Every September, the fashion calendar changes before Tampa does. Sweaters, coats and boots begin appearing everywhere, while the temperature here remains firmly committed to summer.
Living in Tampa means interpreting the season a little differently. Even so, fall changes the way I want to dress. I begin reaching for deeper colors, richer textures and silhouettes with a little more structure. The challenge is doing so without ignoring the fact that it may still be nearly ninety degrees outside.
There is also the matter of air conditioning. I am almost always cold inside, regardless of how warm it is outdoors. Restaurants, offices and event spaces seem to operate in an entirely different climate, which means getting dressed often requires planning for both.
One of my favorite formulas for dinner is a pair of black Bermuda shorts, a simple tank and a cape. It may sound like a contradiction, but in Tampa it makes perfect sense. The shorts and tank are light enough for the heat outside. Once I am inside, the cape becomes the layer I inevitably wish I had brought. With everything underneath kept simple, it gives the look its shape and makes it feel complete.
I prefer to dress for the day I am actually having rather than for the season in theory. The cape makes that easy. Karol may layer hers over a knit in New Jersey, while I wear mine over a tank in Tampa. The same piece moves easily between two very different climates, which is why it continues to have a place in both of our wardrobes.
KJS
