Florida has a very interesting relationship with fall.
She flirts with it, but she won’t commit to it. She teases us with it, but she takes it away just as quicky. A beautiful 55 degree morning is ripped from us by noon with a sweltering 90 degree afternoon, and no one knows how to dress.
Getting dressed this time of year as a Floridian requires a very specific skillset, and it’s not for the weak. You need to look like you’re dressed for November but also July. You need layers. And basics. And a second layer of deodorant and a blanket in a matter of hours. Layers are important, but not like real layers. You need Florida layers.
After living in Florida my entire 43 years, I’m still not entirely sure what to wear this time of year, but I am entirely certain I’ll have regrets by lunch each time I leave the house. For this reason alone, I try to fill my closet with staples so that I’m prepared for anything…and I want to share those with you.
They’re classic. Versatile. Sophisticated. And they work for most Florida weather. Unless they don’t. Until they don’t. Whatever.
The lightweight knit sweater
There is no cable-knit in Florida, though you can occasionally get away with cashmere. What you really need is a lightweight, beautifully cut sweater in a neutral color. Preferably black or camel. Cream works. You can even do gray – but for the love of everything Holy are we not done with the 2016 boring gray everything by now? May I recommend a soft chocolate brown?
Something you can throw over jeans or even a skirt in the morning, but take off when summer returns at lunch. This is a piece that instantly makes your outfit look more expensive, but can also be removed when the sun decides to bake you again.
A classic coat
Trench is best. Nothing above the knees because that’s not chic. Nothing too long because it’s Florida. A classic trench in a classic color, and you can make every outfit polished and perfect without worrying about sweating later…because it’s removable. Jeans and a tee? Throw on a trench in the morning or evenings with polished heels and diamond studs? Yes, please. Over a dress? Okay, queen. Over leggings and a sweatshirt with a ballcap and sneakers? Instantly more chic. But please, let’s not go with anything with buckles, tacky logos, or trendy embellishments. Let’s go classic, please.
Loafers
Listen, I’ll defend the Gucci mules until the day I die, and it’s because my feet are warm on a cold morning but I won’t sweat later. A great pair of loafers is everything this time of year because they pair well with almost any ensemble, and they also look effortless and chic.
The Basic Tee
Here’s where we get a little more into things. There are certain basics you need this time of year that will work all day. Those basics include good jeans, high-quality tee shirts in black, white, navy, and maybe a fun merlot. These pair well together with both your sweater, your trench, and your loafers, and they can go from day to night with the right accessories. The key here is to get high-quality material so that your tees always look polished. Nothing cheap, nothing that will only last a few wears before it begins look sloppy. Trust me here. Spend the money on the good basics.
