Lookbook What to Wear in Interior Alaska in May

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Outfit details of early May look for work for Fairbanks. Lula Roe fit-and-flare dress, Halftee, DIY belt, Hipstik pantyhose, Modalu Pippa bag, Hermes bangle, Nordgreen watch, and shoes c/o Vivaian

See my May lookbook for what you can wear in this month when you visit the East Interior of Alaska for a business trip or vacation.

 

Contents
  1. What to Wear in Alaska in May
  2. Dressing for the Weather
  3. May Work Outfits
    • Office and Commute Look for a Chilly Day
    • Wear a Midi Coat on Chilly Mornings with a Summer Dress
    • Warm Day Work Outfit
    • What I wore at Commencement
  4. What to Wear for Play in the Interior
    • Weekend casual
    • Going Out
    • Stay(Va)cation style
    • First Friday outfit idea
  5. Alaska May Lookbook in a Nutshell
  6. Top of the World Style Linkup No. 309
  7. References

 

What to Wear in Alaska in May

This May lookbook suggests what to wear in Interior Alaska as vacation style looks as well as for a business travel.

 

early May outfit for Interior Alaska with fit-and-flare dress and leather jacket for cool days
Lula Roe fit-and-flare dress, Halftee, DIY belt, Hipstik pantyhose, Modalu Pippa bag, Hermes bangle, Nordgreen watch (use code HLSTYLE for 15% off), Paloma Picasso sunglasses, and shoes c/o Vivaia

 

 

Dressing for the Weather

Well, in early in May, night frost may still occur. Prepare for rain gear with temperatures in the 50s (10-15oC). But there were also those summer days with temperatures around 80F (26.7o) in the late afternoon which is local noon in Fairbanks.

 

Alaskan blogger wearing burgundy fit-and-flare dress with a jacket in May
eShakti jersey dress, DIY necklace, Gucci belt, Liz Claiborne pumps, pantyhose, DIY bangle, dyed Notations blazer

 

Well in May, there are also some special occasions like  Mother’s Day, Cinco de Mayo parties, Commencement, Memorial Day BBQ with family and/or friends, that required event-specific dressing. I covered them in detail in the linked post. You don’t want to let the right outfit be a random thing. When in doubt, it’s easy to create the right look for the situation by looking up what to wear when in How to Dress for Success in Midlife. Buy my book now when you haven’t done it so far.

 

May Work Outfits

Office and Commute Look for a Chilly Day

This work outfit was styled for a sunny day with below freezing temperatures in the morning. It feature a mixed print in florals, but in different colors. The same type of print serves for the grounding of the look.

fashion blogger in a same theme mixed print look spring work look
Hawaiian Vintage DIY skirt made from a shirt, pantyhose, L.K. Bennett wedge patent leather pumps, Festina watch, panther statement belt, Paloma Picasso sunglasses, Hermes collier de chien bangle, Pineapple Moon blouse, and Longchamp cuir bag

 

The next look shows how to wear a T-shirt under a sleeveless wrap-dress from summer to look professional at the office.

style book author in leopard print dress
Outfit details: Diane von Fürstenberg wrap dress styled with T-shirt, Hermes collier de chien bangle, Anne Klein pumps, and multi-string pearl necklace

 

 

Rainy Day Looks for the Office and Commute

Alaskan woman in business casual spring work look with dress and blazer
midlife blogger posing in business casual office outfit with blazer, dress, trench coat for the May lookbook
Alaskan woman in business casual polka dot dress with floral print blazer on a rainy May day
Karina Dresses polka dot dress, Notations Blazer (dyed; see how to dye wardrobe favorites), Gucci bamboo enamel suede belt, Hermes collier de chien bangle, Calvin Klein block heel pumps, pantyhose, statement necklace

 

 

Wear a Midi Coat on Chilly Mornings with a Summer Dress

mature woman in spring outerwear
Outfit details: Banana Republic, silk floral coat, Hipstik pantyhose Longchamp cuir pliage, Liz Claiborne snake imprint open-toe pumps, and Winkwood wooden sunglasses

 

 

Warm Day Work Outfit

On a warm May Casual Friday, a skirt with floral top works for both the office and drinks with the colleagues after work.

 

fashion blogger in work outfit with abstract print curvy hem top, red skirt, pink strappy sandals and sunglasses posing for the May lookbook
Warm day work outfit: Shein abstract floral print top, G-III suede skirt, Hermes collier de chien bangle, Hermes enamel bangles arm party, Paloma Picasso sunglasses and Very Fine Dance Sportshoes neon pink sandals

 

 

What I Wear at Commencement

Well, technically speaking the outfit below is a work outfit for me that I have to wear at the commencement celebration of the UAF students’ graduation. The gown is pretty heavy (almost like a heavy down coat), non-breathing, and makes everyone look like an elephant. The hood represents the university from which you received your PhD. Mine is a merge representing the Universities of Cologne (red and white), and Leipzig (silver gray), from which I have my doctoral degrees in Geophysics and Meteorology, respectively. More on how to decode the regalia.

 

over 50 years old woman wearing doctoral regalia
Doctoral regalia, Judith Leiber belt (for shape), Hipstik pantyhose, and Salvatore Ferragamo vara pumps

 

 

What to Wear for Play in the Interior

Weekend Casual

Of course, temperature plays a role for how to dress on the weekend as well. The look shown below is suitable for a day after a night with frost.

Did you know that frost may occur as late as June in the valleys in Interior Alaska?

 

Alaskan in weekend look with hoodie, button-down, jeans, mules, sunnies and fringe bag on cold morning in May
Oliveo button-down shirt and jeans, gemstone necklace and belt, Festina watch, upcycled Vittoria Verani shearling hoodie coat, Winkwood sunglasses, fringe purse c/o Uno Alla Volta, and Matisse embroidered mules c/o Soft Surroundings

 

 

Going Out

over 50 years old fashion blogger in all black street chic with skirt, leather vest, charm belt, top and wood clog sandals
H&M skirt, Moda International leather vest, Judith Leiber belt, Festina watch, Hermes collier de chien bangle, top c/o Covered Perfectly, and Mousse & Cloud clog sandals c/o coolway

 

stylist in glam trousers, linen jacket, graphic Tee posing for the May lookbook
White House | Black Market sequin pants, Hermes collier de chien bangle, gemstone bangle, Taylor’s Gold’n Stone topaz earrings, knee highs, Vittari blazer, D&GM sunglasses, Lonchamp bag, and T-shirt c/o Femme Luxe

 

Stay(Va)cation Style

The typical Alaskan tourist wears hiking clothes and boots. Sleeves of the shirts and jackets are long. The pants’ legs are full length as well. The low temperatures printed in flyers and travel books fail to explain that due to the dryness and no to calm wind 50F (10oC) feel comfortable. Thus, in the opinion of Fairbanksans, tourists dress too warm. Maybe that’s why the locals refer to tourists  as Longsleeves.

 

mature woman standing on a deck at a river in shorts blue and white dress and sandals
Staycation style: Gucci bamboo suede belt, Festina watch, Hermes collier de chien bangle, Kate Spade basket shoulder bag with top handle, AMS neckerchief, Esprit neckerchief,  barrette, Dr. Scholl wedge sandals, Rafaella striped cotton knit dress, and Winkwood wooden sunglasses (similar wooden sunglasses)

 

The photo above show an Alaska staycation look. The photo below shows a Romantic Style inspired vacation look.

 

style blogger sunbathing in a see-thru tunic with lace underskirt and camisole
Juicy Couture patent leather slides, DIY underskirt, Paloma Picasso sunglasses, Spencer tunic, Hermes collier de chien bangle, lace camisole c/o Cami Confidential and crossbody bag c/o Uno Alla Volta

 

First Friday Outfit Idea

Fairbanks has a huge First Friday culture. If you happen to be in town on the First Friday of a month , it’s a thing worth doing. The look below shows an example what to wear when visiting galleries or other stores participating in the event. You can find further outfit insprirations to dress for First Friday at the link. Check the News Miner for participating places.

 

mature stylist in Casual Friday outfit
Jodi Michaels needle stripe zipper blazer, Vince leather jogging, floral silk scarf, Gucci bamboo suede belt, wooden watch c/o JORD

 

May Lookbook in a Nutshell

In Fairbanks, nearly everything goes style-wise. However, to not look like a tourist, avoid long sleeve and long leg hiking clothes with hiking boots. If you have to wear them, roll the sleeves and legs up, and style them with flip flops on sunny, and sneakers on rainy days, respectively.

 

References

Mölders, N., 2019. Outdoor Universal Thermal Comfort Index Climatology for Alaska. Atmospheric and Climate Sciences, 9, 558-582. doi: 10.4236/acs.2019.94036.

Photos of me: G. Kramm

© 2013-2022 Nicole Mölders | All rights reserved

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This Post Has 10 Comments

  1. Carol Benton 2022-04-28

    These dresses and outfits all look fabulous on you! I’m a retired college professor, and I love the photo of you in your academic regalia. It’s been six years since I retired from Armstrong State University in Savannah (subsequently merged with Georgia Southern University), but I still have fond memories of commencement ceremonies every December and May. It was always thrilling to see the graduating students so happy and looking forward to the professional lives ahead of them. I felt like I was sending my “babies” out into the world.
    Carol
    scribblingboomer.com

  2. Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom 2021-05-21

    That silk floral coat is SO stunning! You always seem to know what to wear with the weather there in Alaska and you stay stylish and warm!

    Carrie
    curlycraftymom

  3. aquamarinastyle 2021-05-20

    Regardless of your Alaskan weather, you always know how to look chic, Nicole. You have an amazing sense of style!!

    xx Darlene

  4. Lucy Bertoldi 2021-05-20

    I love your style and your looks always! Today I’m gushing over that amazing silk coat!! Gorgeous!

  5. shelbeeontheedge1 2021-05-20

    Oh my gosh, Nicole, your silk floral long jacket is absolutely magnificent! You have so many wonderful combinations!

    Shelbee

  6. Mimi 2019-05-31

    I love the lilac jacket – I will be happy to take it off your hands when you are
    finished with it !!!!!!!!!!!!
    Thank you for hosting us each week – it is always fun!
    Mimi

  7. Anna Marcus 2019-05-30

    You have quite a collection of lovely outfit for different occasions. Really love your coat and a stay(va)cation collection

  8. Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom 2019-05-30

    That silk floral coat is SOOO pretty!!! I don’t blame you for buying the commencement gown since it would be a hassle to mail it back each year. I’m all about simplicity!

    Carrie

  9. Tracey 2019-05-30

    Thank you for featuring me ! I’m so surprised and honoured. I’ve Just been admiring some of your outfits. Loving the black H&M skirt and the beautiful lilac work outfit.
    Tracey x

  10. mummabstylish 2019-05-30

    Oh you wear some amazing pieces Nicole – I’ve featured you on this week’s #linkup my friend. Jacqui Mummabstylish