When It’s 80° But Also October
Here in San Francisco, we have a unique seasonal phenomenon that comes around—and seems to stick around for even longer—each year: summer in October. For most aspects of life, this is wonderful since we get such sporadic nice days throughout the rest of the year, but for getting dressed, it poses some challenges. While it seems as though you should be pulling on your over-the-knee boots and cozy scarves and embracing activities like leaf peeping and meandering aimlessly through pumpkin patches, it is, in fact, 80°+ outside, and the last thing you want is to be uncomfortable while sampling crisp spiked apple cider.
I’m always torn this time of year about how to get dressed—and recently shared a post showing one of my go-to transitional looks—so I’m going to share my thoughts on how to look seasonally appropriate while staying cool.
Keep within the autumn color family (warmer tones, neturals, etc.) but stay away from those heavier fall fabrics like cashmere and wool.
If you must wear something in a more substantial material, e.g. leather, suede, etc., make sure it’s something that isn’t covering the majority of your body, such as a dress, pants or a coat. I’m wearing a faux leather skort and suede booties here, but as you can see, these pieces keep much of my legs exposed to the breeze.
Sheer is your friend. Get that crossbreeze going with something sheer, silky and lightweight. Especially if you’re doing a heavier fabric elsewhere.
Avoid piling on any heavy jewelry. This will only attract sweat and create discomfort. Stick with delicate pieces that won’t weigh you down. (Continued below.)
Cotton undergarments are a must. Here I’m wearing a cotton bralette for optimal breathability.
If you’re going to wear leather (or vegan leather), make sure it’s lined with something to mitigate that dreaded feeling of leather sticking to your body.
Shoes can be trickier, but something that strikes the balance between sandals and boots is an excellent choice, like the booties I’m wearing here.
Nix anything that will show sweat stains. Sweat can be visible in a range of fabrics and shades, so make sure you test drive an item before wearing it on a very hot day so you know what reaction to expect.
Bring a layer! Don’t be fooled by that hot sun. If you’re a seasoned San Franciscan, you know as soon as the sun goes down and the inevitable fog rolls in, you’ll be glad you brought that jacket.
Outfit details: American Apparel blouse (super old, but similar); Zara skort; Carlos Santana shoes (similar and similar); vintage Louis Vuitton bag; American Apparel bralette; usual sunnies.
