"In my mind, there’s no better day to dress for than one that’s 60 degrees. They’re those epitome-of-fall days that serve the perfect pairing of warm sunshine and crisp air; that witness spiced beverages enjoyed while crunching through fallen leaves. They’re warm enough to allow for hour upon hour spent outdoors but cool enough to avoid sweating. They are nothing short of perfection. And dressing for them is the absolute best—mostly.
As glorious as they may be, 60-degree days can also be challenging to dress for. A low 60 with an overcast sky can feel quite chilly, whereas a mid to upper 60 (getting chancily close to 70-degree weather) can feel surprisingly warm, venturing into sweating-if-I’m-wearing-too-many-layers territory. You don’t want a totally bare leg or arm, you don’t want to be fully bundled up either.
While, of course, cloud coverage and personal disposition—for instance, I personally consider 70 degrees to be summer weather—both play a role in what’s optimal, there are a handful of outfit formulas that can suit the needs of most when these height-of-fall days roll around.
Here are 10 to reach for on those exquisite 60-degree autumn days.
1. A Sweater + Mini Skirt + Knee-High Boots
A skirt and sweater combo has an uncanny way of screaming “fall is here!” It’s on these rare (perfect) 60-degree days that this outfitting formula feels so right, especially when styled with a pair of knee-high leather boots. A neutral-colored skirt and sweater can be endlessly styled all season long, and can always be adapted for cloudy or breezy days with the addition of a jacket.
2. A Maxi Sweater Dress + Boots + Crossbody Bag
If you’re a one-and-done kind of gal, a long-sleeve sweater dress makes for a no-brainer fall outfit staple, allowing statement-making accessory and footwear mix-and-matching based on the occasion. In need of an elevated look? Add heeled boots and a chic pair of sunnies.
3. Denim on Denim
A fall uniform that never steers us wrong? A good ole’ Canadian tuxedo. Pair your favorite denim shirt or jacket with your go-to pair of heels, and create some dimension by cinching your waist in with your go-to belt. For the finishing touch, pair with your favorite kitten heels or sneakers, depending on how dressy you need the combination to be.
4. A Button Down + Skirt + Ballet Flats
A white button-down shirt is one of those wardrobe staples many of us have hanging in our closets. Style it for mild-tempered fall days with a midi skirt and a pair of ballet flats for an office-ready look. If the weather feels brisk, add a blazer for warmth.
5. A Cardigan + Ruffle Skirt + Moto Boots
A mini skirt paired with tall boots is a fun, unexpected combo that wears best on 60-degree days. The leg coverage is substantial enough to fend off any chill, but steers safely away from stifling. Moto boots will provide the perfect edgy juxtaposition to the otherwise feminine outfit.
6. A Sweater + Skirt + Loafers
If you tend to run hot (ie: sweat easily) but still want to wear a sweater on a warm fall day, do yourself a favor and opt for skirt to go with it. A khaki variety and a pair of loafers keeps the casual look polished.
7. A Rugby Top + Jeans + Loafers
Rugby tops have a strong association with back-to-school, prep, and the fall season at large. For a casual, work-from-home-friendly outfit that feels autumnal through and through, add a favorite pair of jeans and loafers. Pumpkin spice latte optional.
8. An Oversized Sweater + Loose Denim + UGG Boots
For the coziest, ultra-fall fit, style an oversized sweater with loose denim and a pair of platform UGG slippers or clogs. Choose a sweater in a couple of sizes up than what you’d usually opt for for a supremely cozy silhouette.
9. A Suiting Set + Heels
While the perfect fall day is best spent apple picking or sipping an apple cider margarita, these much-anticipated days do sometimes (unfortunately) fall during the workweek. Dress for the office with a polished skirt and matching blazer. If 60 degrees feels cool to you, a trench coat can keep you comfortable during your commute—and covered should your day call for rain.
Emilee Janitz, Contributing Fashion Writer
Emilee is a communications strategist and lifestyle journalist with an M.S. in Public Relations from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. She currently works on the content team at Enterprise SEO company Terakeet where she creates and executes reputation management strategies for Fortune 500 companies and their executives. Beyond The Everygirl, Emilee’s work has been featured on POPSUGAR, MSN, and Yahoo.