Darlings!
Just got this fascinating query from Florida Newbie, who writes,
This is certainly not an emergency but I thought I’d share a wardrobe dilemma I’m encountering, in case it’s useful fodder for a post. I’m a newbie minister who just moved to FL. As I adjust to the heat and humidity, I’m having trouble figuring out how to be seasonally appropriate. December seems like a wacky time to be wearing spring and summer time staples, like shorter skirts and sleeves, linens and bright colors. But, after all, it’s in the 70s and humid. I’m beyond bummed that I (a NW gal who did my internship in NJ) invested in lovely wool suits a couple years ago.
I’d love to hear your and your readers’ thoughts and tips.
Thanks for being such a wonderful presence.
Dear Newbie,
“WONDERFUL! COUNSELOR!” Yes sweetcakes, that’s Yours Truly. Sing it with the Hallelujah Chorus.
So, quite a dilemma you have, I agree. The first thing I would do is go very, very basic with your own clothes and observe the natives in their attire. Do they totally ignore the winter seasonal stuff? Do they wear reindeer sweaters with palm trees on them (Gawd, I hope not). Is there a nod to autumnal or wintery colors even though the weather stays warm?
I have been to Florida during the winter (and am heading down again in 2 weeks for a bat mitzvah to which I don’t know WHAT to wear!) and agree with you that it’s tricky for a clergy gal. What do the boy ministers wear? They’re not running around in Hawaiian shirts, one presumes.
I think if I got magically transferred to Florida right now, I would make sure that I had a nice garbardine suit in a neutral color (and honey, in Florida flamingo pink is a neutral!) and a few sleeveless blouses or shells to go with it. I would make my nods to the season with low-key bling like the headband I’m wearing here:
…and wear a lot of winter white.
What I would not wear in the winter months is linen, summery sandals or bright pastels. I mean, a girl has to stay civilized somehow.
As always, keep the shoulders covered, watch for low-cut tops (no-no’s!), avoid cheezy theme jewelry (look! I’m a big SEA SHELL LADY!), and find a style over time that suits your new setting. And get an iron, girl, because all that cotton you’re going to be wearing needs to be ironed.
Call for a private consult if you like.
Kiss of peace, PB
My mother-in-law, God rest her soul, was a Florida native turned Washington DC hostess. When she retired she moved back to her beloved Florida. She always looked wonderful.
She favored beautiful jackets, shells (basically, uptown tank tops in upscale fabrics) and slacks in Florida colors (sea green and blue tones, and coral and peachy tones, and she used ivory and beige as neutrals), very classic shoes — either flats or low pumps — and her jewelry was also classic. She wore gold hoops, a very simple gold-tone watch and gold rings, which set off the “Florida colors” wonderfully.
Sometimes she would wear statement jewelry, a dramatic looking necklace or bracelet or sometimes a dramatic scarf or belt (but never all at once).
She always looked completely elegant and comfortable. I think her secret was favoring clean lines, basic pieces and adding a little drama and panache with certain pieces.
It seems to me a lot of it was about the fabric colors and the weight of the fabrics she chose.
She always looked wonderful.
Hello! Florida Newbie here. Thanks, PB and Anna, for the great advice. You both helped me realize that it’s a lot about color choice. I wear too much black for the local style and while I won’t eliminate it, I think I need to scale back.