It’s important to create a wardrobe that works with your climate. That way you’ll reduce closet orphans, save money, and actually wear what’s in your closet. With a practical approach to your wardrobe, you’ll also feel appropriately dressed and comfortable each day, which goes a long way towards owning your look. 

Sometimes it’s hard to be practical about adapting our wardrobes to the climate, and it’s not uncommon to be in denial about the whole thing. This happens when you love certain wardrobe items so you keep on buying them, but you hardly wear them because the weather is uncooperative. For example, you might adore wool coats and tall boots, yet you live in Hawaii or Singapore where the weather is hot and humid. Unless you regularly travel to a much colder part of the world, you will have little need for these items.

That’s why I suggest shopping (mostly) for your dominant season. For example, if you live in Austin, TX – Summer is the dominant season. If you live in Alaska, Winter is the dominant season. If you live in a place that doesn’t really have a dominant season, make sure that your clothing, footwear and accessories reflect all the seasons in relatively equal proportions. Also, take into account your temperature tolerance levels. For example, you might live in a relatively cool climate, but not really feel the cold. So on days where I’m wearing woolly knitwear, you might be more comfortable in a long sleeved blouse. 

I have lived in different climates all over the world, from tropical Hong Kong, to seaside Cape Town, Western Europe and Seattle. I’ve had to readapt my wardrobe each time we moved to accommodate the climate changes, and for sure I’ve made costly mistakes along the way.

When we first moved to Seattle, I didn’t know that the Summers were short and generally not that warm. On top of that, I feel cold at the drop of a hat. But I love wearing soft skirts, and sleeveless blouses and dresses, and for the first couple of years of living here I stocked up on them in the hopes that we would have a gloriously warm Spring and hot Summer. Well, I learned the hard way. My warm weather stuff was orphaned. Now I know better. You have to put the brakes on warm weather wardrobe items when you live in Seattle. But you can go to town adding items like sleeved tops, jackets, trench coats, coats, knitwear, jeans, trousers, heavier weight skirts, scarves and all sorts of boots. These items are my wardrobe workhorses and money well spent. 

Does your wardrobe reflect your dominant season(s)? Have you made mistakes along the way? Do you purchase items for an imaginary climate?

For a couple of years, Macys has been stocking the Alfani Voyage Wedge Sandal for just under $40, and it’s worth a look. I have the fussiest sandal feet in the world, and even I find this style comfortable. The low heel is manageable, while the elastic straps stretch with your foot as you stride. No rubbing, and no falling off your feet either. The footbed is pretty cushioning too. 

Surprisingly, I have clients with a range of feet shapes and widths sporting this sandal because it seems to work for narrow, regular and wider feet. The stretchy strap placement is extra forgiving, which means it can also work on feet with bunions.

It’s a good little casual walking shoe, great to kick around in on casual days and in relaxed settings. It’s available in three colours, and you might need to size down half a size. Note that it will look better on your feet than it does in the photo.

Please don’t think that I want you to cover your arms. In fact, it’s on the contrary. I believe that everyone can wear the right sleeveless tops and dresses and look perfectly appropriate and fab. The point here is that some of us just aren’t comfortable exposing our arms, and I wholeheartedly respect that decision too. I have a handful of clients who feel this way and we are constantly on the look out for attractive ways to stay covered while combating the heat.

Peasant blouses and pointelle knitwear are great ways to cover your arms in breezy ways. And so is a gauzy cardigan that’s made of mesh, crocheted yarn or something of the like. These loosely stitched cover ups are see-through, full of ventilating holes, drapey and extremely lightweight. They provide zero insulation, yet do the covering trick. 

Look for versions that blend both natural fibres like cotton, silk or linen with manmade fibres. Although natural fibres are fabulously breathable in hot weather, they can be unstable and loose their shape and lustre after one laundry cycle. Fabric blends are often the best way to go because they are more durable. 

This type of cover up comes in all shapes, from cropped boleros and shrugs, to tunic styles and classic V-neck silhouettes, as seen in the examples shown here. Wear them over sleeveless tops and dresses and you are set. Cool, calm, collected – and covered.

You are on Team High Vamp if you prefer to wear shoes with high vamps like oxfords, clogs, high vamp loafers, high vamp sandals, mules, high vamp wedges, booties, peep-toe booties, shooties and sneakers. You are on Team Low Vamp if you prefer to wear shoes with low vamps like ballet flats, low vamp slipper flats, pumps, peep-toe pumps, low vamp wedges and low vamp sandals. Note: Apart from short booties, taller boots are not included in this poll. 

I have more high vamped shoes than low vamped shoes, but I enjoy wearing both vamp styles equally. Sometimes, high vamped shoes look more hip, modern and edgy with my outfit. And other times low vamped shoes are the more elongating,  elegant and lady-like option. I cannot choose one over the other, so I am sitting this one out on the bench with a cup of tea and slice of dense chocolate cake. 

Over to you. Are you Team High Vamp or Team Low Vamp Shoes? Tell us why, and no batting for both teams.