See my May lookbook for what to wear in Alaska in May, when you visit for a business trip or pack for vacation.
- What to Wear in Alaska in May
- Dressing for the Weather
- 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
- What to Wear for Play in the Interior
- Weekend casual
- May Lookbook for Going Out
- Stay(Va)cation style
- First Friday Outfit Idea
- Alaska May Lookbook in a Nutshell
- Top of the World Style Linkup No. 309
- 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.
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.
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.
The next look shows how to wear a T-shirt under a sleeveless wrap-dress from summer to look professional at the office.
Rainy Day Looks for the Office and Commute
Wear a Midi Coat on Chilly Mornings with a Summer Dress
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.
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.
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?
May Lookbook for Going Out
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 Long-sleeves.
The photo above show an Alaska staycation look. The photo below shows a Romantic Style inspired vacation look.
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. More First Friday outfit inspirations.
May Lookbook in a Nutshell
In Fairbanks, nearly everything goes style-wise. However, to not look like a tourist, avoid long sleeves 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
© 2013-2023 Nicole Mölders | All rights reserved
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
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
Regardless of your Alaskan weather, you always know how to look chic, Nicole. You have an amazing sense of style!!
xx Darlene
I love your style and your looks always! Today I’m gushing over that amazing silk coat!! Gorgeous!
Oh my gosh, Nicole, your silk floral long jacket is absolutely magnificent! You have so many wonderful combinations!
Shelbee
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
You have quite a collection of lovely outfit for different occasions. Really love your coat and a stay(va)cation collection
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
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
Oh you wear some amazing pieces Nicole – I’ve featured you on this week’s #linkup my friend. Jacqui Mummabstylish