Ask CF: How Do I Dress for Unpredictable Fall Weather?
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Ask CF Question
Dear CF,
Fall weather irritates me. In the mornings it’s cold. In the afternoons it’s warm. Here in Ohio, the mornings are usually low 40s, and right now the afternoons are about 70. Obviously, this is a large change. Do you have any advice on how to dress during this time of year when the weather is so inconsistent throughout the day?
Sincerely,
Hot ‘n Cold
Our Response
Dear Hot ‘n Cold,
Wow, and I thought LA weather was difficult to dress for! (Here, the temps have been fluctuating daily, but the swings are not as drastic as low 40s to 70 — yikes!) I assume that many others are experiencing similar weather patterns right now, so I thought your question would be helpful to answer.
The best way to prepare yourself for these unpredictable temperature changes throughout the day is to dress in layers. Below, I have created a few different outfits that should help get your ideas going. Of course, you will most likely need to make adjustments to the outfits depending on your location (for example, add an extra layer of tights if it’s colder where you are or take them out all together if you live in a warmer climate).
Either way, layering will ensure that you can add on and take off pieces throughout the day to make sure you are appropriately dressed in any temperature. I hope you find these outfits inspirational and helpful. Enjoy!
Sincerely,
Jessica
Outfit #1
Product Information: Watch, Shirt, Sweater, Bag, Earrings, Shoes, Pants
I love the look — and functionality — of a long-sleeved button-up worn under a sweater. What’s great about this pairing is that the flannel button-up looks good on its own, but when you need some extra warmth, you can just throw on a simple sweater. Doing so will give you that extra layer you need during the chilly mornings and nights and will instantly transform your look. Blue corduroy pants are a fun alternative to jeans and grey brogues are a practical fall footwear choice. Accessorize with a silver watch and some earrings, and add a turquoise studded bag to complete the look.
Outfit #2
Product Information: Top, Cardigan, Tights, Scarf, Headband, Shoes, Skirt
Here is another great layered fall look – this time, it incorporates a simple skirt, some fun polka-dot tights, and a classic long sleeved striped shirt. The layering pieces in this outfit are the burgundy scarf and black cardigan that you can use if needed — and if you need some more warmth for your legs, try wearing another pair of tights underneath this patterned pair. A simple black headband and flats put the finishing touches on the outfit.
Outfit #3
Product Information: Jeans, Cardigan, Shirt, Ring,Earrings, Shoes
This look is a recreation of one of my favorite outfit combinations: a top, a pair of skinny jeans, and a cardigan. While the formula may be simple, it doesn’t mean that your outfit has to be boring. I love the look of this flouncy, floral printed blouse paired with medium wash jeans. For an added layer of warmth and dimension, throw on a belted burgundy cardigan. Lastly, add on some drop earrings, a geometric ring, and desert boots to bring some character to this rather simple ensemble.
Outfit #4
Product Information: Dress, Jacket, Leggings, Bracelet, Scarf, Boots
The weather may be cooling down, but that doesn’t mean you have to put away your summer dresses. I love both the pattern and shape of this striped one. Using layers such as a parka jacket, leggings, and a floral scarf will ensure that you are prepared no matter what the day’s weather throws at you. Finish the look with some black boots and an eclectic charm bracelet.
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What do you think?
Have you been experiencing extreme temperatures where you live? What tricks do you use to dress for this type of weather? Do you like these outfits? Which one is your favorite? Please leave us a comment below to let us know what you think!
Posted on on October 16, 2011 / Filed Under: Fashion Tips / Tags: Ask CF, Clothing, Fall, Featured, Layering, Outfits, Tips, Weather
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Mai
Great post. LOVE outfit 2. I can’t ever get enough of striped shirts!
Rachel
I love the casual yet put together look of the first set. I wouldn’t have thought to put a sweatshirt like that over a flannel but I love the idea. The rest of the outfits are great too and practical for these unpredictable days.
Jess
I love all these outfits :)
kelsey
Ooh, my favorite would be outfit four! Southern California weather was all rainy and cloudy weeks before, and now it is above 80 degrees. If it were colder out, I would definetly be rocking outfit four! :)
Madison
I love #2! I do find, however, that the most annoying thing about layering is then having to carry around your layering pieces as soon as it gets warmer later in the day. I’m in NC and our temperature fluctuations are similar…mid-40s to mid-70s everyday and I just hate carrying around the jacket I had to wear in the morning because it was too cold without it.
Amanda
haha this is soo cool! i also live in Ohio, so this post was totally perfect!!! thank you. my fave outfit in this post would have to be the first one. i’m wanting me some desert boots. ;)
aish
love them all. i live in melbourne so dressing fr the weather was always a problem. thanks
Melissa
Love this post! We have the same temperature fluctuations in Iowa right now, so these outfit ideas are perfect!
Alycia
I live in Canada – Right now it’s so cold and rainy that all of these cute outfits are covered by my coat! The sun came out for all of about 10 minutes this afternoon – it’s really depressing!! Cute outfit post though! I will be rocking these (or variations of them) under my jackets for sure!
crystal
awesum outfit picks. live in pa so weather’s changing 2. thanks 4 post
Hannah
I loooove outfit 4, that scarf is just so pretty.
Victoria
Love #3. :)
I’m from Western Washington and layering is a required skill for 3/4 of the year. It’s seriously weird to me that someone couldn’t figure out how to layer.
Lori
This is so true of the bay area too! You get frost/fog in the morning, hot in the afternoon, and you freeze when the sun goes down! I always carry a large bag to put an extra sweater or something in!
Kate
I live in southwest Missouri, and Springfield has been called the “most changeable weather in the nation.” We get cold fronts from Canada and warm fronts from the Gulf – we can have 70 degrees and sunny one day and a foot of snow the next (no joke, I have seen it happen) – not to mention freak rainstorms that love to pop up out of nowhere.
As someone who’s had to dress for EVERYTHING (all in the same day!), let me tell you, layers are a beautiful thing. Don’t feel you have to limit it though. Many days, I would have a long-sleeved shirt, topped with a T-shirt, covered with a jacket, and put my heavy wool peacoat on top. Overkill? Not when you’re walking in 20 degree weather with strong winds (we’re talking windchill of 0) and you don’t know if the building you’re going to will have classrooms that are 70 degrees, 85 degrees, or 40 degrees. You can pop to the bathroom and remove a shirt if you have to. Another easy way to insulate the top half is wear a cami underneath.
If you have jeans that are a bit looser, put a pair of leggings on. I have some that hit mid-calf and I would often wear them on cold days – between them and high socks (Target has some great designs for great prices!), my legs had an extra layer. Wear sturdy shoes (especially in icy conditions!) and if you have to, tuck an extra pair into your backpack or large bag.
Kristina
Love love all these outfits, going to try them out =)
Danielle
I love outfit number two and three! Very cute! I have the same problem where I like. Actually, today is is 84 but this weekend it is supposed to be mid-50′s.
Rachel - Butler University
I love the first outfit, especially those rad arrow earrings! Nice job.
Kearston
I live in upstate NY and the weather here can be maddening. All these outfits are perfect. Thanks for guidance!
Kyndal
Thank you so much for this post! It was truly helpful! I live in Ohio too and the drastic weather changes really are that way and they are really irritating! This will help me a lot though!
Nicky
I love number 2, I dress most like 1. I too live in ohio and have learned to dress in layers always. And keep spares in my car. Tights, cardigans & plain long sleeves are a girl’s best friend when the weather can be unpredictable because they can easily be thrown on or off. For winter I wear a thick pair of leggings under my jeans because it gets down right freezing here and I pair a thermal with a long sleeve with a sweater or sweat shirt. Any layer can be removed for a hot class room or change in temp. It’s all about sometimes dressing overkill. I’d rather have too many layers than not enough!
Larla
I love all four outfits but I especially love Outfit #3! Great job! This really helps!!