How to Dress for 55 to 60 Degree Weather

Zip-up jackets and long pants keep kids warm in cooler temperatures.

Weather appropriate attire helps make any outdoor experience enjoyable, but your activity plan and health status also determine appropriate clothing for temperatures between 55 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. A healthy young adult, for example, might need only a a light jacket while a young child or elderly person would feel more comfortable with additional layers. Layering proper attire in 55 to 60 degree temperatures lets you add and remove items as your body warms or cools based on your activity level.

Things You'll Need

• Light jacket
• Sweatshirt
• Long-sleeved T-shirt
• Jeans

Instructions

1. Wear a shirt made from thin material as your base layer. Cotton insulates heat poorly when wet, so wear polypropelene or polyester if you anticipate sweating from exercise or if it's raining.

2. Wear an outer layer of medium thickness. Cardigans, hooded sweatshirts or light jackets all keep your body warm without overheating. For dressier occasions, choose a thin cardigan and a light pea-coat. Dress small children and babies in sweaters or a bulky sweatshirt.

3. Wear jeans or thick khakis for everyday activities like walking or shopping and lightweight waterproof pants if it's raining or you anticipate spending long periods outdoors. No need for more than one medium-thick layer when covering the lower half of your body.

4. Adjust your clothing based on humidity and cloudiness. Sun and humidity affect how warm the air feels. For example, a humid, cloudless day feels warmer than humid weather without sun.

5. Layer your clothing. Layering lets you maintain a comfortable body temperature throughout the day. For active events, like walking or hiking, layer a long-sleeved T-shirt under something more protective like a wool sweater or a rain jacket.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose fabrics that wick sweat away from your skin when performing physical activity in 55 to 60 degree weather. Materials like cotton and polyester trap moisture to your body, chilling your body after you stop moving.

References

• Vacation Made Easy: Weather and What to Wear Year-Round in Cape Cod
• Cool Running: Warm Weather Running