Planning ahead for Autumn and Winter but sweltering in the meantime... - YouLookFab Forum

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Planning ahead for Autumn and Winter but sweltering in the meantime...

Sal

Veteran

Hi All,

I was supposedly on a shopping ban in January but I did add one new piece which I am enjoying. A very good light neutral work top that will layer well under my blazers, denim or leather jacket. I haven't shopped at all in February as yet so I am not too concerned.

It has been hot, sticky and a bit stormy so I have been wearing sleeveless options. I have attached some WIW photos but aside from the new top, everything else is a repeat or a remix.

Are these styled or did I just get dressed - well I did consider the footwear and bags to match the outfits, and I am wearing a hat that I like....but they are very simple outfits.

I have started to think about cooler weather dressing.

On my list are
- lace up boots (black or tan - I can't decide?)
- a new coat (puffer or wool - I don't know?, colour- I don't know either)
- a grey merino sweater (replacement of essential)

I am also thinking about a two piece shirt and trouser set in a colour, a fair isle sweater, and maybe a midi dress.....Finds that took my fancy are attached.

I have also exited a few pieces this year - a dress that got blood stains after wearing it in hospital after my bike accident, three pieces to Dress for Success, and a top that is just not being worn.

I find it hard to think about winter clothes when it is so hot (I find it much easier to think about summer ones when I am cold...)

Any recommendations for me re coats or boots?

Thanks for looking!

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Polo Ralph Lauren Fair Isle Wool-Blend Sweater

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Exotics Velvet Dress

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Brooks Brothers

Lambswool Fair Isle Sweater

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Naturalizer Dara

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Shopping

33 replies

Latest reply was from Zaeobi

SarahD8

Veteran

Sorry to hear about the bike accident and the dress casualty. Hope you are on the mend now.

I very much approve of the fair isle sweater idea!! I especially like the Brooks Brothers option but probably because it's my color palette. I just bought a BB fair isle skirt secondhand and it seems to be of good quality.

Actually I kind of want to put that sweater over the mustard floral dress??? Pattern mixing! I think that mustard would suit you very well.

No boot/coat recos from me I'm afraid. I kind of lost track of boots this year...

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Sarah - I am fine now thankfully!

I probably won't get either of these sweaters exactly - shipping from the US is expensive and high risk on returns - and I am not sure if Fair Isle is something I will like on me (I try and avoid chunky knits). I would like a patterned sweater though - if one appeals.

The mustard dress is stunning isn't it!!

I haven't added boots for two years - between working from home and wearing more sneakers I haven't felt the need, but this year I think I will add a practical hard wearing pair that can cope with bad weather...

Brooklyn

Veteran

I would say you look styled. And stylish. Looking fit too!

I don’t know about coats. I don’t care for the boxy double breasted coats that were trending last winter. I’d really like a long (at least midi length but preferable midaxi), single breasted, wool coat but no luck yet.

For boots, have you considered Taos? They are pretty rugged.

rachylou

Veteran

Gak. That sounds like an accident!

You are looking very summery I’m trying to decide whether the red or the navy captures the zeitgeist more…

Sal

Veteran

Brooklyn - that's kind of what I want in terms of a coat. If wool, single Breasted, knee length approximately, but not too thick. Probably what Canadian's would call a spring coat I suspect!!

I have looked at Taos, also Django and Juliette, plus a couple of local brands. I want something that would cope with the grass, roads, rain, and puddles. I am just mulling whether black or tan/brown - I can see pros and cons with both!!

Rachy - it has been very humid, the nights have been really unpleasant. And we lost two trees in the weekend's storm.... I think the navy probably is more traditional for a fair isle, or cream. I have to be careful though that I imagine myself wearing this with jeans and boots walking on the moors with my Springer Spaniel - but in reality I walk on the streets with my windjacket and sneakers and friends.....

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Your summer looks are lovely!l especially like the white dress.l like your picks for winter too.Your style just gets better Sal,l think you have found your styling mojo.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Great outfits on the first slide. Love the hat with the dress, and of course the ditzy dress. I have been thinking for the last couple summers that I should get a dress with a skirt like that, and now you’re showing me how it’s done.

Great job styling all of these—nice subtle moves that support what you’re doing and don’t scream for attention.

On the boots, I like the black soles on brown boots on these, so they are more versatile. These are very close to Timberlands; have you thought about just getting butters, the OGs?

Cute Fair Isles. Is there an equivalent traditional pattern from NZ or somewhere closer to your world?

nabavi

(website)

It's beautiful clothes. How to buy?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Sal, I get how hard it is to look and feel stylish and pulled together in sweltering heat. You make it look very easy! Always well turned out and ready for action in a natural, care-free and elegant way. All outfits are fab, and the dresses are standout KILLER looks.......of course

You look SOOOOO good in white! That white cami top in outfit #5 is the bomb on you.

Like your Winter direction and plan. A good start, and milk the dresses!

I vote tan or caramel for both the boots and wool coat.

Joy

Veteran

For boots, I would get the lighter color if waterproof and comfortable for long walks and stable in ice and snow. A color that bookends your hair. I wear my white boots the most.
I like puffer coats because they are lighter weight than wool yet warm when they need to be and accommodate an under layer. They usually do not over heat you either.
Your wardrobe looks to be in great shape. Get a couple pair of washable wool socks that can be worn with the boots.

I bought a faire isle sweater that is cotton, so not overly warm, and navy. I have not worn it much because it is not warm enough. Maybe this spring it will get into rotation. It is a dusty shade of navy but maybe Angie’s idea of wearing a white button down shirt under it will brighten it up. I will try it today with a pair of jogger jeans, although we have 100% chance of 6-12 inches of snow and cold for today and tomorrow, so may not be warm enough.

JAileen

Veteran

Your outfit with the white dress looks fab, and I love the one with the denim skirt. You always look so great that I never thought your outfits were anything but styled.

When it’s really hot I only want to wear shorts and sleeveless tops. You far exceed that.

I like both sweaters. I don’t think you could go wrong with either one.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

You looked styled and stylish to me! Regarding your coat, how rainy is your winter and is this coat meant for the rain or do you have that covered otherwise? Do you have a puffer? As for boots, it also comes down to what you already have, but with your coloring and style I would first think tan.

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Cardiff Girl - I have loved wearing the white dress this summeR.

StagF - thanks. I find the shirt dress versatile - it’s what I wear when I don’t know what to wear!! In terms of knits - no particular knit pattern is NZ but probably we had more UK influences.

Thanks Angie - white has been good for me this summer. I am leaning to tan boots - if I can find the right ones!!

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Joy- I agree re puffers and boots. A cotton sweater is useful for me with our less extreme cold.

Thanks JAileen - I probably won’t get these sweaters but it’s the idea I like. And thank you - I try to buy simple pieces that stand by themself in summer.

Thank you Jaime. I have a puffer jacket and a few boots options. I have a rain coat . Finds attached. The puffer is black and navy, the boots are navy, black and camel. The teal coat is a bit out of favour but I plan to keep it.

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Sal

Veteran

I like these boots.

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anne

Veteran

Just popping in to say you have my empathy with the heat. We're in a record breaking hot summer over here in Western Australia. I just can't imagine winter!

RobinF

Veteran

Great outfits, styled just right for hot summer days. I quite like your finds too - that dress is beautiful! Fair Isles are fun, love how simple they are, throw on jeans and boots and you're done.

Runcarla

Veteran

Have to agree with Angie - you look amazing in white. The caramel lace up boots (down thread) look really good!

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Carla- I might give the boots a go. White is good on me as long as not too optic - a white button up can be too much.

Robin- that’s exactly what I thought! I want more pattern and texture in winter.

Thanks Anne! Suspect you are even hotter than us.

Star

Veteran

YLF in the red dress!

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Star - it has been a really useful go to piece during spring/summer/fall for me. It's actually pink and white.

Anonymous

Summer outfits are super flattering on you!

Bijou

Veteran

Sal, you look gorgeous in all of these and I love your winter inspiration. I would say that when it comes to warm sweaters, I find crew or v-necks better for my climate as turtle necks can get warm - it is easier to add a scarf for warmth than suffer feeling overheated by a turtle-neck. That said, I love the look of the Brooks Bros fair isle sweater, it is very pretty.

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Jenna.

Good point Bijou re neckline. I have the best success with thin gauge knits that can be worn solo, with a scarf or layered as required.

I would like a sweater with a pattern or detail on it - like your red Princess Diana or Angie’s 1970 one. Something easy to wear working from home. Perfect for weekends away or having friends for dinner.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Knitwear is so expensive Sally! Do you think a trawl of thrift stores might be in order? I wonder if they might have some lovely older hand knits that you could hand wash to freshen up?
I suppose if you don’t need it to be 100% wool it may not cost quite so much.
I really love the cream jumper I bought from Max last year- warm and cosy with neckline interest. Which cost $150 which I found very reasonable! Was a blend- wool, mohair and nylon.

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Jenn

(website)

Veteran

The first photo's outfits look more "styled" to me than the second set, but honestly, your sunglasses alone go a long way towards creating that put-together look. I love the white dress, especially. So breezy with the hat and sandals!

I find it really difficult to plan for winter when it's hot out. It seems like those heavy pieces won't EVER feel comfortable, but of course, the seasons keep turning and they do. I vote tan boots for you and a midi dress for sure. I'm not sure I can see a Charlie's Angel in Fair Isle, but I'm also overly sensitive to preppy.

Sally

Veteran

I know what you mean...hard to plan for cold weather when it is sweltering, but today in Auckland there has been rain so it has cleared the air abit.
I got these boots from hannahs. I like pulp because they are comfortable not super stylish but not super expensive. I bought them at the end of lockdown when the weather was getting warmer so I haven't worn them yet. I don't think they are leather so will see how they last.
https://www.hannahs.co.nz/carr.....lack?_sl=2
I prefer wool coats to puffers but thats just me. If I get a puffer, I want it to be for casual and able to be worn for walks. My wool coats I have always found in op shops.

I was just buying lunch and popped into Shineon which you may not know as it is only in Auckland and Christchurch, bought myself a pair of black jeans ...wakee brand which I haven't tried before but I like the fit...I just hope they don't stretch or fade too much. So with all the jackets and skirts I got last year, I feel ready for colder weather.

p.s love all your summer outfits....way more stylish than me. I must remember not to leave the house in running shorts as I keep running into people I would like to keep a professional image with.

Sal

Veteran

I agree Jenni - knitwear is expensive!! I will buy the grey one new, but thrifting is a good idea for a wildcard. I doubt I would want a hand knit as they tend to be a bit chunky whereas I want a thinner gauge.

Thanks Jenn - I have decided to go with tan/brown of some description. More versatile for casual wear for me. The "preppy" connotations are less here in NZ than they might be in the US I suspect. But this thread has defined that I want a sweater with a pattern in it. Fair Isle sort of appeals but I am watching the second season of "Trapped" on Netflix and this is putting me off Fair Isle due to the dark nature of the show...

Haha Sally - it has cooled down a bit here too thankfully. I could do with a second hand shop for coats. I have been really busy with work and other commitments and just haven't done this at all this year. And I do know the feeling of heading in to town or the supermarket and running into the worst person.....

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Sal, you look great! I love the red print dress so much -- it's perfect. But that last outfit made me gasp -- it looks so effortlessly off-duty Charlie's Angel!

Your Finds are really nice looking -- I can see any of those potentially working. The Fair Isle sweaters are gorgeous but the velvet dress is so luxe! Love it. (Maybe especially because I can't wear mustard, it looks very special and unique to me.)

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