Transitional Fall Outfits

Transitional fall outfits or how to not freeze in the chilly morning and stay cool in the warm afternoon. The answer: layers.

This problem must exist outside of Texas but I think, no bias, our fluctuating temperatures make dressing for the weather almost impossible going by the date and the weather from yesterday. I remember in elementary school, back in the days of not caring about your clothes or hair, when I would wear some sort of sweats, in cute colors, and would then be drenched in sweat after running around outside at recess. I didn't know it at the time but the solution has been right in front of us all along. Layers. Be like an onion or a slightly more palatable parfait.

The transitional seasons of fall and spring are the main offenders. Everyone who loves fall starts to go crazy when the temperatures begin to dip and wear the lonely items in their closets they haven't seen in 6 to 8 months. Bring out the leggings, jeans, boots and sweaters! Then when you are wearing this ensemble by the afternoon when it's 80 degrees you are cursing the sun for making it “hot” again. So the key to making through these 50 degree mornings to 80 degree afternoons is wearing layers and if you can get away with it another pair of shoes.

Pretend equestrian strikes again with Vince Camuto boots + leggings

Here's a perfect example. I'm wearing my usual pretend equestrian outfit with boots, leggings and a button down. I topped it off with a light sweater and red earrings. This is perfect for a 50 degree morning. This would also work with jeans or a million other tops depending on how tolerant you are of a frosty car in the morning. I prefer not to shiver so I go all out.

Plaid forever: Tommy Hilfiger plaid button down + Pop of red earrings

By the time lunch rolled around my outfit was already getting toasty. Luckily I planned ahead and took off the sweater.  I also threw my hair up into a high pony. I rolled up my sleeves which is the de facto way to make a button down look more casual.

If you aren't at home or can't run to your car during lunch you could also wear flats, sneakers or shorter boots depending on your preference and any militant dress codes you must follow. I do not endorse strict dress codes and this is one of the few perks of my job that I could wear jeans every day if desired. I don't really mind my feet getting cold and was tempted to wear flats or sandals all day but 50 degrees is where my feet start to retaliate.

So layer up until the real winter is here and then you can wear boots all day. Maybe. Or it might be 70 degrees on Christmas again like last year. Who knows?

I usually anticipate and plan “real” fall outfits around my birthday because

1. Who doesn't want to look good on their birthday?

2. The weather usually (not guaranteed) will get cooler and I can wear more traditional fall clothes. Yay!