what to wear - based on outside temperature

shiny

Wanted to know if any of you have general guidelines you follow, when you decide what to wear, based on the expected high temperatures for the day?

I was thinking about this because as a runner I made up a little chart that I follow so I don't have to guess: i.e., if the weather is 60 and above I run in short sleeves and shorts; if the weather is 40-50 I wear short sleeves but long pants, etc.

I'm in Boston and we've had fairly chilly weather here, but every now and then we get a surprisingly warm day. I never know quite how to dress. Last monday I overdressed and sweated to death. Yesterday I undressed and froze. Today it's sunny and high is around 63. I haven't gone out yet but will be leaving shortly.

I just know it is not yet warm enough for skirts and bare legs!!

So what about you? Do you have a mental guideline you follow? At what temp do you wear skirts and bare legs? When do you go out with no jacket or just a cardigan? Etc.

15 years ago

Dressing

8 replies

Latest reply was from christie

Tanya

Veteran

Hi Shiny, since I'm in Boston too I totally know what you mean. One thing the helps me are tons of layers (cami under top under cardi under coat/jacket), so I just add/remove one of them according to the current situations. I generally won't wear bare legs/short sleeves unless it's at least 70 outside. Even then, I keep an older cardigan in my lab because of the AC. 60-70 usually means pants with a top and a lighter jacket. Below 60 requires some kind of sweater.
But then I'm generally colder than most people.
Oh, and I usually just check the weather forecast before my morning shower so while in it I plan my outfit for that day!

15 years ago

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Shiny, I check the weather every evening and every morning before deciding what to wear. Then I factor in things like if I will be outside a lot (running errands, at school walking to class, etc) or if I'll be indoors most of the day. Having naturally curly hair, I also religiously check the humidity level. Texas is very humid, so starting now and going until October, it will pretty much be curly/fuzzy hair everyday.

I don't have any specific set temps that I will wear something or not wear something. I do have general guidelines I follow, such as if it's above 75, I will wear short sleeves (I am always cold). If it's below that, then I will layer and probably wear pants, etc. If it's warm outside and I know I will be outside a lot, then I will pack a cardigan or something, but not wear it much. If it might rain, I'll pack an umbrella. But if there is something I am dying to wear, and the weather is not cooperating, I will usually find a way to make it work, like layering it or something. It's probably easier to do in a mild climate like there is here.

Bare legs and just a cardi I will probably do if the temp is above 65-70. The cardi would probably be heavier, though, and I'd wear closed toe shoes the closer it got to 65.

15 years ago

Antje

Veteran

I think it very much depends on your body temperature - some people tend to run cold, others tend to run warm - and then your environment, e.g. air-conditioned office vs. cozy home office vs. running errands with lots of time outside etc. Personally, I tend to run warm, and also I love spring, so for me the bare legs have already made an experience twice this week - even though it's barely 60 in Seattle. I couldn't wait! I just love feeling sun and wind on my skin after all those dreadful fall and winter months... I do bare the legs before I bare the arms, though, because I'd get cold with bare arms much more quickly than with bare legs (especially in my office).
Here are my "compromise outfits" I wore this week: a skirt with flats and a light long-sleeve v-neck sweater one day, and bermuda-length walk shorts with a ruffle-y top and a denim jacket another day.

15 years ago

shiny

Veteran

Tonya, do you think I'll be making a mistake going out this afternoon (and into the evening) wearing a short sleeve jacket over a short sleeve cardigan (with cami underneath)?

We will be inside mostly, but I think I'll bring along a long sleeve jacket just in case I get cold later.

Wish I had a white trench coat!

15 years ago

Jenniferblue

Active Member

Boston is difficult because the days fluctuate soooo much. Within one day I'm
alternatly cold/warm several times. My blood runs cold until it's 80 especially in the spring when things are just beginning to warm up. So for me usually no sleeveless until it's at least 80. However I find that in the fall I'm not as cold at 80. This morning I saw some of the high school girls in flip flops and tank tops near my house and it was 34 out!

15 years ago

Jenniferblue

Active Member

Shiny bring a long sleeve jacket for later, you'll need it if you have to do more then just pop into your car.

15 years ago

Nicole

Veteran

I think Boston's climate varies so much in the course of a day, that it does require some forethought to dress accordingly. I definately consider the weather (as well as my day's activities) when deciding what to wear. Some days, I just don't feel like bothering with tights, and if it's too cold to go bare legged, then I wear pants. I also will base an outfit starting with my shoes. If it raining or raw outside, I prefer to wear socks and closed shoes...and since pants are married to shoes, it narrows down my pant choices.

15 years ago

christie

Active Member

I think layers are the key. I love cardigans and scarves for that reason. Almost all of my sweaters are cardigans, actually. I have some thicker that I can layer over the thinner ones in winter.

But to answer your original question about temperature and clothing, I sort of have that. If it is over 60, I wear ballet slippers. if it is under 60 and sunny (like 55-60), I will wear ballet slippers, too. Under 55, I wear boots or something similar.

Also, on May 1st, I get a pedicure and it is my "official" day to start wearing sandals, if the weather permits.

My feet are happy, and my toes are fruit-punch red!

15 years ago

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