Ahhhh…Fall in the Midwest is all about cider mills and apple orchards. Never been? You are totally missing out, my friend! You grab bags, fill them up with apples while you climb trees, and snack on fruit from the vine (errr…tree) while walking through the beautiful fall leaves with your honey bun. You then head into the Mill for some fresh donuts and fresh squeezed apple cider. You can literally watch the machines squeeze the juice from the apples and fill up the bottle you are about buy. There are usually hay rides and walking trails, and the closer it gets to Halloween, haunted houses. On your way out, you just pop your trunk, they charge you by how many bags you filled, and off you go to make some warm apple crisp.
What to Wear: Jeans. It is fall in the Midwest, and climbing trees is not easy on the legs. Those branches can hurt! Layer a light weight, long sleeved shirt or t-shirt under your sweater. Wear a long sleeve sweater that you can easily tie around your waist or shoulders. All that fun in the sun can make you hot. Keep in mind ¾ length sleeves make it difficult to tie around your waist. Throw on your favorite tennis shoes, TOMS, or Sperry’s. You definitely want to leave the heels at home!
Depending on how cool it is that day, you might want to add a fitted leather jacket and/or scarf.
If this is a Date: You are going to want to dress it up a bit, but still show that you are cool with the outdoors. In this situation, I would recommend leggings or skinny jeans tucked into flat boots. Pair it with a plaid or floral shirt and a leather bomber jacket. You can also wear a waist length jacket with big buttons or a little ruffle for added prettiness.
Men: Wear jeans with a plaid button down and throw on a sweater if you will still be cool. You can also wear a wool coat over your button down and/or a scarf. You can always offer her your scarf if she gets a little chilly. Little gestures like that easily win us over! Tempting as it may be – please try your hardest to stay away from your fave college t-shirt and hoodie. Especially if it is a date! When it comes to shoes, you are pretty good with tennis shoes, boots, or your favorite TOMS.
Allergic to bees? Bring your epi pen! Bees like to hang around all those sweet apple juices, so be prepared.
Heather Kilpatrick
