85 and sunny in October, 55 and windy in May. Sound familiar? The 4 traditional seasons are not the same as when we grew up; leaving most of us sunburned in pumpkin patches and shaking with goosebumps on beaches. The best way to determine what to wear each morning is to invest in some “season-all” pieces rather than the “seasonal” way we’ve been shopping for decades. (Huh, who knew an L could make such a difference?) Here are the best buys that won’t have you fretting over the forecast every morning, noon, and night!
2 Cardis: Obviously, you want to make friends with cardigans. Sure, those color-block ones are trending but how many do you actually need? I say if you’re going bare-bones-closet-cleanse-mode, you will find that you really only need two. Long & short. One from the black and one from the neutral group. Done.
The Long: A duster cardigan that goes to the ankle (or to mid-calf for my fellow tall gals) is the most bang for your buck. They’re rarely more expensive than a traditional cardigan and they keep you much warmer! (I scored this black/grey blended duster at my work sample sale for a donation to charity. Biggest perk of the buyer life...taking home merch.) Dusters don’t need to be worn with pants or a maxi dress - pair with a sundress or short skirt for cool fall and spring nights.
& the short: I am not much of an outfit repeater (unlike Lizzie McGuire), cause hi, shopping is a sport and I am a fierce competitor. However, I can admit to wearing this cardigan (below) multiple days in a row because it goes with everything. Cardigans don’t have to be a thick, baggy, blanket-like layer, they can simply be a light fabric to cover your arms. Trust me, you need a ¾ sleeve cardigan...preferably in a neutral shade of lurex to add a soft glitz to your look. Perfect for 70ish degree weather or a hot July day but you are trapped in your overly air conditioned office and still want to wear a summer ‘fit #relateable. Can also be worn over long sleeves for a play on a baseball tee.
Lighten Up: For bottoms: unpopular opinion, light wash denim beats dark wash. The dark side of denim is known to be dressier and sure, it's great for casual Fridays or cocktail hour, but it’s stiff in a way that only fall and winter would tolerate. On the flipside, light wash denim has a more worn-in in feel, making it carefree enough for all seasons! A frayed denim ankle pant welcomes a sandy stroll, street festivals, and rolling in leaves. AKA all the things you want to do!
Live-in Skirts: Fall 2019’s skirts are giving dresses a kick in the pants. And your Faux-tober wardrobe is here for it. As mentioned in my second article, Show Some Love for the Middle Child, midi skirts of pretty much all fabrications and styles - straight silk, pleated chiffon, tulle, leather and denim, are great year round options due to their in-between length. Though you can’t make ‘em shorter (unless you go all Scissorhands) you can in fact, lengthen your skirts which brings me to my next item…
Pretty Woman Boots: Over-the-knee boots exploded in mass markets in 2017 and though, they are not the most novel footwear in modern times, this product is far from maturity. Use over-the-knee boots in lieu of tights. You don’t have to wrestle with them, they’re thicker, and you can wear fuzzy socks underneath! Over-the-knee or thigh-high boots are truly the only way I’ll be salting my driveway in my work-ready skirt. So if you think about it, these boots help prevent safety hazards. It’s for your own good!
10 Months a Year Sandals: Ah, the heeled sandals. It’s a sandal yes, ‘cause both the heel and the toesies are out but, it’s a dark print and it’s velvet soooooo….when can I wear this? I asked myself this same question last December and without knowing the answer, I darted for the register because these puppies were comfortable and only $17 at the Nordstorm Rack in tax-free Delaware.
Do you ever think I wish that I knew what I know now? Well, that’s what this shoe situation presents for me. I wear these shoes with everything, in every kind of weather except snow cause getting frostbite would blow. Since there is no slingback these heeled sandals are in no danger of blistering my feet and the heel is the perfect height for a high arched foot. I could do a whole article on this one piece, and before I do I am going to cut myself off. But do yourself a summer/spring/fall favor, and invest in a pair of heeled sandals. And don’t be afraid of a print.
Tied Up: Scarves are the most versatile piece known to humankind. Get a few fun ones to tie off your look! If it all of a sudden gets cold at the brewery, wrap up like you meant for this weather shift to happen. How many times do you regret not bringing a jacket just because you don’t want to hold it? Easy solution: just wear a scarf.
The real key to finding your go-to season-all pieces is being sure of your personal style, and selecting layering pieces in a simple color palette. Overly bright tones do not treat all seasons equally.
Here’s to a green Christmas and a snowy Memorial Day!
Love the versatile sundress