Summer isn't over!
Styling ideas and some hero pieces
Hello my friends,
The “Fall Must Have” lists and trend reports have started to roll in, so I am here to offer a gentle reminder that it is definitely still Summer (in the Northern Hemisphere), and the clothes that you have right now are all you need to have some fun with your style. Here are some late Summer outfits from recent years, weeks, and days to encourage you to make the most of the clothes you already have. You’ll see lots of repeated items and ideas, as well as a few new tricks that I’m exploring.
Accessories!
I’m aware that I sound like a broken record by this point, but I know I’m right so I don’t care! Accessories are the key! They’re the punctuation to your outfit! You can change the whole story of what you’re wearing and extend the use of everything in your wardrobe with them!!!!!
They are especially valuable in the Summer when we have fewer layers of clothing to add visual interest, and I’ve recently added a few to my collection that have been getting lots of use. Frankly it wouldn’t be a newsletter from me if I wasn’t pushing The Brooch Agenda™️, and I’m especially fond of these cheeky clusters that can be adapted to work just about anywhere.
I’ve also been using a single brooch in lieu of a necklace or to add some subtle asymmetry to a simple tank. My sweet pal Michelle gifted me the beaded Ploy Pin from her brand Magnetism, and I’ve been attaching it to the straps of my tanks and my bags for a personal touch.
Bags and shoes also play a big part in Summer styling, I’ve been getting a ton of wear out of these embroidered slippers I thrifted, and this sporty sling bag handmade by my pal Oak. Having simple but impactful pieces that pack a punch through colour, texture, or silhouette is crucial to bringing personality to simple Summer outfits.
Another important accessory on the roster this Summer is this scrap of lace that I randomly fished out of a drawer at my parents’ house. I’ve seen this particular trend floating around for the past few years, and I was intrigued but not inspired to take action. I couldn’t believe that this random textile that was being used as a curtain in a camper that my folks refurbished was the exact right length to fit around my hips- what are the chances?! I’ve worn a version of this look a handful of times already this Summer, and I’m hoping to bring it into Fall over jeans, and maybe even over my shoulders as a little shawl?
A good tee or two
From about 2012-2019 I was the vintage tee gal, I have a decent collection of band tees, vintage slogan tees, and perfectly worn in paper thin blanks (most of which are safely packed away in storage), but for the last handful of years I’ve barely reached for them at all. This Summer I felt the urge to lean back in and embrace the ease of a vintage tee, specifically these two. One is from Okay To Rest (no longer available but there are always new styles coming out!), and I chopped the length of the body and sleeves to get the boxy, slouchy fit that I like best. The other is a vintage Toronto Blue Jays tee that I originally thrifted for my brother a few years ago, but he wasn’t reaching for it anymore so it made its way back to me (perfectly worn in might I add, thanks Dev). I’m not a fan of the Jays per se, but I am a huge fan of the drape and sleeve length of this tee, and I’ve been getting a ton of wear out of it.
Wacky Shorts
One of my goals for my personal style is to play with different silhouettes more. I’ve been yearning for something ~else~ for the bottom half of my outfits and these wide, knee length shorts that I hacked together without a pattern (do not recommend) are scratching that itch for me. I like that they feel less sporty than my other soft shorts, but still easy and casual. When I am in the mood for something sporty, these fuchsia nylon cuties always do the trick. My hottest Summer style tip is to cut the mesh underwear out of a pair of men’s vintage swim trunks for the perfect swishy shorts.
Good sweats
I know Summer style is usually all about what to wear when it’s hot hot hot, but I think it’s unwise to overlook the true hero of the season, good sweats. I wear sweats every single day in the Summer for my early morning ocean dips, and there’s something nostalgic about a cozy cotton raglan on a breezy evening in August. My favourites come from Okay To Rest (designed and made in Canada!), Everybody World (I’ve lived in my navy zip hoodie all season, currently eyeing this rugby), and vintage Roots (specifically the 100% cotton fleece from the 90s and early aughts).
Personality piece
I’ve written before about how I generally don’t like getting dressed in the Summer for a variety of reasons, mostly revolving around discomfort with skin-baring looks and sensory concerns with the heat. I find that my style falls flat as a pancake in July and August, and I inevitably slide into a slump of soft shorts and button-up shirts. Enter the personality piece. Something just off-brand enough that it pushes at the edges of my comfort zone. This freaky little top was a dress that I thrifted and hated the fit of, so I hacked away the exaggerated scooped neckline and bell sleeves and sewed it into a wee square with holes for my head and arms. It’s light as air and feels like the perfect antidote to the Summer outfit doldrums, I feel a new personality unfurling when I think of the styling possibilities.
Outfit Repeater!
We all have pieces in our wardrobe that just never let us down no matter the weather, this thrifted rugby shirt is one of mine. This piece is my go-to for any Summer day when the weather isn’t scorching. Over the years it’s become a signature item in my wardrobe and has helped to define my personal style. Lately I’ve been pairing it with my sporty black skort and criss cross sandals for an easy and comfy look that feels appropriate for almost anything I might get up to, and I’ll be leaning on it for the transitional weather ahead. The below outfits range from 2022-2025, and all still feel totally relevant. Outfit repeating is the key to unlocking your personal style, promise.
My goal with this newsletter is to offer a way to connect to your clothes and style without consumption as the driving force. I hope these outfits and ideas will inspire to you spend some time with the clothes you already have, and to build your wishlists around actual gaps in your wardrobe and true sparks of curiosity instead of the trends and “must-have” items that are sure to be flooding your inbox and explore page.
COMING SOON
Dressing for the In-Between! Styling ideas from Pinterest and my wardrobe (in the meantime here’s my Spring 2024 version)
Indyx Lookbook deep dive- all 10 outfits, her moodboard, and insight into my styling process (much like this one)
BITS BOBS, ETC
I’m available for Indyx Lookbooks for all of your transitional styling needs
Speaking of Indyx! If you are ever curious about an item I’m wearing, you can find my ENTIRE WARDROBE here
As always, thanks so much for reading. I’ll be back soon with more sustainable + attainable style, and if there’s anything specific you want me to cover please let me know in the comments.
Love the brooches! I never know what to do with them, but now I can try wearing them with basics. Fun!
Alberta! I am new follower and I love your approach to styling and use what we have on our wardrobe. This post inspired me to cut off a pair of thrifted jeans into jorts to see if I would like them/use them before committing to buying proper jorts and I LOVED them!