Monday Musings- Rethinking My Summer Wardrobe
Happy Monday, ladies. Our weather flipped to blistering hot in the blink of an eye this weekend. While swapping in my warm-weather clothes, I was forced to come face to face with wardrobe items I truly dislike. My style is always evolving, and I expect that, but it’s more complicated than that.
I find that dressing for your location can be a challenge if your taste runs to structured and your weather demands loose and airy. I also live in a very casual environment, so those polished separates I love to wear often look overdressed in my community. When it’s 95+ and not a breeze anywhere, jeans are out of the question, as is anything that’s close to the body. I do want to be happy with what I wear so I’m on the hunt for options that fit my climate, my location/lifestyle, and my style.
I didn’t like how I looked in this caftan (similar print) when I wore it on the beach in Hawaii last year, but I’ve held on to it because it’s so perfect in the heat. I was grateful to have it to wear hanging out around the house yesterday, but I sure didn’t like how I looked. I knew it was a gamble when I bought this caftan but took the risk because they look good on so many other people….just not me.
As I turn more of my attention to my health and well-being, I’m thoroughly enjoying this lovely new book. I sat out in the heat with a cold matcha tea latte and soaked in the beautiful images along with its holistic suggestions.
I’ve always been a black tea lover through and through. It turns out that green tea includes many more benefical polyphenols, glycine and theanine so I’m swapping it in for my afternoon tea. I ordered mine directly from Dr Andrew Weil’s Matcha Kari site here, but you can also find some of his products on Amazon.
To polish of my unflattering caftan outfit, I wore my new Oofos sandals…and my oh my, are they ever comfortable. They’re “biomechanically engineered OOfoam absorbs shock, cradles your arches and reduces stress on your feet, knees and back” These are also not a look I’ll be wearing outside for running errands, but they’re perfect for at home wear.
I was only seen in this outfit by my husband, son, grandson, and Amazon delivery person but that was enough to leave me feeling unstylish and not authentically myself. I’ll be on the hunt for alternatives that are loose, but lot too loose, airy but not too airy and casual without being shapeless options for the blistering hot weather that feels more like my style.
Outfit of the Week
I bought this easy long linen/cotton blend beach shirt last year in a vibrant blue and wore it to bits. I added resin earrings, woven leather bag and easy slides to make this an easy to toss on, comfy look for hot days. When it’s really hot, I forgo necklaces and focus on earrings and/or bracelets. Add a large straw hat, and I’m ready to go.
Does your climate prevent you from wearing the looks you prefer?
I only wear Oofos, as in every day, all day long! Years ago I gave up trying to look stylish in uncomfortable shoes that led to the agony of fasciitis, for the health and comfort of my feet.
In my hot, humid, casual summers I mostly wear dresses and am always on the lookout for ones that are comfortable and attractive. I’ve purchased a few caftans over the years and they all end up being nightgowns! Natural Life Clothing has cute affordable summer dresses and I have found a couple at Nordstrom Rack. Looking forward to seeing what you find.
I just checked our Natural Life Clothing!! Lots of cute things and great prices!! Thanks!!
>>Does your climate prevent you from wearing the looks you prefer?
My climate, my location, and my lifestyle all conspire against me, LOL. I guess I need to come to terms with all three of these things.
I understand what you mean about wearing caftans – not a look I can rock. Sad, but true. I love the look of flowy linen pants, but not on me. This year I purchased tapered linen pants from Old Navy. They are not the softest linen, but the price was right, and I like the look.
I too love “flowy linen pants.” But most are so wide in the thigh that they lose any semblance of flattery on us short gals (5’3″). Wearing a hip-length shirt with them becomes a baggy circus clown look. They’d be OK if I were trim enough to tuck in a shirt/tee but alas. So I search for the rare straight/wide leg with a slimmer thigh. This summer I have 3 very loose linen shirts to wear with a wide leg linen, my seersucker straight leg, and a Chico’s fitted crop pant. As soon as I shed a few pounds, l’ll give last year’s a-line dress a try. It’s secret is that it skims over the bust and midriff to avoid the tent effect.
Try fine merino wool dresses! Wool& is a great company with SO many cute dresses.
It sounds counterintuitive to wear wool to stay cool but I promise it works! This is not the itchy wool of heavy sweaters.
I wore a sleeveless wool dress in the high heat & humidity of Walt Disney World in FL in the summer. It’s breathable and no odors! Can easily go from day to evening. Never wrinkles.
I’m slowly switching my wardrobe over to merino. Try it!
Interesting! I’ve never seen a wool summer dress for sale to try.
My husband’s Marine uniforms (summer) were wool. Very light weight and breathable enough for our desert location.
I buy the wool& dresses online. It’s an amazing fabric!
Wow! I’m looking it up and Wool& dresses look lightweight but good quality. Might try them.
Nia, it’s truly a miracle fabric! It’s hard to wear other fabrics now that I’ve worn wool! There’s a fun FB group connected to the company too with lots of reviews, pictures, and styling ideas.
I’m in hot and humid NC. I’ve already packed away my jeans and won’t wear them again till late fall when it cools down again. In hot weather, I mostly wear skorts, tees, loose cotton tops, and dresses that don’t touch me anywhere! With sandals or sneakers. Like you, I don’t wear necklaces if it’s super hot, and will focus on earrings.
This is a yearly dilemma. How to stay cool without looking like you just don’t care? Here in Maine we go from winter coats to tee shirts within a week. And, yes, it does get into the nineties here. I fantasize about wearing elegant flowing clothes, but neither my body nor lifestyle supports that dream. Your ideas are welcome.
I think a tee with loose fitting Bermuda length shorts or flowy skirt works best. Or a linen shift dress? (Nothing clingy if 90s and humid for me. )
I’m curious to see how your style evolves for the summer months. My hot weather clothes tend to be looser styles in linen, rayon and cotton and I incorporate more colour.
I did the summer closet turnover on the weekend, and was pleasantly surprised to find I still really like what I have. The last few years I wasn’t able to get out much, so I still have a lot of clothes that are like new. If I stick to my plan, all I need to replace are 2 pair of sandals and a white bag. Ha – we’ll see how long that resolution lasts!
Hi Jennifer, it’s more my lifestyle prevents me from wearing the looks I prefer. My husband passed away 1 1/2 years ago. We used to walk into town every Fri. for happy hour, so I would get a little dressed up which I loved. But those days are gone and I’m home alone a lot. I do get together with friends, but usually for lunch, so it’s pretty casual dressing. So it’s cotton or linen crops and yes, capris lol, and a tee shirt, on most days. I do love that caftan on you. I got one on one of our trips to the islands and did have it taken in. But I wouldn’t wear it, unless I was going to the islands again. But it did look better altered. Lands End has some cute sleeveless tee shirt like dresses that I would wear in hot weather, but since knee replaced 2 months ago, that’s not gonna happen. Looking for midi length now. Oh the trials and tribulations of fashion!
originally from louisiana so used to wear khakis instead of jeans especially in the summer. I can relate to the blue dress from Hawaii. You have a great figure and that dress just isn’t right for you. I’m a plus size so most dresses are a challenge for me. Most are not flattering. Love linens and been doing lots of white pants and blousy tops from talbots or chico’s.
I love caftans and loose dresses in the summer, especially around the house. I work at home three days per week. I did NOT like Emerson Frye’s version. There is a brand called Pax Philhomena (sp?) that has gorgeous caftans with a full drawstring waist. Makes all the difference. I recently got a green and white floral number from J Crew that I adore. And a favorite is the humble Mexican peasant dress, the one with embroidery. Available on ebay for <$40 in cotton. Sadly no pockets on any of these but comfort wins. But I feel you on hot and humid here in Missouri. Jackets/blazers? Ha! I plan to be in linen and the new slub cotton (read no ironing). The coastal preppy vibe will work just fine. The hardest thing for me is mot so much choice of clothes but colors. I am sticking to my dark winter palette (based on gray/white/navy/pop of bright) but man those camel and whiskey browns in sandals and bags look so luxe. My taupe just isn’t the same. And I can’t do those muted colors so I have to make my own style this summer. As we all have to!
Good morning Jennifer & ladies, I am in total agreement regarding caftans!, I bought one several years ago for a cruise, let’s say, “thank goodness I will never see those people again”, 😂😂not a good look. I bought the Talbots white wide leg linen pants (they are pull on) super comfortable and go to a beach party & out for dinner in the same day. I’m not secure enough to wear sleeveless tops with my upper arms , I shouldn’t be embarrassed by them, I know get over it, I’m trying.
Have a nice day
Good morning, Pat! Your comment cracks me up. I often tell myself the same thing. I’ll never see those people again, but sheesh, I saw how I looked 🤣
Your subject today really hit home with me. So many of my summer clothing options are of the more structured style. It’s just who I am. But, when the heat and humidity take over, it’s a struggle to dress comfortably. I will be anxiously awaiting your findings. My past attempts to add more loose, flowing tops has resulted in items that never get worn. Apparently, we develop a personal style over the years that becomes difficult to compromise. I can support other peoples choices very easily but for myself there’s a strong line in the sand.
I feel the same way Jan!
Hi, I’m Rosalba from Rome Italy, I enjoy your mails but I have never left a comment for you, sorry. I can wear jeans in this season until the end of may, but from June to September it’s impossible because too hot. Your Kaftan is cute, I don’t like how fit to me too. I’m not very tall, anyway for stay at home I think it’s a good solution. I love the OOFos sandal meanwhile and I’m going to buy them very soon, thank you for your review, have a good day, Rosalba
Knee length, light weight dresses are a good option. For me that will involve some sort of fake tan on my legs! They are easy and cool! I wear flip flops out and about to the grocery and on errands in the summer. I also love a good t-shirt and light weight, looser fitting pants. I do not have the need to always be in an outfit. When I want to look more put together in the heat, it will be some sort of summery dress.
Welcome, Rosalba! Being short does play into my decision here too.
I like skorts in the summer. I also wear baseball caps to keep the sun off and to hide the hair if it is not looking good.
I definitely identify with you as I live in Atlanta and the humidity is a killer. Trying to find comfy clothing is not easy while sticking g to my style is not easy.
Me too! Although I’m 75, during Georgia summers I’ve given up worrying about how my arms look in sleeveless dresses. A girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do!😂
I agree, Laura. I call it my right to bare arms. 🤣
Also in GA – as much as I love jeans and sweaters, the reality here is only about 3 or 4 months of really good wear for them. So even though it is difficult I try to spend more of my money on clothes that will work for summer. And, I’m petite, so a caftan or anything anywhere close to that unstructured will not be entering my closet anytime soon.
Though I live on Cape Cod, which has fairly temperate summers, it can get unbearably humid, especially in August. A few years ago, when I was in Florida, I discovered gauze clothing and found it to be wonderfully comfortable in hot weather. It’s loose and flows so not my usual more classic style, but it seems perfect for summer. I also like a brand called Habitat which has some almost paperweight pants and tops with sleeves. Their products rock in hot weather and are great for travel.
I agree, Jeanne, Habitat clothes are very comfy. I’ve bought several tops in boutiques and am looking at a few items in their online store. First found the brand in an Ashland, Oregon store. Many are gauzy or other fabric that’s no-iron…yippee!
That’s my struggle. Sticking to my style. I’m happy to experiment but it has to feel like me somewhat!
I love the sleeveless linen dresses from Tommy Bahama. They just skim my figure and the bonus is that they all have pockets!
I’m trying a new approach this spring and summer…a break from jeans. Like you, I find them to be too hot to wear in summer. And, I want to get out of my comfort zone. Will probably go back to jeans in the fall. So, it’s linen pants, light cotton chinos, and dresses until late September.
Thank you for posting the bag in OOTW. How did you know I’ve been looking for a white woven bag? It’s in order.
I’ve been looking for one too 😉
Could you still enjoy the kaftan by shortening it and having it taken in just a little bit?
I was wondering the same thing! And alter the neckline to a v-neck if it is a round neck.
I have slimmed it down a bit but it hasn’t helped. The issue is more the pattern, cap sleeve, boho vibe for me. I love this look on others. Just not me.
I can so identify with your thoughts about what to wear while its hot and humid, but doesn’t make me look a hot mess. I’ll be reading your blog to see how your proceed. I’m sure it will be fun and interesting!
I’ll second you on the comfort of Oofos! My husband got a pair first and loved them, so insisted I buy one. SO comfy! I don’t wear them out of the house, just because the flipflop style isn’t suited for walking distances, IMO. And I live in Houston, so jeans are impossible from now until about late October. I live in linen.
My daughter laughed when I showed her my Oofos but sheesh, they’re so comfy.