I am writing this as a recovering summer clothing hater. I can trace my dislike back to seventh grade when an eighth grade cheerleader told me seeing me in shorts made her “want to vomit”. Pre-teen girls can be brutal to each other and even more violent when staring at ourselves in the mirror.
Over the next ten years, I sweated through the oppressive summer months in jeans and capris, ensuring my offending limbs remained covered. One especially hot summer evening, my best friend noticed the sweat pouring down my face and asked me why I was wearing pants in this weather. Her eyes widened as I sheepishly explained my junior high experience. The next day, she took me out shopping for shorts.
If you’re like me and have some long-standing insecurity about a certain part of your body, I feel you. I also understand why summer clothing, which tends to be more revealing, can be a challenge. Fifteen years later, I still prefer fall and winter clothing. The colors, layers, and heavy knits all appeal to me more than the shorts, tank tops, and bright, primary colors forced upon us during the hotter months.
If you are seeking an itemized shopping list, this article is not for you. However, if you are looking for tips on an effective approach to discovering comfortable and stylish summer uniform you can wear for years, you are in the right place.
Here are my four tips to reclaim your summers by creating a warm weather uniform you feel comfortable in.
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Narrow Your Color Palette to Three (Maybe Four) Colors
Summer dressing is exciting because of the variety of colors available. However, if you’re like me, there are only a few you enjoy wearing and compliment your coloring. I have also found having a rainbow of colors in my closet leads to too many individual pieces and too few cohesive outfits; they become the opposite of a wearable uniform. It takes time and effort to coordinate a multi-colored outfit each morning, and while some women have beautiful taste and can do it well every time, I am not one of them.
For my summer uniform, I have narrowed my color palette to three core colors: white, blue, and red. How patriotic of me.
Each color compliments my skin tone and each other, and I enjoy wearing each one on its own or when combined with the others. Because they coordinate effortlessly with each other, I can mix and match my tops and bottoms endlessly without getting bored.
Pick two colors and a neutral - such as black, navy, white, cream, or gray - that you feel really good wearing. Perhaps you already have a number of pieces in these colors hanging in your closet right now. What do you gravitate towards? Blues? Purples and greens? Yellows and oranges? Whatever they are, write them down, and then work on creating outfits with them for a full week.
How do they feel together? Are they easy to mix and match, or is it difficult to find the right combination? Do you prefer one color and two neutrals instead?
If the first combination doesn’t work, switch one of the colors out and try the new combo for another week. Keep doing this until you land on a combination that fits all three of the following criteria:
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You feel great in them
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You can easily combine them
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They promote outfit creativity, instead of suppressing it
Added bonus: picking a summer uniform palette makes shopping a breeze. If it doesn’t fit into my palette, I move along.
Extra added bonus: play with combinations of colors within one garment. For example, one of my favorite dresses is a white, red, and navy pattern. Blue and white striped shirts are my jam. Patterns in your color palette add interest and vibrancy without blowing up your carefully curated summer uniform by adding a piece that only coordinates with one other item.
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Use Layers for Built-In Temperature Control and Coverage
Hot summer weather and layers may sound counterintuitive, but hear me out. Layers are something Europeans do extremely well, and Americans are still discovering. Most of us are moving from cool air conditioned rooms to the hot, sunny outdoors and we end up freezing indoors and sweating anywhere else. Our summer uniform needs to be adaptable for most situations.
Layers are the answer.
But not just any layer. Put away that ugly polyester cardigan hanging on the back of your desk chair. I mean it. I’ll wait.
Now that’s gone, we can move on.
Summer layers need to be breathable and versatile. After years of searching, I have found my ideal layer is a linen button up. Besides being eco-friendly, pure linen allows air to easily flow through, is cool to the touch and moisture-wicking. It covers exposed skin when you’re indoors, but will not suffocate you outdoors. I’m usually throwing one over a cotton tee, ribbed tank or cashmere shell.
If you don’t like a button-up, go for a tissue-weight cashmere cardigan or a chambray shirt you can easily throw on over a tank or shell. Make sure you are sticking with 100% natural fibers for breathability. If you nail the natural fibers, you can cover up to your level of comfort without sacrificing temperature regulation.
Added bonus: linen will make you look effortlessly cool. Just watch Call Me By Your Name and tell me linen shirts didn’t play a pivotal role.
Caveat Emptor (Buyer Beware): pure linen/cotton/cashmere/bamboo is what you want. Do not fall for a natural fiber blended with something else, especially not a man-made fibers such as polyamide, polyester, or elastane. Man-made fibers are the opposite of breathable, so while they might help with wrinkle-resistance, they negate all the beautiful temperature-regulating properties of natural fibers.
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Buy in Multiples
Uniform doesn’t mean you’re required to wear the exact same outfit day over day. If you’re anything like me, variety brings you joy. Once you have found your color palette and favorite layer, your uniform will naturally begin to take shape. And, as you find your preferred outfit combinations, such as pleated shorts, a v-neck tank and linen button-up, you can begin investing in the best versions of each piece. This includes multiple versions and colors of the same shirt.
For example, I own three linen shirts and three oxfords by Power of my People, all the same cut but in various patterns and colors. They are by far my favorite button-ups, and, although they are not cheap, I am willing to invest in them because 1) they have become my summer uniform staple, 2) they are ethically manufactured in Canada and Portugal, so I know I’m supporting a values-driven company, and 3) they are durable and high-quality.
Perhaps for you it is your favorite cut of short or skirt. If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. You’re not boring because you own two of your favorite dress in different colors. In fact, you’ll probably be the best dressed at the summer barbecue because you have had the courage to lean in to what works best for you. People can innately sense when you are completely comfortable with yourself. Investing in yourself and your summer wardrobe is one way to express this.
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Express Your Personality with Accessories
The other day at my local library, the librarian was wearing big, dangly, lemon wedge earrings. They were such a beautiful representation of the feeling of summer, seeing them gave me a small burst of joy as I checked out. This is the power of weaving your personality into your accessories.
The Quiet Luxury trend of beige from head-to-toe has bleached the “personal” out of “personal style” for far too long. Just because it isn’t gold-toned and simple does not mean it is the wrong style choice. Perhaps you have a loud bangle or kitschy earrings hiding in the back of your closet. Bring them out for a day, and see how you feel wearing them.
Personally, I gravitate towards funky bags and sunglasses to zhuzh up my outfits. For you, it might be a bold belt and shoes, or a patterned silk scarf and hat. Whatever it is, don’t be afraid to play with accessories. Summer is the perfect time for brightly colored shoes and flashy jewelry. Even the most excessive accessories seem appropriate in the heat of a sweltering summer day.
Added bonus: you can bring new colors and patterns to your uniform through the right accessories, transforming a simple outfit from everyday to exceptional.
Extra added bonus: more compliments! I receive the most compliments on my boldest accessories, ones I used to feel self-conscious about.
The older I get, the less interested I am in dressing for strangers and the more interested I am in dressing for my actual life.
A summer uniform isn’t about limiting your creativity. It’s about removing the friction between you and the season itself. When you know which colors you love, which fabrics keep you comfortable, and which silhouettes make you feel confident, getting dressed becomes effortless.
It took me years to realize that the problem was never my legs. The problem was allowing one careless comment to dictate how I experienced an entire season.
Don’t waste another summer hiding from the heat. Build a wardrobe that feels like you, and then go enjoy the sunshine, preferably while carrying a watermelon print bag.
Until next time,
Elise
