Summer months are coming! That used to mean no school, working on the tan, hanging by the pool with friends, and staying out until the street lights came on. We wore a bikini top and cut offs as a uniform. If my memory is accurate, my hair was always stringy, sweaty, and stuck to my face. As an adult, summer is still full of opportuities, but we may want to elevate our attire.
The summer is hot and humid often leaving us physically and mentally exhausted. It’s tempting to opt to the comfort of your favoite tshirt and elastic waist shorts over the current trends. Fear not! Looking effortless and on -trend in hot weather doesn’t have to be complicated or time consuming. Making a few smart choices and some small adjustments can keep you styish without a bunch of effort or sacrificing comfort.
Embrace minimalism. Think flowy sundress orsimple romper. I am a champion of the flowy maxis. Cool and breezy. Wear a white, eyelet dress and I’ll call you near perfect. Personally, I cannot be trusted to eat anything in a white dress, but that’s another topic! I envy people who can wear a beautiful white sundress all day and get nothing on it. A dress that makes you feel pretty and doesnt cling to your body is classic choice. My personal summer favorite is an oversized, light weight, button up white shirt . If kept crisp and white, it requires almost no styling to make a statement. Tie it, button it, roll up the sleeves, or any combination is cool. I often wear it over a tank of a summer color paired with a pair of shorts and a fun handbag.
Choose breathable fabrics like cotton, linen, or even rayon. These materials allow your skin to stay cool and help you stay dry and fresh throughout the day. It took me three years to figure out I was wearing the wrong fabrics in the summer that triiggering horrible eczema. Go figure. Linen is the quintacential summer fabric, and it seems to divide humanity. On one hand, it’s linen and the wrinkles are part of its charm and almost a status symbol. If you weren’t raised with Sothern Living on your coffee table, and peach trees in your orchard, the wrinkles might drive you nuts. I own linen and spend much of my time trying to wipe away the wrinkles. I try to love it, I do.
Invest in matching sets. I’m not talking Garanimal (if you’re not familiar, look ‘em up). The point is, a cooridated outfit takes the decision making out of the equation. A summer capsule wardrobe is a great idea. A few shorts, a couple of skirts, 4 or 5 tops and a white oversized button up, will allow you to be anxeity free as you stand looking in front of your closet. I go so far as to hang items together so I don’t forget they are a pretty combination. The key is to stay in the same color palet or matching colors. My entire wardrobe is black and white with very few patterns. I throw in a color depending on the season. If you choose to lean into color, try using the book Dictionary of Color Combinations. Find it on AMAZON for under $20. It’s a life saver for those of us indimidated by combining colors. I personally use it and take it to all of my closet audits to help us coordinate outfits.
You have put a little energy into your wardrobe. Don’t forget the details. Keep your outfit simple and invest in a few fun accessorries. A bucket hat, big sunglasses, or a colorful tote bag can offer interest without complexity. Don’t overlook footwear. Trade in your leather sneakers for strappy espadrills. Look for easy to slip on and off sandles or slides. Finally, makeup. This is a personal choice. I find that tinted moisturizer, tinted lip balm, and a little mascara offer a summer glow that looks fresher than a face layered with concealeer, contour and shadow.
Choose breathable fabrics, rely on matching sets, be stratigic with your accessories and choose a grooming routine that suites your lifestyle. With a little intention and a few tweeks you will be ready to take on summer and look fabulous doing it. Still need some guidance? I can help!