Summer 2020 Capsule: The Edit

Happy day, reader dear!

Yes, last weekend might have been the unofficial start of summer, but I wasn’t ready to turn over my wardrobe to summer just yet. Maybe that’s because I know how long and hot summers usually are here in Augusta, Georgia. Or maybe it’s that this spring has been so very lovely here weather-wise… I’m simply not ready for summer. Especially since our summer vacation plan has been Covided. That’s my new verb. Covided: Changed by the global pandemic. You’re welcome to use it.

AND you are most welcome to Pin or share with friends on social media any images or information you find here that tickle your fancy. I love to meet new people, and it’s good for me and for the blog! Thank you.

Each season I go through the same selection process. Don’t panic! It may look like a lot of work, but it’s far simpler to do than to explain in a post. The planning and assessing keeps me on budget and the time spent planning is more than saved in time and stress spent choosing from a overfilled closet each morning! If you haven’t already, let’s get thinking about Summer 2020…

1. What Kind of Look Do I Want? (Imagine)

As I said in my Spring Outfit Faves post, I loved spring’s theme of Casual Ladylike Ease and want to carry that into summer. How do I define Casual Ladylike Ease? Casual = Plenty of denim, messy hair, natural looking makeup, nothing too arranged or precious. Ladylike = Blouses rather than tees, sparkle, light colors, heels, bag in the hand (If I ever go anywhere again!), a flash of ankle. Ease = A little slouch in the look somewhere. That could be a baggy jean, a half-tucked blouse, or a messy pile of jewels. (Unfortunately, there’s not a lot of slouch in my jeans and trousers after the past 13 weeks mostly at home…)

Thank goodness, scarves have returned to my inspo board! Maybe that’s where I can get a little looser and slouchier this season? We’ll see how that plays out!

I’m still craving blue, all shades! (Good thing blue is big this year.) Since fall, I’ve been playing with more color and need a rest. For the summer months I (In reverse of all the rest of the world.) find myself wanting less color. Not NO color mind you, but not the brights everyone else gravitates towards. I expect I’ll want my light greys again when summer comes and I want a cooler spa feeling, aquas, lilacs, and greens… Colors with a cool overtone! Since greens, blues, and purples are all next to each other on the color wheel, they feel less colorful together than they are…

I’m still loving the simple Jeans + Blouse + Heel outfit recipe that worked well all Spring long, and since it looks like a LOT more #workfromhome for me, those pieces are what I want to make sure I hanging in my closet!

2. What Do I Have? (Assess)

Shopping My Closet/Storage Box:

Time to dig back into the warm weather storage box. And visit the out of season shoe shelf. (It had a serious declutter in May.) I found some old friends, some pieces that it’s time to say goodbye to, and a few new friends I picked up to wear when the weather warmed up…

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I’m blessed! I found a new white top for summer at Uptown Cheapskate back in February; it’s been waiting in the box ever since. I’m breaking out my aqua linen top, lilac sandals, and as always, I have an ocean of blue from which to choose. My old green blouse has another season in it (Thank goodness!), and I found a green gingham top the same day as the white. It’s time to store away the pinks and blushes until fall. I’m tired of them and I know I’ll be happy to see them again after a break! Considering that pink is such a signature color for me, we’ll see how that goes!

3. What Do I Need? (Evaluate)

What pieces do I need?

As for work, I don’t foresee needing a lot of my jackets; I’ll still be working (for the most part) from home, and will be doing much of my networking from home. I have jeans, shorts and blouses to wear for work days at home. I could certainly use a lightweight blouse/tank or two. My 6+ year old LWD (Little White Dress) has gotten decidedly grotty and must go! I also need a new pair of flat sandals. My old flats went in the great shoe purge of 2020.

I (like so many of us…) have nothing on the calendar to include in my summer plan. We had a week in the mountains scheduled with the entire tribe, but had to cancel. (I wept when I sent the email.) Oooh! I do have something to look forward to! My professional association’s (Association of Image Consultants International) regional conference has been rescheduled for the end of August. It will be amazing!

As I said above, Covid has taken a toll on my waistline. (Yes, I am a stress eater. And baker. The two are a dangerous combination.) Therefore, I REALLY need a new (to me) pair of jeans. I’d LOVE a light wash baggy-ish jean. That may mean buying a pair that’s too large and having the waist taken in… It’s time for a trip to Encore!

How many pieces do I need?

I used to think that this was the unanswerable question! But after a season of 29+1 being just right, I’m going to try starting close to that. I know I need more tops in summer since they aren’t usually worn more than once before they have to hit the washer. Maybe 35 will be the winning number? I’ve never counted shorts before, since they were only for at home wear, but now that at home is wear I’m doing all my wearing, maybe they count, but church clothes don’t? Summer 2020 looks like it may turn into my most casual summer yet…

4. What Will I Buy? (Eliminate Options)

You’ve already heard about my two new-to-me tops. I thought my 2020 Style Resolution put a healthy damper on my shopping, until I discovered how to really make Ebay my friend. Now it’s become a burden on my French Five plan… I ordered a new casual white dress from Target. We’ll see how that works out. I’ve been hunting for a new pair of flat sandals on the pre-loved sites since January or February, and still haven’t found a pair that will work for my odd feet, so that’s also on the order list. Keeping my eyes open for a tank or another short sleeved blouse. Maybe in the aqua my senses are craving? I’ve got my eye on the polka dot one on the inspo board…

So what are you thinking? What colors sound good to you this summer? What kind of style vibe are you feeling? Are you mostly stay-at-home-ing, or do you have plans? Is summer always casual in your world, or is this one going to be different? Do let me know in the comments below! I do so love to hear from you…

Stylishly yours,