102/ A Three-Step Approach To Dressing Up This Summer
...and nine outfits to illustrate.
Hello readers!
This week I’m addressing another question from you on how to dress for the summer. In response to my last newsletter on corporate dressing, Xue asked:
“If possible, I would love ideas for dressing up without feeling overdressed in the heat - ideas for date nights, events, weddings?”
I gotcha, Xue! In this newsletter, I’ll outline a three-step framework I find helpful when wanting to look polished in the summer heat.
My approach hinges on the fact that you’re working with fewer pieces than usual to make an outfit. Whereas in the other three seasons, we can lean on our sweaters and blazers as styling tools, it’s just too warm for that in the summer!
Typically, you’re relying on a single layer to do all the work, and fewer pieces means each individual piece will have a greater impact on your outfit.
1) Reach For Impactful Shapes
In a recent AMA,
asked: “I’d love thoughts on how to add visual interest to warmer weather outfits which are typically more pared back.” Kelly — who is always asking the good questions in her newsletter, the Midimalist — nailed the issue that most people have with summer dressing.What I often see in the closet of clients here in Toronto (and in other similar climates) is that few take the time to develop a summer wardrobe because — sadly — the season is relatively short. Other than a few signature summer items like cut-offs shorts, a few sundresses, a skirt and sandals, summer wardrobes end up being the “leftover” layering pieces of your otherwise three-season wardrobe, e.g. “basic” tees and tanks.
If that’s enough for you, then great! But if you want to level up the visual interest, my approach is to add individual pieces that are interesting enough to stand on their own. The biggest impact will be from adding pieces with impactful shapes and lines whether in the neckline, sleeve, body or leg. Secondarily, you can achieve this through texture, colour, etc… (Bonus if the piece can also be worn year-around!) You can pair the elevated piece with a basic, or you can wear them with each other, which is often where the unexpected magic happens.
