Outfit ideas to get you through summer! (PT.1)
I share with you a few ideas to help you get dressed for summer!
Before we dive into this visual feast, which has been a few weeks in the making, I have a few notes:
I ambitiously put together about 30 looks, and as I was editing, I realized that including all of them in one newsletter might be overwhelming. Therefore, this will be a two-part series, with part two coming out next week. I’ve decided to make the second part available exclusively to paid subscribers. So, if you don’t want to miss any of the looks, consider becoming a paid subscriber.
This week, I may have over-committed myself, haha! As a result, it's going to be packed with exciting content—one highlight being the second episode of “Lunch Break” with the creative director of Alex Mill and a fellow Substacker
will be coming to you all on Thursday! (Side note: while working on this project, I discovered some new features on Substack, and I can now connect the episodes to Spotify. So, if you use Spotify, you can start listening there too!)Regarding “Lunch Break,” I’m putting this survey out again because I’d love to know how often you all would like new episodes. If you haven’t listened to the first episode with esthetician Sydney Uthedahl, you can find it here!
Enough with the logistics, let’s get into some looks!
THE BASE LAYER THAT KEEPS ON GIVING
Dressing for summer is an Olympic sport. Each day presents a new challenge, or dare I say, a competition between ourselves and the weather, and 8 times out of 10, the weather wins. With that in mind, I think having a base layer that can survive the heat, is an easy solution. Longtime readers and followers know that I do not plan my outfits, and while the idea of a base layer might seem like a departure from that, but I think having a base layer—especially a monochromatic one—can act as a blank canvas.
To kick things off, I decided to go large, haha! They say go big or go home… well, I decided to start with a huge hat.
Earlier this month, Rachel Tashjian Wise shared photos of fashionable ladies in big hats gallivanting around Upper Manhattan. If you're looking for style inspiration, a trip to one of the Uppers will surely get your wheels turning. (Not to go off on a tangent, but I went to Sant Ambroeus on 77th and Madison the morning of my birthday, and my breakfast companion and I couldn't help but gawk at the outfits walking by.
Sorry for the tangent, back to our regularly scheduled programming!)
I took a screenshot of the looks and remember responding to her post with “MAJOR HAT ENVY, RN!!!!” I ended up getting the Esenshel hat she linked in her newsletter. I had seen the hat during an SS24 preview and thought it was interesting, but couldn’t see how one could wear it with their everyday wardrobe—that is until I put it on and felt like the embodiment of Frank Sinatra’s "New York, New York” and simply had to have it!
Like one of the ladies Rachel featured, I think the easiest way to wear a big hat is with a suit or at least a blazer. This linen blazer from Alex Mill has been my go-to outerwear in this blasted heat. A blazer balances out the magnitude of the giant hat. Under the blazer (and the hat), I’m wearing what I foresee being a great summer base: a white shirt and white pants (specifically The Row Jubin cropped pants that cost an arm and a leg, but are totally worth it!). As you read through this letter and next week’s, you'll see that I currently have a certain affinity for the color white.
White is one of those colors that feels risky due to its tendency to show stains easily, making you feel like you have to tiptoe around to avoid soiling it. But what happens if you throw caution to the wind and just... wear white? There is a luxurious crispness that comes with wearing white. Just watch Boom! (1968) and you'll understand how powerful and absolutely delicious white can be. Furthermore, it enhances the colors it's paired with. Take, for instance, the blues in the plaid Wythe shirt, the Sherman Fields sapphire tassel, and the blue-green jellies from Ancient Greek Sandals—all these blues suddenly have this oceanic hue next to this base layer of white.
...and then I added a towel in this fantastic fuchsia. In the photo, the flowers appear more pink, but they are actually a burnt orange. (though these are not the same color, here are one great options from Etsy: 1, 2, 3)
… I was playing around, and one thing led to another, and welp this quickly turned into The Row.
YOU’VE ENTERED THE ROW-DOME
We are no doubt in the throes of The Row-ification of everything, and everyone you know has probably mentioned some sort of Row-ism at some point. The Row is amazing in many ways, and one of their strong suits is the world they have built through the vehicle of styling (a big thanks to stylist Brian Molloy!).
I mean, what other brand could present a viable and strong argument for wearing a towel as a scarf, a comb as a necklace, or bedroom slippers as everyday shoes? What makes these styling suggestions so believable is that a) you see the twins wearing these things in their actual lives, and b) The Row caters to individuals in their orbit who aren't necessarily encumbered by typical life concerns, such as financial constraints. Their design approach not only considers these elements but also draws from a rich rolodex of references that they infuse seamlessly into the clothing.
The next three looks draw inspiration from The Row SS25, but each version has little tweaks here and there! While the idea of layering a dress over pants isn't new; however, The Row took it a step further—wait for it—a sweater! There's something really hot about wearing a sweater in the middle of summer, and I'm not just talking about the temperature! Perhaps it is that tinge of rebellion and disregard for the weather completely that makes the idea of wearing knitwear during the warm season absolutely delicious and sauve.
For this rendition, I'm sporting what I consider the perfect summer sweater: an open-weave cotton blend piece from Frame. I even wore it upstate on a balmy 75-degree day (that's about 24 degrees Celsius for our metric friends), and I felt comfortable and fresh.
Underneath, I'm wearing a Doen dress reminiscent of the late '60s styles favored by the likes of Jane Birkin and Brigitte Bardot. It's on the shorter side, which is a departure from my usual picks, but I like it more as a top than a dress. Similar to The Row's slip it features a delicate floral embroidery that adds a fresh touch. Instead of opting for flip-flops, I've paired the ensemble with thong sandals from the Doen x K.Jacques collaboration.
I decided to keep the same sweater and pants from the previous look and switch things up with this fringe and sequin ensemble by Peruvian designer Juan De La Paz (I also think a 1920s-style dress like this one or this one would make a great alternative). The designer gifted this to me about a year ago, and since then, I've been pondering how to style it—then, voilà! Inspiration struck. On its own the dress is a tad short, and as we have established that is not really my thing, and originally I had been trying to style it not as a dress. I tried it as an apron, as a shawl, or even as a skirt, but the solution was just starting right in front of me- pants! More specifically it had to be white pants, because I think any other color would have fought against this particular shade of pink (but I do think green pants would work well here).
For this final iteration of the look I decided to switch out the Frame sweater for this cashmere turtleneck, and for the dress layer I brought out this Maria McManus crochet dress that has this great stripe motif that I think adds to the look, and to tie everything into a nice bow I pulled out the gray Loewe nail polish heels. Perhaps this look is a bit too fall-forward, but why not have a little autumnal spirit now?
BRING A LITTLE FALL TO SUMMER
The idea of seeking fall-inspired looks for summer might seem a bit contrived or overly editorial, but I believe there’s a refreshing vitality in exploring this concept. The Row spring SS25 demonstrates how classic fall staples such as plaid, funnel neck sweaters, and even body shallowing coats can seamlessly transition to warmer seasons with the right fabrics and, importantly, the right footwear and accessories (think flip-flops, straw bags, and perhaps even hat-bags?). However, I must admit, the person who initially sparked my thoughts about bringing fall into summer was not The Row, but the artist Alex Katz.
In fact, it was the above photo that inspired me to impulsively buy that Wythe plaid shirt and start pestering Nick about our upcoming Cape Cod dates. You can practically smell the salty water and hear the squawk of seagulls circling above. It's truly a perfect outfit, with colors that are striking because, on paper, they shouldn't necessarily work together, yet they harmonize beautifully.
So any excuse to pull out my oversized chinos from J.Crew is a good day for me! I wear these year-round, and I consider them and all chinos seasonless staples. What I believe truly gives this outfit to a more autumnal feel are the plaid shirt and sweater. I've already spoken at length about the Wythe plaid, and shared my new favorite sweater. So instead of dwelling too long on both, I'd like to point you toward some excellent resources for versatile knitwear that you can enjoy year-round: Saks Fifth Avenue Private Label (Their knitwear, especially the cashmere, is something I genuinely enjoy. They use the same cashmere as a well-known brand, but I'm not sure if that information is supposed to be disclosed. If you want to know the brand, ask me in person, haha!), Lauren Manoogian, Begg x Co (a rep for the brand referred to it as the Loro Piana of Ireland.), and Kule. Of course, there are numerous other places that offer exceptional knitwear, but these are the first four that come to mind!
This ensemble is all about the sweater and the jeans—a pairing that might seem counterintuitive for summer. You already know my affection for this sweater. As for the jeans, I'll admit they're not my usual style. Both pieces are from Frame. These jeans are slim-cut, long, and gummy, which is quite different from my usual preference for well-worn vintage denim. Longtime readers and followers are aware of my views on denim—I generally avoid stretch because it doesn't suit me, but if it works for you, go forth and prosper. However, that does not stop me from giving things the good college try!
Despite initially feeling somewhat turned off by how stretchy they were, I began to not notice the feeling the more I wore them; I was not overheated while walking around in them, and they maintained their shape without stretching out as I moved. I've worn them around upstate but haven't yet tested them on the bustling scorching streets of New York, so that will be the next test- can they withstand that heat!
For this outfit, I stuck with the same sweater and jeans, and tied my plaid shirt around my waist Hey Arnold! style. As you can see in the photo, I opted not to wear anything underneath the sweater for better airflow. The plaid shirt, which I repurposed into a kilt, is made from a linen blend, so it doesn't retain heat around the midsection. To balance the somewhat grunge look, I added heels and a few accessories, some of the standout pieces being my 20s clip-on rhinestone earrings (try these from Dorsey) and the Cam Studios rock pendant and inside the rock there is a spectacular sapphire
From my pseudo-Cobain look, I decided to reference a look I put together a few months ago. I kept the major elements of the look intact—the hat, outerwear, shirting, and the Hermes knapsack—while swapping one shirt for an Another Tomorrow tank top and trading in my hush puppies for Sperry’s. Most notably, I replaced my voluminous cargo pants with swim trunks from the Thorsun x Charvet collaboration.
Similar to
, I'm also a fan of a summer trench or jacket. In the outfit above, the outerwear serves as the anchor of the look. Firstly, I believe it helps neutralize the seemingly clashing prints of plaid and paisley (the sweater also helps in this regard by sitting right between the two prints). Additionally, the jacket adds a fantastic shape that would be lost without its presence in the ensemble.
Now I understand if wearing a coat and sweater is perhaps too fall forward for you… that’s understandable… so can I interest you in a snood?
At the conclusion of the FW24 men’s shows, I proposed the notion of the snood, but sticking with the theme of this section, why not bring that idea to the present! This one is from Attersee and is made mostly from silk and is appropriately named “The Evening Wrap,” making it an easy addition not only for coverage and for some added warmth to fight against an evening chill.
I also like the idea of turning it into a cummerbund. I think the red really breaks up all the black and complements the linen and woven texture of the Cesta Collective “Taco” Bag, which literally fits everything you need and more!
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE SCARF
Another brand that has quickly become a source of inspiration for summer dressing, and seems to have been a stand out during the men’s shows, is Auralee. I first discovered the brand on a photoshoot a few years ago when I admired someone’s cashmere t-shirt and they mentioned it was from the brand. When I think of both The Row and Auralee, the image that comes to mind is that of the flâneur/flâneuse—the idler, the creative, the philosopher. These are clothes for leisure, and not a commercialized version of the idea you might find plastered on a straw bag with the word “Capri” scribbled across it in yarn. I’m talking about true laissez-faire, "Life is but a Dream," sunscreen-scented days and Campari-scented nights kind of leisure—capisce?
One of the most widely circulated images from the men’s shows was this striking look from the Auralee show: a simple black ankle-grazing dress paired with flip-flops, accessorized with a book and a soft green scarf. I've been pondering what exactly about this ensemble has stirred up such a frenzy. My best guess is its resonance with the timeless style of Carolyn Bessette Kennedy. Yet, to me, it evokes more Jackie Onassis especially when considering the recent Jacquemus show. This move towards a mid to late 60s/early 70s aesthetic I think is becoming prominent and was not seen at Jacquemus but also at Alessandro Michele’s Valentino (or as some people are calling it Vucci, haha!). All I saw on the matter is that it seems the tides are shifting, but I digress!
Before we dive into the main focus, which is all about the scarf, let’s talk about the dress. I picked up this dress from Chickee’s Vintage, and the moment I saw it in the store, it reminded me of this one from T** R** (that should be a drinking game actually, haha! Every time you read a mention of the brand, take a sip from your beverage of choice—currently mine is this non-alcoholic sparkling lemon lime delight, yum!). You can never go wrong with a black dress, especially in linen (here is an option from Banana Republic and then there is this one from Leset). They're perfect because, as we discussed earlier about base layers, they make for a versatile canvas that transitions easily from office to the beach, or even to a cocktail party that you would rather skip, but will still go to because there were promises of lobster rolls.
Now, onto the real star of this ensemble—the scarf. This is what gives the outfit that Jackie Kennedy feel. Similar to the way Auralee chose to tie their scarf I tied it in the back versus under the chin. To achieve that look you are going to need a bigger scarf versus the length commonly used for to tie your scarf like this.
For this look, I turned my gaze away from Jackie and channeled full-blown Samantha Jones from that episode where she threw the melons. (To truly nail the look, instead of tying, you could use a hair tie to secure the tails.) I've said it before and I'll say it again: a t-shirt dress is the epitome of easy summertime dressing, and this one from Leset is perfect for throwing on as you head out the door.
While shooting this look, I found myself thinking about Elizabeth Taylor and her jewelry collection. Particularly, I couldn't shake the image of her wearing a Cartier ruby and diamond set gifted to her by Mike Todd, and the tale of her jumping into a pool with the rubies on (I've even added her book My Love Affair with Jewelry to my summer reading list!). This train of thought naturally led me back to Boom! (not my favorite film, but those costumes are unforgettable!).
Inspired by these musings, I wondered how Flora “Sissy” Goforth would accessorize this look. The answer came to me in a flash: a tiger brooch pinned to the front of a scarf (technically a sarong), poised as if lunging. Could there be a more fantastic touch?
CAN YOU MODERNIZE THE DROP WAIST? AND A MOMENT FOR DRIES.
For this look, I took direct inspiration from the lady herself, specifically thinking about the outfit she wore for her bow at the Prada Men’s SS25 show. For one she is making a solid argument for these shoes from the Prada SS24 collection. Although I can't see what dress she's wearing under the sweater, the sweater itself seems to elongate and emphasize a drop waist or the illusion of such. I really though the drop waist had a fighting chance after that Burberry show that featured trenches in that silhouette, but alas I have not seen too many of those shapes walking down the runway. Perhaps the silhouette is so firmly rooted in the 20s, that people are afraid to touch it in fear that any attempt to modernize it will be rendered futile- and I can see their point certain styles can easily look outdated. However, I think that image of Miuccia gives this silhouette a renewed and compelling appeal.
Instead of a dress, I chose to wear my Sono cotton poplin skirt and paired it with a generously-sized shirt I snagged from the Prada sale—(not the one in February, but the equally fantastic one in December! For a similar shirt, consider checking out this one from James Perse). The skirt sits just below my natural waist, and the way the shirt drapes almost creates a subtle flounce in the skirt. My inspiration melded a bit of Miss P's style with a hint of the Robe de Style silhouette, which was an alternative style from the straight column/ flapper-like dresses of its era.
What truly updates this ensemble in. my opinion is the choice of footwear and how oversized the shirt is.
And now onto the today’s finale… Dries Van Noten (wasn’t that show simply fantastic, a true master!!!).
In homage to Dries and his final show, I thought it fitting to conclude with a piece from this amazing designer. I mentioned this kaftan last week and have already worn it quite a bit. When I purchased it, I didn't plan to treat it like a traditional kaftan, especially since it's somewhat sheer. I needed to find ways to wear it without inadvertently revealing my underwear to all of Manhattan, yet still maintain its light and airy essence.
Initially, I decided to balance the dress's volume with voluminous pants that could be easily tucked into the side slits. To complement the bohemian nature of the outfit, I layered on bangles, baubles, and beads, and topped the look off with the jellies that plays nicely with the colors in the kaftan.
And that’s all for today, like I said part two is coming out next week, I will see you all again mid-week!
XX
JJ
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Omgggggg u have a very special eye! “ fashion is dead, long life to styleeee” dries von noten 🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵
Amazing. Cant wait for part deux. How are the jellies from Ancient Greek Sandals holding up? The Row jellies are having a lot of breakage. Also are they comfortable to wear for long periods of time?