what to wear – wine country

With the transition to fall comes the perfect opportunity to visit the wine country. And of course you want to dress fashionably for this excursion. In the San Francisco Bay Area, the harvest creates a buzz throughout the Napa and Sonoma Valleys, and the transition to the fall foliage creates a beautiful backdrop to your experience.

If you head to Napa, I recommend the East side of the valley and the Silverado Trail. Some of my favorite wineries can be found within a few miles of each other and include Darioush, Pine Ridge, Duckhorn and Stag’s Leap. Looking for a less crowded wine country adventure? Head north on 101 to the Russian River. This beautiful and less developed landscape gives way to small wineries, reflecting Napa of 20 years ago.

Whichever adventure you choose, I also recommend a car service so that you can enjoy the wine, and/or a fabulous lunch, without worrying about who is driving. And your selection of clothes is also an essential part of your day.

This entire outfit flatters the inverted triangle figure. Inverted triangles tend to have broader shoulders, narrow hips and thighs. You want to wear clothing that doesn’t expand your shoulders such as white tops or detailing on the top. The Inverted Triangle Wardrobe 911 Recipe Box outlines the basics that work for this body type and outfit ideas. There are also recipe boxes available for hourglass, triangle and rectangle body types.

• Bailey 44 ‘Strange Jest’ Jacket – this knit jacket will keep you warm and it is easy to carry if you take it off in the winery.  The belt cinches at the waistline and the jacket creates balance between the shoulders and hips. This jacket also works for hourglass and triangle body types.

• J Brand 12″ Pencil Cord – thin wale corduroy is a fashionable alternative to jeans and can be flattering to the legs. These pants have stretch so they will feel similar to leggings. If you prefer a corduroy bootcut, the Red Engine Scarlett Bootcut Cords (not shown) in navy works well with the jacket and top.

• Michael Stars Scoop Neck Cotton Tee in Gypsy  – gives the outfit a burst of color and fits well over skinny jeans.

• Donald J Pliner Arlie Flat – the lizard print has a slight sheen and can be worn day or evening. I personally love them since I own a pair!  You can always transition to a heel if you decide to stay for dinner.

• Aridza Bross Celia Shoulder Bag – the silver hardware adds a fashion accent to your look. This purse has a detachable shoulder strap so that you can wear it as a clutch. What a great idea!

Enjoy the wine country and let us know about your favorite wineries.