While I love a little sand, surf, and sun, the summer heat usually has me thinking less about style and more about comfort. That’s not to say I’m not ogling all the new summer clothes in the store windows, but it’s hard to concentrate on assembling an outfit when it’s too hot to want to wear clothes, period. So how do you keep cool while looking cool? The idea is to pick outfits that are loose and breathable. Before worrying about style, materials play an important role in how hot an outfit can be. Man made fibers like polyester and rayon trap heat whereas natural, lightweight materials like cotton allow the garment to breathe. Similarly, loose fitting items are always more comfortable and let air escape!
Now for the pieces themselves… Dresses are a great go-to because not only can they be light and airy, but you also don’t have to wear pants! Shift and swing dresses have been very popular lately and are much cooler cuts than bodycon dresses since they don’t cling to the body. I especially love big florals and bright colors for these two styles of dresses. Vince Camuto and Calvin Klein have been selling similar dresses that can be purchased for a discount at department stores and I also found a great buy of a salmon colored, floral swing dress by Betsey Johnson at Marshall’s. If you’re bold enough, slip dresses have also been very popular on the runway and are another breezy style. They can be easier to wear and style. If you’re not one to stray too far from a t-shirt or tank top, Anthropologie always has a good selection on basics with dressy details. Luckily, there’s an Anthro on Washington with a sale section that usually has an additional percentage off! Most of their t-shirts or tank tops are cotton or linen with eyelet, peplum or scalloped detailing to make them look a little more “I picked this out”. The Gap, J Crew (or the factory store), and Banana Republic also offer similar styles.
For guys, the runway saw a throwback to the fifties with some wildly patterned Cuban collar button downs. What’s a Cuban collar? Just a fancy name for the notched label-like collar your grandpa wore back in the day. Bring it into the 21st century by shopping for shirts with a modern, slim fit and try cuffing the sleeves for an added detail. Try not to shy away from all the colors and patterns though… maybe try some Hawaiian palm trees? Pair your new Al Pacino-inspired shirt with a dressier chino or trouser short and loafers or lifestyle sneakers.
Athleisure is the answer to everyone’s prayers for summer comfort. Familiarize yourself with the times because it means casually wearing your sports clothes is actually stylish. The first rule of Athleisure is to know when to wear it. It is one of the most casual ways of dressing and is not appropriate for anything remotely formal. What it is perfect for is a day of running errands, hanging out with friends, or down time in between classes. The next step is to know how to mix and match. If you step out head-to-toe in sportswear the only place you should be going is the gym. Taking your gym clothes to the street requires mixing in a few garments or accessories that are non-workout materials but still have a sporty feel. These could be jeans, lifestyle sneakers, and shiny leather or bomber jackets. So what does a typical Athleisure wardrobe look like? For both guys and girls it includes Adidas and Nike tees and tanks that feature graphic prints, foil or mesh, lots of denim (best ripped or frayed), bomber jackets, oversized hoodies and drawstring shorts. What makes the style more interesting is successfully mixing in a blazer, button down shirt or nice pants to make the look more appropriate for the street than the gym. Topman does Athleisure really well for men and Nordstrom currently has a great selection under “Men’s Trend” that can at least serve for style inspiration. For girls, Urban Outfitters and Asos have to-die-for collections from Adidas and Calvin Klein that make a perfect blend of sporty chic. I also got some great deals on Nike apparel at Kohl’s. Beating the summer heat doesn’t have to mean abandoning all sense of style. Athleisure especially makes it easy to look trendy while still being comfortable. Who says you can’t sleep, work out and go out in the same outfit? Well, me actually.
Please change after going to the gym. And shower.
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