Fall Dressing in Hot Weather

You are tired of your summer clothes. Fall fashions are in the stores. Fall outfit inspirations like this one by Kotnourka are in magazines, and on websites everywhere. (Yes, Pinterest, I see you!) These looks are lovely, but where I live, daytime temps are still pushing 90 degrees (hurricane notwithstanding), and even the thought of a sweater causes heatstroke. Inspiration boards abound with knee high boots with jeans tucked in, plaid scarves casually thrown over tee shirts, leather jackets, turtlenecks, long duster cardigans over another sweater, chunky knits, and ponchos. Where I live, just trying these on in the store brings on a rash. So what’s a girl to do? Here are a few ways to get your fall on when your climate is just too darn hot…

Darker Colors

Maybe you will be wearing sleeveless tops well into November. (We certainly do here!) Sort through your closet (or drawers) and pull out the darker ones, the more traditionally fall tones. If you are cool complexioned, try wine, navy, dark turquoise/teal, deep raspberry, spruce green, or purple. Warmer complexioned ladies might like brown, mustard, pumpkin, olive or loden green, warm turquoise or teal, warm navy, or red-violet. These feel more like fall than the brights, pastels, or whites and creams that so often take over a hot weather wardrobe. Even something as small as a darker nail polish can give you the change you crave!

Gold Jewelry

I don’t know why, maybe it’s the reference to turning leaves, but gold jewelry and less shiny pieces look and feel more fall to me than silver. If you don’t wear gold because it doesn’t suit your coloring, then try rose gold, pewter, or hematite finshes. I am a cool complexioned girl myself, and don’t look my best in gold, but I pull a few pieces out and wear them to death in the fall, and then tuck them away again until the next year. Layering a few necklaces can be a great way to get a layered look without the heat.

Rock Those Boots

I know, didn’t I say boots and heatstroke just above? Rock booties for a fall look with less heat. Or if you are a knee-high boot lover like I am, as soon as the daytime highs drop low enough (everyone has a different number for this one–mine’s between 75 and 80 degrees) wear those boots with bare legs and a dress. No one needs to know you have little cotton socks on keeping your feel cool and dry!

Suede

Here’s another material that just shouts fall, and the color doesn’t really even matter. Dig out that cute suede bag, or go hit the craft store and wrap some suede cord twice around your neck for a choker. Suede fringe or tassel necklaces are everywhere. I love the new Pearlsueded by Premier Designs ( I get nothing for this plug, it’s just a darling piece that is adjustable, so you can wear it short, too. How cool is that?) If you don’t have a PD jeweler, let me know below, and I can connect you with mine. (She’s so fabulous, my husband jokingly calls her “my dealer”!)

What are your favorite fall cheats for hot weather? I would love to hear them! Please share in the comments below…