Think back to the first day of the spring semester. It was cold enough for the native Californians such as myself to break out their winter coats and for the rest to at least consider wearing long sleeves. That wasn’t so long ago was it? Yet here we are spending sun-soaked days lounging on the beach and on occasion getting swept off our feet by the tempestuous wind. Predicting the weather from day to day becomes increasingly difficult. The natural conclusion is that California weather is bipolar.
Since our weather has been diagnosed as mentally unstable what are we to do with our wardrobes?
We can only really use treatments to alleviate the discomfort of the symptoms rather than cure the disease. While it may be tempting to pack up all your winter clothes and send them back home I must warn you not to get too comfortable with the summery weather — at the rate we’re going it could be foggy tomorrow or at the very least sometime before spring break. Instead make everything in your closet work for whatever season Malibu decides to throw at you by following a few simple tips and tricks.
First of all do not underestimate the power of layering — it’s the perfect way to combat the daily changes in temperature. Both guys and girls can wear a light thin T-shirt or a tank top to prepare for the heat of the day and cover it with a cardigan hoodie or coat for the cold mornings — or for that matter classrooms kept at near-arctic temperatures. If you are feeling particularly cold you might even consider layering a coat over your cardigan or hoodie.
For girls a summery romper dress or skirt can get you through both hot and cold days if you make a few adjustments along with the changes in temperature. Keeping your legs bare in the afternoon will ensure that you don’t get heat stroke and simply adding tights and a sweater for a cold day or chilly evening will ensure that your summery outfit will get you through wintery temperatures as well. Wearing leather or suede boots with your tights can also be a trendy way to keep your feet warm. Just please resist the temptation to wear Ugg boots with a skirt tank top and bare legs. Also it’s important to note that you should be sure to look out your window in the morning to make sure it isn’t windy. If there’s anything more than a slight breeze it’s a better idea to go with the romper rather than a skirt or dress unless you’re planning on holding your clothes down all day. In this case avoid flowy tops or excessive ruffles on windy days as well. They only cause trouble.
For a transformation that’s just as quick as the temperature’s transition from hot to cold try throwing on a scarf. Not only are they effective at fighting the cold they also can give your outfit tha certain “je ne sais quoi.” Another added bonus: This is a tip that can work for both girls and guys. One or two good scarves won’t take up much space in your dresser but they will prove infinitely useful in making your summer clothes more suitable for winter weather.
These suggestions may seem like common sense but it’s surprisingly easy to get caught up in weather patterns and want to stock your closet with clothes fit for exclusively one season. Instead of filling your closet with any particular theme I would recommend making sure you have at least one neutral-colored coat hoodie or sweater on hand just in case the weather gets crazy again. That way you have a few pieces in your wardrobe to make any outfit winter-ready.
Just get creative and have fun mixing and matching. Your wardrobe may just last you until the end of the semester — or at the very least until spring break.