You guys already know how much we complain about the lack of seasons in Houston, but even if it’s still 90 degrees, the weather’s a little drier, the light has changed, and we’re ready to start dressing for fall. The easiest way to transition your wardrobe if the temperature’s lagging a little behind is to start with your shoes. Wooden-heeled clogs, brogues and oxfords, penny loafers, and booties are all great options that you can start wearing in September with cute socks and swingy dresses, and then pair with skinny jeans, trousers and tights until spring.

The over-the-knee boot and stiletto boots are still on our lust lists for the season, but if you’re looking for fall shoes for every day — at work, running errands, going to school, dashing through the airport — look for shoes with

• solid, stacked heels
• shorter shafts (or a real shoe, like an oxford)
• wedges if you want height — less balancing required!

They’re dressier and way cooler than tennis shoes and even flats, and while you may want to scoop up every pair (we’ve got about 10 bookmarked already), you really only need one. Lighter packing, more spending money, and no more band-aids!

LOTTO $129.00

SESSITA BOOTIE $124.99

MIA NORFOLK SHOE $49.00

ARCH $47.20

Looks like fall is here for many of us and with it comes fall showers.  Before you reach for that tradeshow umbrella, think about spreading a little cheer with a more fashionable choice.  It can make a rainy day just a little brighter for everyone.

Mosaic-Like Tiles $23.99

Music Lovers $34.99

Sunflower $30

Peacock $30

Pansies $30

New York, New York $30

Full Size Green Grass $65

Antique Rose $30

Fun Beach Scene $30

Photo: Weardrobe.com

by Renae Virata

Now that fall is almost upon us, it might be hard to put away those fabulous spring and summer dresses you’d waited all winter to wear.  Make the switch easy by making them a part of your wardrobe next season!  The key is smart layering.  Wear a turtleneck or long-sleeve tee underneath along with either tights or leggings.  For chillier days, cover up with a chic cropped leather jacket.  Balance the look with platform heels or your new fall booties.

Our favorite part of fall is mixing up textures and colors.  Don’t be afraid to mix a light jersey dress with a ribbed top and scarf.  Try maroon tights underneath a navy or bright green or blue dress (like the one below!).  Try a neutral gray or camel-colored cardiwrap over your dress and add a playful element with a bright yellow or red skinny belt.  Have fun this fall and see what outfits you can make up with what you have leftover from summer!

Here are some ideas to get you going.

Click on an item to learn more: TIBI Amazon Dress; Black Fashion Tights; Isabella Oliver Long-Sleeve Tee; Crocs Sessita Bootie

Click on an item to learn more: Single Rocker Dress; Doma Leather Jacket; Naughty Monkey Boot; Fluxus Scarf

Click on an item to learn more: Alice + Olivia Strapless Dress; Isabella Oliver Turtleneck; Isabella Oliver Leggings, Report Signature Booties

Hey, Travelistas! Wanna know what to wear for the weather? Just click on My Stylist and type in your location, date, and an occasion and let My Stylist do the rest. Join us on Facebook and Twitter for everything fashion and travel from WeareverTheWeather.com!

by Renae Virata

We love that feeling when you just love, love, love a fabulous have-to-have for your wardrobe right off the bat.  That’s how we felt when we laid eyes on these flats by Dollhouse.  The chic boho feel of the colorful snakeskin texture with a border of silver pallets will make this your go-to shoe for most of your fall wardrobe.

Travelistas, this can be your favorite travel shoe, too – from the plane to site-seeing and everything in between.  Try ‘em on with minis, leggings, your new fall shorts, and your favorite skinny jeans.  And at $39.50, they’re a total bargain.

Click on the shoes to get the details.

by Renae Virata

With fall coming, it would be a shame to pack up all those summer clothes that you love so much.  But fear not!  You can make your wardrobe stretch across seasons with a few tricks.  We spotted one Travelista, Angel, who cleverly turned her summer smocked tube dress into a skirt! She balanced it with a crisp but feminine white blouse and then tied it all together with a fabulous wide belt.  The high waist keeps the skirt from looking dated.

This a great Polished but Relaxed look for:

• Business casual environments
• Lunch dates

Angel up close…and from the back. Lookin’ good…and ready for fall!

Flower $27

by Renae Virata

Just because the weather outside is blah doesn’t mean your umbrella has to be!  When people can’t see what you’re wearing on rainy days this summer, make a style statement when you’re under cover.

It’s easy to forget how something as useful as an umbrella can also act as an accessory.  There is no better way to spread some much needed cheer on a gray day than strolling the streets with a beautiful, giant flower or a photographic image of Paris that you can get lost in.

For more fabulous umbrella designs, click here.

Butterfly $27

Degas $27

Palm Tree $27

Paris $27

Don’t worry if your umbrella doesn’t match your outfit.  The point of your umbrella is, after all, to shield you from the rain.  A small collection to suit your mood, though, definitely won’t hurt.

Read about what to wear on your feet when it rains in hot weather.

Fans are fun, functionable - and fashionable!

by Renae Virata

Remember those funky fans your grandmother used to carry or the ones that you’d collect from exotic trips?  Well, take them out of your trunk, ask Mom or Grandma if they wouldn’t mind “handing them down” to you, or hit up the local flea market or international goods store.  The best way to keep physically and to look cool this summer is with a manual fan.

Polyester lace fan - fancy, fancy or for a punky look $7.99

Printed fan - adds a little dramatic flair and looks worldly. $1.99

It’s amazing how quickly the heat of summer can creep up on you.  And sometimes you just aren’t in a place where there is air conditioning or shade.  A leather, cloth or paper fan is easy to use and can easily fold into your purse (even an evening bag!) so you have instant cool wherever you go this summer.  And how cool (excuse our pun) will you look with that air (this pun, too) of diva, even just sitting by the pool!

Purchase a few in a variety of colors, prints and textures to spice up all of your summer outfits.

Before you banish those fabulous cowboy boots you meant to wear all winter and spring to the back of your closet, consider giving them another chance before the hot summer sets in for good. With all the events cropping up starting a season of outdoor fun, a sleek pair of Luccheses or Justins will add that funky element to any outfit and get you some good use out of your kickers. Cowboy or western boots are starting to become a staple in most women’s wardrobes.  To get the most mileage out of them from season to season and year after year, opt for a fitted, below-the-knee dusty gray, bone, or saddle brown version.

What to wear

The great thing about this season is the wide range of silhouettes, colors, and prints at our disposal.  The possibilities with even just one pair of boots are endless – just use your imagination!  Here we have a pair of slouchy boots in a warm brown shade that will easily take you from summer to fall and that would work with almost any color palette and occasion.

Click on the picture to see where to buy.

Delias.com $149.50

UrbanOutfitters.com $388

Jessica Simpson $169.19

·       Dresses – For warmer weather, opt for a shorter length dress either mid-thigh or just below the knee in a light cotton woven or knit.  Try to keep the silhouette clean and simple.  And don’t be afraid to go bright and / or bold – that is one of the great things about living in Houston all that bright sunshine we get.

·    Skirts – Pending how confident you are about baring your legs, another cute option is a short skirt.  Here we feature a light wash denim mini with a flowy white cotton blouse – think St. Thomas or St. Lucia – to keep the casual feel.  You can also go with a more tailored button-down cotton shirt or a soft knit tee.  Keep legs bare to keep the look summery and to keep you cool!

·       Jeans – Tuck them in or leave ‘em out.  If you tuck your jeans into your boots, make sure they are skinny enough to fit inside and even have a little stretch to anchor them – don’t even think about stuffing your boot- or even straight-leg jeans into your boots!  Wear them with a slouchier, belted plaid shirt; a punky striped tee; a knit tank with a belt or long necklaces; last winter’s vest, or a tailored button-down with the tails out to change up your look.

Cowboy boot do’s and don’ts

·       DO wear them with a lightweight sock.  Make sure if you wear longer ones that they don’t peek over your boots.

·       DO try to break them in if they are new.  There are a few tricks out there where you might risk ruining your boot so your best bet is to use a shoe tree, stuff the shoes with newspapers, or protect your feet during the first few wearings to prevent blisters on your heels, ankles, or toes.

·       DO try them on with everything.  From dresses to shorts, tailored to casual, these days western boots are slowly becoming as ubiquitous as its western pant counterpart, the jean.

·       DON’T wear cowboy boots with any hint of winter (shearling, furry lining, etc.).  The point is to maintain the cool look of the boots while keeping as cool as possible.  A smooth and almost light leather work well in warmer weather and don’t make people wanna reach for a popsicle.

·       DO visit vintage and second-hand stores for a great deal on boots that are already broken in for you!  Sometimes chain stores like Urban Outfitters has cool vintage finds – find one in your size and you know it’s meant to be!

Just because you can shred it as well as (if not better than!) the boys can doesn’t mean you have to dress like ‘em! Ski season is just beginning for a number of spring breakers and deal seekers but still in time to take advantage of the sweet fashions on the slopes and sales galore.   But every stylin’ snow bunny knows that you won’t look good unless you feel good, either. Here is what the experts had to say about meshing fashion and function for a productive, fun, and fashionable trip.

Jared Shope – President of CD Ski and Sports

FABRIC | The latest in fabrics for ski wear is “soft shell” – nearly every designer is using this. Gone are the bulky, ridged fabrics. Soft shell provides a four-way stretch, making it comfortable and warm. (Jared can share details on what each designer/manufacturer calls this fabric in their lines.)

COLOR | Hot on the slopes this year is a bit of ’80s re-done – bright colors are back, like brilliant orange and lime green. Color blocking is also in, but done in a more subtle way than it was in the ’80s.

ACCESSORIES | Accessories are falling in line with colors, mimicking some of the styles of 1980s with bright colors.

LAST WORDS | If you want to get a jump on fashionistas, next year’s hot color will be purple.

Caitlin Gambee –

ACCESSORIES | (???) Every snow bunny should definitely have cute accessories so even when they fall they will look good!

APRES SKI | I also stress the importance of Apres Ski items such as good stylish boots that can easily transition from the harsh elements to looking good all day long as well as nice baselayers that can also be part of your aprs ski outfit.

Khombu www.khombu.com – Apres Ski boots to keep transition your day skiing look to night time fun look!

FUNCTION TRENDS | Heat Trap, Eco Fabrics

Gordini www.gordini.com – baselayers, gloves, faceprotection – trendy snowboarder and ski styles. Also using new heat trap technology!

Kombi www.kombisports.com – baselayers, gloves, and hats – they are using advanced eco fabrics which are really advanced at keeping you dry and warm. Cute styles designed by professional skiers and snowboarders.

STYLE TRENDS | Be bold and be scene. Bright colors and Eye catching designs!

LAST WORDS | Don’t make yourself choose between style or comfort – Pain is beauty? No way!

Shredding Betty

STYLE TRENDS | A better-looking profile.  Dontcha just hate those helmets that make you look like a Goomba in those Mario games?  New styles feature a shape that give you a more ergonomic profile by fitting around your head as opposed to on it. (Bern Muse Helmet – http://shop.shreddingbetty.com/bern-muse-helmet—matte-grey-p45.aspx)

ONLINE RESOURCES

Aspen Fashion Week | Hit the slopes, shop the latest, and get a head start on the next big thing in ski resort fashion in Aspen March 14 to 19. Celebrities like Heidi Klum, , pro skier Nick DeVore, and Olympic gold medal winner Lasse Kjus will kick off the annual event with on-mountain activities that will help show off their lines of ski and snowboard apparel.  Apres ski (that’s after skiing, for all you newbie’s!) fashion shows and presentations will feature designs from Marmot, Kjus, Victorinox, and more.  AFW has partnered with FEED as the official charitable partner.

Hey, Travelistas! Wanna know what to wear for the weather? Just click on My Stylist and type in your location, date, and an occasion and let My Stylist do the rest. Join us on Facebook and Twitter for everything fashion and travel from WeareverTheWeather.com!