What to Wear When Temperatures Start Rising
Summer has definitely shown up here in the NW! After a very wet and gray spring I was having my doubts…so today I want to talk about dressing for summer . No season is harder to dress for. Which sounds ridiculous. Dress+Sandals = Outfit. Right? But depending on where you live, what you need to dress for that day and everything in between, having fewer things to put on can sometimes be more problematic. In the other seasons we have the option of layers with scarves, booties, coats , etc.,all elements that up your style game.
Even though our standards of dress have relaxed somewhat, there is still the expectation that you should show up looking sharp, modern, and ready to go. Here are some tips to stay cool and still look chic and pulled together in any business environment.
Stick to a clean effortless look
1. Business is business; you have to look professional even when the heat is suggesting that fewer clothes are best. This is easier to do when you remember a few clothing rules that support a professional look .
What works: Solid colors are more professional than prints and three pieces are better than two. Enjoy the summer’s bright colors but in moderate doses. Consider wearing a skirt or pant in a neutral color with a jade green or coral sleeveless silk blouse and then add a linen blazer to the mix. I love the combination of a neutral pant, a white blouse, and a flax-colored linen blazer as well– so classic and so chic. Instead of wearing two pieces, like a skirt and a blouse, try an ankle pant with a knit shell and a silk/linen blend cardigan with three-quarter length sleeves. You can even create a three-piece look with two clothing pieces and a prominent accessory. For instance, slip on a slim pencil skirt, tuck in a blouse that has sleeves and then add a wide belt. The belt is the defining piece that steps in as that third piece. Or wear a sleeveless solid-colored dress with a cardigan and add long layered metal chains as the third piece.
I love timeless, summer separates in high quality fabrics, and they will serve you for years to come - but the simplicity and ease of just slipping on a dress is hard to beat. Much like the LBD a little white dress is a fail-safe pick that will form the backbone of your spring/summer wardrobe.
What doesn’t work: Avoid wearing patterns that are distracting. Simple floral prints, thin stripes or polka dots in neutral colors work well in a business setting. Unless it’s a Zoom call, then I think a vibrant color stands out and can elevate the mood of the meeting. Save the wild prints for the weekend.
Go for featherweight fabrics
Your summer outfits can be made up of lightweight, effortlessly wearable fabrics and then layered to get the right effect.
What works: Cotton voile, cotton gauze, and tropical weight wool, fine linen blends and silky cotton knits are great choices. Look for clothing that has body and doesn’t cling to your skin. You’ll look cool and in command.
What doesn’t work: Linen, although breathable (a favorite of mine), wrinkles easily and may not be the best choice if you’re leading a meeting and need to look crisp and on point, but it also can work perfectly in the right setting. A white linen shirt dress accessorized with a belt and shoes in a pop of color is a look that will take you through the whole summer. Loose knits or crocheted tops are very breathable with tank tops underneath them, but may look too casual.
Accessories are necessary
Your accessories always play an important role in creating a look. They are the finishing touches to an outfit and add to your credibility. I also think that if you have a wardrobe of mostly neutrals, accessories are where you can have some fun. A bright colored shoe or bag can change up any outfit
What doesn’t: Avoid overly embellished earrings. Stacked bangles can be somewhat intrusive and noisy, so one or two bracelets will be less distracting. When making your choices, lean to a more understated look.
What works: Try wearing a statement necklace or multiple strands of necklaces with your blouse and jacket. Scarves in lightweight linen, cotton, silk, or featherweight cashmere can be a great source of pattern and texture. A wide cuff worn at the wrist works well with three-quarter sleeve blouses sweaters or jackets. Your accessories don't have to match perfectly, but they should have a consistent theme. Mix metallic tones or wear colors that match your own coloring (eyes, skin tone, hair tone).
No summer accessory rotation is complete without a straw bag. Long revered by the most stylish of French women (who took their cues from Jane Birkin in her ’70s heyday), it’s the sort of piece that elevates more tailored, elegant outfits with ease, thanks to its rustic quality.
Whatever the occasion this summer, wear what makes YOU feel confident, at ease, and reflecting your own unique style! Enjoy this beautiful time of year.
And as always, if you’d like some support in how to dress for any occasion, please reach out to me at sara@sarajgriot .com. I’d love to hear from you!
Sara xx
photo:pinterest
