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September Challenge: Working Layers

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

The temperatures are really variable here in September. I guess that's true of most everywhere, but in a low-humidity environment, the extremes are more extreme. We're looking at about a 30° differential between morning and afternoon every day this week.

My challenge for September is to come up with some layered outfits that actually work for the climate. I love layered looks, but I often find myself in situations where I don't want to take off my top layer in public, because what's beneath isn't flattering. This is even more true now that I'm purging polyester tanks from my wardrobe. They were an easy, flattering solution, but they also give me a rash if I put anything over them, so maybe not that flattering.

This month, I'm going to try to take photos of my outfits with and without the top layer to create some new formulas that will work for me all day long.

How do you deal with these kinds of temperature challenges? Any tried and true formulas?

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Dressing

29 replies

Latest reply was from Laura (rhubarbgirl)

Word Lily

Veteran

I think your plan of photographing both ways is a good one! I've done that to myself, too (not wanting to shed the unnecessary layer). I'd like to play with less traditional layers, but we'll see.

Joy

Veteran

Your September sounds like our (ideal) October when evenings may be cooler. I tend to wear buttondown shirts with a blazer or other jacket.
Usually Angie updates her basic knit pieces each year or posts s list of basic layering pieces and I try to refresh. I try to get a fit that will look ok without a topper but the intention is to layer. Perfect fit that isn't clingy and some detail that helps them hold there own without a topper is key, I suspect. It might be buttons in back or ruching down the front, something like that.

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Oh my...quite some variation there.

So here are my 3 ideas:

1) One of your staple knit tops like the striped ones and the denim jacket over.

2) The tops you love, like the new Lucky silk one, and a lightweight topper on that, like a blazer or cardi

3) Cool everyday wear tops that we've seen in summer and a zipped sweatshirt. I've seen you wear one on a weekend you were watching sports on TV with friends, I think.

abc

Veteran

Hey Jenn. Sounds like we have similar climates (low humidity, high altitide, moderate temps). When I moved here nearly 5 years ago I was like, why is everyone wearing vests? Now I get it. For our climate, vests are ideal. They don't restrict you like a jacket or blazer does, but they give you that extra layer you need in the AM and PM when the temps dip. I am going to revisit my vest capsule/category. One has recently caught my eye because it is a bit dressier than others I've seen. it's actually wool, not that shiny tech/gear fabric many vests are made of.

I also struggle like you with an outfit looking good with AND without the topper. Usually the outfits look great with everything intact, but when you take off the topper, the outfit falls flat (or at least mine do). I also struggle with layering - if I have a tank under, I won't take off the topper - but sometimes roast bc of this. Other times the top can stand alone but it's too thick or sleeves too bulky to layer a jacket/blazer over. Hence my new love for vests

Let me know if this may work for you and what you think. I would be curious to hear your thoughts. I know Suz recently added a vest (sourced in Canada, grr) - I loved the architecture of it yet it was still soft. The one I am eyeing is in the find below.

Fur-trim wool puffer vest

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Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Oh, I do like that vest, abc! I have a puffer vest, but it's just your standard gear-type.

My struggle right now is that it's really too warm in the afternoons to have long sleeves as the underlayer. In a month, that will work, but right now we're talking mid-80s or even low-90s in the afternoons. I have a tough time finding short sleeves that work, so I think I need to be wearing cap sleeves or wider-shouldered tanks? I love simple layering tanks, but feel underdressed without a topper over them in public (at home, it's fine).

milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

Here's what I've worn the past few days (fellow Colorado girl):

Loose silk pants, short sleeve silk blouse, cropped jacket.

Skinny ankle pants, lightweight long sleeve blouse with sleeves rolled, lightweight cardigan.

Sleeveless ponte dress, blazer.

Midi skirt, long sleeve button front shirt, cotton wide strap tank underneath in case shirt is too hot for the afternoon walk to the train.

The best cap sleeve/wide strap tops I have are from a few years ago - Ann Taylor had some great silk blend knits and Banana Republic had nice short sleeve blouses with higher necklines. I know, not very helpful for shopping today.

abc

Veteran

SAME HERE! I get hot around noon and in the afternoon, but in the AM when I have to leave the house it's pretty chilly!! I am suffering through this until the afternoons cool off a bit, too. The other day I was a sweaty mess by afternoon. Not a well layered outfit that day, haha.

I am no help on the tank thing, I am self conscious of my upper arms so wear only short sleeves on the longer side (for coverage) or elbow or 3/4 sleeves myself.

Yeah I am really considering that vest. It comes in grey and navy too. Trying to be smart about purchases so at least trying to figure out what I could pair it with before buying I also really loved the one Suz got, though it's a different style vest. I may look for something similar. I need structure and Suz's had that element.

Word Lily

Veteran

Wider-shouldered like this Find?

Sleeveless Linen Tee

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Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Yup, WordLily, but I tried on that exact piece (except in black) from Loft and did not like it. The weave on the linen was uneven enough to be see-through in some places and the neck was too high for me.

Word Lily

Veteran

Yuck about the see-through, and yeah, crew necks aren't best for me either. Blast.

Elly

Veteran

I like cotton or rayon diagonal-sleeve tees and lightweight cotton button downs under denim jackets and cotton army-type jackets during that weather. Essentially I wear my summer tops, but add a jacket, and sometimes a "summer weight" scarf.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I'm feeling like I just don't have appropriate pieces. I've been wearing mostly dresses this summer, along with a couple of polyester sleeveless blouses. I really can't layer over the polyester and I struggle with toppers over dresses. You'd think I'd have this figured out after having lived here for 18 years, on and off, but nope. (I should also add that my house doesn't have real AC, so it's usually pretty warm, even inside, in the afternoons.)

Elly

Veteran

I understand, Jenn. Living in Colorado it often feels silly to "invest" in clothing for transitional seasons. Summer is the shortest main season, so it can be easy to just go with whatever is easiest to find and not invest as much time and money into finding really good pieces when you can get away with poly tanks and a few tees--- plus when you spend as much time in the snow as we do it feels nice to wear "less clothes". I've finally got to the point where I feel good enough about my needs and about summer clothes and winter clothes that I am dedicated to adding transitional items.

First, I've made a greater effort to buy summer pieces that I ALSO like layered in fabrics that work for me (although I do do poly tanks, but only in that crepe fabric that isn't see-through but is super breathable because it is basically mesh--- knit poly is AWFUL for most things).

Second, I've allowed myself to buy transitional jackets and long-sleeve light cotton shirts which I only wear in the spring and fall, on cool days (rainstorms) during summer, or as underlayers under warm sweaters instead of a tee shirt in winter. I'm also building up my "transitional" shoe wardrobe which is a couple of pairs of leather or nylon shoes-- not boots for the damp or crisp but not snowy weather that can sometimes come during cool summer rains and in the fall before snow comes. Something to wear as an alternative to booties or canvas tennis shoes.

You can always do the dresses with a jacket and closed-toe shoes--- your legs aught to be pretty frost resistant. Depending on how funky you are willing to go, leggings can be put on (3/4 even) and then are easy to strip off at 11 am, unlike tights.

Elly

Veteran

A good slightly-cropped jean jacket could cover all transitional dress-wearing topper needs.

Word Lily

Veteran

Maybe there are some other tops that might work for you in this thread? http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....flowy-tops There are a couple of Inge's Finds that look pretty awesome, and you might fit in them ...

Why do you have trouble with short sleeves? Maybe this is easier to attack from that direction?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Actually Seattle can be like this too - in Sept. As the days get shorter, the highs became negligible though. I look forward to seeing your layered outfits, Jenn. You are fab.

Bonnie

Veteran

I'm still looking for the perfect top, too. One that looks good with or without a topper. I can't wear button downs because I'm short waisted and it's hard to tuck. I need to match the top to the bottom so I have a column of color. I can't wear knits when it may get warm/hot because I will be miserable. I like tunics for hot weather but they only look good under few toppers. I love vests but find them unflattering as they hit me at hip length and make me look dumpy. I'm really looking forward to following your September Challenge - maybe it will help me, too.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Angie - I really enjoyed dressing more during the four years I lived in Seattle. SO much more. (I'll be back with more thoughts this evening, based on what others have said.)

Alassë

Veteran

This may or may not work for you, but I use matching toppers/bottoms, then wear a contrasting colour underneath. Provided the original combination looks good (say mustard with dark denim), a navy cardigan + mustard top + dark denim will also look good.

JAileen

Veteran

I have similar weather, sometimes as much as forty degree swing from morning to afternoon. I wear an outfit designed for the high temp, then add a light jacket until it's warm enough to take it off. Even if it's 55 I can still wear sandals and cropped pants, but something like a jean jacket makes it doable.

E

Veteran

We're going from low 60s in the mornings to mid 80s in the afternoons right now too. So I'm basicly wearing hot weather blouses/dresses under a cardi or jacket in the am and switching to just the blouse/dress later on (another no a/c lady and I have southwest facing windows so afternoons can warm up quickly).

I have an advantage, in that four years of south Texas living forced me to learn more out hot weather tops. Here's what I look for to feel comfortable in one standing on its own: some type of detailing, be it buttons or seams or a print or pintucks or what have you, so that it has quite a bit of interest on its own; woven fabrics instead of knits; higher armcyses; enough structure that the top (or dress bodice) is holding some type of shape on its own, not just molding to my body like a tee. I realise that this is easier said than done! Adding a few tops with waist ties has been helpful too, since I can wear them over lightweight wide-legged trousers that seem to keep me warm in the mornings and cool in the afternoons.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Man, it's really tempting to want to replace all my non-layering-friendly summer tops right now, but I think that's something I would rather work into over time and when there's more retail options for the season (although if the find below didn't have a zipper...).

I have a denim jacket on my shopping list and I've found "the one," so I think that will cover most of my needs (thanks Elly, JAileen, and Maneera for pointing that out). I think the silk tops will start working pretty well once the highs in are in the 70s, rather than the 80s/90s, but I'm waaaaay more likely to be too hot in the afternoons than too cold in the mornings/evenings.

WordLily - Some of those Massimo Dutti tops that Inge suggested are totally fab, but when an extra-large is a 12, I'm decidedly sized out. As for short sleeves, I avoid them because they cling to my upper arms and make them look bigger than they are... or maybe just as big as they are. Oddly, I'm way more self-conscious in short sleeves than in sleeveless. I prefer either no sleeves, or below the elbow.

Cloud Print Zip Front Crepe Tank

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Brooklyn

Veteran

I have been struggling with this too. The weather is warming up here but it is still quite cold in the mornings. For casual wear I have been wearing a light weight sleeveless knit top over a plain (cotton) tee. The knit dresses up the tee and provides some extra warmth. It is easy to add a casual jacket or cardigan over. I also find I wear a lot of cotton knits over tees and tops generally. They are warm but not too warm.

Dee

Veteran

I'm a big fan of the 3/4 sleeve cardigan, especially a very thin cotton one, in this kind of weather. It's warm enough in the morning and not too much in the afternoon. Unlined vests and blazers also work if you are mostly inside in the hottest part of the day. Anything with a lining is flat out though because I overheat much too easily.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Interesting. And why did you enjoy Seattle more, Jenn?

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Good question, Angie! I think there were a few factors:

weather consistency - Seattle tends to have a month of highs in the 40s, followed by a month of 50s, a few months of 60s, 70s, maybe 80s, and then back down in a lovely, flowing cycle. There are sometimes outliers, but it's nothing like here where we suddenly have a day or two in the mid-70s in February, followed by brutal sub-zero temps the following week. I relish that fickleness, but I don't like dressing for it.

rainy days - I love love loved throwing on a trench coat and heading out on a rainy day. I always felt fab. We don't really have those here. Our rain comes in evening thunderstorms and afternoon downpours. You don't dress for it, so much as find shelter until it's over. I think I'm the only person I know who even owns a trench.

fashion culture - I know Seattle is a very casual city, but there was enough diversity, I never felt overdressed there. I often feel overdressed here, even in the very casual outfits you've seen me in. I wore that jeans-converse-blazer combo to parents' night on Monday, and was one of very few parents not in flip-flops, shorts, and a tee. Some of this also has to do with the urban vs small-town factor, as well.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I am listening in and nodding, Jenn. I used to live in Vancouver and would have said everything you here say about Seattle. I now live in a small Eastern Ontario city that feels much more like a small town. I often feel overdressed even in my most casual outfits. I am willing to buck the environmental norm to a degree -- but not to seem insistent about bucking it, if you know what I mean. Sometimes it gets discouraging.

And then there are the wildly varying temperatures. Yup. That, too.

My climate isn't dry so we don't get such extremes within one day as a rule, but I still do need to layer for cool mornings/ hot afternoons at this time of year and into the autumn. As others have said, denim jackets are fabulous for this purpose. I also own a couple of lightweight linen knit tees that I layer over cotton tanks, and then add a scarf. The linen seems to work in a variation of temperatures. If it gets TRULY hot I can remove the linen tee and stuff it in my bag, keeping the scarf to add interest to the outfit. This is a great trick when travelling, too. In general, as someone else said, 3/4 length sleeves can be useful.

Linen boatneck tee

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Linen boatneck tee

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Side-zip stripe tee

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Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Thank you, Suz and Dee! The 3/4 sleeve tops are striking a chord with me. I think this is something that might work for my lifestyle.

it was funny, I was on the wikipedia page for my town today and the weather section basically said all things I wrote here:

"Some days in the winter and spring can be warm and extremely dry, with Chinook winds often raising temperatures to near 70 °F (21 °C) in January and February, and sometimes to near 90 °F (32 °C) in April. The elevation and low year-round humidity means that nighttime low temperatures are practically never above 68 °F (20 °C), even in the very hottest part of the summer. The diurnal temperature range is usually rather wide, with a 50-degree (Fahrenheit) difference between daytime high and nighttime low not uncommon, especially in the spring and fall months. Rapid fluctuation in temperature is also common – a sunny 80 °F (27 °C) October afternoon can easily give way to a 28 °F (-2 °C) blizzard within 12 hours."

I feel a little less crazy yammering on about the weather fluctuations reading it there!

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Yikes, a 50 degree swing is a lot. We have similar weather in spring and fall with 30 degree swings all the time, and it does get on my nerves. I find it hard to dress for, maybe because I didn't grow up in a place with this kind of weather.

I haven't mastered this by any means, so I enjoyed reading everyone's thoughts. My strategies, aside from owning more cardigans than any one person should admit to, are
a) every layer must be decent, e.g. no layering tanks that aren't wearable on their own. I fudge this occasionally under when I know I'll be in controlled environments, but generally that's what I stick with.
b) I usually try to strike the balance with shoes. If my outfit leans more covered/warm, then I might do sandals, or if I'm only wearing a lightweight dress and carrying a cardigan, I'll wear closed-toed shoes. If I'm away from home/office/car for 12+ hours, I might even carry different shoes to switch back and forth. I often keep extra layers in my car or in my bag.
c) silhouettes and proportions can get tricky when you layer so I tend to try to stick to one or two lengths of tops, a couple shapes of pants, etc.
d) E had some good points about picking out tops. If you want to wear it both alone and layered and look good both ways, you do need to find tops with a bit of, but not too much detail - neckline, print, seaming, something that will give it some interest alone but not make it look crazy-busy when you add a sweater or jacket.

I think that the 40-70-40 (F) swing is actually easier to deal with than the 60-90-60 swing, but maybe that's just my personal tendencies showing... It's pretty easy to dress in a flexible way for 70F and then add a scarf and a coat. But if you dress for 90+ then you just look goofy adding unseasonable coats and scarves and shoes. Or you dress for somewhere in the middle temp-wise and roast between noon and four.