Dressing for summer
Life is so much easier when you’re not worrying about taking the perfect picture. This applies not only to Instagram, which probably comes to mind first, but also this blog. I can be too much of a perfectionist at times and I’m sure a year ago I wouldn’t have posted mirror pictures. But I’ve been trying to let it go a little especially when it comes to outfit shots. I hope that’s okay.
All items worn are purchases from the last couple of weeks. Truth be told, I’ve been buying to many clothes. Most of the time I can hardly find anything that caters to my taste in the summer but this year is definitely an exception. We had a few really hot days and I suspect there will be many more to come. So at the moment I’m opting for wide legged trousers and airy tops when temperatures rise above 25 degrees Celsius. Very much out of my comfort zone but so much more comfortable than skinny jeans.
I tried the cropped wide jeans last year in London but the model seemed a bit weird. I guess it took a bit of getting used to the silhouette as I’m now loving it. Paired with my striped shirt and classic loafers it still feels timeless. Oh, remember my post about choosing another pair of loafers? I ended up with the G.H. Bass ones and they do not disappoint! The second outfit is perhaps a little chicer than my usual attire. Probably because of the twill trousers. I like the combination with the linen blouse, which makes me especially happy. Linen shirts are excellent for warmer weather and I’m a sucker for everything with tortoise buttons.
Unfortunately I will only wear the slippers when I’m not at work. Granted, we are allowed to wear them but I just don’t feel comfortable and/or professional with open toed shoes. I stood in line for these for 20 minutes because my size is so hard to come by (EU 36). Standing in line at Zara for 20 minutes feels like a lifetime. Awful! But in the end it beats paying over $500 for a pair of slides from Hèrmes of YSL. As I said on my Instagram story; I actually prefer these. But of course I’d be happy to do a comparison if one of the two brands would accidentally stumble upon this blog 😉
I’m all for the mirror outfit selfie! I do often feel self-conscious about how my nonexistent outfit photography skills, though I don’t seem to have any inclination to try to be more sophisticated about how I take my photos.
We’re getting into the uncomfortably humid and hot part of summer here, and it does really restrict outfit choices! I get very fussy about fabrics in summer (even a floaty/light polyester short sleeve top can feel icky when it’s too hot, I didn’t used to be fussy about work clothes in summer), though most of my synthetic-blend sleeveless work dresses wear okay in summer.
I also think I’d never be comfortable wearing open-toed shoes to work, except on the commute, and then I’ll change out of them as soon as I get in and feel a little sheepish about having walked into the office in them, even though no one cares! I guess it comes from getting my professional start in conservative workplaces. (Plus I know for a fact, from some of my earliest internships, that court staff will absolutely judge when attorneys wear open-toed shoes in court, so that’s scared me off even more.)
I don’t mind mirror outfit selfies from others at all but I’m too much of a perfectionist when it comes to myself. Trying to let it goooooo! 🙂 NYC weather seems so extreme. It’s either freezing cold or tremendously hot. But maybe I’m completely wrong, haha.
I thought about switching shoes at work. That would definitely been an option. Did you ever write about shoes and being in court? I remember something like that.
“Life is so much easier when you’re not worrying about taking the perfect picture.” OMG I agree! I got too overwhelmed with the amount of clothes I want to buy this season so I’m now experimenting to restrict myself on only wearing black (usually black t-shirt + black jeans). And it has been quite liberating. Last month I felt like I was constantly in a cycle of waiting for an online order to arrive, returning online order, waiting for the money to arrive back in my account.
How are the sandals? They’ve become really popular on instagram havent they. I’m glad I can wear sandals to work for really hot days. But I can understand that they don’t feel very dressy/professional :p
ha! im in that order/return/refund cycle right now with TheOutNet. I don’t have many options for shopping where I live so online shopping (as much as I loathe it) is a good option, I just wish it didn’t take so long to get the refund!
Good for you! All black is always a good choice. Wish I could do the same but black is a no-go with cats unfortunately. Hm, I’m feeling you on the online orders. I’m experiencing the same thing right now which is tiring actually. I just keep sending stuff back because it’s not what I’m looking for irl.
The sandals are nice! Too bad everyone has discovered them now 😉
Great summer outfits, especially the one on the right. I prefer looser items in the heat, although I have to be careful because they can make me looker shorter. My eyes immediately went to those sandals; can’t believe they’re from Zara!
I can’t believe I used to stick with tight, warm skinny jeans in the summer. So stubborn haha. But definitely feeling the loose trousers at the moment.
The sandals are the only reason I stepped into Zara this year. The leather is wonderful and they look very chic 🙂
It makes me feel better to read that summer dressing is out of your comfort zone. I feel the same, despite being perfectly normal looking. I feel self conscious showing skin. I feel much better in coats and jackets and boots!
You look really great and chic though – just like the type of person I would see on holiday when visiting continental Europe , they would be at work/on lunch during the week. I would see them and make a mental note to try to be more stylish while at work! (and then fail miserably)
Thanks for the lovely compliment. Much appreciated! Dressing for summer is a total horror for me. But I’ve learned to adjust to the circumstances and just accepted that skirts and shorts are not for me. Loose trousers are the way to go, if you ask me. Still covered but not too hot.
Jessica,
I adore these outfits on you. I bought a pair of chinos last summer that resemble the black pants you are wearing. I consider them the equivalent of a shift dress in pants format – does not cling to the body and are life friendly.
Mirror selfies are effortlessly cool in some sense. ( I need to get myself a full sized mirror. )
I have to ask : You compared standing in line in Zara with spending 500$ at Hermes. Are there no intermediate moderately priced brands in between in the country you reside ?
Oh god no, imagine living in a place where those two options are the only ones! There are definitely moderately priced brands here. I compared them because the ones from Zara immediately reminded me of the other two designs. As we all know, Zara isn’t afraid to do knock-offs. However, I do think the design is still different enough to get away with them 😉 Hm, maybe I could’ve been more clear in my writing. Sorry about that! Writing in your own language is much easier when it comes to nuance.
I’m also looking for a nice full sized mirror but haven’t found the perfect one yet.