https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-and-shopping-for-a-season-you-hate Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 06 Apr 2026 04:35:59 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-and-shopping-for-a-season-you-hate/page/2#post-1158868 Wed, 05 Feb 2014 21:07:13 +0000 Anonymous 1158868@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I hate dressing and shopping for summer, too. For one thing, it's unbearably hot. Also, every indoor place I'm in is way too cold, with the A/C set too low. I have to dress in layers even in summertime, and freeze whenever I'm not at home and not outside. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-and-shopping-for-a-season-you-hate/page/2#post-1158233 Wed, 05 Feb 2014 04:38:09 +0000 Ginkgo 1158233@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Just echoing others about having a tailor run up some tops in "your" style. Remember that fabulous asymmetrical top that Lantana recently made? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-and-shopping-for-a-season-you-hate/page/2#post-1158152 Wed, 05 Feb 2014 02:55:30 +0000 Jaime 1158152@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like heat but the difference between high 80s and high 90s is huge. Once it gets to the high 90s and breaks 100 it is deadly. Lots of linen tops and a few wow splurge pieces to console yourself (preferably but not necessarily appropriate for layers later) is the best I can suggest or reiterate. Oh and new sandals. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-and-shopping-for-a-season-you-hate/page/2#post-1158143 Wed, 05 Feb 2014 02:50:54 +0000 Classically Casual 1158143@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Re gear dresses, you'll be able to wear them when you come to OR too. Last summer it was hotter than normal int the PNW. Pretty quickly I bought a couple of sleeveless gear dresses from REI.com, and with sandals that was pretty much my uniform. Isabel did a post a couple of months or so ago about how versatile she found a brand of gear dresses too for her summer adventures. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-and-shopping-for-a-season-you-hate/page/2#post-1158141 Wed, 05 Feb 2014 02:50:28 +0000 mrseccentric 1158141@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>oy, in your situation i would just flat out pitch a fit!!!! (and i'm well known for a placidly bovine disposition!)</p> <p>i haven't read teh whole thread yet, but if i recall you enjoy Eileen Fisher's pieces....seems like this could be the perfect time to splurge on a gorgeous linen EF dress or two. And/or find a tailor who can knock off a couple pieces for you in a some gorgeous italian linen - you deserve some nice!!!&nbsp; hang in there, steph </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-and-shopping-for-a-season-you-hate/page/2#post-1158140 Wed, 05 Feb 2014 02:50:17 +0000 Peri 1158140@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I feel your pain...I don't like summer clothes either. And the thing is, with all the washing on material that is already thin, summer clothes just don't last long.&nbsp;I end up feeling like I'm starting over every year because last year's items are all worn out. And I did the same massive purge, just for different reasons.&nbsp;</p> <p>So I will be trying to buy also, and not liking the choices, and not feeling nearly as wardrobe happy as I do in cold weather. It doesn't seem worth it to spend much on any item, so I never feel like the clothes are anything special.</p> <p>Oh woe, all commiseration and no help! Sorry! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-and-shopping-for-a-season-you-hate/page/2#post-1158135 Wed, 05 Feb 2014 02:44:35 +0000 Anonymous 1158135@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm one of those weird heat-loving freaks of nature, but you have my complete sympathies&nbsp;nevertheless.</p> <p>I like the idea of looking for things that are layer-able for Portland. And I'd probably use this situation to buy a bunch of impractical things&nbsp;in white or cream because, if they start looking dingy or tired toward the end of the season, it's not like it matters if they don't last longer than that.&nbsp;And, it may just be me, but earrings always seem less annoying than other jewelry to wear in the heat. Especially if they're the lightweight dangling type that seem like they might&nbsp;move&nbsp;in any hint of breeze that shows up. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-and-shopping-for-a-season-you-hate/page/2#post-1158133 Wed, 05 Feb 2014 02:40:21 +0000 Greyscale 1158133@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hah, that's awesome, IK. We are partial style twins for sure. Anyway, writing that made me more excited about summer clothes - not that it's often shorts weather here, and I can't wear shorts in lab. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-and-shopping-for-a-season-you-hate/page/2#post-1158088 Wed, 05 Feb 2014 01:52:03 +0000 shiny 1158088@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't love the heat either, IK. We have a close friend who lives in Austin area who's campaigning hard for us to move there ... I do love the area but there's no ocean so I just can't do it. Heat requires an ocean nearby.&nbsp;</p> <p>I love the gear idea ...&nbsp;</p> <p>I built a travel capsule last year for going to Costa Rica, and other future similar destinations.... washable breathable practical. Just put a bird on it and it'll work for Portland too! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-and-shopping-for-a-season-you-hate/page/2#post-1158084 Wed, 05 Feb 2014 01:50:28 +0000 ironkurtin 1158084@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@Greyscale... you just described my closet.&nbsp; What's left of it.&nbsp; Only the tees are from Joie and Everlane, and I don't wear black linen (believe it or not, too hot *even in linen* for black.)&nbsp; Your ability to pinpoint my style is scary. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-and-shopping-for-a-season-you-hate/page/2#post-1158077 Wed, 05 Feb 2014 01:45:17 +0000 carter 1158077@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I feel your pain! I lived through Houston summers for seven years and hated every minute of it. It gets hot and humid here, but it's not as bad nor does it last as long as Texas. I never did figure out a way to get excited about dressing for 100 degree, 100% humidity days. My only advice is to buy what you'll need asap, because once it heats up, shopping is the very last thing you'll want to do. Buy what you need to look great when you go out, even if you're miserable. Buy cheap, cool and washable for the rest. This is a disposable wardrobe if you're sure you're moving next year. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-and-shopping-for-a-season-you-hate/page/2#post-1158065 Wed, 05 Feb 2014 01:30:08 +0000 Greyscale 1158065@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My sympathies. I hate heat too, and I'd be furious (at the universe, if not at the husband) about the last-minute change. And I hate buying summer clothes. They're just no fun for me.</p> <p>I like the idea of a uniform. Zara's linen tshirts are classic and inexpensive and would work well for layering in Portland. So if I found myself stuck in Texas for a summer,&nbsp;I'd buy a whole stack of Zara linen tees and tanks&nbsp;in white and black, pair with awesome boyfriend shorts (the really broken-in, torn-up kind), alternate between&nbsp;minimalist black sandals and combat boots, add killer lipstick,&nbsp;and call it done.</p> <p>[Zara's linen tees aren't in stock yet but I hope they have them again for this year.]</p> <p>Plus if you have a zillion identical tshirts you can change them three times a day without anyone noticing! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-and-shopping-for-a-season-you-hate/page/2#post-1158062 Wed, 05 Feb 2014 01:28:14 +0000 E 1158062@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm whiny too! (I'm also whiny about all of the bright sunshine we get, which just makes things hotter and sweatier and requires sunglasses permanently stuck to my face. I'm thrilled we've had so many overcast days this winter.)&nbsp;My mom is one of those who loves the heat: she's seriously happiest when it's above 80 and considers anything below 75 uncomfortably cold. And she grew up in Buffalo!&nbsp;*shakes head in wonder* </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-and-shopping-for-a-season-you-hate/page/2#post-1158049 Wed, 05 Feb 2014 01:16:06 +0000 ironkurtin 1158049@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Like I said, I'm whiny about the heat.&nbsp; Thanks for listening, ladies, I appreciate it!</p> <p>There are people here WHO ABSOLUTELY LOVE the heat.&nbsp; No lie.&nbsp; LOVE.&nbsp; I wish I did. Alas. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-and-shopping-for-a-season-you-hate/page/2#post-1158047 Wed, 05 Feb 2014 01:11:48 +0000 krishnidoux 1158047@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Poor you. That is such a downer.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-and-shopping-for-a-season-you-hate/page/2#post-1158046 Wed, 05 Feb 2014 01:08:37 +0000 ironkurtin 1158046@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@April - Oh THANK YOU for mentioning how hard it is to wear jewelry in heat!&nbsp; I tried it the first year and it was so hot that my neck sweated under the chain and I got a rash.&nbsp; That was a total eye-opener as to what I was in for for the next 5 years.</p> <p>@Ladies who mentioned gear - You are SO right.&nbsp; I'll keep an eye out for cute gear dresses! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-and-shopping-for-a-season-you-hate/page/2#post-1158011 Wed, 05 Feb 2014 00:44:39 +0000 trix 1158011@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, you definitely have my sympathy. Though I'm in a cooler climate, I hate summer and hot weather too.</p> <p>Luckily you said you work from home, so you don't have to wear dressy work clothes; you have the freedom to wear tank tops and shorts or light woven cotton dresses (that's what I wear at home on the hottest days, a simple sleeveless, A-line dress).</p> <p>I agree with Gryffin and Sarah A about the recommendation of "gear" fabrics. The one reason I look forward to summer is that I can wear my summer dresses from "gear" manufacturers&nbsp;on weekends. Unfortunately,&nbsp;I've acquired&nbsp;enough summer dresses from Patagonia and Athleta&nbsp;that I could wear a different one on every weekend day of the summer here with more left over...</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-and-shopping-for-a-season-you-hate/page/2#post-1158010 Wed, 05 Feb 2014 00:44:11 +0000 April 1158010@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>IK -- I *so* sympathize with this. &nbsp;I hate dressing for our summers (very hot, very humid). &nbsp;When I was working in a school district, of course all the school buildings built before the 1970s were not air-conditioned, since the reasoning was that no one was there in the summer anyway. &nbsp;Enter global warming, extended school years under No Child Left Behind, and the fact that in my district the psychologists came back to school a week before everyone else in August&nbsp;and stayed a week longer in June, and you get a complete recipe for disaster: trying to dress professionally while sweating and frizzing in the breeze from a tiny fan sitting on your desk. &nbsp;</p> <p>Ugh.</p> <p>And the whole "dress in long, light layers" idea always works better for me when I'm actually in the sun, not when I'm sweltering indoors.</p> <p>If I were you, I would just get a pile of lightweight tees that can then&nbsp;become layers when you get to a less hostile climate. &nbsp;I've had success with these:&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.landsend.com/products/womens-short-sleeve-fitted-lightweight-cotton-modal-scoop-t-shirt/id_217519">http://www.landsend.com/produc.....-t-shirt/i</a>&nbsp; &nbsp; A zillion colors and sizes, wash and wear, and not so scooped that you're forced to wear a cami &nbsp;(Hello, tee shirt manufacturers! &nbsp;No one wants to wear a cami under their clothes when it's 103 with 90% humidity.) &nbsp;</p> <p>Can you pin your hair up in a dramatic clip? <a rel="nofollow" href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ficcare-maximas-hair-clip/2941274?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&amp;contextualcategoryid=2375500&amp;fashionColor=&amp;resultback=400&amp;cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-searchresults-_-1_1_A"><a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ficcare-maximas-hair-clip/2941274?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&#038;amp" rel="nofollow">http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/fi.....t&#038;amp</a>;</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;That's about the only thing I can think of to doll things up. &nbsp;Too hot for most jewelry, I imagine.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-and-shopping-for-a-season-you-hate/page/2#post-1157990 Wed, 05 Feb 2014 00:34:21 +0000 Sarah A 1157990@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like gear brand dresses for summer: patagonia, prana, horny toad. They usually have good wicking property poly blends so after i sweat them out they dry. Around here there is pretty good resale value too. Although as my aesthetic is shifting I am finding that a good gear dress I like is hard to come by. Not much help I guess... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-and-shopping-for-a-season-you-hate/page/2#post-1157983 Wed, 05 Feb 2014 00:30:55 +0000 JAileen 1157983@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I certainly feel for you. I used to live in Houston. I was pregnant there in the summer. It doesn't get any worse than that.</p> <p>Didn't you give away stuff you didn't really like? Oh, you did like it ? Go to Goodwill and see if any of it is still there! If not, there might be a few things to tide you over. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-and-shopping-for-a-season-you-hate/page/2#post-1157982 Wed, 05 Feb 2014 00:29:27 +0000 Windchime 1157982@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>In general, when dealing with a situation I hate, I try to make something about it pleasant for myself. I think you should purchase summer items which you absolutely love and which make you look forward to wearing them. You'll be wearing them for months; figure out what you can afford to spend and go for it! It's kind of a consolation prize as well as your summer wardrobe. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-and-shopping-for-a-season-you-hate/page/2#post-1157975 Wed, 05 Feb 2014 00:22:53 +0000 Aziraphale 1157975@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My heartfelt sympathy. I'm a temperate climate gal, and the way you describe Texas makes me suspect that living there&nbsp;might lead me to shoot myself in the head. (At least there's no shortage of guns in Texas).</p> <p>Sorry, no helpful suggestions...cross off the days on the calendar, maybe? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-and-shopping-for-a-season-you-hate/page/2#post-1157970 Wed, 05 Feb 2014 00:18:35 +0000 shiny 1157970@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Probably impractical: suggest to your hubby that you relocate now, ahead of him, so you can scout out a new home...&nbsp;</p> <p>Practical: view the challenge as shopping for&nbsp;a "tropical vacation" capsule? Because after you move, no matter how happy you are there, you may crave a vacation to warmer sunnier climes every now and then. And shopping for vacation-appropriate clothes in Portland may be more difficult than in Austin. </p> <p>So stock up now... view everything you buy with that eye: would I wear this on a beach resort vacation? A cruise? etc.&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-and-shopping-for-a-season-you-hate#post-1157960 Wed, 05 Feb 2014 00:05:35 +0000 Susie 1157960@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I can commiserate too. I live in Little Rock and our summer months can be brutal, though not as long a stretch as you get. Since I work in cold AC, my work clothes don't have to be super cool. </p> <p>It's being stylish in casual wear that's challenging for me. I know I need to add some things for that; I'm thinking dresses. I wish I had suggestions for you. I do like the idea of EF- like things for you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-and-shopping-for-a-season-you-hate#post-1157954 Wed, 05 Feb 2014 00:00:03 +0000 Helena 1157954@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a timely post for me - I was thinking about summer dressing today for some reason. I feel you pain -&nbsp;I hate it! We have about two months of good clothes dressing here, the rest is either "nuclear" as you say or else freezing!</p> <p>I was going to suggest Target; I think someone else mentioned already. They have cute summer dresses, tanks etc. that you could buy and then if they don't come with you, you won't be much out-of-pocket.</p> <p>I love the capsule test idea too&nbsp;and hope you will share what you come up with!! </p> <p>I was going to e-mail to Angie to see if she would do a variation on the classic fall capsule she did a few months back, but in a stinky-hot summer version.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-and-shopping-for-a-season-you-hate#post-1157943 Tue, 04 Feb 2014 23:49:03 +0000 E 1157943@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh IK. That just sucks. I too live in south Texas, and I'm planning to move to upstate NY in May; if it falls through I'll be heartbroken to have to&nbsp;deal with the heat again. I've dealt with it 3 times, and even though I now have an extensive collection of breezy tops, some shorts and light capris, and even a couple sun hats,&nbsp;that does not make me any happier to have to wear them for half the year, plus the odd hot day in winter too (can't we have&nbsp;a couple months respite?). Like you, I deal with cold far better than hot, and am usually&nbsp;at home all day,&nbsp;but for financial and environmental reasons I keep my a/c at 77 and just chug ice water and smoothies and slushies as much as possible, which makes it almost bearable as long as I'm barely wearing clothing (see breezy tops and shorts). Let's not talk about daily walks and any desire to get 'fresh air' when it stays in high 80s and&nbsp;90s even after sunset.&nbsp;*shudder*</p> <p>All of that was to let you know that I completely commiserate &amp; have a lot of sympathy. It's not just a season; it's over half the year. Really, if you consider a high of&nbsp;80 summer, it's at least 2/3 of the year if not more.&nbsp;And 100 is as far from 80 as 80 is from 60, which I think people lose sight of sometimes, lumping anything over 80 together.</p> <p>With all of that being said, perhaps you could buy pieces that you can also see fitting into your new life in the PNW? From a layering standpoint I mean? <a rel="nofollow" href="http://sanaeishida.com/">This blog</a> is by a woman in Seattle, it's mainly about clothes she sews for her daughter, but she sews <a rel="nofollow" href="http://sanaeishida.com/?cat=35">for herself too</a>, and she seems to use a lot of linen. So perhaps dresses or tunics and tops that work by themselves for a hot summer at home could also have new lives after your move? That's the only thing I can think of for making you hate it less.</p> <p>Personally, I use&nbsp;summer-weight clothes in fall colours to console myself when it's over 100&nbsp;in September, but you have a much tighter colour palette than me, so that's probably not going to work for you. I also started wearing brooches so much because of the heat here, again another form of hot weather compatible comfort. Not saying that would work for your style, just sharing my own coping skills (the sun hats make me feel better too). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-and-shopping-for-a-season-you-hate#post-1157926 Tue, 04 Feb 2014 23:19:50 +0000 Mo 1157926@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'd go for half quality pieces that give you the style you crave and half disposable items. &nbsp;Have I mentioned the $6 (on sale with coupon code)&nbsp;loose cowl racerback tank I wore on Sunday from Alloy??? &nbsp;&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.alloyapparel.com/product/cowl+neck+racerback+tank+175630.do?sortby=ourPicks&amp;refType=&amp;from=Search">http://www.alloyapparel.com/pr.....&#038;from</a></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-and-shopping-for-a-season-you-hate#post-1157915 Tue, 04 Feb 2014 23:01:38 +0000 Anonymous 1157915@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Target? Work at home in your bikini, throwing on a coverup for answering the door? The advantage is that you can cool off frequently in the shower. (Can you tell that hot summers are not my favorite for dressing either?) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-and-shopping-for-a-season-you-hate#post-1157906 Tue, 04 Feb 2014 22:51:42 +0000 ironkurtin 1157906@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@Vildy - You'd think, right?&nbsp; But I live in a very cute older house that is insulated as best we can, but is not terribly efficient.&nbsp; We keep it at 78 degrees at the lowest and even then the AC bill is painful and my husband kvetches - he has much better tolerance for heat than I do and his environmental bent is offended by using all this electricity.&nbsp; He even likes to sleep warm (ugh)!&nbsp; I do know people who deal with heat by cryogenically storing themselves all summer but it's not feasible for me.</p> <p>I will also say that I find arctic AC in the summer a really big pain, because going from 104 to 64 is a shock to the system.&nbsp; I typically keep a sweater for runs to the grocery store etc. so I don't shiver to death buying the kiddo's tater tots. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-and-shopping-for-a-season-you-hate#post-1157900 Tue, 04 Feb 2014 22:46:33 +0000 Lisa 1157900@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am also not a fan of summer dressing.&nbsp; I'm always cold in skirts and dresses and thin layers, so I find those pieces less interesting to shop for.&nbsp; Last year to add some spice, I added a LOT of prints.&nbsp; The prints made me happy, they hide wear and tear (and sweat stains) easier than a solid, and I was already accessorized so dressing was fast.&nbsp; Perhaps you can find a favorite feature you do like about summer dressing and shop around that idea?&nbsp; Maybe it's linen items, or the color white, etc. </p>