North Carolina has some unusual seasonal weather patterns, and navigation of quickly-changing temperatures requires forethought to stay both warm and cool through one single winter day.
Especially in early months, North Carolina weather can swing between low 40s in the early morning and low 70s by lunchtime, and those two extremes obviously require two different sets of attire to navigate comfortably. To avoid sweating in your sweater or roasting in your blazer, instead of dressing for one extreme or another, think about laying your wardrobe!
Layering provides options and variety, and lets you be ready for multiple weather conditions in one single outfit. Layering also provides opportunity to wear different pieces in your wardrobe at once and adapt to different situations! You can stay warm, stay cool, and transition between office meetings and after-work meetups with ease once you’re comfortable with different color, fabrics and brands that complement your professional style and unique personality.
When it comes to layering for warm vs. cool environments, think about three layers: base, mid, and outer.
Base layer is lightweight and fitted, like a close-fit undershirt or tank/halter top. Mid layer is often a turtleneck or other sweater, button-down or dress shirt, or similar with a bottom layer of pants or knee-length skirt. Outer layers function to both protect the mid-layer and finish the outfit with flexibility through wearing coats, jackets or blazers.
As temperatures fluctuate, adding an additional layer or two designed to be removed situationally can give an old outfit new life, but it’s worth considering where you might (or might not) be able to store a heavier coat when it’s not in use. In all situations, it’s worth considering the material your underlayers are made of: breathable, breezy fabrics and moisture-wicking athletic underlayers can provide further options for temperature regulation and relief.
As always, shoes will bring the entire look together, and should be chosen for function just as much as form whenever possible. When considering conditions both in and outside the office, it’s prudent to plan for as many situations as possible! Dress boots can work wonders in winter conditions, and thinner variations can split the difference between all-weather performance and heat retention.
(all images via Trevor Holman Photography)
“Best Foot Forward” is a regular column on Chapelboro written by local photography expert Trevor Holman. Each issue, expect tips to help put your best foot forward in the office, on the street and beyond. Born and raised in Chapel Hill, Holman has been a local headshot photographer for more than a decade, putting his talent as a visual storyteller to use providing professional headshots for individuals, businesses and industry leaders in the Triangle.
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