7 fall essentials you can actually wear in Florida fall

I love all the fall season content: all of the cute layered looks and boots! Man, do I love boots. I have quite a few amazing pairs, but I hardly wear them because… I live in Florida. I’m not saying you must abandon fall style staples entirely, but you have to work around them. I love living in Florida. The fact it doesn't get cold here is very top on that list, BUT I also love a seasonal wardrobe refresh. The weather does change (slightly) so rearranging my style staples is necessary, or it’s easy to get trapped into wearing sundresses and flip-flops all.year.long. Which really isn’t that bad, but as someone who loves clothes, this small seasonal change gives some reason to mix it up.

I was born and raised in south Florida. I never really owned a proper pair of boots or jacket until I was 18 and moved to Gainesville, FL for college. When I graduated, I moved to NYC and was quickly and thoroughly introduced to all four seasons. Since I moved home 8 years ago, I’ve found ways to make fall style my own when the temperatures are still in the 80s and sunny. This post is about how I do it. I thought it might help some of you get inspired to find your own warm weather, fall style with a few ideas and tips on how to not sweat your ass off because turtle necks and high boots seem to be the uniform for everyone else in the country.

A few things I keep in mind when choosing fall pieces:

• Layer with caution. Layers have to be light and thoroughly planned out. Florida is notorious for being in the 70s at 8am and 85 at noon. You will most likely have to peel off layers at some point in the day, so make sure what’s underneath still feels good to you. 

• Keep your base layers very light. If you are committed to a jacket, wear a sleeveless, lightweight shell under. 

• Jackets, coats, and sweaters should be lightweight materials. Merino cotton, denim, and khaki are great fall fabrics and I love a lightweight trench coat too. In contrast, when choosing heavier fall fabrics such as wool, cashmere, suede, or leather, opt for pieces like shorts, skirts, and sleeveless or short sleeve tops. 

• Keep colors light. Stick with softer fall colors like camel, creme/white ,and navy. 

My favorite pieces for fall in Florida

Denim long sleeve shirt

Denim is a great fabric for a Florida fall. It’s a little heavier without being too heavy and very, very versatile. I love pairing it with denim jeans, aka double denim. Denim is basically a neutral. I also love pairing it with navy, camel, and gray outerwear.

Cropped trousers

I love well tailored trousers that are cropped to show the ankle. It makes a huge difference. Plus, they can easily be worn with flats, sneakers, and heels. A pair of pants is essential in Florida fall. Make sure they are not too heavy and can be paired with sweaters and lightweight blouses for hotter fall days. I also love that cropped pants show off my favorite fall footwear… 

Ballet Flats

Most of the year in Florida, sandals are my staple, but in fall, I really let my ballet flat collection shine. I’ve always loved ballet flats, but I love them even more since becoming a mom. It’s impossible to wear anything with a heel right now. I’m literally running around all day. Sneakers are my go-to, but for most fall days, I usually opt for a round or pointy-toe ballet flat. 

Trench Coat

Coats are really just a dream in Florida. There are roughly 4 days a year when wearing one is actually a necessity, but there are a few weeks when you can get away with a lightweight coat. I love a trench coat for this. Not only is it actually practical, but it’s also so chic. Buy one a little oversized and it can make any outfit instantly look cooler.  

Crew neck/V-neck sweater

If I wear a sweater in fall, I’m usually wearing nothing underneath and it’s always a crew neck or v-neck. I have always regretted it any time I’ve worn a turtle neck in Flordia.. I prefer to wear my sweaters as blouses and commit to them all day, pairing them with shorts in fall and trousers/jeans in winter. 

White/blue button-down shirt

Crisp, clean button-downs are my all-time favorite workhouse of my wardrobe. I wear them year around, light cotton and linen in spring/summer and heavier cotton twills in fall/winter. You can pair them with trousers, denim, skirts, and shorts (my favorite). Add a sweater around our shoulders. It looks super relaxed yet very put together, and you’re ready for any colder temps…most likely a too cold air conditioner.

Short Suit Sets

Ever since I saw Julia Roberts in that coral-y short suit set in Pretty Women, I have been trying to recreate that moment in my wardrobe. I LOVE a short suit set, and it’s perfect for Florida fall. Plus, sets are so versatile and easy to mix and match with other pieces. I would opt for a neutral color to start, camel/tan or black will go far in your wardrobe. 

I hope this really is helpful. There is so much info out there about fall style, but it isn’t really wearable for a place like South Florida. I’ve spent years curating and editing the perfect pieces for myself to be comfortable, not too hot, and most importantly… classic, effortless, and polished.

jodi xx