It’s that time of year, fashionistas, where checking the weather is a must before heading anywhere. May can be incredibly unpredictable when it comes to temperatures both indoors and out. If you’re like me and are working indoors all day, May can be just downright uncomfortable as you are excitedly dressed for summer but find that your office feels more like a cold night in January.
I’ve been fighting this battle for three weeks now, so I thought I would share some ways to prepare yourself for unpredictable temps without losing your summertime chic. Here’s my advice on how to strategically layer without sacrificing style:
Don’t leave home without a cardigan. The perfect layering piece for summer is undeniably the cardigan. You can go full-sleeve or three-quarter, v-neck or crew, embellished or plain…and the list goes on. I buy cardigans at Goodwill year-round – they’re only $4.99. I keep at black cardigan on the back of my desk chair at work if I ever forget to snag one from home. You can even fold one up and put it in your desk drawer!

This is my favorite black cardi! $4.99 puts the polish on my look for the office and when I hit the steamy streets, I shed the sweater for a great Goodwill evening look.

This is my favorite black cardi! $4.99 puts the polish on my look for the office and when I hit the steamy streets, I shed the sweater for a great Goodwill evening look.


Pack a pashmina. If you read the blog on the regular, you know I love my Goodwill pashmina scarves for all seasons. You’ve probably spotted me wearing them in my OOTD’s on Instagram even still in May! The pashmina scarf not only can keep your neck feeling snuggly warm on a cool day (in or out of the office) but more importantly, it can double as a chic throw! If I’m wearing a skirt or dress in my AC blasting office, I unfold my pashmina and drape it over my legs. It doesn’t look sloppy like a blanket and it does just the trick to keep me from shivering!
Here’s an outfit perfect for the unpredictable office temps. My $2.00 pashmina from Goodwill doubles as a chic under-desk blanket!

Here’s an outfit perfect for the unpredictable office temps. My $2.00 pashmina from Goodwill doubles as a chic under-desk blanket!


Think about tights. I know the thought of tights in summer is downright torturous. Personally, I am no fan of any type of pantyhose but they can serve as the perfect medium for keeping the goosebumps at bay. They also can be easily shed after you leave the frigid office to hop on the metro to happy hour or make a long commute home. You’ll still be able to wear all your favorite summery styles, just throw a sheer pair on!
Dear readers, centrally controlled air and humid DC temperatures certainly don’t fare well with the fashion-minded. I hope my strategic layering tips can help you make due.

And of course, I would love to know your own! How do you balance blasting AC and hot summer nights as a fashionista? Share your tips below!