3 Simple Summer Outfit Recipes
Happy day, Reader Dearest!
Northern Hemisphere friends, now that we’re a few weeks into summer (And if you live anywhere in the South, even MORE weeks into hot weather!) your style just might be feeling wilted. You’re needing some cool outfit inspiration…
That’s where Outfit Recipes come in…
They’re practical.
And adaptable.
You could call them the boneless, skinless chicken breasts of the style world.
Like boneless skinless chicken breasts (or thighs) or a box of pasta, you can change the spices and additions according to your own taste and what you have in the fridge! (Or simply what’s not in the hamper! No, I wouldn’t know anything about that.)
I’ve written previously about using Outfit Recipes to speed up your morning and some other Style Shortcuts to help simplify your days. Just like you find yourself relying on different recipes in the kitchen in different seasons or years, you’ll find the same thing shifts and preference changes in your Outfit Recipes. Right now, I’m wearting these three are #onrepeat, so why not try them out?
Shorts + Sandals + Blouse
Shorts + Sandals + Blouse has regularly been one of my summer Outfit Recipe go-to’s, and is one that more and more women discovered during work-from-home adventure. It’s got all the comfort of shorts and a tee (Maybe even more since tees can cling and trap heat!) AND have enough polish to show up on camera. Here’s a variation of one of last summer’s Copycat Styles! Read more about the original inspo, see the original look and let me know which you like better.
Dress + Sandals + Statement Earrings
I sandwich this one in there because SO many people are dress-resistant… I hear it all the time.
- Dresses are too dressy. Nope. Dresses don’t have to be dressy. They can be super casual and relaxed!
- I don’t want to wear shapewear in the heat. Neither do I! Don’t wear a dress that needs shapewear!
- I don’t have the right shoes. What? Haven’t you seen all the influencers wearing Birks and athletic shoes with dresses?
Here, I threw out a selection of sandal styles: Flatforms, Flats and Heels. You do you! Hmmm. Yes, I rocked this for my 4th of July outfit! Can you guess which combination?
Why did I opt for statement earrings rather than a necklace or bunch of bangles? Because when the weather is super hot, I don’t want metal touching my chest or wrists. It’s like grabbing a hot seat belt buckle in the car… OUCH!
Colorful Necklace/s + Sandals + Column of White
OR Ivory or Khaki. Light olive would work here, too!
This time it’s all about reversing the order. Think about it like “Do I want Indian, or Mexican tonight?” Choosing the flavor profile your’re craving is like starting with the accessories. Sometimes we need to start with the spices and additions and then get to the chicken. (Or pasta or tofu! It’s tofu-tally up to you! #sorrynotsorry)
How About You?
Is the heat withering in your neck of the woods? What are your go-to warm weather Outfit Recipes? Did you check out last year’s Copycat with the same shirt and shorts? If so, which do you prefer? Last year’s or this year’s? Did you guess which combo I was chose for the 4th? Let me know in the comments below! I love to hear from you…
Stylishly yours,
8 Comments
Lise
Hi Liz, Yes, gotten very hot and humid here on the Black Sea recently. Just 2 days ago I listed for myself a High Summer Capsule which comprises of linen/cotton shorts, skirts and one pair of utility trousers, loose cotton dresses and tops. Yes T-shirts are mostly too hot if they cling. I also don’t wear necklaces and bracelets in the hot sun. I prefer a material handbag as leather/pleather gets too hot and sticky. This weather only lasts until around 20 August, fortunately. Keep cool!
Liz K
I’m with you, Lise! I love a cloth or straw bag when the temperatures climb. Leather and pleather feel heavy unless they are very light in color or have a woven texture. I’m not sure why a woven texture feels lighter, but for some reason it does. Maybe it’s because we connect the weave with baskets?
Sally in St Paul
There’s nothing cooler than a dress because there’s no pesky waistband! It is odd how people do think dress = dressy when there are so many shirt dresses, t-shirt dresses, etc. out there. Your navy dress is so pretty! Next week is going to be hot here (in the low to upper 90s) so I have my own outfit recipe for it: Linen top or T + skirt + ballet flats.
Liz K
That sounds like the perfect Outfit Recipe for heat in the North, Sally! I’d melt down here in closed shoes, so I am fortunate to be working from home where I can wear sandals.
Andrea Andresen
Love the post(have saved for later) FYI can’t find the link to the copycat in the article. Strangely while I’m happy to do a white dress, I don’t feel comfortable in white on white- go figure!
Could you please add in a link to the wonderful article you did about proportions with shorts. Getting better proportions with shorts and skirts is one of my targets for Style School one to ones(when we get to our Summer).
Liz K
Thank you for letting me know the link wasn’t there. Sometimes technology plays tricks on us! And yes, here’s that post about shorts and proportions: https://closetplay.biz/shorts/
OnceUponaTimeHappilyEverAfter.com
We were commenting that it is refreshing to see young girls (teens and young adults as well as little girls) wearing dresses this summer. Our outlet mall had lots of gals walking around in cool sundresses. I have a couple of pocketed tee shirt dresses I need to wear in the next few weeks of summer.
Love that white on white shorts outfit. You look absolutely put together and ready for any activity!!
Liz K
I think the feeling may be shifting post-Covid as so many people discovered the ease of what I think of as jammie-dresses. Thank you for you, Leslie, for your kind words!