Listen, it’s not the concept of summer I dislike, it’s the heat.
I like winter! Even in New York, I like freezing cold garbage over hot garbage. I like layers between me and the strangers around me, not the clothing equivalent of single ply toilet paper. I like tight pores and rosy cheeks, I dislike the end of day dusty film of sunscreen on your arms when you haven’t even been at the beach.
Most of all, I dislike the majority of summer dressing. I struggle in the summer to find things that resonate with me beyond wearing a white button down and cutoffs. Which is a fine look, of course, it just starts to feel a little boring, and with every wash my cutoffs get shorter and shorter, stringier and stringier, and before I know it you can see that crease where my buttcheek meets my upper leg, and I’m just not a candidate for that look.
So what’s a sort of tomboyish, sort of preppy, Summer Scrooge to do? Right this way.
(By the way, I’m leaving button downs out of this. I’ve gone there, and then some. Here’s my all time favorite - get this one and wear it all summer)
Summer Blazers
A good blazer solves most of my personal wardrobe dilemmas - toss one over a tee and jeans, over a dress, over basically anything and give a layer of interest, plus a bit more coverage on your arms, or on your boobs if you don’t want to wear a bra. Which I don’t! And in the summer? One in a light color and lighter fabric so you don’t get swamp back underneath it.
1. A very oversized, very roomy blazer that will be nice and breezy, but the double breasted-ness of it makes it a bit cooler and more serious than most linen blazers. Mango, $180
2. OK! As another option - try a blazer-esque VEST!!!!! I mean, wear it as a top, obviously, I don’t endorse wearing it unbuttoned over a tank top or anything, but as a top with jeans or a satin midi skirt? Chic! JCrew, $188
3. Another relaxed linen double breasted option, this one isn’t quite so oversized as the Mango one. Super light and comfy. &Other Stories, $199
4. Yall…Banana Republic is still looking really good! I love the black piping details on this blazer, and it’s a cotton/linen blend, which makes it nice and cool. Banana Republic, $250
5. And then, a not too oversized, or slouchy, mostly very perfectly tailored wear-everywhere white blazer in a lightweight cotton linen. This is kind of the end all in this category as far as extremely simple and paired back options go. And, it’s a cotton linen blend, so perfect for warmer weather. Nili Lotan, $1,200
Summer Necklaces
What is a summer necklace? It’s something with a tiny bit of color, a little texture, a little shine. It’s usually choker length, and something you can wear all summer long that will look good with a tan. It’s one of the very few summer concessions I’ll make. I love an anklet too, but at the end of the day, I think that ship has sailed.
1. A very simple little colorful beaded necklace. Just the thing to peek out from under a white tee all summer long. Hermina Athens, $77
2. I love the contrast of the gold with the stripes here. Just the right amount of preppy, but the little flash of metallic keeps it sort of glamorous. Roxanne Assoulin, $165
3. And here! A very classic, kind of thick gold-ish chain. The price is great here for wearing at the beach or playing in the ocean. It’s not going to ruin your life if you happen to lose it. Missoma, $176
4. The teeniest, tiniest, littlest, baby sized pearl necklace! A dream against a tan. Catbird, $198
5. And then! The one I’ll be wearing all summer, Dorsey’s perfect classic James necklace. All the look of a diamond necklace, without you having to take out a loan or sell an egg. My favorite thing ever. I have the 16” length, and I wear it all the time. Dorsey, $615
6. This makes me want to cry it’s so beautiful. A perfect necklace of perfect spherical jade beads. It’s insanely simple, and insanely chic. Sophie Buhai, $707
7. And then! if I could have anything! I’d have a 16” choker of these gorgeous ruby rondelle beads by one of my most favorite pals in the world. This is just the most beautiful thing, and the deep red color looks…ugh…so great on the skin. Sherman Field, $3,380
Dresses That Make You Feel Naked
When it’s 8000 degrees out, you want something thin and gauzy that will barely skim your body. These are my favorites, which aren’t too girly.
1. A very crisp, little cotton poplin mini shirt dress! Wear it with sandals all over the city, and then this fall, wear it with a navy blazer and jeans. Cos, $120
2. This is exactly the thing you’ll want to put on after a shower this summer with nothing on underneath. Make dinner in it, drink wine outside in it, live in it for the next three months and feel excellent! Lake, $128
3. A very perfect, very simple and romantic little gauzy white dress. Super floaty and pretty - very hard to resist. La Ligne, $295
4. I have this dress, and I call it the pillowcase dress, because it just kind of floats gently all around you like a pillowcase. I love it, and really love it over my High Sport pants. Merlette, $340
5. And now! Out of left field for me - I love this neon yellow chiffon dress! Man, so breezy, so cool, so BRIGHT! It also comes in Navy, but for once I like the neon. La Ligne, $395
6. Ooooo for a fancy thing, I love this very floaty, very roomy organic cotton dress. It has super thin straps, a straight neckline, and is just massively chic. Raey, $545
7. I tried this on this week - it is so sexy. There are all these ties in the back that can attach the cape, or not, make it fitted, or not, or make a big cocoon shape in the back. It’s so interesting, so beautifully made, and the material is fantastic. Attersee, $1,095
Sandals That Are Masculine
Truly, nothing feels better than having your toes out. Playing near the grass then kicking off your sandals and running around in it? I love these sandals because they’re not overtly feminine, are very classic, and are comfortable.
1. These Tevas have been on my mind all week. I wish they didn’t have the visible Teva logo, but these would be great for walking around the city all day, and also at the beach to keep from tearing up your feet or getting tar on them. Teva, $42
2. A very, very classic sandal. Nothing trendy here, nothing of the moment - and that’s exactly why I love them. Everlane, $125
3. OOOOOO I want these. I love the big wide strap with the two thinner straps - these are minimalist heaven. A Emery, $190
4. And now! A similar shape, but in very fun embossed gold. Sezanne, $215
5. And of course, the ultimate, The Row fisherman sandals. Insanely comfortable, very tomboyish, very walkable, what could be better. The Row, $1,031
Shorts (again)
Shorts are so tricky. This isn’t the first time I’ve done a shorts edit, but I usually do ones that end up skewing athletic. That’s what I personally like. But! Here, I have some more tailored, more polished options, should that be your thing.
1. Some very cute, very preppy and Scouts Dad-vibe shorts. I love these here with the loafers - toss on a knit or a blazer and you’re golden. Gap, $50
2. The cleanest, cutest, most streamlined little tan prissy shorts of all time! I LOVE these. LOVE LOVE LOVE. So short, so tidy! J.Crew, $55
3. I have these, and I love them. The perfect high-waist, puffy leg, kind of preppy shorts from my parents in the late 80s. Doen, $111
4. And now - a more casual pair! Nice and loose, low-slung, so good. Fortella, $306
5. I love this kind of puffy tie belt, and the paperbag waist is so excellent. I would love to have these. Phillip Lim, $325
Enjoy your summer pals!
I love you,
Your friend,
Laurel
Thank you for this selection of beautiful clothes. I picked up a couple of things for me: a VEST style blazer and A Emery sandals, which look like just what I need.
This was great-- thank you!