Fall has arrived, and we’re already starting to see some Gators bringing out their fall attire around campus. But, we live in Florida, right? We don’t really experience fall weather. It gets colder outside for Floridian standards, but it’s nowhere near the traditional fall experience those north of Florida have every year.
For those of us who wish to don fall attire in Florida, it’s a difficult decision. You either look cute in your outfit and sweat like crazy, or wear shorts and a tank like any typical Floridian and not take part in autumn fashion trends. There’s not really anything in between. Or is there? That’s where I come in. I’m here to tell you about nine fall outfit ideas that are Floridian-friendly. Say goodbye to your cute-but-sweaty autumn outfit, and say hello to Floridian fall fashion!
Cardigan/Sweater
One outfit combination that’s easy, cute and Florida friendly is wearing a cardigan or a thin sweater. You can pair it with distressed shorts, a tank top and a necklace, like the picture above. This is a great way to get the fall fashionable look while adapting to the weather. If it gets hot in the afternoon, you can always take off the sweater and just wear the tank top and shorts.
Cold Shoulder Top
Another cute top is the cold shoulder top. You can pair it with jeans or leggings, and a pumpkin spice latte to get in the autumn mood. Hollister sells a top like this under the name Easy T-shirt. It is thin enough for Florida’s fall weather, and is very comfortable. It can be paired with jeans, a beanie, and suede boots. I bought this top from Hollister last year, and it’s my go-to October and Novemer top because of how comfortable and thin the fabric is. Florida weather is unpredictable, and it’s great to be prepared in case the sun comes out in full force throughout the day.
Button-Front Skirt
We all know how unbearable Florida weather can be. Thankfully, this trend is both cute and breathable. Although the model paired the skirt with a leather jacket, I’d recommend wearing a thin sweater or a cardigan with a tank top instead. Leather jackets aren’t made of very breathable fabric, so if the sun is out, you may have to take off the jacket. The leather jacket is a cute idea with this outfit if you’re going out at night, or if it’s an overcast day. The button-front skirt can be worn with suede or leather boots or cute flats. I also recommend wearing the leather boots at night for the same reason as the leather jacket.
Plaid Shirt
I always say you can’t go wrong with a plaid shirt. They’re comfortable, breathable and so effortless. Pair this with a tank top, jeans and suede boots or flats. You can button it up or leave it unbuttoned, and you can wear it during the day or at night. Plaid shirts are a great addition to your closet not only for the fall, but for any time of year.
Layering
Due to Florida’s unpredictable weather, it’s also a great idea to layer your clothes. You can wear a tank top under a sweater or a long sleeve shirt to layer. Around this time last year, I wore a thick sweater with a tank top underneath because it was very cold in the morning. By the afternoon, the sun came out in full force and I couldn’t bear the thought of walking across campus sweating through that outfit. Thankfully, I wore a tank top underneath, so I was able to take the sweater off until it became cool again. I highly recommend wearing layers during fall, especially in Florida. You’ll be thankful you did if the weather changes throughout the day.
Infinity Scarf
Infinity scarves are perfect for achieving the autumn look without the heavy scarf. Thin infinity scarves paired with a cardigan or cold shoulder top and thin leggings are a great option. They’re also perfect if you aren’t coordinated enough to wrap a scarf around your neck like I am.
Beanie
Beanies are a great addition to almost any outfit. There’s crocheted beanies, knitted beanies and cuffed beanies just to name a few. Beanies are also a great way to cover your hair if you’re having a bad hair day. You can pair a beanie with a jean jacket, or any of the tops I mentioned above as an outfit. Personally, I wear a beanie with everything during the autumn season.
Sweater Dress
Sweater dresses are a great combination of a sweater and a dress for in between seasons. You can wear these during the day with suede boots, an infinity scarf and a beanie. Sweater dresses are both casual and comfortable, and they are great for the changing weather in Florida.
Knee-High Socks
Another addition to your fall outfit choices are knee-high socks. While these are cute to wear any time of year, they’re great for this season because they’re not only fashionable, but they actually keep your legs warm. I recommend pairing these with the button-front skirt, a sweater dress or any ensemble with shorts.
These are just a few of many outfit options if you want to be fashionable during this kinda-fall, kinda-still-80-degrees season in Florida. Whether you’re walking to classes or going downtown, these outfits are a great way to be trendy this season in the sunshine state.