YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Thinking of a Hot September Capsule

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Thinking of a Hot September Capsule https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thinking-of-a-hot-september-capsule Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 14 Apr 2026 20:18:11 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Momo on "Thinking of a Hot September Capsule" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thinking-of-a-hot-september-capsule#post-1776579 Fri, 10 Feb 2017 00:35:12 +0000 Momo 1776579@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Gosh that is a brilliant idea! I Always moan and groan about how I don't know what to wear in September bc it is too hot, planning for it is so smart. Ginger on "Thinking of a Hot September Capsule" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thinking-of-a-hot-september-capsule#post-1776200 Thu, 09 Feb 2017 02:24:19 +0000 Ginger 1776200@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ catty, I haven't really tried wearing silk. I haven't avoided it, but (except for costumes) I just haven't run across it in anything I've liked well enough. Humidity here is moderate: Nothing like the Gulf coast, but also not desert dry. (Though it can be either... depends on where the wind is blowing.) In general it's wet enough that our winters feel a lot colder than the temperature would indicate, and wet enough to keep our summers from cooling down at night. Silk might work okay, depending on how tight the weave is. It's almost always windy here, so if a breeze can't get through, it won't work! Some of my favorite blouses years ago were thin, smooth cotton. They came with matching camis, and were sheer when held up to the light, but I found them to be opaque when worn alone. One was dark red and one a chambray-like blue. Really perfect!  And poly I'm okay with if it's not too tightly woven. One of my eShakti dresses is a poly crepe in white, and fully lined with a thin solid poly. It is miserable in the heat, even in wind, because the air can't get through. But the Glamorous maxi dress, a slightly looser weave and unlined polyester, really works okay! So yes, polyester is not all bad. SarahF, I'm so glad you found it helpful! It's taken me far too long to face reality that I have to work on accumulating the right pieces. Amazingly, the right items don't just appear in the closet come September! Ginger on "Thinking of a Hot September Capsule" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thinking-of-a-hot-september-capsule#post-1776196 Thu, 09 Feb 2017 02:15:06 +0000 Ginger 1776196@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Traci, I think cool spring can be even harder than hot autumn! As you say, colors are really important, but light colors in warm clothing can be all too rare. At least cream and blush haven't been too hard to find in recent years. And Angie's formula of dresses over crops will be perfect when it's a bit warmer. I'm not sure about silk. Partly because of the humidity factor, and partly because I don't tend to run across it where I shop! But I will keep it in mind. Thank you, Angie! I'm looking forward to adding to this capsule during spring and summer. I don't do fingernail polish (I think we both find it very drying to our fingertips) but I can do that on my toes. Lipstick is a good idea too. I haven't cut my hair, but I'm thinking a lot about changing things up! I've tried some different styling, including looser curls, and I've also taken a flat iron to my bangs. I've gotten some positive feedback, so hopefully I'm on the right track. These pictures are from the past week. The first is particularly wind blown! Anonymous on "Thinking of a Hot September Capsule" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thinking-of-a-hot-september-capsule#post-1776123 Wed, 08 Feb 2017 22:05:51 +0000 Anonymous 1776123@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This has been very helpful for me to read. I've realized that I need to put together a similar fall capsule, and you've given me some good ideas to implement as I start looking for pieces that will work for hot autumn weather. Thank you for sharing this! Anonymous on "Thinking of a Hot September Capsule" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thinking-of-a-hot-september-capsule#post-1776030 Wed, 08 Feb 2017 17:50:33 +0000 Anonymous 1776030@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is such a great discussion. I'm also going to give some thought to "hot autumn" items as I remember a few really stiflingly hot days late last September. I think you're on the right track with dark florals and rich details like embroidery. I also like the idea of shoes with more coverage (but incorporating strategic cutouts for ventilation). I'm the opposite of Traci in that I avoid silk like the plague during hot months. In my climate heat is always paired with high humidity and silk feels clammy. Gauzy cotton is ideal but of course it tends to be sheer and layering defeats the purpose. I will probably look for lightweight knits and even poly tops (poly gets a bad rap but it's great for wicking moisture--it is the basis for exercise clothes after all!). Angie on "Thinking of a Hot September Capsule" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thinking-of-a-hot-september-capsule#post-1776025 Wed, 08 Feb 2017 17:35:42 +0000 Angie 1776025@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ginger, sounds like you have it all figured out. WELL DONE. If you wear nail polish and lippie, you can change those up for Fall too. (Deeper, richer shades).  I have the opposite dilemma - freezing Spring.  And how is your hair evolution coming along? I'm waiting to see the new 'do!  Traci on "Thinking of a Hot September Capsule" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thinking-of-a-hot-september-capsule#post-1775993 Wed, 08 Feb 2017 16:29:58 +0000 Traci 1775993@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Wonderful insights! I've been pondering the flip side of this, cool spring. I'm itching for lighter dresses and bare legs, but where I live it's June before that's practical. I've been thinking maybe in March and April I can wear light dresses with Capri leggings and booties. I'm working on sorting out toppers that will keep me warm enough without seeming confused. You're right that the color palette is a huge factor in all this. For warm fall, consider silk. I think silk has a richness that feels appropriate in fall, but is also cool on the skin. Full disclosure, I have a new, deep obsession with all things 100% silk. It's a great insulator when layered, but so light and well breathing on its own. Ginger on "Thinking of a Hot September Capsule" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thinking-of-a-hot-september-capsule#post-1775854 Wed, 08 Feb 2017 04:24:46 +0000 Ginger 1775854@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ unfrumped, that's it exactly! "Seasonally confused" usually means bare toes in snow, but the reverse applies here. I'm trying to achieve an autumnal feel without risking heat exhaustion. "Seasonless" intrigues me. If you can achieve it, color does sound ideal for providing some variation. Texture can be tricky, since that usually means a warmer fabric, and I probably have limited use for linen knit pieces in my style. That said, things like embroidery do provide some texture. And accessories really sound fun! I'm with you, JAileen. I'm forced to make this differentiation with colors because I KNOW I won't wait to wear things unless they really feel "wrong" in some way! I remember counting the days until we finally stopped having highs above 90... then about 85... then about 80... it took forever. I really need to trick my brain into enjoying this period. Joy, leaves are an excellent idea! I do have a hard time wearing the more springy, fluffy florals in the fall, but leaves feel different. I have a <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.charmingcharlie.com/filigree-leaf-pendant-necklace.html#color=silver">leaf necklace </a>in both silver and rose gold, and they come out to play a lot in the fall. (I'm still not over the door thing. California is supposed to be so green and energy-efficient, and yet trying to air-condition the great outdoors?? My dad got on me and my brothers so much when we'd leave the door open!) I hope that there will be good fall stuff, but I'm not sure; it's usually too warm in fabrication. I didn't see anything at NAS, for example. But that's why I'm going to be looking this spring, too! :) Ryce, that's where I was a couple years ago! I made a half-hearted attempt, but it wasn't cohesive. A few items did feel right, but it wasn't enough. I didn't work on accessories at all, either. I have no idea where that idea came from this time! Probably just the process of typing out my thoughts. Your capsule looks pretty good to me. That Theory dress looks really cute... Legwear is one of the trickiest things when it's neither hot nor cold. I've been wearing nude hose, which does smooth out the pasty look. chewyspaghetti, I'm impressed that you're finding anything! That blouse is really the only clothing item that's available at the moment. Most of the ASOS shoes are from last summer/fall and sold out in most sizes. Meredith, I'm kind of amazed at myself. I usually have a hard time thinking this far ahead and coming up with a solution that works! But I've been mulling this over ever since November. And it's been so warm lately that I've gotten ideas for how to actually handle it. I'm VERY glad to be able to look for just the right pieces through the next 5-6 months. The cutout things are totally new to me, so that will truly be a learning experience. But they do seem natural for this! always trying, I totally understand you! There really is no solution for 100+. All you can do is endure. I do as few layers as possible.  Tops as light as possible while still being decent. (Camis? Inconceivable!)  Loose dresses and shorts - as short as is decent - and not tight. Wovens are cooler than knits, which trap air. I stay inside when I can, and wear a hat when outside. Tinted windows in the car, crack them open when parked if it's safe, always face the sun and put a shade in the windshield. I switched to mowing the lawn after 8 at night, when the sun was starting to go down; the air temperature was still upper 90s, but not being in the direct sun made a huge difference. Usually 100s doesn't last for a super long time... (though in 2012 we barely beat the 1980 record for just over 60 straight days over 100)!  It's so weird, even the tap water is lukewarm, and pools are icky. always trying on "Thinking of a Hot September Capsule" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thinking-of-a-hot-september-capsule#post-1775749 Tue, 07 Feb 2017 23:37:02 +0000 always trying 1775749@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My biggest problem is October. This is when we usually have the triple digit temps.  No matter what I plan or try to do I can never manage to find anything to wear that makes me happy then.  Meredith on "Thinking of a Hot September Capsule" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thinking-of-a-hot-september-capsule#post-1775744 Tue, 07 Feb 2017 23:33:33 +0000 Meredith 1775744@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I also have make some wardrobe switch-ups/refresher purchases for September. Its good you're planning to buy early so you aren't stuck with clearance options. Love cutout shoes and booties. I think they are great transitional pieces. chewyspaghetti on "Thinking of a Hot September Capsule" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thinking-of-a-hot-september-capsule#post-1775740 Tue, 07 Feb 2017 23:29:28 +0000 chewyspaghetti 1775740@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is very smart and I am also working on my hot fall capsule....although I may wear much of it in summer as well. I feel like there are a lot of choices right now, so I'm trying to pick things up as I see them. Anonymous on "Thinking of a Hot September Capsule" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thinking-of-a-hot-september-capsule#post-1775738 Tue, 07 Feb 2017 23:26:27 +0000 Anonymous 1775738@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ginger,  I live in a similar climate and sort of do this - but in a very haphazard and unorganized way. I'm inspired by your idea to make it a "capsule" and especially the thought to add footwear and bags. That has never crossed my mind, and it is a excellent way to make the clothes you are sick and tired of a little different. So many good ideas expressed here - ink blue, cognac accessories, fall motifs! Below are some of the things in my not-very-thought-through collection. Today it was 80 degrees, so I pulled out and wore the paisley tunic dress. Unfortunately, I had never thought through footwear other than sandals to go with it. I wasn't entirely happy with today's combo of black tights and taupe booties. (The legs are too pasty white to go bare-legged in February no matter how warm it may be.  That black floral top you started with is really pretty - look forward to seeing how you wear it! Love the maxi dresses, too! Anonymous on "Thinking of a Hot September Capsule" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thinking-of-a-hot-september-capsule#post-1775730 Tue, 07 Feb 2017 22:42:51 +0000 Anonymous 1775730@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Olive is s good autumn color. One thing I reach for in autumn is a leaf motif... Print or jewelry. One of my favorite pieces is a heavy silk skirt in matte black with a cream leaf print. It is great for hot autumn because it is heavy enough fabric not to need a slip under it. That is crazy about buildings keeping doors open in the heat. You need to think of what would make you excited about dressing in early autumn. For me it is a color change. Maybe what is new for fall in the stores will inspire you. JAileen on "Thinking of a Hot September Capsule" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thinking-of-a-hot-september-capsule#post-1775727 Tue, 07 Feb 2017 22:32:07 +0000 JAileen 1775727@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I lived in Houston and wore linen until about Thanksgiving. I guess it worked because the colors were darker. At that time I wore autumn colors almost exclusively. I don't think I could have saved something back though. unfrumped on "Thinking of a Hot September Capsule" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thinking-of-a-hot-september-capsule#post-1775715 Tue, 07 Feb 2017 21:51:12 +0000 unfrumped 1775715@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I like this idea. Sort of the opposite odd seasonal confusuon-- I'm sometimes torn between a more season-LESS wardrobe vs distinct seasons. I do know I probably need to work with color more than silhouette. It's hard for me to finally get proportions right. But autumn colors- yum! Do I do look keep an eye out for items that are as " cool" as summer but maybe unusually autumnal. More texture, too. I find some of the better linen knits work- they don't LOOK like linen- and some loose but nubby tweeds. I think accessories are a way to go, too- a warm cognac leather bag isn't hot! I can wear gauzy scarves in work air conditioning, but that can still get too hot coming and going. So I also keep trying to have a bit of seasonal feel in jewelry, such as there is. Ginger on "Thinking of a Hot September Capsule" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thinking-of-a-hot-september-capsule#post-1775712 Tue, 07 Feb 2017 21:44:43 +0000 Ginger 1775712@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Joy, I always have a topper with me at work! It's so hot here for so much of the year that virtually every building is climate-controlled. I'd say most offices, churches, and public places are kept in the 65-75F range. That's not objective cold, but it's relative cold. So I totally understand that kind of layering! What I have a harder time with is turning off A/C and similar behaviors. For example, last summer I went to a museum in L.A. These new, modern buildings did not have vestibules. Many buildings here do, to lessen the amount of cooled air that rushes out as people enter and leave. Not only, that, they were propped open, and it was well over 90 outside. I had a hard time with that - it's practically a crime here to leave a door open in the summer. :p I'm not as good with sticking to seasonal color palettes; that tends to be one of my "style rotation" behaviors and may have little relation to the actual season. Navy is a good color, though. I don't do much brown, as you noted, but I've been working on accumulating navy as well as black. Kiwigal, I know me - I need more pieces than that or I will abandon the whole capsule attempt when it gets there! Thanks for the confirmation on the hat/bag/shoes, though. It was kind of an afterthought, but it may be the simplest approach. Clothing finds will really depend on what shows up in retail. I have a bunch of cardigans and jackets, too, and I'm okay with reusing them. Yes, a change in color for me helps signal the change in mood. I do wear nearly all colors, but a deliberate shift in color scheme is new to me. It's that blouse, really. When I saw it things just started to click. Swing seasons really are a pain. We rarely have a big variation within one day (although there are times...), but a 30-degree dawn-to-dinner difference is not uncommon during those times. Those are the absolute hardest to dress for. I've gotten resigned to just leaving work with my heavy coat over my arm. ;) Sal on "Thinking of a Hot September Capsule" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thinking-of-a-hot-september-capsule#post-1775700 Tue, 07 Feb 2017 21:02:31 +0000 Sal 1775700@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I like the idea... I would look for at least one dress, one to two footwear options, a bag and hat, a couple of seperates and maybe a very lightweight cardigan/jacket. I don't think the colours matter in particular but a change up could be fun, you can wear a lot of different colours, but it could be a change in mood. My climate is so variable and unpredictable, but within a much narrower range.  I find the swing seasons a challenge because I am not a pro at layering, and we get cold mornings and often warm afternoons.  I used to wear fitted tanks/tees with a cardigan over the top (with jeans, pants or an A line skirt) which worked brilliantly weatherwise but I have moved away from that look and struggled with layering ever since!! Anonymous on "Thinking of a Hot September Capsule" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thinking-of-a-hot-september-capsule#post-1775695 Tue, 07 Feb 2017 20:54:49 +0000 Anonymous 1775695@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ A hot autumn capsule is also something that I want to work on. I do not expect my new climate to be quite as hot as before but even through October temperatures can require air conditioning. Speaking of air-conditioning, it can be weird in the fall. Some places like malls are freezing, I suspect to encourage buying the warm woolies. Other spaces automatically turn off the cooling at a certain date no matter how hot it may be. I find carrying a topper and wearing a cooling outfit the most necessary in the fall, even more than summer. Years of teaching elementary school have inclined my brain to crave autumn colors after August. Last year navy/ink neutrals worked well. In spring they were worn with blush and pastels. In autumn with rust/oranges and burgundy/oxblood. I also wear more browns/chocolate. You have great ideas for footwear. I love those pictured. I'll be watching this thread for more hot autumn ideas. Ginger on "Thinking of a Hot September Capsule" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thinking-of-a-hot-september-capsule#post-1775686 Tue, 07 Feb 2017 20:21:23 +0000 Ginger 1775686@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <a href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/patterns-phases-uniforms" rel="nofollow">I posted a few weeks ago</a> on a type of unconscious "uniform" dressing I have going on. Ledonna brilliantly called it a "style rotation," a much better description. One cause of rotation is the weather. A change in weather will often trigger a change in style rotation. Like when it first gets nippy in the fall, I can't wait to bust out my tall boots, heavier skirts, and sweaters. But that highlights one of my biggest yearly frustrations: When the calendar says "Fall" and the weather says "Boiling."  Everyone's definition of "summer heat" is different, so I'll put it into numbers: July and August Mean High/Low: 96F - 75F (July Record: 110F, 56F) (August Record: 112F, 55F) And then comes September. September Mean High/Low: 88F - 86 F   (Record: 111F, 40F) So yes, overall it's cooler - but not significantly enough to affect clothing.   It's extremely frustrating when I'm in the mood for boots and sweaters and woolly things!  Don't get me wrong - I really do like this climate. I always prefer being warm to be cold. I love how few pieces I need to put together for an outfit.  But by September, I need a change. So for the first time in my life, I'm deliberately going to build a capsule for work and church. This is a big step for me, since I've never liked capsules. I am an emotional dresser - I crave variety, and I have to want to wear an outfit. I can't talk myself into a limited number of pieces and enjoy it. I will happily repeat something that I adore, but even of that I will tire sooner or later. Two requirements: 1. There has to be a lot of variety. None of this "tightly curated" fashion blogger nonsense. :) 2. Come September, I must be excited to wear something different and "new."  Just as if it was finally sweater weather. That means the pieces must not be ones I will want to reach for earlier in the (hot) spring and summer. If I do, then I will lose the novelty effect that is vital for the feeling of change. Some crossover in cool spring will be okay. That's in like, April and May, so there will be enough time for them to regain their "welcome back!" feeling by September. This won't be a "capsule" in that everything goes with everything else. That is too limiting and honestly unnecessary.  It will be more a collection that will be mixed in with other of my true summer pieces that I'm not yet sick of. But it's a "capsule" in that the purpose is unified. And there are definitely some themes or elements that will help me in assembling pieces. So far, I have: * Darker colors in summery weights and cuts. This is a slight challenge because my preferences strongly tend toward lighter/brighter colors year-'round. However, if the piece is right, I will wear it. I found a blouse at Kohl's recently that does fit this idea perfectly. It's black, with a beautiful floral design in my favorite soft saturated colors. But it's open neck, very short sleeves, and very breezy, so it should be perfectly find for the temperatures. I really don't like wearing black by my face in spring and summer, so it shouldn't be too hard to save for September. Another item I'm considering is the red with silver embroidery dress.  Again, it's a darker color combination, and the sleeves are longer and hence slightly warmer. The cut is really interesting as well. (My black dress with the bell sleeves has the same embroidery, so I know it looks really nice in person.) I may be able to get away with the AT Jungle Cat blouse and the Thakoon chiffon tee on slightly cooler days, and I have basic skirts that I don't (much) mind continuing to wear. I will need more pieces, however, to make it through September and a good bit of October. * Flowing, flaring maxi dresses. Inspired by the Glamorous dress that I bought on a whim last fall. Although it is quite lightweight and flowing, it is polyester and with long sleeves. So too hot for the height of summer.  That is a good thing! It will not suffer from wear-fatigue.  And I can tolerate it in slightly cooler temperatures (highs of mid-90s). Finding more of these dresses will take steady effort. My successes have been at ASOS and eShakti; B&M stores tend to specialize in knit tank dresses. Plus they're usually too short. That said, I don't see any there at present that quite tick my boxes. (eShakti's lined poly dresses are very not breathable. And the <a href="http://www.eshakti.com/shop/Dresses/Seersucker-pintstripe-surplice-maxi-dress-CL0045067" rel="nofollow">blue seersucker</a> they have now is adorable but clearly a hot-summer option.) * Handbag, hat, shoe change. I don't like changing my stuff around from one bag to another. For the last several years I've been rotating out two per year: for warm weather, a mint green or sky blue bag; for cool, a burgundy.  It wouldn't be hard to rotate in a third for Hot September (and onward), however.  Perhaps blush? Or dark green or teal. Or something whimsical. (I like Modcloth bags, sorry!) I wear a wide-brim fedora-style hat very frequently in the summer, because of the sun and long walk across the parking lot. The white one in the finds is perfect, since it's an open weave, but stiff so the constant winds don't flip the brim up or down. White and sky blue isn't the Hot September look I'm going for, so a change here would be good. I'm not sure what substitute I want; probably a natural straw or panama, but not with a brown band. This will be something to just keep an eye out for in the months ahead. I could easily be a Crazy Shoe Lady (by many of y'all's standards I already am)... But high-vamped footwear, especially with cutouts or perforations, sound like the ideal for Hot September. High vamps are the antithesis of spring/summer to me, so I won't be wearing them until this point. I'm considering perforated oxfords, high-vamp pumps, and maybe even the daintiest of all loafers. I also might try the cutout/peeptoe bootie. I haven't been drawn to it heretofore, but you never know.