What to wear in summer when it's cold? - YouLookFab Forum

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What to wear in summer when it's cold?

rachylou

Veteran

Is this only a coastal Northern California problem? It is cold and overcast and windy today. I'm in a non-outfit right now. Can't decide what to put on. If I come up with nothing, it will be a sorry day of leggings and a cotton sweater and lying under a quilt...lol.

Dressing

44 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Jumpsuit!

kellygirl

Veteran

As it just so happens, we were freezing in Carmel yesterday. It was so cold, we could see our breath! Anyway, we were totally under dressed in terms of warmth. I wished I was one of those chic women who wore their cropped jeans with a soft button down and thin cashmere asymmetric poncho. I saw lots of Ruana style ponchos too. Not winter weight--more spring weight. Lots of Stan Smith white sneaks too. Tres fashionable!

ClaraT

Veteran

I feel your pain. I am in Marin and it is cold here, too. Fleece weather, really. But it's July so I feel like I should summer-ize my wardrobe even though it's 55F! My solution is to get clothes suitable for winter temps in summer colors e.g. my summer workhorse is a coral 'down sweater' that looks cheery but is warm, too. I also wear light-colored sweaters over white jeans. I do long for tank-top weather and usually escape to LA (I know) for July 4!! True story: one July 4 we went to Sausalito for the fireworks and I saw a lady in full ski wear. She was probably the only one who wasn't frozen. I was envious. Oh, and the fog obscured the fireworks that year
When all else fails, drive to Sonoma lol. Or just embrace the quilt.

Laurinda

Veteran

Sounds like sweatshirt & shorts weather ;-).
I remember getting an invitation to a July 4th barbecue in the East SF Bay: "...and we will be eating outside, so bring a wool sweater".

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JAileen

Veteran

I was just down in Marin visiting my mother. It was foggy and windy. It was wonderful!!! Anyway, I needed to split the difference between there and home, where it was in the upper 90s :(. I put on a windbreaker when I got gas, but wore cropped pants, a tee, and sandals.

Peri

Veteran

Now seriously that is one question I have never had to consider!

Anonymous

Cold?

DonnaF

Veteran

Yes! Since I run so cold anyway, I have to keep reminding myself not to buy any more sleeveless or short sleeved items and that I have more than enough sandals. I just don't go out to the warmer/hotter suburbs that often.

Lyn D.

Veteran

What I am wearing today- but it's actually mid-Winter here!

Adelfa

Veteran

I agree with ClaraT's solution of summer colors in warmer fabrications. Nice thick jeans in white, pale gray, or washed out blue denim. The Stan Smiths are leather and will be warm while toning with pale bottoms. Tees in light or bright colors. Not sure about the toppers because in summer I'm dressing for 65 temps, not 55 or lower. But I would go shorter and lighter in color as opposed to something navy or black that goes to mid thigh or below.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I've also been looking at nice sweatshirts.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

So...this sounds similar to my spring problem. Meaning, it's spring for you all...(in, like, February?) while I am still shovelling snow and dealing with -15C temperatures.

My solution is exactly like ClaraTs. I make sure I have a small selection of winter weight/ fabrication items but in spring-like colours. So, a cashmere sweater in pale blue, for example. Some scarves in brighter tones. It really doesn't take a whole wardrobe of things...just enough so I get the feeling of "spring" even though I have to continue to dress in winter. Brrrrr.

We get some cool summer days occasionally here also. Not 55F, though. At least not in daytime. Anyway...my solution to that is cotton sweaters layered over tanks or tees with scarves and denim jackets. If I'm wearing jeans I just throw on a blazer or trench (depending on wet levels). In other words, I dress the way other people dress during the spring.

rachylou

Veteran

Love all y'alls ideas! I like the idea of a nice sweatshirt, need long pants (sorry ankle/Capri pants trend), and now am trying to think of Summer colours that can stand up to the grey sky... Thoughts on those o' wise peeps? I do really like chambray light blues and light greys, but wonder if they'll say summer without any sun here. Maybe Angie's coral and back to cobalt... Although together that would be all too sunny for me, lol.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

White and soft-whites work to "summerize." Also...but this is probably too classic for you...navy & white (or black and white) mariner type stripes. I like pale denim (or white denim, or dark denim) bottoms with stripes. Red or emerald would work as well as cobalt, or hot pink or orange, or really any bright. Coral, for sure. Citron if you do it.

It was cool here last night...maybe 68F and windy (with a thunderstorm). Anyway...to a party that was held partly outdoors (until the rain) I wore:

Vince Camuto tube skirt
Theory sleeveless turtleneck
Denim jacket
Sandal booties

You can also layer tees...a tank under a linen tee is a standard trick of mine.

Striped crewneck sweater with side snaps

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Funnel Neck Sleeveless Top

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Banana Republic

Striped Terry Boatneck Top

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Side-zip stripe tee

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Vince Camuto Midi Tube Skirt (2 for $69)

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1969 resolution slim straight skimmer jeans

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rachylou

Veteran

Right now, Suz, I'm wearing two chunky sweaters! I feel bad about wearing a puffy indoors. My mum asked why I didn't turn on the heat, and I told her I couldn't because it was summer. Lol. Am I making it harder than it needs to be?

I love the idea of emerald. It's true about mariner stripes, tho. I avoid them because I'm so unimaginative when it comes to them. My prep school rearing is a terrible ball and chain. I don't know how I make them look so bad, but I do. Quite awful. Plastic couch cover catalog awful!

Also: good idea about a sleeveless turtleneck. Need to rummage. May be with winter clothes.

Jeanie

Veteran

Yeah, we've had a couple cold spells too. Not sure if you do dresses but I do maxi skirts and light colored thinner summer sweaters or a long sleeve maxi dress in florals with under layers if necessary.

rachylou

Veteran

That's a thought. I could try underlayers under a long dress. Hmm...

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

I wish I had some words of wisdom for you, but I don't. I usually have the opposite problem (too warm in winters to wear a coat)!

But, considering that your summer is quite like our winter (chuckles), I have some suggestions.

1) Cute sweatshirt, short skirt & tights. I know, I know.....tights are so silly in *summer*, but this is not a bad idea if you're craving skirts instead of pants.
You could also try a skirt with tall boots, leaving lesser skin bare. I LOVE that look

2) Summery colors in sweaters & sweatshirts. Think chambray, or a denim look sweatshirt, or colors like coral, pale blue, soft pink or mauve, emerald & mint. Yellow or any citron is GREAT in sweaters too.

I came across this article too: http://becomechic.com/20-comfy.....ummer-day/

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Laura

Rachy, are you more of a cardigan person, sweater person, sweatshirt person or do you prefer dresses more?

Staysfit

Veteran

I layer a long cashmere cardigan over whatever I put on. I have some in neutral colors that go with whatever's in my closet. If it's really cold, I might wear a summer weight cashmere sweater if you have one. They come in fun colors. I have two. I think this may be a bit like the freezing a/c I encounter that makes a room feel colder than in winter!

Layers my friend, layers!

Good luck staying warm!

skylurker

Veteran

Well, I wear oxfords, with socks.

Jeans - but you don't wear jeans, if I remember correctly
- or chinos - do you wear chinos or are they in the repulsive preppy category for you ?

Shirt+blazer or shirt+ cotton sweater/sweatshirt/breton top.

Trenchcoat, umbrella.

rachylou

Veteran

Ooh, I particularly like the idea of a denim look sweatshirt.

To answer the questions - good ones, I might add, have gotten me thinking:

- I wear it all: pullovers, cardigans, sweatshirts, dresses. I am naturally inclined toward dresses, but as I get older, the cold gets to me more. I wear pants more now when it's cold.

- I haven't a cashmere sweater at the moment...last and final one succumbed to the moths. Cashmere really is lovely. I should rectify that situation.

- I don't have a proper real trench coat either anymore. Another situation that ought to be rectified.

- Have never worn chinos, or if I ever did, it was very long ago. Khaki is probably too preppy for me...but I gather there are other colours now?

- A heavier pair of fake denim jeans - should start a hunt for those!

rachylou

Veteran

Oh, and I need to put the button back on the one blazer...all my others are not warm, but this one with the missing button is!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think it comes down to layers, as Staysfit says. Finding the ones that work right for you in your climate. And if it is 55F in summer, then heck, why not just dress as if it is spring? I'd do as Skylurker says:

Start on the bottom with a cami (maybe even a thermal one if you really really run cold, but silk could also work).

Then a shirt/ pullover (some type of top).

Then either a jacket or a sweater. Summerweight cashmere is beautiful, but merino wool is also great, as is the right cotton.

Scarf.

Pants.

Socks.

Footwear could be booties, sneakers, oxfords, etc.

Trench. Because if you live in SF, you need at least one. Excuse to go shopping!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Jeans, trousers, closed shoes, knitwear, scarves and jackets.

Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

Rachy, what do you mean, you can't turn on the heat because it's summer? I turn on the heat when it's cold and the A/C when it's hot, regardless of season. No reason to suffer just because mother nature won't get with the program.

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Denim look sweatshirts are pretty cool,Rachy. I recently saw one and totally loved it!

If I'm not mistaken, F21 has these too.

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rachylou

Veteran

Oh all right people. Lol. I guess I *am* a dress person in summer. Make me wear pants and thermal stockings! I'm thinking about being spendy tho and buying white sneakers. Maybe that would make things more summery in my head.

Alexandra - I like to suffer, lol. I only turn on the heat in January, in the dead of winter. Lolol. In my head, I live in Victorian times and am saving on coal lumps. Hahaha!

rachylou

Veteran

I definitely want a denim look sweatshirt now. And white sneakers. And a long pair of pants that are not black. When my car comes back from the mechanic, I'm going to go shopping.

...And the temps will soar back up. I know it. I just know it :p Hehe.

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