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Seasons and your style persona...

Sal

Veteran

I think many on the forum find autumn dressing the most fun, and summer more challenging. I realise autumn temperatures and weather vary hugely from NZ to Australia to Wales to Scandinavia to Canada West Coast or inland, or the USA East, West, South and inbetween! Plus the many other places that forum members are from - South Africa, India and Hong Kong...

For me summer is an easy season to dress for. My natural style and liking for bold breezy pieces works well in summer. Unstyled hair and simple dresses look good.... I can wear sunglasses and hats and toenail polish - my favourite accessories.

Come Autumn I find it hard. My hair gets caught in the scarf, my scarf gets rumpled, my sweaters ride up - and all in all I feel a bit scruffy rather than natural and easy. When I take a WIW photo - it feels a bit dishevelled and the bag rucks up the coat, and there is a skin sandwich below my jeans - etc etc etc....

I believe this is because of my style as a Kibbe Natural - and a little bit of being a spring in colour theory. I have been moving away from black - yet black outfits make me feel more put together - I can't quite work out how to recreate the success I have in warmer weather.

Strategies I have tried include
- texture
- less black
- smart coat, shoes and bag (and nothing else matters)

I still don't think I have the scarf thing right.

Do you find some seasons easier than others because of your style persona?

Thanks in advance!

Dressing

42 replies

Latest reply was from The Cat

L'Abeille

Veteran

Interesting! I am a Kibbe Flamboyant Natural or Yang Natural, as are you too, I think. Although my colouring is Winter with high contrast.

But I find fall/winter easiest to dress true to my style, with lots of layering and textures. My Gentlewoman persona tends toward Dark Academia.

Summer is more challenging for me... the one-and-done makes it harder to add the layers or third piece that makes it truly feel like me. I end up going in a much more preppy direction in summer, although always RATE.

The recent Coastal Grandmother fad was funny because it encapsulates how I already dress in the summer. Although, when I pulled some WIW pictures together to make a post, I realized my version is much more high contrast.

Fun topic!

LJP

Veteran

I’m chuckling at your description of scarves and bags and hair and sweaters all getting “ rucked up “ ( I love that expression ) . I hear Emma Thompson in my head .

I can see how you feel this way - just because of how I’ve come to know you through your photographs .

I’m a stereotype for fall dressing : fall colouring in face and hair , I love jackets and light coats and boots and scarves and basically hiding myself in my clothing . I’m uncomfortable in my own skin , really , and it’s easier when I’m dressed up . In summer I feel hot and messy ( it’s always windy here on the Prairies ) ; in winter I feel uninspired , period . Spring is too short and unpredictable to count . Everything about fall from the weather , the colours , the foliage of nature , the smells amd scents to the fashions is 100% me I’m the OG Pumpkin Spice Girl .

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Sal, I can see how summer would be your favorite style season. You look so good in your breezy summer outfits! You do present an air of relaxed coolness, as if you are enjoying the salt air at your summer beach house.

I would have to choose autumn as my favorite, because I like layering. I like winter, too, though it can get difficult. If it's too cold, I find it challenging to dress warmly enough and also feel stylish.

slim cat

Veteran

Since I've got a few midi skirts and couple fav toppers I'd call summer my easiest/favorite season too. Winter is mild and I wear same puffers
( mostly 2 out of 4 ) and boots or sneakers. Summer gives me more variety and feeling of bigger wardrobe .
@Sal, you look fab in your summer outfits - "relaxed coolness" sounds right ( thank you @Firecraker(Sharan) ).

Irina

Veteran

Sumer, summer, summer for me, please. I gave up on Kibbe long time ago so I don’t know but I love dressing for summer. I employ more variety in silhouettes since I don’t have to consider a third piece and how layers would work. I tend to experiment more since I have to deal with one piece only.

Cold weather makes me forget about style, I just want to cover myself in soft, warm clothes, it makes me feel better until I look in a mirror. Fall/spring is when I still feel cold and clothes needs to be practical and work well together. Wearing a third piece doesn’t necessarily make me feel put together, coats and jackets are chosen based on practical features rather than design. I’m aware that the weather has a different impact on each of us, very much depending on how well we tolerate heat/cold and our means of transportation/exposure to the elements.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Sal, summer really is your season -- or at least, not in terms of personal colouring, so much, but in terms of when you seem most relaxed and happy in your clothes. I do think being a "natural" type must play into this to a degree, for sure. You look amazing in your dresses and palazzos. Very 70s glam yet very easy.

I would have called fall my favourite dressing season when I lived in Ontario. I like layering, adding a third piece, wearing boots. The crisp fresh air. I can wear suits and blazers and other jackets, which works for my style persona.

But it turns out I also love spring and summer dressing and probably love them even more! That is true since I moved to a less humid environment. When I had to cope with high humidity it was just too much, ugh.

What I love about spring and summer dressing is the variety in silhouette. I wear a lot more dresses and skirts in those seasons as well as jeans (on cooler days) and linen or other light trousers. (And shorts for casual). Jackets are still wearable on the cooler evenings here, so layering remains possible. I feel at my best in the summer -- more time outdoors, more light, more energy.

Winter dressing is for sure the toughest. It is easy to default to dark and dark is not my best and I get tired of seeing all the black coats out in the wild.

Bijou

Veteran

I like all the seasons with the exception of high summer when my temps are in the high 30's and up to 42C so truly above 100F. That said, I do like summer dressing and as my colouring is Summer, enjoy wearing light and breezy summer clothes.

My winters are not cold. I am wearing fleece lined boots today and the minimum was only 9C - many who are used to really cold weather would be in sandals! Spring and Autumn weather is my favourite for dressing. My favourite outfit is a dress with boots (jacket or coat as a third piece depending on how cold it is).

Today's outfit makes me happy - items in Finds.

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LaPed

Veteran

Winter is the hardest, hands down. My skin and hair get so dry during heating season, my hair is always smooshed flat by hats (which I do love, but don’t love taking them off!), I feel like I’m always trying to stuff gloves and mittens in my pockets and dropping them, and whatever boots I’m wearing are covered in salt stains…

I’ve really come around to summer dressing, the simplicity and ease of it. My skin and hair benefit from some humidity (and vitamin D), and I love being able to just throw on a dress and some sandals and not a million layers and accessories.

Transitional seasons are fine, but I tend to run cold so I feel I never look as “effortless” as I could if I were able to wear my toppers open, sleeves pushed up, cute shoes instead of boots, etc. I spend much of spring/fall wearing the same things I wear under a parka in winter, just without the parka.

In terms of style persona, I *should* enjoy fall/winter more. Cozy, outdoorsy layers, etc. But the things people associate with fall/winter (denim, chunky knits) actually fall to the wayside when the weather is miserable. I spend most of the winter in tailoredfine-gauge knits and technical fabric pants, eminently practical, not chosen for “the look”. All anyone sees is the parka anyway.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Sal is so nice to hear from a summer dressing fan, because it does seem that most people prefer Autumn. Like Bijou, we have a mild winter and I do love having a chance to wear my blazer and coat collection, but my whole body relaxes with summer (I prefer heat to cold), and there is still lots to do - shoes are on display, jewelry, bags, interesting silhouettes that aren't covered up with layers, dresses without stockings, etc. Oops, I am just selling summer instead of helping you with winter .

rachylou

Veteran

It’s… really hard to be dark and spooky in summer is what! Lol I just give up and wear dresses and give the combat boots a rest.

Sally

Veteran

My favourite seasons are spring/summer....my birthday is in spring and its coming out of a long term looking forward to a long hot holiday. But my favourite season for clothes is winter. I like black and its so easy to put on jeans/pants a sweater, blazer scarf and boots. Rachylou makes a good point..."hard to be dark and spooky in summer" I have to just wear a plain dress and birkenstocks.

Anonymous

I'm 100% on Team Summer It's just soooooo much easier all round. For about 6 months of the year it's just skirts, sleeveless tops (or sleeveless dresses) and sandals!

I don't have to worry about coordinating toppers- and having an extra cluttery layer. I'm an aspiring minimalist, so the simpler the better for me. Plus I feel my normal size in less clothes.
Skirts are Much easier to fit my curvy shape than pants, and I feel sufficiently dressed up everyday.
Sleeveless tops make my IT shape feel more balanced than sleeved tops.
Bare arms = bracelets!
More skin showing means the clothes can more easily harmonize with me, not just each other.
Less laundry!

I don't think I have Natural in my Kibbe type, but it's definitely my personality!

Helena

Veteran

Sal you epitomize easy breezy summer!

Funny enough my instinct was to say fall because I love that season ... But actually spring and early summer are more aligned with aspects of my style ... For example I like to wear high contrast such as a dark top with light pants, and this is a spring or summer combo for me ...

Brooklyn

Veteran

Late Autumn-Winter dressing suits my style persona best. I can indulge my love of dark colours, moody patterns, boots, leather, velvet etc. But now that I have my Summer wardrobe sorted I love it too. And Summer is my favourite season from a lifestyle perspective. My hardest is early (cold) Spring because dark colours start to feel wrong, but it’s still too cold to give up jackets and boots. But I think I’m getting better at it courtesy of cargo pants, tan combat boots, long skirts and cotton jumpers. I may even be on the brink of style nirvana: liking all the seasons, ha ha.

I think you should develop one or 2 outfit formulas for winter and work on perfecting those. I’d try for a natural extension of your favourite Summer outfit formula. Eg knit dress + boots + coat. You don’t have to wear a scarf!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

You suit summer dressing, Sal!

I don’t like summer dressing much, at least not in my hot and humid climate. I don’t love showing lots of skin, and styles that suit me often don’t play well with the heat.

Give me true fall and winter. Any season when I can wear a jacket makes me happy.

Indigoprint

Veteran

I am with Janet...Summer is such a challenge when it is hot. Even tho Summer is my color season I like to stay covered.
That is one of the reasons Angie's blog post today is timely for me..I feel best in long flowy pieces.

Katerina

Veteran

Sal, your summer style is amazing, your preference for summer dressing is not a surprise.
I am the opposite - I do not like summer dressing at all, quite honestly I struggle with my summer style. i am another one who likes autumn and winter, and then spring. Actually, I don’t like summer lifestyle all that much either. Typically, there is always the issue of sitting outside in cafes and restaurants, having barbecues in the garden etc. My friends prefer to sit outside as soon as the weather permits while I almost always prefer indoors. I don’t usually even mention it, because I know I am in minority, but I much prefer to eat inside, to have parties indoors and generally am quite happy on a cold day indoors in a cozy place. Ok, back to style persona…. At one of my old firms where I worked, they used to joke and call me “indoor cat” I guess it would be my style persona, lol.

pirouette

Another autumn winter and spring tan here as there’s not much difference between those 3 seasons in Ireland. They are all wet and cold. Not extreme cold like some fabbers have but definitely cold enough for coats jackets and boots. I don’t like summer dressing at all. It’s very difficult to dress for summer in Ireland. We rarely get 2 sunny days in a row and even if it is warmish if the sun goes behind a cloud you’re cold! Also people only wear bright colours when they actually go on a sun holiday to the Mediterranean or US so it’s hard to find summer weight clothes in dark colours. If you wear bright colours here you really stand out.

Sisi

Veteran

I am like you, Summer is my favourite season for a series of reasons, among which the ease and speed of dressing. I run very cold and hate feeling buried in layers, whereas in Summer I slip on a breezy dress, or a t-shirt and lightweight pants, a nice pair of sandals and off I go!
I cannot tell what my style persona is, I only know that I like simple, no-fuss clothing and merry colors therefore ... yay for Summer!

Dee

Veteran

Love dressing for summer, and I especially like the way sandals seem to work with my outfits better. The skin exposure of this type of footwear seems to help balance out my look. I also like shorter sleeves and cropped pant hemlines for this reason too.

Winter dressing is the worst, clunky footwear to deal with, hats flattening hair, with scarves, gloves, bulky sweaters and puffers to boot. It’s hard to hard to look very sleek and fashionable with all this stuff, too easy to look frumpy.

Joy

Veteran

I have worked on the seasons with my clothes and now they are all pretty good, but winter used to be the worst and summer the best. I added more color and pattern to winter, some casual sweater and a sweat shirt dress and identified a dark and a light neutral for each mi I season. What has helped most is breaking up one long cold season into three smaller ones, each with their own colors...Holiday. Midwinter, and Cold Spring. This way the winter does not go on forever. Holiday features brights and shine. Cold Spring features lighter and brighter colors and some pastel warm sweaters and white pants. The biggest problem is finding warm full length pants to keep ankles warm. I added a white puffer coat and white snow boots for the early snows in April, some boho Icelandic pieces and a small velvet capsule. Some new things I allow myself to wear in mid winter when black and grey get too depressing. This year cold spring has dragged on but my brights like coral and basics like navy and white have helped, I need to edit out some summer things as I have too much. It used to be the major season and was divided into three. Nights are always cool so it does not get as warm and requires toppers in the morning and evening as well as for some air conditioning. That has been less as stores have been more aware of air conditioning costs.

LJP

Veteran

Indoor cat comment FTW ! That made me laugh aloud

Minaminu

Veteran

I can see why Summer works so well for you, the good weather suits your lifestyle and wardrobe so well! Agree with Suz that you always look so relaxed in your summer outfits!

I'd usually say that Summer is my favourite season as well, though I have been struggling a bit with the UK weather, it's mid May and the temperatures are still below 15 degrees but looking at the EU weather, it appears that it's been a rainy spring everywhere. I am hoping for a good summer.

Winter is definitely the most challenging season for my wardrobe for all the reasons that you listed and more! I really like your strategy and would also suggest to look for other accessories like gloves and hats as they can create different vibes! Brooklyn gave a really great tip (work on 2 type of outfits) which I will borrow. Also, I think layering is a great trick for winter outfits.

CarolS

Veteran

This is an interesting question, Sal. Summer dressing really does suit you well, and I don't know if have answers to offer.

I don't really know what my 'style persona' is -- although I suspect some aspect of natural must be involved.

For most of my life I have found summer the most challenging season to dress for -- casual (non-office) dressing.in particular. I wore summer weight suits to the office, but really felt exposed, awkward, uncomfortable in casual summer clothing (and since most of my life was in the office, casual wear wasn't a shopping priority.

For both work and play I was happiest in fall when I could add boots and scarves and toppers that were meant to be seen. (as opposed to winter, when the outer layers are pretty much purely functional.)

Last year, for the first time, I enjoyed summer dressing. And I realized that summer is the season I am most likely to happily wear my prettier pieces at home. Breezy linen or cotton pants and sleeveless floral shells all felt comfortable, looked good and seemed equally appropriate to wear at home or out. I collected a few little summer-weight toppers I could add on when needed. Time will tell if this will hold true this summer. I've put on just enough weight to make a few of last summer's faves a bit less comfortable to wear, but I'm working on getting my nutritional and exercise plan back on track to remedy that.

For winter, I just don't know. I have pretty much eliminated black from my summer closet, but it does somehow feel right in the colder seasons -- and is invaluable for travel.

When winter hits I really just want to wear dark fleece lined leggings/joggers and loose wooly sweaters or cozy sweatshirts unless I'm going out (as in to somewhere my coat will come off).

Forgive me for not remembering, but do you have wider leg pants that you wear in your colder seasons, Sal? A heavier version of your lovely palazzo pants? Or heavier weight culottes you could wear with a tallish flat boot? That's my absolute favourite silhouette on you -- to my eye it always seems the breeziest, most natural/relaxed looking on you. That won't solve the scarf issue, of course, but maybe add an element of what you're looking for. Can you wear a merino turtleneck instead of a scarf? Tidier, and very 70s appropriate -- won't muck with your hair. Fitted blazer or even a cute bomber style when you need a topper.

Thanks for the thought-provoking question!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I COULD HAVE CORRECTLY GUESSED EVERYONE'S favouritre dressing season!

Sal, your reasoning makes perfect sense! Your favourite looks are related to Summer dressing and it's EASY. You look stunning in your dresses, wide crops, and skirts! I like Brooklyn's suggestion for how to approach Winter dressing. We can help you, you you like.

I like dressing for ALL the seasons - I enjoy the change and live in a pukka 4-season climate.

That said, SPRING and SUMMER are my faves. Just. So. Pretty. Much more variety in my style with skirts, tops, footwear, and dresses. Fewer layers. I'm good in the heat. High fiving Suz.

It has nothing to do with the palette because I wear the same palette year round! Just more whites in Spring and Summer, and more navies in Autumn and Winter.

cat2

Veteran

Love Summer, Winter is just something to be survived with as few pairs of jeans as humanly possible. We don’t have much of a Spring or Fall.

Sal

Veteran

I should not have posted and ran away - things got crazy! I will return and respond - I have read all the posts and can see the different perspectives.

ChristelJ

Veteran

Fun thread. I love all 4 seasons for dressing but summer the most. It's odd because I hate heat. But I love the feeling of freedom and airiness in summer clothes, and I've always loved sandals most of any footwear. Summer clothes feel most casual to me, and I consider my style to be quite casual.

Roberta

Veteran

Christian Siriano called himself an "indoor kitty" on Project Runway, so you are in good company, Katerina!

I love summer weather in Chicago, but rarely feel particularly stylish since I am usually in shorts and a simple top. I don't know if it is the additional pieces or my personal preference in cooler weather that make me feel more put together.

I feel better in summer as the humidity and sun helps my hair and skin, and I like showing my legs, but my style becomes Eddie Bauer gal for sure! Coats and socks are ignored for a few months at least; bare arms and a big grin are my style statement.

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