Image from theweek.co.uk. The Daiai Lama is exempt from ALL fashion rules; only he can wear sandals in the snow without looking as if he made a bad decision!
When I woke up this morning, it was snowing. April 13th, in Chicago, is a little bit late for it to be this cold, but a bit of patience will make this all better – tomorrow the high is to be in the 70’s F.
What does this mean for Chic Sightings? That we have to be flexible, and well-informed. I can’t begin to count the number of women I saw during this past work week who were wearing sandals, in near-freezing temperatures. Not going to a club, and not about to catch a plane for the Caribbean – these women were going to work. (Note, I did not see ONE man in sandals…)
The first day of third grade, I wanted desperately to wear a new outfit that had been purchased JUST FOR ME for school – a sweater, plaid wool skirt, and matching plaid scarf. (8 years old, dreaming of wearing a scarf…) My mother very wisely refused to let me wear it, realizing that in the first week of September, even a small town in the Appalachians would not be cold enough for wool. That memory stuck with me – that wearing something just because it’s new, and because the calendar says that it’s the right season – is NOT chic. Not healthy, not comfortable, not elegant, just NOT a good idea.
Your new summer togs can wait ’til the weather is equal to the task…
myletterstoemily says
April 13, 2013 at 2:46 pmit is so difficult to bring the winter clothes back out!
Janice says
April 13, 2013 at 2:48 pmIt is sad, but when the alternative is being freezing cold all day, I think I'll try to do the right thing!
hostess of the humble bungalow says
April 13, 2013 at 3:33 pmIt hailed here last night!
I wore a winter coat and over the knee boots in August the year I started junior high school! I still remember how hot I was traipsing around the neighbourhood. My parents must have shared a laugh over that day.
Chris says
April 13, 2013 at 4:15 pmI remember growing up in SoCal & getting the Sears catalog every August. Oh how I lusted after the corduroy, the wool, the long sleeves, & the sweaters! I can think of only a couple of times each winter those things would have been appropriate. But I still loved looking at them. Thanks for the memory!
Anonymous says
April 13, 2013 at 4:16 pmI understand being weather-appropriate but what about mixed-up and confused? I don't get how some people (usually young fashion victims) can go out dressed in shorts, a tank top AND fleece-lined Uggs or equivalent winter footwear. There are endless other examples…
Anonymous says
April 13, 2013 at 4:22 pmBecause I work 140 miles from where I live, I check the weather for packing for my work week, so I have what I need, I do not look ridiculous,I am stylish, and I am neither hot nor cold.
Thanks for the reminder to dress weather appropriately.
frugalscholar says
April 13, 2013 at 4:46 pmMy mom was at work and I wore my one new outfit the first day–including heavy tights. I almost passed out. What a miserable day. (And I was old enough to know better)
Kristien62 says
April 13, 2013 at 6:35 pmI vowed not to wear my winter jacket again this season. Yesterday, I went to aerobics in my sunny yellow raincoat in a freezing rain downpour–and I froze. Today, I broke out the pea jacket. Wishing it was warm doesn't make it so. Lesson learned.
Pam says
April 14, 2013 at 2:22 amLaughing because while I was in town running errands we were having intermittent snow/thunder snow/and sunshine. It's a college town, and I saw groups of students some with parkas, some with flip flops, none really dressed in-between!
Madame LĂ -bas says
April 14, 2013 at 6:47 amIt's unseasonably cold in Paris and I am having to wear the few items of winter clothing that I have brought with me. I should have brought my down coat. The bright corals and greens are languishing in the store windows. The summer "soldes" will probably be good this year.
SueH says
April 14, 2013 at 7:40 amHere in Western Australia(being upside down!)we're officially in the second month of Autumn but are having the hottest April in over 100 years. Sorry to say this – but we are so sick of blue skies and sunshine! Can't wait for winter and our version of warm clothing.
Barbara Lilian says
April 14, 2013 at 9:11 amThis is so true here in France, on the day that summer or winter starts you can see the women wearing the clothes for that season whether it's the temp. or not. I'm still wearing boots and the sun is shining but it's still chilly.
Anonymous says
April 14, 2013 at 8:06 pmI completely agree with appropriateness but sometimes I miss (as do the weather reports). On another note, out of all the people in the world who dress inappropriately or are caught in the wrong weather in the wrong clothes, why choose the Dalai Lama for the heading photo? He should be exempt in my opinion. đ
Janice says
April 14, 2013 at 9:50 pmThe Dalai Lama is my personal hero; he IS exempt from all fashion rules! If anybody has the warmth and love of humanity that he has, they can wear whatever they want!
webb says
April 15, 2013 at 12:05 amSaw a pretty young woman this morning in cropped blue jeans, flip flops and a pink ruffled coat. It was cut high in the front and lower in the back with a ruffle all the way around, and it looked like organza over silk – like to wear to the opera. Interesting choice I thought!