I’m having a big fashion problem lately, and I need some suggestions! Living in the San Francisco Bay Area, I have myself become accustomed to the weather that usually hovers between 50 - 70 degrees. Most of my wardrobe has adjusted accordingly, particular my work/casual clothes. However, when I want to dress up, I’m stuck!
So tonight, my husband and I are going to the theater, and I wanted to wear a nice dress and heels. I WAS going to wear this. But the rain and the 55 degree weather has put the nix on that. Looks like I’m going to have to settle for nice black pants and a sweater. Sigh… Things are only going to get worse until next July or August, I fear, when we have our only brief spurt of warmer weather.
So, I need some advice. What kind of nice dresses would be good for this kind of weather for a nice night out? I have a fairly average figure, around a size 10 or 12, slightly on the “not thin” side of the spectrum, and slightly pear shaped. I’m very sensitive to cold (allergic, actually, and hives are not an attractive fashion accessory), so I have to be able to cover-up exposed skin in some way if the temperature drops and the fog rolls in. My usual strategy for wearing skirts in cold weather is thick hose or high leather boots. I’m only 26, so I don’t want to look “momish” or too conservative. I have plenty of dress-up work clothes, so I want something that doesn’t say “I just came from the office”. Any ideas?
Just a suggestion which serves the long term - go for layers. I am much older, but similar figure type. I have light jackets and heavier ones and scarves. So the bottom layer is the lovely dress you showed. Then you add a light jacket and then a heavier one. Avoid patterns other than in a special dress, if you really want a pattern. You can’t mix and match patterns like you can plain colours.
Don’t get really tight jackets, but looser ones - I like soft velvets for the top layer - which enable you to wear a tighter fit one underneath. So decide on your favourite colour and build around it. The same jackets can be worn with pants for work.
Add a matching scarf around your neck You can add and subtract depending on the weather. I have a few crimson, a few browns and a few blacks and greys and then mix and match. I’ve just added a few deep purples. Plain coloured jackets - light weight and heavier - build up to give a huge range of possibilities. Patterned mean you are very limited.
Don’t worry so much about your legs. I never wear pants. I don’t possess any. Legs don’t get cold at the sort of temperatures you are talking about. In really cold weather I wear thicker stockings in colours to match the jackets, with longer skirts or dresses.
I think lynne-42’s suggestions are right on the money. Think dress with decolletage, body-conforming long sleeves. Layer a gorgeous drape-y scarf and an unstructured jacket or lacy sweater.
Well, I’m sure that’s true for most people, but MY legs really do get too cold at those temperature, and that’s a real challenge here. I guess what I’m looking for are some suggestions about longer dresses that aren’t frumpy? Or dresses that are sexy by go with thick tights? I don’t know!
Part of the problem is that it is still fairly cool here in the spring and early summer. When “springy” and “summery” dresses are appropriate, the weather says “wear wool”. This is where I really need help.
I like the sweater/jacket suggestions, though I’m rather inept at matching those to dresses and I’m having trouble visualizing what types to shop for. freckafree and lynne-42, would you mind linking to some appropriate suggestions?
If it’s 55 and raining outside you put on a raincoat (or heck, even if it’s not raining). It’s not 55 and raining in the restaurant or theater.
If it’s a little too air conditioned inside (which is usually my problem) a little cardigan sweater or pashmina takes care of that. You don’t even need one to go with each outfit - just a few in neutrals should serve you well.
I have summery dresses of varying lengths and shapes, but I can’t think of one that would not look odd with thick tights. I think you may have to stick to slacks if your legs get that cold.
ETA: For example - the dress you linked to in the OP. I would probably toss on a navy pashmina (very patriotic ).
Looks like I’m going to have to settle for nice black pants and a sweater. Sigh… Things are only going to get worse until next July or August, I fear, when we have our only brief spurt of warmer weather.
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