I hate to disrespect the great Andy Williams, but I have to say that fall is truly the most wonderful time of the year. I do, however, apologize for the far-too-early Christmas song reference. Let’s face it: Nothing is better than waltzing down the Corner wearing a cozy sweatshirt with a pumpkin spice latte in hand, in the shade of the newly changed trees’ red-gold leaves. And that’s saying something because I don’t even like coffee — or Starbucks for that matter.
Unfortunately, even though it’s officially “fall,” it’s still a steamy 70 degrees out there — which simultaneously makes this the worst time of the year. There is nothing worse than transitional weather. You wake up and it’s perfectly chilly with a hint of sunshine, but by the time you make the trek from Monroe to Wilson you’re sweating the fleece off your Patagonia. And if the people who walk under my balcony every morning are any indication, there is a bit, maybe even a lot, of confusion on how to dress in a seasonally appropriate way during this in-between time. I would be happy to clarify and rant a little bit about the appropriate fall attire.
If it is warm enough to wear Nike shorts, it is way too warm to bust out the riding boots. I’m always amazed when I look around my lectures and see the girl on my right decked out in short shorts and the girl to my left in her shiny brown boots. I’m sorry, do we live in the same city? I know we’re all so excited to bust out the equestrian-esque gear, but keep the boots in their box for just a few weeks and save your feet from massive overheating. If you’re absolutely dying without your winter footwear, kick up the cowboy boots instead. Paired with a skirt or dress they’ll keep your feet comfy and the rest of your look on point.
On a similar note, push those flannels to the back of your closet for a while. I saw so many fleece vest plaid shirt combinations this week you would’ve thought it was November. If it’s chilly and you’re feeling the long sleeves opt for something more seasonally neutral such as a nautical white and navy striped shirt or, even better, a denim button-down. If you’re looking for layers, jean jackets and light cardigans were made for this kind of weather. Topped with a light scarf you can go from morning to afternoon with no problem, shedding as needed.
Finally: no more pastels, no more flouncy sundresses and no more white pants. I’m serious. I hate to include the latter because it’s so cliché, but for some reason people bring out the white jeans year-round here. Whenever I rant about white jeans someone inevitably pipes up to say this rule is outdated because winter white proves you can wear white all year long. Wrong. There’s a big difference between a heavy white pea coat and a pair of lightweight white jeans. If you’re still feeling summery, capris (however mom-ish that word may be) are a marvelous option. For a break from the average dark wash denim, opt for a transition-friendly jewel tone like cobalt blue, magenta or even red if you’re feeling a little saucy.
Finally, when all else fails, dress according to the weather forecast. What makes your look in season right now is fabric and color. No one’s saying you should be shrouding every inch of your body just because we’ve left the summer months behind. Follow your gut and these guidelines, ask for help when you need it and you’ll be making it work Tim Gunn-style in no time.
Anne-Marie’s column runs biweekly Tuesdays. She can be reached at a.albracht@cavalierdaily.com.
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