What To Wear in Washington, DC in October

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We visited Washington DC in late October and were looking forward to the Fall weather. We were prepared to wear our Fall clothes like coats and boots, but the weather was surprisingly warm for this time of year. Despite the unexpected warmth, we embraced the opportunity to explore the city under clear blue skies.

The weather fluctuated drastically throughout the day with mornings in the 50’s and afternoons in the mid-70s, making it essential to dress in layers and be prepared for any temperature changes. Our itinerary consisted of visiting the iconic National Mall and exploring the Smithsonian museums that dotted the city.

We carefully selected our clothing making sure to include comfortable walking shoes and lightweight jackets. Here is what we wore for our three days and two nights of adventures in DC.

Tops

We both packed a variety of layers including t-shirts, sweaters, and long sleeve tops.

The Palmer Knit Top from Marcella was a fantastic layering piece and it was perfect for layering over my Uniqlo’s HeatTech Long Sleeve Top. I discovered Marcella late last year (on Instagram) and since then we’ve both gradually filled our wardrobe with their minimalist yet edgy styles.

Another top I wore was my Easy Standard T-shirt underneath my Quince Zip Alpaca Wool Sweater. Whenever it got too warm for a sweater, I would effortlessly drape the cozy knit top over my shoulders, enjoying its lightweight and incredibly soft texture. The versatility of this sweater made it the perfect companion for fluctuating temperatures.

Sitting at Tatte Cafe

Quince Zip Alpaca Wool Sweater draped over my Shoulder

Sitting and looking at the phone

Quince Zip Alpaca Wool Sweater with the zipper all the way down

Crystal had been searching for the perfect basic sweater top to add to her wardrobe, and her persistence paid off when she stumbled upon Mango’s Short-sleeve Sweater.

This lightweight sweater effortlessly creates a flattering and feminine silhouette and can easily be dressed up or down for any occasion. Whether you pair it with tailored pants for a sophisticated look or style it with denim shorts for a casual outing, this top is sure to become a wardrobe staple.

Underneath the blazer, Crystal wore her Marcella Tank Top. Marcella has great minimalist styles with cutting-edge designs. The material is also fantastic and form-fitting. Looks great tucked into clothes.

Bottoms

I’ve been waiting for cooler temperatures to finally wear my Sezane Damon Trousers. These ankle-length bottoms have a flattering high rise that sits perfectly at the waist, providing a polished and put-together look. With a hint of stretch in the fabric, they offer not only comfort but also freedom of movement, making them the ideal choice for any activity.

The Aritzia Wilfred Effortless Pants are my go-to and these versatile bottoms effortlessly find their way into my suitcase for every single trip I have taken in the past year. With their unbeatable comfort and effortless style, they have become an essential part of my travel wardrobe.

I absolutely adore my white Express Wide-Leg Pants, and I can confidently say that they have become a staple in my wardrobe for countless seasons. The timeless sophistication that they exude enhances my overall style, particularly since my clothing choices predominantly revolve around darker hues.

Crystal found the perfect sweater top from Mango and from there she ended up discovering a couple of bottoms. The Trouser Pants and the Mid-Rise Skinny Pants. The Trouser Pants were the exact color and style she had been looking for and even better it was at a reasonable price point.

The Mid-Rise Skinny Pants, with their sleek silhouette and timeless design, instantly reminded Crystal of the iconic Cigarette Pants that once graced the legs of fashion icons like Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe in the glamorous 1950s and 1960s.

In front of a waterfall

Free People Skort

It’s rare that we wear skirts when traveling, but Crystal has been into wearing skorts lately and found a nice pair from Free People that had a unique velvet material. The skort not only adds a stylish touch to her travel wardrobe but also gives her the freedom to move around comfortably. Since wearing the skort by itself will be a little cold, she paired it with a soft and cozy pair of Sweater Tights. The tights not only provide an extra layer of warmth, but they also beautifully complement the velvet texture of the skort.

Outerwear

There was absolutely no need for us to pack any super warm coats or jackets for our trip since the lowest temperature we encountered was in the fifties. My Anine Bing Blazer was the perfect choice to keep me comfortably warm in the mornings when the temperature was cooler. Its tailored fit and luxurious fabric made it the perfect layering piece.

Crystal switched between her Uniqlo Double Face Wrap Coat and a Free People Blazer. The wrap coat was just right for the 50-degree weather and has a classic design with a tailored collar. The Free People Blazer added a touch of sophistication to her outfits and has a slightly longer length than the average blazer, giving it a beautiful and flowy style.

Shoes

During my time in Washington DC, I only packed my Adidas Samba OG Sneakers. Not only are they incredibly comfortable, but they also possess this amazing versatility that allows me to effortlessly pair them with a wide range of outfits. These OG Samba sneakers have created quite the buzz among sneaker enthusiasts, resulting in them constantly selling out. However, don't let that deter you! By signing up for restock notifications, you'll significantly improve your chances of snagging a pair for yourself.

Converse High Top Sneakers are not only stylish, but they are also incredibly comfortable for those long hours of walking. Crystal was pleasantly surprised when she realized that her white Converse remained impeccably clean, even after spending an entire day exploring the bustling streets of Washington DC. With their timeless design and practicality, it's no wonder that Converse High Top Sneakers are an iconic style.

We've both been really into the loafer trend lately, and Crystal recently added a fabulous pair of chunky loafers to her shoe collection from Aldo. The Bigplan Loafer, with its rounded toe and timeless design, instantly caught her eye. They looked absolutely adorable paired with her cigarette pants. The combination of structured loafers and tailored pants created a chic and sophisticated look that was perfect for our night out.

Crystal styled her cute skort with the Marcella Carnegie Boots, a versatile pair of footwear that has become a staple in her wardrobe. Made with a side zipper, slipping them on and off is a breeze, further adding to their convenience. What truly sets these boots apart is the remarkable quality of the leather, as they require no break-in time, instantly conforming to Crystal's feet with a perfect fit.

Bags

We both packed two bags, blending fashion and functionality. During the day, we relied on a spacious and chic tote bag to carry our essentials, ensuring we had everything we needed within arm's reach.

Walking inside the DC Smithsonian

Nisolo Tote

Madewell Tote Bag - My favorite feature is the zipper, which sets this tote bag apart from the rest. With most tote bags lacking zippers, this unique find provides an added layer of security for my belongings. Additionally, I love how versatile the bag is with its interchangeable straps, allowing me to switch up the style to match my outfits and mood.

Viewing the Vietnam Memorial

Nisolo LORI TOTE (20% off Code TRAVELPOCKETS20)

Nisolo Tote- Crystal has taken this versatile tote bag with her on numerous adventures, spanning from the vibrant streets of Japan to the captivating landscapes of Croatia. Its sleek and minimalistic design coupled with the luxuriously soft leather make it her dependable companion for all her travel needs. The bag's roomy design allows her to retrieve her DSLR camera with ease, a feature she greatly appreciates as she is constantly capturing beautiful moments along her journeys.

At night, we transitioned from our totes to something more compact and chic, perfectly suited for our night out for dinner and drinks. I wore my Quince Italian Leather Quilted Convertible Crossbody, which can be worn in two different ways (crossbody or shoulder bag).

I like to be hands-free, so I chose to wear this bag as a crossbody. Not only is it practical, but it also adds a touch of elegance to my outfits. It's amazing how a simple accessory like this can instantly elevate even the most laid-back outfits.

Crystal also wore a bag from Quince. Her Quince Italian Leather Convertible Foldover Clutch is spacious enough for a night out and also roomy enough to serve as an everyday purse. There is an exterior slip compartment for your phone and the detachable strap is an added bonus that allows you to carry it as a clutch.

Accessories

We both have similar styles when it comes to jewelry these days. Lately, we've been gravitating towards Gorjana and Quince for our accessory fix. What's even more exciting is that Quince offers fine-quality jewelry at incredibly affordable prices, making it easy to indulge in our love for accessorizing without breaking the bank. Crystal wore the Wide Ear Cuff and I wore the 14k Gold Everyday Hoops.

As for Gorjana, not only is their price point affordable, but their collection of necklaces is absolutely stunning. We find ourselves drawn to their versatile pieces that are perfect for layering, allowing us to create unique and personalized looks.

With Gorjana and Quince, we've discovered a winning combination of style, affordability, and quality that keeps us coming back for more.

We had an amazing time exploring the vibrant city of Washington, D.C. One thing we were extremely grateful for was the fact that we had packed layers to accommodate the ever-changing temperatures. The chilly mornings and evenings were balanced with pleasantly warm afternoons, making it essential to have options for our outfits throughout the day.

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