Retail Therapy
Jacket Required: Baby it's cold inside, so bundle up before stepping in
Gap's cropped washed denim jacket, $69.50
The Celine Blazer from Club Monaco with the look of a men’s shirt in a femininefabric
From Anthropologie, the Cold Rush Cardigan in silk, $98
You can always tell it’s summer in Houston by how cold it is — indoors. We are likely one of the only places that considers AC-generated wind chill when dressing for the day and even worse, the night.
But, since bundling up isn’t an option and jeans (and pantyhose) are the last items of clothing we want to wear, taking a topper along to dinner, the movies and just about every other inside activity is a must. So go ahead and slip on that sundress. We’ve got three summer-certified cover-ups to get you through to fall.
The best way to beat the big chill is to always be prepared, so keeping a versatile and lightweight sweater or jacket in the car means never having to ward off goosebumps with a cloth napkin at dinner. Warm-weather fabrics like silk blends and thin denim work with dresses and shorts, giving just the right amount of warmth that can quickly be shed once back outside.
Price is important too. We need something that can be thrown back in the car until the next icy encounter.
After a day of scouting at The Galleria and Anthropologie, I came across three styles ideal for looking cool and staying warm. We all have denim jackets in our closets, but who wants heavy jeans on a 100-degree day?
- The Gap’s all-cotton jacket has a light touch, but is long-sleeved, cropped and is available in sizes extra small to XXL.
- Club Monaco’s creamy hues scream effortless chic and although the store has plenty of sweaters, it’s the silk blazers that had me swooning. The blazers are smart, but beg for the sleeves to be rolled up, and for those braver than I, one blazer features a sheer back.
- Traditional sweaters work well too, and Anthropologie’s selection of cropped, ruffled and three-quarter sleeve cardigans give a girl a lot of options. I’m fond of the Splendid modal and silk-blend cardigan that has lots of movement but is light enough to work over practically anything. Available in brown and white, the cardigan is just under $100.
Surviving a Houston summer with style and decorum takes work and yes, air-conditioning — so embrace the jacket. Just not when you're outside.
