About two years ago, I moved from a very cold/wet climate to a very hot/dry one, and went from working full-time to being a SAHM with a little bit of at-home contract work. I love my life set-up, but restyling my wardrobe has been an uphill battle. I find dressing for a desert climate *very* hard because I'm used to spending most of the year covered up in layers -- sweaters, boots, flannel, scarves, hats, etc.
Most of the year here my favourite wardrobe pieces are totally irrelevant -- I simply can't wear wool when it's 100F out. I even have some heavier cotton garments that feel itchy when it's too hot. I do wear jeans and chinos almost year round--partly so as not to look like a tourist, and partly because I hate sitting down on hot leather car seats and scorching the backs of my legs!
For my hot-climate wardrobe, the items I find indispensable are:
*A lightweight linen blazer. Mine is navy blue, thrifted, and from Eileen Fisher. It is so soft, cool, and looks great without ironing. It adds just enough polish over jeans and t-shirt, and I also like to wear it over dresses or skirts so that I have a set of pockets -- very important when out with the baby and the dog! I'm thinking about adding a linen-cotton utility jacket in green or grey for some variety this fall.
*Long sleeve button down shirts in cotton and linen. I've added a white shirt, a pinstriped shirt, and a chambray shirt that I wear absolutely all the time. They afford better sun protection than plain t-shirts, are cooler than knits, and look more polished. Triple win!
*Flat shoes in fun colours, that can be worn with or without socks. Okay, I have a pair of black Chacos that I wear much of the time because they are perfect for hiking and chores in hot weather. For going-out, I really prefer closed-toe shoes, since I'm not a big pedicure person I now have fuchsia ballet flats, mustard oxfords, and striped espadrilles, none of which would have seen much wear when I lived in the Northeast and spent most of the year in boots, but all of which get worn year-round here in the desert.
*Cropped leggings. I don't wear them much during the height of the summer, but for transitional weather (like right now), they are perfect with tunics, dresses, or mini skirts, and make it possible for me to wear skirts while chasing after a toddler!
