Ask CF: How do I Dress for Fall in Warm Climates?
Welcome to the latest edition of Ask CF! Every two weeks, we select a reader fashion question and answer it here on the site. Do you have a specific fashion question for us? Scroll to the bottom of this post to learn how to send it our way!
Ask CF Question
Dear CF,
I’m totally loving all the fall outfits you guys are posting; it’s getting me so pumped for the cold! However, I’m in school in central Florida, and it’s still 85 degrees here, WAY too hot here to start piling on flannels and leather jackets. I was wondering if you could post some outfits geared towards fall in Florida? Thanks so much!
Sincerely,
“Fall” in Florida
Our Response
Dear “Fall,”
I may not be in Florida, but I do live in L.A. and girl, I feel your pain. These past few weeks alone, temps ran in the mid 80s and even reached up to 100 degrees at one point. And coming from someone who is obsessed with knit sweaters, comfy jackets, and ankle booties, this weather is definitely cramping my fall style.
However, just because temps are warm, it doesn’t mean we need to miss out on these fun fall trends altogether. With a little creativity, we too can embrace the best of fall without breaking a sweat (literally). It’s all about adapting the trends. Too hot to wear a leather jacket? Try a pair of leather shorts or a skirt instead. Flannel shirts got you “glistening”? Try tying one around your waist or finding a similar pattern in some material other than flannel. To see some of these tips (and more!) translated into an entire look, keep on scrolling. Thanks for the question and enjoy!
Sincerely,
Jessica
Outfit #1
Product Information: Sunglasses, Shirt, Backpack, Necklace, Shoes, Ring, Shorts
If there’s one item I gravitate toward every time I go shopping, it’s sweaters. But sadly for me, my collection has been tucked away anxiously awaiting temps to drop. And so, I bring you this pullover. I love how this top has the pullover sweater feel without fully committing to long sleeves. To keep the look warm weather-appropriate, pair it with high-waisted cutoff jean shorts. Lastly, finish the look with the ever-popular fall ankle boot, and add key accessories like this pendant necklace, a snake ring, tortoiseshell sunnies, and a flannel-inspired backpack.
Outfit #2
Product Information: Vest, Dress, Glasses, Socks, Ring, Lip Stain, Bracelet, Shoes
I’m not from a cold-weather climate, but if there’s one complaint that I hear most often from those who are, it’s that wearing tights day in and day out can get really old, really fast. So with that being said, why not go bare-legged since you can? I love this dress, especially its fall color scheme. Pair it with a jean vest that’ll add extra dimension to the look (like a jacket would) without adding on too much bulk and heat. To play off the school-girl vibe of this dress, I brought in some glasses and oxford shoes accessorized with ruffly socks. Finish the look with dainty jewelry and — my favorite fall beauty trend — a bright red lip.
Outfit #3
Product Information: Over-shirt, Top, Hat, Bracelet, Earrings, Shoes, Shorts
The sporty look is another trend that has recently been gaining a lot of popularity. With a baseball tee-inspired top, a baseball cap with leather details, and oxblood studded sneakers, you will be well on your way to emulating this trend for yourself. And if it’s too hot to wear this camouflage shirt, try tying it around your waist. (We promise that this it is totally okay to do.) Bonus: if it does cool off in those lecture halls or after sunset, you’ll be prepared. Complete the look with some art deco-inspired statement earrings and a simple bracelet.
Outfit #4
Product Information: Bag, Shirt, Ring, Skirt, Earrings, Shoes
For this last look, I wanted to bring in a leather piece. I liked the idea of choosing a skirt in place of shorts in this instance because there is less skin-to-material contact. Pair the look with a top that demonstrates fall’s take on printed florals. Lastly, some dainty statement earrings, a stand-out cocktail ring, and burgundy loafers add feminine details to the look, while this metallic bag keeps that urban feel alive.
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What do you think?
What’s the weather like where you live? Is it warm like it is in Florida and Southern California, or are you already adding on the layers? Do you have any other tips to share? For those of you in colder climates, how would you make these looks work for you? Which is your favorite outfit? Please leave a comment below to let us know what you think!
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Posted on on October 14, 2012 / Filed Under: Fashion Tips / Tags: advice, Ask CF, Clothing, Fall 2012, fall fashion, Featured, leather, Outfits, Shopping, Sneakers, Tips, Trends, vest, Warm Weather
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Irina
Thank you for this post! I’ve been admiring all the sweaters, the boots, and all this wonderful fall goodness but here in LA it’s been ridiculously hot. Definitely loving the oxblood trend for clothes I can wear now.
Danielle
I too live in LA and this week I was able to pair short shirts with low boots and smoking slippers on the bottom. Graphic retro t’s with jean jackets and a light scarf seemed to work well. Good luck!
Natalie
Man, I WISH it was too hot here for me to heed this autumn’s fashion advice! Last night I went to bed still wearing my dressing gown! :(((
But I guess the good thing about these looks is that if you add long-sleeved shirts, tights, or other layers, they can be dressed up for colder temps too!
ceecee
i wish it was warm here too! i live currently in finland so we’re out of warmth for a couple of months now. i guess you could change most of these to normal climate but not really here (today i wore my canada goose parka ). but the outfits are actually very cute with a bohemian vibe that i really like and i would totally wear them in the spring or summer time. my main question here is if you could make a post on what you can wear in colder climates and still look stylish if that’s even possible because i get stuck on my parka and skinny jeans and a jumper. so thanks in advance! :)
ps. still waiting on a merlin outfit post and a backstreet boys outfit inspiration! :D
Rebecca
I tried clicking on the fall mustard colored dress and it took me to an asos URL but the page is blank??
Zephyr - CF Editor
Rebecca – That’s so weird! The link works fine for me, though it did load a little slowly. Maybe keep trying? The ASOS website could be having a problem.
Jessica - UCLA
Thank you all for your response!
Rebecca- i’m not sure what browser or what your computer setting are, but I was recently having problems with a few websites (I’m pretty sure ASOS was one of them) because the system that my computer was running on was out of date. Not sure if that’s your case but if it continues to be a problem maybe try checking out your browser and software settings and see if they need an upgrade.
Natalie- yes! I tried putting together these looks with colder weather temps in mind too. Like you said, just add on some tights (multiple layers if necessary), and some long sleeves (sweater and/or jacket) & you’ll be good to go.
ceecee- I know we’ve done some posts about cold-weather fashion in the past. Definitely try doing a search on our site to see if there’s something there that you like. And if you have a more specific question that you aren’t able to find, send me an email at askcf@collegefashion.com.
Liza
can you do something about what to dress for autum in cold climates? Like minus 15 degree(c)? I find it weary difficult in winter to wear nice clothes. Whatever I do, I either look like a box or I’m freezing to death.
What I can wear to a date or just on a regular schoolday would be nice.
Adrienne
Living in Texas and longing for fall… Thanks for this post. :) I really appreciate a little fallspiration for us girls still bearing the heat.
hilary
i have to agree with ceecee, up here in canada its already mostly parka weather! (although probably not quite as cold as where you are) i would love to see some options for cold weather climates. other than that love the outfits! just wish i could wear them haha
Andrea
Omg these are perfect! Yup, the heat and humidity is definitely cramping our fall style down here. Thanks for the tips! This blog is lovely!!!! And HANDY!!! :D
Charli
In love with all these looks. So cute!
Yelle
I too live in Florida. I love the idea of boots and oxfords – definite must for the poor excuse for a fall!
Phidias
OMG I WISH I had your problem. It’s already soooooo cold in Canada
:(
Why do I even bother buying dresses *tears*
Kelsey
Seriously, thank you SO much for this post. I live in Texas & it is still 90 degrees and humid on a regular basis. I love that you incorporated fall trends into something practical for girls like me. (:
Alex
@Phidias, I totally feel your pain. It has been way too cold in Toronto already, it’s like fall never happened, it just went straight from summer on into winter!
Maria Patenaude
I’m in Atlanta and the weather is pretty schizophrenic. I don’t just mean from one day to the next, either. Had to layer for my morning walk, and now it’s an almost balmy 75F! Definitely a situation where layering over works better than layering underneath.
Kelly
What about the people who live in regions where it’s already freezing (literally!) in the morning? :(
I have no idea how to create an outfit that will keep me toasty in the morning but won’t suffocate me later because the temperature rises so much!
Eliza
i live in rizona so this applies to me too. Thank you so much because i never know what to wear. there’s so many cute fall trends, that I can wear in winter, bt noone ever writes anything for people who live in places like Florida, and Arizona to wear in the Fall. So thank you very much!
Stefani
Thanks for this! I live in San Luis Obispo, CA where it is still in the 60′s and 70′s in the day but gets really cold at night. It’s hard to know what to wear during the day!