nerves. I miss cool crisp weather and I miss dressing for it. I want to figure out how to fit boots and other sundry fall items into my wardrobe without sticking out like a sore thumb or baking in my own personal oven.

I suppose this post is directed more towards people like Ana, Patience and Sarah who have to contend with same kind of weather, although it does get cooler in Houston than it does in Tampa.

Are there specific "light-weight" boots of a specific material I should be looking at? I would love to be able to wear knee high boots with dresses. I'm also wondering if boots over skinnies will be too warm (if I can pull off the look). Maybe clams with boots will be the way to go.

How about trench coats? Again, too warm?

Sorry for all those questions. I've been meaning to ask them for a while and now that fall is around the corner, I thought it was time get to around to asking these questions before it passes me by.

I will be grateful for any other pointers! Thanks!

Dressing

15 replies

Latest reply was from Vani

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

niva, I definitely had some adjusting to do with these warmer falls and winters than I'm used to.
However, I never felt too warm tucking jeans into boots or wearing them with dresses. I start wearing boots when the temps are in the low 60s for the high. We won't see that for a bit, but once we do, you can't take my boots from me!
I have a trench coat that took me mostly through the fall, but believe it or not, our winters can get a bit chilly so a wool coat was a must.
Last fall I wore cardigans/sweaters/sweater dresses with jeans, boots, and a scarf and/or hat without a coat for awhile.
I would wear nude fishnets with my dresses and boots until tights were a must.

Dani

Veteran

Vani, what are your average "low" temps during the winter months?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Post on this topic is scheduled for next week, Vani! It’s the flipside to freezing Springs here in Seattle.

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Oh good, maybe Angie can help you. I was talking to a friend from Atlanta today about this very subject, and she said they only wear boots in Jan and Feb -- and then, only dress boots (never what we would consider "winter" boots, with a heavy sole and warm lining). If it's that way in Atlanta, I can only imagine what it's like in Tampa!

Vani

Veteran

Angie, Yay! I can't wait

Sarah, thank you so much. That was really helpful. A trench would be perfect for the occasional night out, without having to worry about a matching jacket or sweater. I am headed to Nordies to make a few returns so I will definitely be getting a pair of the Oroblu fishnets. Do you have any suggestions for brand or material of boots? I know to stay away from winter boots. I've been eyeing a few sleek ones at Marshalls and DSW. Target seems to have a good range too, this fall.

Dani, according to this, the average lows are in the 55-60 range. Last winter we had an unexpectedly chilly few weeks in January. Of course, I had given away all my warm clothes to my sister in law who went away to college in Boston and was woefully under prepared.

Laura, the humidity is what makes everything feel horrible here

Maya

Veteran

As far as footwear goes, I immediately think of things that are utterly impractical in a northeast winter: boots with cutouts, peep toe booties, boots in lighter/warmer colors (a pair of which you will soon receive!), canvas boots. However, I think in the 55-60 range, you can definitely wear "normal" boots. The temps were a little higher than that when I was in Boston in May, and I was freezing and wish I had brought my EM boots with me. They are lighter and less heavy-looking than black boots and not "wintery" in construction so they would have been perfect. I would stay away from anything that has any kind of toasty lining as that might be too warm for you (for me it would be fine, since I get cold very easily--guess it depends on your internal thermostat).

I can't imagine a trench being too warm at those temps. In fact that would be a little cold for me. I would need to do some layering underneath it to stay comfortable.

shiny

Veteran

Can't wait for Angie's post: will come in useful for packing for Hong Kong trip, where it will be warm, but fall.

I agree with Maya - you can get away with peep toe booties and the like! I think these are adorable but just don't make sense for our climate here in Boston.

I tend to run on the hot side, so 55-60 is still too warm for me to wear boots. But, for me, this is the *ideal* weather for pumps and ballet flats. A lightweight trench would work for outerwear... or a leather jacket.

It is 60 degrees here today and I have all the windows wide open... feels so nice! I went out earlier to exercise and wore shorts and a tank... as I said, I run HOT. When I go out later I may drag out the boots for the first time, but the idea of wearing them with tights is just not that appealing to me yet! Certainly not with skinnies tucked into them. But remember I am hot flashing all over the place these days.

Patience

Veteran

I had been thinking about starting a thread just about temperatures because -- HALLELUJAH! We are done with 100+ degree days. I was thinking about how excited I am about this and then I thought of all the YLF ladies who would think I'm insane to be so ecstatic when the temps are still lower to mid 90's (although the last week has been an unseasonably cool 80's range of temps). It just proves to me how relative everything is. I even feel comfortable layering again (although a large part of this is being in air conditioning all day, but I don't layer at all when it's super hot outside). And I'm wearing a lot more full length denim. I've also started putting aside some of my sandals in preference for closed-toe shoes. Gasp! I wasn't expecting to do that till next month. Standing at the bus stop with my daughter at 6:45am in 70 degrees literally gives me a high. I hope you don't mind my effusions.

Vani, like Sarah, I will wear boots when the temps get below 70, and I don't bother with the warm styles. Go straight for the stylish, cold weather impractical ones, including the peep-toes, suede, cut outs etc. I consider our boot season to be Nov, Dec and Jan with some wear possibly in Oct, Feb and Mar for chilly days (varies year to year). A single trench is really all you need but you can do jackets to your heart's content. A good hat, gloves and scarf will go a long way on the days when the trench doesn't seem quite warm enough or just as fall accessories when you don't feel like wearing an outer layer. Also consider fall dresses, skirts and tights/hose which will be wearable all through fall and winter. We are the ones who get to enjoy the short sleeve sweater dresses. I very rarely need more than one long sleeve layer except in my house which is often colder than it is outside during the cool seasons in the day time.

Another thing I do is take Angie's description of Hong Kong fashion to heart-- they're wearing boots in warm weather so I can too.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Okay. Lets kick start the process.

So today it reached a high of 71 degrees in Seattle (it was about 63 in the morning). This is what I am wearing and I was 100% comfortable rushing around town like I normally do:

o NAS charcoal sleeveless wool sheath dress (you’ve seen the pictures that Sandy posted)
o Nude micro fishnets
o Frye chestnut slouch boots (10 hour shoes!!!)
o Chunky layered necklace
o Lightweight, three quarter sleeve pinstriped blazer (which came off during the day and is still off)
o Very classic, structured red satchel (think Hermes)

This is a “go –to” outfit for me in Autumn and I learnt it from my HK friends last year. Everyone in HK was wearing this formula! It has to be a breezy short dress and preferably sans sleeves (but then you know how I love sleeveless dressing). Slouch boots are cooler than those that zip up closely against the body like Docs or riding boots.

Hope that make sense. I have been wearing this flop proof formula for two weeks straight and LOVE it.

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

I look forward to Angie's post of this topic!! I'm in the same boat as you Vani. This year I would be surprised if the daytime temps here dropped below 10°C (50°F) more than a handful of times throughout winter.

Like many other people around here, I wear boots as much as possible in winter even on days where you could get away without them. I just love boots! I don't know if it is a temperature thing, or a more casual look thing, but I find calf-height boots like my red ones get a lot more wear than true knee-highs.

I also wear boots with socks against bare skin a lot more than boots with tights. Tights + boots can get too warm.

I also didn't get to wear several of my warmer coats this year. My lightest wool coat got a look-in a few times, but otherwise it was lightweight trenches. They are great to protect against a cold breeze without being too warm.

Today is a freak warm day. Its 9pm and still 30°C (86°F) right now. I slept the whole day so it didn't bother me. I think it is meant to cool back down to 20°C(68°F) tomorrow though thank goodness!

Alecia

Veteran

We have mild winters, but I'm always freezing so I hardly ever wear the "cold weather impractical" boots. I have my standard knee length black and brown and wear them to death, often times with tights. I'll be looking forward to Angie's post.

shiny

Veteran

(making a mental note to pack sleeveless dresses and slouchy boots for HK trip...)

It's another cool 60 degree day today here. I'm going to break out the boots with a dress, and see how it goes. I don't have nude fishnets so I'll try bare legs.

Vani

Veteran

Gosh! Thank you all SO much. So many possibilities to work with!

Maya, peeptoe booties are on my list for this fall. I want to try the look with opaque tights. You've been so generous with your boots, so light colored boots - check. I was actually researching the EM boots after reading your recent post on another thread. I love how they look and with the adjustable buckle they seem like a winner. I also saw some cute slouchy boots at Marshall's the other days.
The thing with Florida winters is that warmer temps prevail during the day with nights and early mornings being chilly. It's like peeling an onion - the layers keep coming off during the day - and of course, back on towards night

I have tonnes to say but have to run. I will be back later tonight to respond to everybody!

Again, thank you SO much. You all deserve a great big (((HUG)))

shana

Veteran

I can relate - when I first moved to CA, I was curious whether people even transitioned to fall clothing!!! Little did I know how chilly that breeze over SF in July could be! I remember wearing lots of wool blazers instead of actual coats. I think the only coat I owned at the time was a leather bomber style one. A trench sounds perfect! I never wore boots at the time (couldn't find any that fit) but this was back when stacked heel oxfords/loafers were popular so that was my shoe of choice to wear with skirts with (gasp) black pantyhose!! I like Tam's idea of boots with socks and bare legs - wanted to try this myself in the early fall here but that might be a winter look for you - maybe with that awesome denim pencil skirt?

Vani

Veteran

shiny, my body is weird in that it runs hot and cold, it just has a mind of its own
55-60 would be prefect weather for boots for me, from what I remember living in DC. Might feel a little warmer close to noon but I'm usually indoors most of the time anyways. I'm just jealous it is 60 deg somewhere else in this country today! I look forward to pictures of your dress + slouchy boots outfits.

Patience, I know exactly what you mean. It was around 80 deg here today and I was happy it was cooler. I'll be party to your effusiveness! I had tossed out or given away most of my closed toed shoes. I have to start from the toes up Nov, Dec and Jan are the coldest months here too, so I have a bit of time to build my basic fall/winter wardrobe.

Angie, your outfit sounds PERFECT! I would love to be able to dress like that this winter. Thank you for the brilliant idea

Tam, I HEART your red boots You're right, I did wear my black boots under jeans with tall socks and it got hot especially close to noon. I'm pretty sure I'll be wanting a nice light trench too.

Alecia, me too!

shana, I've done the black hose, loafers and skirts too :-O! You're right, that skirt might yet prove to be more versatile than I thought

So looks like I've got my work and shopping list cut out:

1) CHUNKY PEARLS
2) 2-3 dresses
3) Maybe 1 more skirts of thick cotton-ish material
4) Microfishnets/textured hose,
5) 1 pair of knee-high boots and/or 1 pair slouchy boots
6) 1 pair ankle boots
7) 1 light-weight trench
7) 1 or 2 blazers/jackets (maybe a BF blazer?)

I've gone through Angie's fall must haves list and I think this list should keep me covered in addition to my NAS moto leather jacket, AP sheath dress (have another post coming up about this), BF cardi, waistcoat and skinnies. Yes? Oh, and I gave my Cons and Brulees to my sister and mom so I need a pair of Cons too.

You ladies are the bestest. Thank you, thank you, thank you!