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News Flash: I live in a four season climate...DUH!!!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

So, Shannon's amazing explanation of her spring shopping: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ses-so-far

combined with Mander's question about wardrobe holes: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....robe-holes

and Sharon's question about building a cohesive wardrobe:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....e-wardrobe

got me thinking today. And suddenly I realized that my most agonized days of fretting in front of the closet typically occur in two seasons: spring and fall.

Why would that be? Well, our springs and falls are admittedly, as a rule, rather short (with this spring becoming an exception). And oftentimes the weather seems to move almost directly from summer's heat to winter's cold, and from winter's cold to summer's heat, with perhaps a two week window of temperate weather on either end. That's a slight exaggeration, but only slight.

So...being for many years on an incredibly tight budget, and not allowing myself nice things as a result (or really, much of ANYthing) I naturally (and correctly) put most of my clothing dollars into my dominant season (late fall/winter). And I put the rest into summer, because I obviously could not wear heavy wools in 80 degree humid temperatures in Southern Ontario.

But I put NOTHING into fall and spring. The situation was so bad that for several years I did not own a pair of shoes. I had boots (winter). And I had sandals (summer). But I did not own a pair of proper shoes at all!

Nor did I have fall or spring weight clothing. Everything was either too heavy and hot or too light. And the colours were either winter's neutrals and rich shades or summer's whites or lights.

No wonder I had trouble getting dressed during these seasons. Besides jeans and one jersey dress and a shirt or two, I literally had nothing to wear.

Now I am thinking that even though our fall and spring are very short, I need to include a few key pieces that signal those seasons to me; jackets in the appropriate weight, shoes, tops in colours or patterns that tell me the time of year. In the past year, thanks to YLF, I have in fact purchased a few of these items, especially spring/fall weight jackets.

I'm sure most of you are thinking DUH (I'm sort of thinking that, too...) but this has come as a real epiphany to me. So thank you for reading!

And do any of you suffer from the illusion that you only need to buy for two seasons? What items in particular make you think "fall" or "spring" and has adding them to your wardrobe made it more functional for you?

Dressing

39 replies

Latest reply was from Suz

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Suz, allow me to recommend a pair of metallic closed-toe shoes as your transitional footwear. I now have two pairs and wear them pretty much non-stop, along with some dark red pumps. I love them so much it's ridiculous, and they go with everything. I bet animal print sclosed-toe pumps or wedges would serve the same purpose.
And you know what? Our seasons are so ridiculous that you're fully excused. Using logic around here is just pointless!

Mochi

Veteran

Suz, I even have a problem with the expression "dominant season." In some way I am not sure how it would be defined, in my case, where I'm living in New England. I guess people would assume that means winter, but why? We have a long, sometimes pleasant, sometimes sweltering summer, and our falls are very special and significant too. Sure, ignoring winter would mean dying of hypothermia, but that doesn't mean dressing inappropriately for the other seasons is fine, either. I can totally see how uncomfortable and non-transitional it must have been to suddenly bump from boots to sandals!

krishnidoux

Veteran

Oh, Suz, I suffered the same fate! Yes me too for years didn't invest in anything proper to the in-between seasons. This, and the fact that I lived in different locations with different climates. But I find that here in our province, one needs to pay more attention to the in-betweens, which are the same temperatures as other places' winters. We need cute, lighter but still warm clothing. It might be warm enough for almost summer wear at noon, then freezing by 7pm. It might be below zero and raining when leaving for the office; then sunny and 10 degrees in the afternoon.

In the past years I have juggled with older, thrifted "demi-saison" coats and jackets but I find they are not practical. They often are too heavy, have cuts which don't allow for proper layering underneath, or prove to be too warm as soon as the sun peaks out, or, reversely, way too thin for the wind. I think "demi-saison" coats now are better made, water repellent, wind breaking and allow room for wearing a separate soft shell.

I so agree with you about the clothing itself. It's an issue I have been working on.

Adelfa

Veteran

I too go crazy trying to dress myself in Spring and Fall. Even in my part of California, there are seasons--Winter is 50 degrees, Summer is 100+ degrees, and Spring and Fall are very short and lovely but require clothes different from Winter's or Summer's! Thanks for verbalizing the problem, it gives me a new way to think about it!

Anonymous

Like you, our summers seem to go directly to winter and winter to summer's heat most years. My problem has been the opposite of yours. I buy too much for those transition times that doesn't really get much wear....example, white jeans. I love white jeans but they only seem appropriate for early spring and then it's too hot to wear them. White just doesn't seem right with a tweedy fall wardrobe, even if the tempuratures might be right. Thank goodness Angie has shown us that light weight jackets and even leather jackets can be worn under coats in the winter.

Traci

Veteran

My struggle with springtime dressing was really highlighted by the fact that I had developed a tight cohesive winter wardrobe and how quickly our season shifted this year.

I find that spring and fall are largely about the accessories. Light colored. Lories and bright chunky necklaces take my shift dresses from winter to spring. Likewise, I wear my summer dresses deep into fall with the addition of tights and scarves.

sinead

I can totally identify with this, Suz. I also spent years not shopping, and feel like I'm still playing catch up- and the shorter seasons definitely need more clothes than I have right now. I have a tendency to wear clothes into the ground and then notice that, oh no, have to go and get a coat... right now! I'm really trying to stay on top of my wardrobe needs better, and I have to remind myself how far I've come with YLF help. I'm on a hunt for lightweight spring/summer jackets. (Summer here can be chilly) and thinking ahead to shoes. Need summer, office appropriate shoes... and I have no idea what that is.

Oh- you had a question about fall/spring items. For me scarves and cardigans were the most useful to take me into transitional weather. I also found a soft, white AG jean jacket that I'm hoping will work when it warms up.

missvee

Veteran

I'm in Canada too and it's taken me a long time to realize how many coats we need - that's the key for me. A couple of nice looking, colourful coats that I can layer under have made all the difference. That's in addition to two shorter zip front jackets, and a real waterproof hooded jacket as well. I know that sounds like a lot of coats, but I wear them all! I also like lighter weight sweaters - they look good over shirts and add a cosy layer for spring.

sarah

Veteran

Suz, it's perfectly understandable. The extreme changes in the weather from day to day in the spring and fall can be maddening. I'm always dressing for what it was like yesterday and freezing my toes off or boiling to death. It's very difficult to 'weather' the weather in a stylish way. So, no, I'm not thinking "duh" at all.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I'm glad to know I'm in good company in my seasonal sartorial confusion! And thank you for the great suggestions, too.

Michelle, some metallic shoes might be a great idea. I love my pewter metallic sandals which almost work as a nude for me and shoes in a similar colour might work much the same. Thank you!

And Mochi, I hear you...it's true, winter is long, but even winter has its variations. And it really is difficult to say what's dominant where we live.

Krish, you are so right...when I lived in BC I experienced a whole new level of closet panic. By some lucky fluke I had an appropriate coat (a rain shell with a removable liner) and this worked winter, spring, fall. I don't know how I would have managed otherwise.

And that is very interesting, Adelpha, and a good reminder that even sunny California has distinct temperature variations. Your winter is my spring/fall. My summer is probably your spring/fall! And my winter....well...you don't want to go there!

Joy - SO interesting. Did you once live in a more temperate climate or do you simply prefer spring/fall weather clothing? I am chuckling about the white jeans. I, too, like them but I never allowed myself to buy a pair until this year. I figure our spring is going to be long enough this year that they will see some wear; otherwise, I always ruled them out as a completely frivolous purchase that would only see one wear per year!
I remember you did get some lovely summer dresses last year; can't wait to see what you find this year!

Traci, I've already been admiring your accessorizing powers. I will keep watching you for inspiration!

Sinead, I hope you are giving yourself permission now to buy yourself a few more things. It can really get to a ridiculous point when we deny ourselves so much that getting dressed for anything puts us into a tailspin. I, too, am a lover of scarves and find they really do help. I used them a lot in the fall. I think I need a few lighter ones for spring.

Missvee, that does not sound like a lot of coats to me at all! I have been watching Sveta, and her coat collection is one of the main reasons she always looks so put together and fabulous. She has made a real coat wardrobe for herself. I think in our climate it's almost a necessity, yet so many of us were brought up only to have one coat per season (if that). Coats have been my major wardrobe expense this year, as a matter of fact. I bought two winter coats, and one spring/fall trench coat so far, and I may not stop at that (heh heh heh...)

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, Sarah. You're right; the temperature variations are a whole additional issue. Layers are good for that, I know. But it can be tough to layer in a way that feels fashionable.

christieanne

Veteran

Where I live across bay from Sf is closer to BC/Seattle weather than the YLF'ers who live just slightly east (we call that "through the tunnel") or south in San Jose to SoCal. The microclimates are ridiculous and maddening.
I often forget that if venturing to San Jose during the summer I am in for a 20 degree increase over my norm. This is why so many tourists freeze visiting SF in the summer time.

We don't have a real winter but quite a long "fall" compared to what you go through.
The things that are staples for me then during our 5 month long Fall are:

Denim. Trouser Jeans are perfect to go with a boot.
Sweaters for layering.
Midi skirt or pencil skirt but wool or wool blend
Tights
Boots
Blazers in wool or wool blend

I love tweed so that is good for the true Autumn months.

Spring - well we haven't had that much this year (it's still Fall per Mother Nature) but brighter, lighter colors and replace boots with flats or pumps. Hopefully we will be in sandals by Easter!

I like your epiphany - it's always so interesting to read what makes "the lightbulb" moment occur for everyone.

catgirl

Veteran

Too funny! I'm the opposite. I live in a 1.5 climate state and still love shopping for fall and spring the best. Sounds like you've had a style epiphany, and I look forward to seeing the shopping results.

ManidipaM

Veteran

Suz, that is such a tremendous epiphany!

I think buying for your dominant season is great advice when your budget is really tight or you're so out-of-control with your closet that you have 20 spring coats to 2 winter coats when you really feel the cold and your winters are at least 2 months long. It is also a good guideline for deciding how much should be apportioned to a season. But buying for a dominant season in a sort of holding pattern will eventually get very frustrating! Even if the budget suggests that is wisest.

I can quite believe your story and sympathize, from being in the same boat, pretty much, mutatis mutandis.

Do you suppose it makes sense to have a checklist of every category of garment, footwear and accessory for each season, and make sure there are at least 3 items in each before shopping for the rest? So spring tops x3, summer tops x3, fall tops x3, ditto bottoms, swimwear x3... and okay, maybe just one for the expensive and versatile outergear (rainboots, winter and spring/fall coats etc) to begin with. And perhaps at least two dresses, day and evening, per season too, if you wear them. I'm thinking of doing something similar myself as I look ahead to switching gears from SYC to SYB.

Between splitting my wardrobe across two very different climates in two cities and having NO CLOSET (!) in which to hang things, and no budget for clothes either, I found I had essentially prepared myself for the weather that I dread most and which feels like it lasts too long: the monsoon. So in summer I sweltered, and in winter I layered and huddled under a throw. As for colours, I'd chosen a whole spectrum of Muddy! Hard to be happy with that for more than a couple of years. Gets old fast.

And while I really appreciate versatile cross-seasonal pieces, it is also true that there are variations even within seasons. Someone pretty ancient must've been wiser than me, because traditionally, we speak of SIX seasons in India --- cool-to-warm and dry spring; scorching hot and dry summer; sweltering hot, humid and lashing-pouring-wading monsoon; warm-to-hot, humid with intermittent showers autumn; warm, drying up late autumn/harvest; and cool-to-cold, dry winter. Yes, some places get a little spring rain; I get cyclonic summer-evening thundershowers; and the lucky folks up north get a 'proper' winter, sometimes with cold rain and snow. But it is easy to characterize the tropics and subtropics (despite the high Himalayas) as overarchingly hot and humid, isn't it? And buying for just that is not just inadequate and uncomfortable, but can be frustrating and boring till you're close to tears --- and not so great for the budget because you are then also rather harder on your clothes and shoes and bags!

I recall how seasonal clothes were changed out six times a year when I was a child, in an old-fashioned family home where there was probably just enough hanging space for a dozen hangers all told, split between 11 people! And I had forgotten what fun it was to have a 'fresh' set every few months. It meant really small wardrobes for everyone, and yet never got boring. Somewhere there's a lesson *just* out of my grasp, hidden behind that joy and excitement.

Trying to spruce myself up this year, I realized that I my real spring and summer clothes, and a lot of the winter especially, are all old holdovers from teenage and youth when I still did buy for six seasons, or clothes bought originally for the travel-to-different-climes capsule, or hand-me-downs from my mother's travelling days! It may have made sense to buy a tropical wardrobe of whites and gauzy fabrics only for resort hopping when the budget was non-existent; and to buy just the one anorak against cold and rain. However, now that there is a clothes&hobbies budget on the horizon this month, I'd quite like to get some things to wear in those 'other', 'inconsequential' seasons while AT HOME --- you know, where I live most of the year and most days, all day long?

krishnidoux

Veteran

ManidipaM that is quite fascinating! Good idea about buying 3 of each go-to peace for each season.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Wow, ManidiapM, that is so interesting! SIX seasons!! So each season would be approximately 8 weeks long.

I love the image of the closet changeover each season! And the idea of small, efficient wardrobes distinct to the season! I can see how it would prevent boredom and lead to anticipation.

I really like your idea of thinking in terms of 3 go-to pieces per season in each category (or each relevant category...don't need coats in summer in my climate, for example.)

I'm inspired by this! Thank you so much.

Christianne, your autumn clothes are pretty much my autumn and winter clothes, except in winter I'd add additional layers for outdoor wear (and a puffer or warm wool coat). But in spring, the whole tights/boots/ wool blend skirt and jacket thing starts to feel...I dunno....too COZY or wooly to me! Maybe it's just that we wear outfits like this for SO long, even longer than your five months. We can start in September and then, if we wore the same through spring, too, we'd be wearing them into May, some years! So around this time of year I start yearning for brighter colours and crisper fabrications. I guess we are on the same wavelength, wanting to trade boots for shoes and darker colours for brighter.

AG, you have all of us beat with your winter. And you are right...it is pretty much 1.5 seasons there. You are a brave woman.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

My issue is more like Joy's. Our transitional seasons in the mid Atlantic seem all too brief. I actually love when we get a good stretch of real spring weather with daytime temps that don't get above 70, so I can wear cute jackets and such, without going straight to the hot-and-muggy attire, when I avoid even jeans and anything with a closed toe. Yes, I totally relate to the boots-to-sandals transition!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh, I agree, Janet - I really LOVE fall/spring dressing and those are my favourite seasons for clothes, per se...it's just that I never really permitted myself to buy those clothes in the past because I felt it was so impractical. I'm just learning that it is equally impractical to have NOTHING for these seasons, even if they are brief, and consciously planning in advance is the way to go.

ButterflyLady

(website)

Veteran

I empathise, Suz. And you've had such fascinating responses!

Here in the UK it's a land of '-ish' weather - warm-ish, damp-ish, cool-ish ... etc with the odd burst of hot and humid (which can appear at any time, here in the South, between April and October) or freezing and snowy (any time from November to April). No wonder I haven't a clue what to wear! I haven't really figured it out properly, clothes-wise, myself - but I have, over the past years, bought more coats - a trench, a thick parka for snow, a more formal 'winter' coat and so on.

Mellllls

Veteran

I've had a similar recent realization (we have all 4 seasons but a short winter/spring). I can't fit clothes or all four seasons in one closet, nor should I. I won't wear a puffer in July, nor will I wear a sleeveless dress in a summer color in winter. I won't wear my boots in the summer or my open toe shoes in the winter. Why am I trying to pretend that I can wear ALL my clothes all year long?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

ButterflyLady, I think coats are a woman's best friend! At minimum, we can feel prepared for the outside temperatures with the right coat.

Melllls, I use two closets, retiring my winter things in summer and summer things in winter to the hall storage closet. Hmmm. Maybe I need FOUR closets!!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

This is EXACTLY the situation I was in a while ago as winter started to fade here in the Peg - I had fall/winter wardrobe pretty much completed and I'm fairly good for summer (only to add a few pieces) but spring had me baffled. Primarily in the footwear department. Adding some colourful non boots/non sandals was key to providing me spring flexibility. Some lighter weight winter pieces could transition with different toppers and some heavier summer pieces could work the same way but I really had nothing for shoes for this season.

Good for you for recognizing that spring really is a season no matter how short and we do need a couple of key pieces to make us feel good and carry us through to the warmer weather. No "duh" needed Suz - it's a tricky time of year!

biscuitsmom

Veteran

Fascinating! Our winters sometimes start as early as October and last thru April...we usually get like 2 weeks of Spring, then its into the hot weather, with about 4 weeks of Fall. his year has been unbelievably warm, with hardly any snow and we've already seen 70's! Its great to have a few go-to pieces for ANY weather

krishnidoux

Veteran

Spring is deceiving here because when one thinks of Spring, one wants to think of sun along warmer temperature. In fact, Spring is a lot of rainy days, black slush, and wind. With the nicer warmer bright sunny days in between.

So Spring to me is more about rubber boots, raincoats, cotton scarves, and lots of dresses and tunics allowing for wide movements (avoiding the puddles). Pants and longer skirts don't get much time out of the closet when they might be so easily splashed by walking outside.

Except that for most of us, if the above mentioned articles exist in our closet, it is in duller, darker autumnal tones.

Despite the fact that I know this, I seem to still have missed the mark every year. I presently have 5 or 6 "outerwear possibilities" (lest of calling them coats), each of which I barely wear for specific reasons. Yet I never have the heart to splurge into another coat for this time of the year, reasoning that I have plenty in my wardrobe. And about the "outerwear possibilities", I don't have the heart to get rid of them.

Ex.: A very cool looking, totally bohemian yet classic thrifted yellow coat in pig's suede. Fits perfectly. Looks awesome. Well turns out it's way too thin for most Spring days. And being so yellow, I have a hard time pairing it with the right footwear. Below is an attempt at styling it. Failed, because it is not my style. Yet I'm sure I can do something with this coat!

Another ex.: a red short leather jacket (below). Again, too thin for the season! And therefore hard to pair with appropriate go-to items. It's a fab jacket, yes, but I can't depend on it as my main outerwear.

The list goes on.

I am still looking for a cool way to rock the Spring around.

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

Brilliant visuals, Krish!! Thank you. This is exactly it. You've hit the nail exactly on the head. I love both these outerwear options but can see why they create styling difficulties. Do you have a light coloured pair of booties? With your blonde hair that might be a helpful addition to the wardrobe anyway.

I'm finding that my purchased-in-desperation black trench coat over a jacket is a pretty good solution for the outdoors. If it is cold I can add a scarf or a cami under whatever top I am wearing. If it is warmer I may not need the jacket (or may not need the trench, depending on weather).

I haven't got photos yet, but one spring "solution" I've hit on is a cotton-rayon sweater dress in a spring-like blue with a scoop neck. I got it for $9.90 at Uniglo in NY. The fabrication feels cozy but the colour shouts SPRING to me. I can wear it with lighter coloured booties in sunny weather and my black booties and tights in darker, cooler weather. The problem with it is that I haven't really found a way to layer over it; I don't have an indoor jacket that looks good with it to my eye. And so the styling dilemmas go on.

krishnidoux

Veteran

Ah! Frustrating isn't it? It sounds like a very good deal. But do you need to wear an indoor jacket with it? Or is it cold in the classrooms? (I had this problem a lot teaching back west).
Can't wait to see your photos.

No, I don't have any light colour ankle boots, and that might just be it! Ever since I have seen your Report, I am longing to get myself a pair or something similar. So it will come, let's hope not too late in the season.

Glad to hear the trench works well for you. You know that might just be the Spring solution: a trench.

Isabel

Veteran

How funny !!! I always skip over Spring..myself when it comes to clothes. Spring is really such a coin flip. It can be 4 weeks or 4 months of Spring like weather. It is usually short. So I never really plan for it...this year I am planning for it a little. I really needed a coat and bought one today that I can throw over jackets.

Anonymous

Suz, to answer your question, I did live in Southern CA for several years and marvelled that one could wear the same things year round and could actually wear them out before they went out of style.
By the time spring and fall come around I'm so ready for a change that i suspect that is why those clothes are so appealing. However, for me the spring brights don't feel right in the fall and fall browns and earthtones don't feel right in the spring. That makes what could be worn in two seasons as far as weight and warmth, more one season and jacks up the cost per wear. I have a constant battle with this, vowing to only get what I'll wear in spring and fall but loving and buying the one season stuff anyway.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

So interesting, Joy. I really like ManidipaM's suggestion of some specific number of highly season specific items. If one could find a few winter/spring crossovers and a few spring/summer crossovers and supplement these with a few winter specific, a few spring specific, and a few summer specific (and fall, too, of course) then the wardrobe might feel as if it is working very well and fluidly moving from one season to the next in an organic way. I'm really going to keep this in mind. The trouble is I have no idea what a reasonable number of, say, shirts or jackets or dresses for any one season really IS. I know I need several pairs of jeans because I wear them so often, but how do we determine how much of any one item we need?

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