With fall fashions still wilting in the heat, it's time for Houston women to embrace leotards

Although it’s nearly the end of October and full-fledged fall in cooler cities, our swamp stays steamy. Temperatures are in the high 80s this afternoon and it's expected to reach 91 Wednesday with plenty of humidity.

How should you dress when the sun won’t let up? Earlier this fall, I wrote an article about the fashion failures that a warm autumn brings. Topping the list were bra tops, neon and winter boots— an offense I deem “premature booting.”

CultureMap contributor Annina Stefanelli offered some more serious insights on dressing for Houston’s warm fall and winter after she attended Fashion Week. Some high points? Remember the basics and recycle your season-neutral classics from summer and spring.

Want more new ideas? Dress up. Trade shorts and sundresses for tailored trousers, elegant blouses and lace. (This isn’t Florida, after all.) Reach for darker colors, especially gray and navy.

Although it's too balmy to sport trendy over-the-knee boots or fur coats, three other trends prove especially fitting for Houston’s fall.

Lace - This season’s lace is more about the vintage, antique-y look rather than the all-over stretchy lace of previous years. Lace isn’t just a detail or trim on a piece of clothing, either.

Expect all-lace skirts and dresses. Besides, you can’t get more breathable than lace. If you want to winterize a frock, throw on a lace cardigan for the look of cooler weather without the insulation.

Sheer  - Like lace, sheer fabric is ventilated. Katy Perry wore a sheer number to the MTV VMAs. But it's not all about clingy, see-through tops that resemble figure skater costumes. For a more conservative feel, pair a sheer blouse with a black or nude camisole or look for skirts and dresses with delicate, feminine draping.

Cutaway - Please don’t confuse cutaway clothes with ripped garments, which are on the way out (thank God). Cutaways made an appearance in 2008 and are still showing up on the runway. However, like sheer fabric, cutaway clothes sometimes require a camisole underneath, especially if worn during the daytime. An outfit can become revealing if too much is “cut away.” Try a long-sleeve blouse with just the sleeves partially cut-out or a dress with a cut-out neckline.

What else can you do if you’re stuck in fashion limbo? Here are alternative plans of action:

1. Become an avant-garde performer and wear only leotards. Leotards are breathable and come in a variety of fun colors. Think twice about wigs or complicated hats as headwear traps body heat. Hey, Lady Gaga hasn't worn pants in years and is considered cutting edge.

2. Move somewhere cold like Minnesota and you’ll never complain about the lack of opportunities to wear your wool turtleneck from Saks. Or better yet, move to South America and recycle last season’s finds since the countries on the other side of the equator are just beginning spring.

3. Cut off all the sleeves from your sweaters and long-sleeve shirts like Mac from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, who likes to show off his guns.