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What to wear in warm fall

anchie

Veteran

We are experiencing some glorious weather here. The whole month of September we had summer temperatures, and it seems it will last at least until middle of the October. It is nicely warm and sunny, between 25C and 28C during the day, but with cooler mornings and nights. This is actually my favorite weather except that I am not sure how to dress for it
My summer dresses and skirts feel wrong and inadequate, especially in the morning when I leave for work and need layers, and my fall wardrobe is too warm and not appropriate later in the day. But I am inpatient to wear something different since I haven’t been shopping for a while now, and was wearing my summer outfits on repeat and I am somewhat tired of them. And I am steadily gaining weight so my wearable wardrobe is shrinking but I am trying to make do with what still fits but it is also making my options even more limited.
Do you have any advice of how to dress when seasons and temperatures are not aligned and when you also feel little tired of your current limited options?
Most of my wardrobe is currently either too summery, too warm or too tight:)
Maybe some fall shopping is in order?

Dressing

31 replies

Latest reply was from Bijou

cat2

Veteran

I have been picking a color scheme every month and pulling out everything that fits the scheme. It gets me to remix into different outfits. So April was anything sort of pastel, August was anything earth toned, October is black and moody prints, etc.

Indigoprint

Veteran

Indian summer Septembers are lovely, but I agree they can be a wardrobe challenge. For me especially as I look forward to Fall/sweater weather. What works for me is to have tops and bottoms in Fallish colorways. My stuff is mostly linen so it can handle warm weather (we are expected to get into the 80's today). Layers too help a lot. I have a variety of outer wear vests that work for cool mornings and are not too heavy or easy to take off as the temps climb.

Sisi

Veteran

Same situation here but, alas, no advice. I am still wearing my Summer clothes and sandals all the time. Actually I am fed up but ... at least this year my Summer clothes will reach a high number of wears!
I think you are entitled to do some shopping. Since it is still early Autumn you could find some Autumn-y but lightweight things.

Roberta

Veteran

I have to say, it's a wonderful time to find summery things on sale that you can wear right now. One or two new things wouldn't break the bank IMO. It's a good time to visit Old Navy or Target!

We are also having a wave of last minute warm weather, but I am happy to wear shorts for another week, until I have to put on corduroy.

Helena

Veteran

My strategy is to keep a small selection of "seasonally confused" items (such as very light sweaters) in the closet for these rare temps, with the understanding that they will not get lots of wear, but there will be days when they are just the thing! Also, this is the time to try out seasonally confused combinations that don't make sense 98% of the time, like sandals with jeans and a sweater, or boots with a light dress. Summer pieces in richer fall colours can also help!

Jules

Veteran

Well, I got a brown pedicure and have been sporting my cream Birks with it as my nod to Fall In past years I have also picked up grey and navy polish around the same time of year depending on what was trending.
For cooler mornings and evenings combined with warm days I like my light wash denim jacket over my warm weather outfit. In terms of outfits I might do closed toe shoes with dark linen trousers, or conversely sandals with jeans, instead of an outfit all summer weight items. I generally forgo super summery items like gauzy linen tops, eyelet, lightweight dresses. I try to take advantage of the limited time to wear things like heavier/darker loafers without socks, as the transitional seasons are very short here.

JP

Veteran

The weather in SoCal is similar, currently it's in the 60s and low 70s and the 2nd half of the week will go up into 90s.
For me it's time to make use of my blazers. I can put them over short sleeves or sleeveless tops and dresses and take them off when it's warm. If you're not into blazers then maybe cardigans or denim jackets. Also, Indigoprint has a good point for using fall-ish colors. Wearing closed toe shoes or booties will also help.
For me lightweight knit long sleeve tops are perfect for the transitional seasons.

Dee

Veteran

Yes the weather has been odd here too, its been very summer like for the last week or two, temps will be around 26 Celsius this week.

So fall dressing feels strange right now. Currently, I tend to combine some of my darker summer tops with darker summer type bottoms, which is something I don’t usually do in true summer but it seems appropriate with the fall lighting and the leaves changing colour.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

We had this last year, anchie! It was warm during the day till the end of Oct. Then we skipped Autumn and went straight into cold Winter.

It's not Summer though. Days are short. Morning and night temps are cool and even cold. So the warm temps that you feel are not for long during the day. Short lived!

Layers, changing the colours of your palette a bit, and not wearing very Summery clothes worked for me.

I wore lots of jackets over shirts, blouses, and cotton knitwear with pants and jeans. Dresses with booties, and the odd skirt too. Closed shoes all the way. Loafers, oxfords and sneakers. Knee-highs too.

slim cat

Veteran

Windbreaker is in my bag for the cooler evening weather- otherwise the above mentioned jeans with sandals ( ankle length), thin cotton long pants in black with brighter tops, flannel shirt, layering . It’s a bit of a challenge- some days I just not loving my outfits:-) .

Joy

Veteran

I collect garment of summer fabrics, fall colors and wear light toppers to cover bare arms in morning and evening when it is even cooler. I have yet to break out socks but wear fabric shoes barefoot. The style is more covered than sandals like sneakers or loafers as I can no longer wear sandals. Mountain sun warms the air and it is hot by midday. Then it often gets cloudy and cool.

Val

Seconding what Helena said about seasonally confused combinations.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

This can be challenging. Especially when you live in a climate of extremes. Most of your clothes are probably either too lightweight or too warm, to deal wth your usual weather.

I try to have some items that are transitional/ crossover in the closet. Summer weight, but autumnal colours. And layers, for sure. Cropped pants work well, as do skirts. Jackets or cardigans and scarves that can be taken on and off.

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anchie

Veteran

I think Suz hit the nail on the head! Yes, my wardrobe is adopted for my usually more extreme weather. I checked my tracking app and last year at this time I was wearing wool pants and sweaters, trenchcoats and boots. My summer wardrobe is on the other hand consisting mostly of breezy summer dresses, lightweight skirts and linen pants that are difficult to adapt to current conditions. I think I am lacking in pants department - I could use some that are not woolly but that don’t scream summer either. And maybe some cotton sweaters? I have enough blazers and closed shoes.

Runcarla

Veteran

Weather here is exactly what you are experiencing, Anchie. I’m still wearing the heck out of my summer shorts and linens, though I did wear the ‘seasonally confused’ outfit below when we experienced a cool evening after a hot day. (The sweater is oversized and slouchy - not close fitting like in the photo.)

Do like Helena suggested, and experiment with what you have in your closet that fits. This type of weather is so short lived that by the time you get new purchases suitable for it, the weather will have changed again.

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SarahD8

Veteran

Yes, I've been facing this conundrum as well the past couple years as the transitional season has gotten longer in Seattle, as Angie alludes to above.

I don't have this all figured out yet, but what I'm aiming at includes:
-sleeveless tops with lightweight but long-sleeve cardigans layered over
-3/4 sleeve pullover sweaters (these can be textured/relatively heavy weight)
-loose jeans
-lightweight pants -- I do NOT care for joggers/cargoes, but a simple wide-leg, maybe almost culotte, maybe slightly cropped style could work.
-semi-open footwear like a d'orsay flat or cutout oxford
-cotton, hemp, tencel -- but NOT linen (or at least not a blend that really reads as high-summer linen IYKWIM)

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Oh Anchie I’m so tired of my winter clothes! It’s Spring but often feels like winter still as often wet and windy. Changing the thickness of fabric helps ( so still pants but thinner) and sometimes if still wearing a mock turtleneck just layer a vest/waistcoat over rather than full knitwear. That’s what I did today and just added a warmer jacket in the evening. So fabric change is the way of subtly changing the temperature.

lyn67

Veteran

We have the same weather:-) but it depends also on the level of dressiness you aim at for work or your other activities. My office is getting even more casual-and I drive my car to and back, so don't feel the chill that much at all. Today I wear a column of color in cream-made of some extra wide leg ankle jeans and a deeper round neck slightly stretchy ribbed short sleeve cotton top in the same shade of cream -layered with a taupe V-neck cardi (worn open- only for having some sleeves in the car and outdoors) and a sage green tailored short puffer vest + tan loafers with thin soles, light blue bag. Once in my office- I stay at my desk with open windoows- took off the cardi and still wear the the puffer vest. But in the afternoons will take off the vest, too...

I do the layering with puffer vest trick a lot over some of my summer dresses and skirts too. But I also love this weather for long sleeve shirt dresses, and some lighter weight and lighter color cigarette pants(with bare ankles) too.

Olive Green

Veteran

I have a couple of lightweight cotton Uniqlo trousers that pull the transitional duty, with cotton button downs and sandals. This is a good time for long tshirt type dresses over light pants or capris, too. Layering is again possible.
Maybe we will be able to wear jeans next week, with long sleeved t shirts and a shirt.
The too-tight problem might be worth buying a couple of things that work well for you, in larger sizes. My very best wardrobe advice from this forum is buy for the body and life you have now.
That was quite hard for me, still making sure that the pretty thing works for my actual life…

Anonymous

That would be 77 degrees + in F, which to me is summer dressing. I just toss on a cardi if cooler in the am. One day I wore short sleeves cause the morning was cool, and regretted it to the point of trying to find a sleeveless top in a shop by midday! But I work outside most of the time so ymmv
That said- for cooler transitional days, like in the 60s, I have thin (linen, rayon, and these lightweight cargos) pants and warmer skirts (long sweater skirt, velvet). I use sandal booties with knee highs, which I remove when the day gets warmer.

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Star

Veteran

Anchie I don't have any advice for you on this topic because I am not working and I realise you are talking about your working wardrobe. Currently I am in jeans and summer tops. It is usually too hot for jeans in mid-summer. In the evening I pull on a light topper.

I do want to ask you a quick question off topic. I am so happy with my silver hair but getting a bit of an itch that may need scratching. I am thinking temporary purple or red hair colour. Are you happy with the hair colour change you made, and has the temporary colour stained your hair permanently in any way? Thanks in advance!

RobinF

Veteran

I always struggle with the season transitions. I am still in summer tops but haven't worn shorts in a while - it seems like the temps aren't as hot as they are in the summer, even if technically they are the same. Usually I have pulled out my boots by this time but so far it has been too warm. Loafers and sneakers for the win! And cardigans for layering.

anchie

Veteran

Star - not sure about hair color. It has washed out somewhat but not completely and my white roots are coming through. I haven’t decided yet if I will color again or wait to see if it washes out more but I doubt it will be gone completely. Will try to take photo to show you when I get home.

Sal

Veteran

It's hard when the weather is different than usual and throw in some sizing changes too and it can be hard to get dressed.

As Jenni said above our cold winter has just returned after a lovely patch and it is very frustrating. I do have a few jackets and blazers that can help. To be honest I just end up repeating the outfits that work and being very boring!!

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Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

Layers are key!

I guess you could do the opposite of what I do once I get to the office lol (since I have a hot commute outdoors but then cold AC indoors), i.e.:

1) ~ wear socks with your shoes but take them off once it heats up
- (same goes for tights/ hosiery);

2 ~ drape a scarf over your shoulders or looped around the neck if it's really cold (with other layers/ toppers), then stuff it in your bag once it warms up;

3 ~ keep a lighter weight jacket in the office to toss on after removing your heavier weight coat) outside topper;

4 ~ commute in a pair of boots at first then switch to sandals or other shoes (if you have space to store them at your desk & in your bag whilst not in use).

You're lucky that you're going from cold to hot rather than hot to cold (like I am) - maybe this is TMI but I have to bring an entire change of clothes (at least for my top half) because everything is soaked through once I reach work (it was 31-33C yesterday lol - I'm so ready for cooler weather already, arghhh!)

Roxanna

Veteran

I could have written this post! We have the exact same weather right now, and I have also sized out of many of my clothes, Taking notes!

unfrumped

Veteran

I acquired some items in black linen, including full- length wide leg pants, that are proving very useful. To me it’s not so obvious it’s “ linen”, wrinkles don’t show much, & can mix with fall colors, animal print, sock or no show, big sneakers or oxfords or even boots, but also wear in spring with whites & brights.

L'Abeille

Veteran

Our weather has only just cooled down. Here is the strategy I've employed this early-fall season:

I have been loving the summer 2023 look of pantsuits with a tailored vest/waistcoat worn alone as the top piece. I couldn't make it work for me because none of my vests are high-necked enough to use without layering. And it makes no sense to buy one for such a limited application.

However... I realized that I do have other layering pieces that could fill a similar role. One is a tailored houndstooth jumper/pinafore dress. Then there are two high-necked knit shells that I usually wear as a sweater vest. This season, I havemade outfits with all of these (sleeveless, unlayered) and enjoyed them enough to repeat.

On cool mornings I have topped them with a blazer. These are fall outerwear for me, since I'm in a white coat at work, so they have a short season to get some attention. With your more formal officewear, a chance to wear a blazer is probably less of a treat.

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Jonesy

Veteran

It's been the same here! And one of the rooms I teach an evening class in doesn't have windows or air conditioning, after regular business hours, so it's been hot and stuffy. I have mostly relied on tailored, crisp shirts and cotton/linen pants, with some elevated accessories, to try to thread the needle of looking authoritative and staying comfortable.

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