Dressing day to night in Santa Barbara
A Texan's tale
I grew up in south Texas, where the warmth of a summer day lingers well into the night.
So, one of the biggest adjustments I had to make when moving to Santa Barbara years ago was regularly bringing an extra layer for when the weather inevitably turns chilly.
For a while, I resisted. It felt deeply counterintuitive to lug around a sweater or puffer jacket on a warm, sunny day — let alone on a hot, summer day. Afternoon-to-night gatherings (or an unexpected shift in microclimates) had me shivering mid-conversation, teeth chattering and embarrassingly blowing my cover. F-f-f-freezing.
In the peak of my delusion, I’d consider my most uncomfortably chilly moments in town as flukes — one offs that were uncharacteristic of “normal” afternoons or evenings in sunny Santa Barbara. Yes, I’m aware of how silly I sound, but old habits die hard! The need for a sweater, shawl, or jacket in the warmer months just simply did not compute.
Eventually, I decided I was ready to embrace the central coast climate in all of its beauty. For maximum comfort on all-day outings — especially in the warmer months — I’ve had to find the right combination of layers to take me from day to night, from cool-to-warm-to-hot-to-cool-again weather.
What are your tricks for this? I’d love to know! Here’s what’s been working for me.
Sweater weather
Ah, ye olde sweater-tied-around-the-body trick. I can be particular about accessories and typically don’t wanna feel like I have too much hanging off me, but I’ve come to embrace the pop of color (and comfort) a sweater brings to an outfit. Certain sweaters tie best around the shoulders, others around the waist, and still others diagonally across the body (a trick I learned from my husband, who grew up here).
If you’re wanting a layer that can do all three, I’d say go for one that’s thin enough to tie (though not so delicate that it would stretch out) and still provides the warmth you need. The one I’m wearing is cashmere.
Do your legs get as cold as your shoulders or arms? Mine almost never do, so I can get away with wearing shorts in the not-so-cold evenings, so long as I’m wearing a sweater or jacket up top. I typically pair them with closed-toe shoes and socks to seal in the warmth on both ends. Danskos are a classic choice for me — comfy and versatile enough for all-day wear.
A chore jacket that works as a cape
For those days with a light breeze, or when it’s cold in the shade. Leggings work great here, providing a thin-but-still-there layer, but the star of the show is the chore jacket, which has a slight thickness that gives it versatility (as well as big pockets to hide a scarf or hat in). It could easily be replaced with a simple oversized button down shirt, too!
I like to wear it totally unbuttoned, but love to wear it with just the top button buttoned. Sometimes I drape it over a t-shirt or a tank like that without putting my arms through the sleeves. This makes it look and feel more like a cape, which I find fun. It also allows for just the right amount of air flow when walking.
What’s under the cape can, of course, be simple, but there’s also an opportunity for a little surprise. Wearing a graphic vintage tee is my go-to, or a simple tank in whatever color I’m loving at the moment. I also love the look of a statement necklace or pendant poking through beneath the buttoned part — the power (and beauty) of layers.
Tee it up
Sometimes, all you need is a little white tee. This one is my fave: a slightly-cropped Michael Stars piece that’s soft and thin, but still substantial. It’s easy to throw over a tank or dress like I did here, or simply fold it down and slip it into your bag if you don’t need it (it’s that lightweight).
Really any lightweight, flimsy tee or long sleeve will do here. Something to protect from a chill, without leaving you overheated. I recently threw a vintage Hawaiian shirt cape-style over the same dress, popped on some black sneakers, and felt comfy-chic (and temperature-regulated) all day.
I got the Araks Cadel Slip dress pre-owned from the Jake and Jones re-commerce section. I highly recommend checking it out (in store and online) for fabulous pre-owned items (both designer and otherwise) at a huge markdown (and I mean huge). I got this beautiful blue number for less than ¼ the full price.
It’s a bit sheer and kind of perfect for the Santa Barbara climate — long enough to give some light leg coverage, but delicate and breathable enough for when the sun is at its peak.
The shoes here are black Jamie Haller loafers I got for a steal at her recent sample sale (the patent leather style is, sadly, discontinued), but a range of shoes could work with this look — from clogs to sneakers to flip flops. Believe me, I’ve tried them all!
Old faithful
I wore this to the Santa Barbara Bowl the other night to see Remi Wolf (immaculate vibes!) and was pleased with the comfort, ease, and overall style of the look.
It was still warm at the beginning of the night when the sun was just starting to set, so I did just fine in my tank top while enjoying a pre-show Waterloo sparkling water on my bestie’s balcony. In fact, I spent most of the show in my tank, only putting on the button down during the third-to-last song of the night. By then, I certainly needed it!
The Pleats Please pants are perfect because they come in dozens of colors, are soooo comfortable and easy to wear, and have pockets! I might have been okay in shorts or a skirt for the concert, but it felt right to wear a full pant to dress up the vibe a bit. I loved how they looked with the glossy loafers. How visually compelling it can be to mix not only colors, but textures, too!
I love embracing bold colors. I particularly loved the black / white / lilac combination here (though the photos don’t do it justice!). It reminded me how simple but fun styling can be.
I felt chic. I felt like me. And I didn’t shiver once.
What we’re reading
“I have no word in English for” by Sandra Cisneros — A simple yet gorgeous poem showing the intricacies and poetic nature of language. How simultaneously infinite and limited it can be. This piece made me feel seen (and celebrated!) as a bilingual person who’s most comfortable speaking spanglish. Gracias, Sandra <3 — CG
Ancestors to Elements — A newsletter by author, educator, and student of mystical traditions Sebene Selassie. Sebene and I took the same writing workshop a few years back and I’m grateful to follow her vulnerable, enlightening, and often humorous reflections in her newsletter, published every new and full moon. — CG
“A Suitable Change for Chloë Sevigny” — The New York Magazine cover story this month that goes deep on Chloë’s experience with motherhood, and how it’s changed her approach to style, body image, and career. I lived it! — ZS
The Work of Art by Adam Moss — My dad got me this book for my birthday and I’ve been talking about it non-stop since. Moss interviews artists of all different mediums (painters, comedians, musicians) on how they created one iconic piece of work. The Moses Sumney and Cheryl Pope interviews particularly stayed with me. — ZS