- October 21 2024
Date
October 21 2024
"Finally sweata weatha! It's about time for sweata weatha!"
Unless you've been living under a rock for the last ten years, you're probably hearing Maya Rudolph and Amy Poehler's Bronx twangs in your head right now. They immediately went viral after delivering this line in their classic SNL skit. What can we say - people love sweata weatha!
That's because sweater weather offers the perfect opportunity to bust out layers without actually having to worry about freezing your tuchus off. It's not cold enough yet that you have to seriously bundle up with parkas and down coats and gloves and hats (which can be a pain) but it is cold enough that you can get away with wearing a cute scarf because, "It's chilly out!"
We love sweater weather so much we decided to dig into what it really means and how you can lean into it this fall.
It's about time!
The General Temperature Range for Sweater Weather
Everyone is different, and no two bodies experience temperature differences in exactly the same way. Honestly, there are days in summer that can feel downright cold to some people!
That being said, there is a general consensus among most people that the temperature range for sweater weather is around 55°F to 65°F (13°C to 18°C if you live in Europe!) For much of the United States, temperatures start to drop into this range after Labor Day.
There are a lot of factors that might influence whether it feels appropriate to call a day a "sweater weather" day. Humidity can make cold weather feel colder, as can wind chill. On the other hand, direct sunlight can make a fall day feel like summer.
This is why a cloudy day with a bit of a breeze can feel colder than a clear sunny day where the temperature is actually lower. Something about the sun just screams t-shirt weather no matter how cold it is.
Factors That Influence Sweater Weather
Many things influence sweater weather for different people, and in different regions.
Personal Preference
Some people just don't like sweater weather (we know, we know, blasphemy!) That could be because they don't like getting caught up in trends, or because they have a different basal body temperature and experience weather differently, or simply because they don't have any cute sweaters to wear.
Climate & Geography
"Sweater weather" is definitely more of an East Coast thing than a West Coast thing, and more prevalent in the north than in the south. People in Southern California, for example, are less likely to get excited about sweater weather than people in New York.
This is partly because of the difference in climate between these places, but also partly because of cultural and regional differences.
City-dwellers and people who ride public transit are also more likely to embrace sweater weather because layering makes it easier for them to transition between spaces. Those who own cars or drive themselves are able to have more control over the temperature of their environments, and so find layering less necessary.
Seasonal Changes
Not every region experiences the same shifts in climate at the same time of year. Even in the US, there are vast differences between winter in the Northeast and winter in the Southwest. While most places in the US do get colder weather during winter, the rate at which they get cold and the time of year that it happens differs greatly from state to state.
Sweater Weather Styles: Dressing for the Season
Alright, enough science - let's talk about layers!
Why do we love to layer? Personally, we think it's because layered outfits just hang better than non-layered outfits. An unbuttoned blazer over a sweater creates a more flattering silhouette than a coat buttoned all the way up. Adding a scarf or a hat to an ensemble gives you a splash of color to experiment with. Bottom line: extra layers are just more fun!
Here's how to layer for maximum effect.
Basic Tips
A light sweater under your jacket looks great and gives you the option of removing either one or the other if you start to get warm. A pair of knee-high wool socks looks nice under a pair of tall boots and will stop chilly air from creeping up your pant legs while you're doing fall activities with your kids.
Athleisure leggings and other types of athleisure wear are perfect for layering - they're comfortable, form-fitting, and pair great with boots and jackets. A big, chunky sweater with a light jacket, leggings, and boots is a quintessential sweater weather look that any self-respecting sweater weather enthusiast should be able to nail (hat and scarf optional but encouraged.)
Choosing the Right Fabric
When it comes to materials, cozy, plush, luxurious fabrics are where it's at. Cotton, wool and cashmere are long-standing favorites of ours, especially when paired with something rigid and tailored like a suit jacket or a good pair of jeans.
Summing It Up
If you've been patiently waiting for your thermometer to drop below 65 degrees so you can bust out your sweaters and start working on your Thanksgiving mocktail recipe, your wait is finally over! The colder weather has arrived and its time to embrace the season. Get cozy, get comfortable, and get to layering.
Finally! Sweata weatha!