I’m back after taking the month of August off! We enjoyed some quality family time and had an incredible trip to Maui to wrap up summer. Came back with our hearts full and feeling so rejuvenated. What I love most about this season is the slowness and ease of it all. School’s out so that means we can sleep in just a little longer, there’s no drop-off/pick-up commute, the sun sets a lot later, and we are incredibly spoiled with perfect weather (especially this year) here in SF. There’s so much more time to spend together as a family without the typical hustle and bustle. And I’m really soaking up these teenage years because we’ve reached a new level of fun bonding with Natalie. Each age is special and a little different, and 15 is like hanging out with your funniest, sassiest and most brilliant friend.
Along with the sunshine comes the urge to pare back, savor the simplicity of the season and spend more time outdoors. My looks lean more casual and sporty, and the skincare/makeup routine is reduced to the very bare minimum. This sense of ease really fills my cup.
Like all good things, nailing my summer style and finding the joy in getting dressed was a long and slow process. The season of boho-floral-frilly dresses isn’t really my jam. I used to feel so out of sorts, and like my style took a pause whenever the heat rolled in. I made do with a few year-round staples (an oversized button-up, shirt dress, slip, and trouser shorts) while eagerly anticipating the moment I could bring out my favorite trench again. I’m drawn to pieces that challenge the definition of femininity and make me feel strong. Think architectural blazers, flowy trousers, and statement coats. I feel good when I’m a little more covered up. Maybe thats very demure of me. Or maybe I just find it more interesting, and even slightly…rebellious?
I’ve always believed in a cohesive wardrobe and style that remains constant no matter the season, occasion, weather, or location. Summer was always the big tricky hole in my wardrobe. A handful of years ago I set out to work on “summer me”. I’m not talking about going out and buying a whole new summer wardrobe. The goal was to use mostly what I have and fill in the gaps. Exploring how to express myself within the confines of a practical and seasonless wardrobe ended up being a styling exercise on proportions, layering, and materiality—and a lesson in focusing on the ideas I want to communicate and how I want to feel.
Summer Styling Principles
Set the vibe - I want to feel at ease yet still polished in menswear-inspired styles, sculptural silhouettes and playful modern details. This Tibi Dress (seen here in Paris, summer 2018) made me realize I could feel modern and still very much me in a dress. Bought it to wear on our 10-year anniversary, with the intention of rewearing many times over. I still get excited slipping into it, six years later:
Proportion Play - This is about creating an aesthetically pleasing combination of shapes, not highlighting or camouflaging certain body parts. For example, in the summer I love pairing shorts with an oversized button-up shirt (my favorite styling tool). The dramatic volume of the shirt conveys summer ease and creates a sculptural silhouette. Sleeves are a practical detail (comes in handy when going in and out of air conditioned spaces), and they give me the opportunity to add subtle styling touches that can completely change a look—like tying around the waist to create definition or across the shoulders to draw the eye up. A rolled up sleeve gives off a very laid back vibe. Another detail I look out for: pieces with thoughtfully placed slits and buttons offer flexibility in creating interesting shapes through tying/tucking/untucking/folding/unbuttoning, etc. Just like this Frankie Shop maxi dress I restyled in Maui:
Alternative Layers - Layers create dimension so a look doesn’t feel flat. Adding a “third piece” is a bit tougher to do in the summer, but only because I think we’re too focused on fall layering principles (using coats, jackets, and the like). In the summer, I layer mostly through my accessories. Woven bags add texture and the see-through quality creates depth. More non-layer layers: bag charms, leather pouches, multiple necklaces or bracelets, a scarf tied around the wrist, belts, socks, fun hair clips, statement sunglasses.
Materiality - Playing with the idea of weightlessness gives off breezy vibes. Anything sheer, clear, or mesh—like my Row mesh sock flats ( a summer sale find that quickly became my most used pair). This organza shirt from Frankie Shop feels polished yet so airy. It reminds me of a traditional Filipino dress shirt called a Barong Tagalog, which is made from a sheer piña (pineapple) fabric. With jewelry, I focus on the ones crafted from natural materials like shells, crystal beads, and pearls. This adds a casual organic look that can make non-summer items more summery. Think layers of coco beads worn with a button-up shirt.
Favorites reimagined - One way I am able to still feel like myself this time of year is to find the pieces I love, but done in warm-weather appropriate fabrics—like a blazer in a lightweight cotton, linen or technical fabric (just got this one from COS). Reaching for an oversized button-up instead of a thick jacket is another way I get my outerwear fix during the season.
What I Learned This Summer
Seasonless staples make up the majority of my wardrobe, which is a good thing, but I realize I’ve been too focused on the practicality of not buying summer-specific things that I forgot to have a little fun. I want to have pieces that get me excited to get dressed in the summer, the ones that add a special flavor to my everyday ingredients. This year I released myself from the idea of buying only perfect pieces that can do it all. It is OK to buy things I may not be able to wear every single day, as long as I love it enough and it fills some kind of hole in my wardrobe. This COS blazer and pants set (a recent sale score, talked about it here) satisfies my craving for a fun and modern summer suit. I mentioned my distaste for florals, well this is my kind of botanical print. It looks artful and the monochrome treatment makes it more of a textural element rather than a loud pattern. A feminine/tropical print on a masculine suit creates unexpected irony that I really appreciate. Already looking forward to pulling it out next year. Also thinking of ways to style it into my winter and spring looks. Could be really fun and unexpected!
What I Packed And Wore In Maui
A tight edit that can make endless outfits! We spent barely a week there but I could have stayed a month without running out of new combinations. As always, I avoided packing multiples of similar items and everything fit in my carry-on (see my packing tips here). The agenda: pool, beach, hikes, casual poolside meals, market walks, fancy dinners. One dress with sleeves, another without. Skirts? Each a unique style. One sporty pair of shorts for outdoor adventures, and the other a polished version for a beach to brunch option. Each piece (most from my everyday wardrobe) acts like a tool, dialing up the polish or ease. The COS suit set helps tie everything together and is a nod to those classic Hawaiian dad shirts. See it all in action here:
If there isn’t a link, then its something I’ve had for a while/no longer available:
Dresses: Frankie Shop Shirt Dress, The Row Cenoa Scuba Dress
Tops: Uniqlo Shacket, COS Botanical Print Short Sleeved Blazer, Lisa Marie Fernandez Swim Cardigan, Girlfriend Collective Sports Bra.
Pants: COS Botanical Print Trousers
Shorts: Old Zara Linen Shorts, Uniqlo Bike Shorts
Skirts: Zara Parachute Maxi Skirt, Tibi Openwork Skirt, Skims Swim Sarong
Bags: Jenni Kayne Raffia Bag (Code ThereseJ15), Thrifted Black woven bag
Shoes: The Row PVC slingbacks, Jeffrey Campbell Jellies, Mango Sporty Sandals, Old Rothy’s FlipFlops, Teva Sandals
Jewelry and Accessories: Toteme Cap, Jenni Kayne Hat (not pictured), Agmes Necklace, Old Celine Silk Scarf, Local beaded necklaces purchased there
Sunnies: Old Celine, Le Specs Rectangular Frames, Target Men’s Shield Sport Glasses, Illesteva Donna Sunnies
Swim: Old favorite H&M Triangle Bikini Top (Fits me so well, great for flat chested gals!) and Tie Bottom, Wild Fable Green Scoop Front Bikini Top
That’s all for now! I hope you had a wonderful summer. Who’s really for fall?
Xx, T
Oooh would love to hear more about your Maui trip? Where you stayed / where you’d recommend? It’s on my list! (And now so is that cos suit!)
You have such stellar style. Thank you for sharing!