2 Easy Outfit Formulas for Hot Summer Days

Also: In defense of the skort!

Hi! I'm reporting live from D.C. where it’s HOT HOT HOT! The temperature is hitting a high of 91 degrees today. I thought I’d pull together some outfits I’m leaning on to survive this heat. Short of built-in A/C, these formulas work well when the air just isn’t breathing outside…but you still have to look somewhat presentable. (I like the word “formulas” because you likely already have these items in your closet. You don’t need to buy these exact pieces.)

P.S. 🚨 Before we get into it - important alert! Doen’s “hand me down” sale is happening starting today. I buy most of my Doen pieces through this sale. You can find really good deals (for Doen, that is). Like a dress that’s usually $300+ is $150. Do not miss it! One of my top shopping tips if you’ve been eyeing their pieces!

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Formula 1: A White Tee + Athletic Shorts or a Fun Skirt/Skort + Strappy Sandals + A Tote Bag

Why it works: A white tee is theee workhorse of your closet in the summer. When you don’t want anything sticking to your body, a relaxed white tee is breathable and can pair with pretty much anything on the bottom.

My perfect white tees of choice:

• This one for a looser fit. I just got this and it’s my top choice for HOT days; it’s got a slubbier knit.

• This one for a boxy fit. Slightly more opaque and heavier than the one above.

• I’ve heard good things about this one. It’s next on my list since it’s half the price of the Jenni Kayne…

I’m wearing this *today*! Told ya I was reporting live! (The t-shirt is from Jenni Kayne. The denim skirt is from Zara - similar here and here. My sandals are from J.Crew. The anklet is from Sezane and it never leaves my body. The fun little bag is from J.Crew). I will change into a black tee for daycare pickup. IYKYK.

Variation 1 of this formula:

T-shirt. Shorts (I just got these! Similar here; also check secondhand). Fun rope and pearl necklace (EDIT: the owner of this small biz reached out to give a discount! use DOWNTIME25 for 15% off). THE tote bag. Woven sandals (ALISHA35 for $35 off).

Variation 2:

Tee. Skirt. Rope necklace. Crochet straw packable tote. Strappy sandals (ALISHA35 for $35 off).

Variation 3:

Very similar to what I’m wearing today :) Tee. White SKORT! Pretty pearl drop earrings. Stud earrings. A dainty bracelet to up the élégance. Basket tote bag. Strappy sandals.

A quick word on the lowly skort…

I’m a huge proponent of the mini skort for summer. And I’m seeing them everywhere right now, specifically, the wrap skort version (I just picked up two from Zara). As a short gal, I love a mini for giving me as much leg length as possible. And as a mom to an infant, I need a maximum range of motion without the fear of flashing anyone. I need to be able to move—to dive for that bottle before it hits the dirty ground, to bend over to pick up errant Cheerios, to lean wayyyy into the car to wrestle with the annoying straps on the carseat.

So. Rather than eschewing minis, let’s embrace the skort. Who’s with me?

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Formula 2: Jean Shorts + Puff Sleeve Top + Birkenstocks + Dainty Bag

Why it works: Everyone owns a pair of jean shorts! But they’re a bit difficult to figure out how to make look…how do I put this. Not sloppy? Like you’re going to grab a snow cone on a boardwalk? They’ve challenged me sartorially in the past, but I think I’ve cracked the code: pair them with a flowy, puff sleeve top rather than a tee or a tank.* It gives it just enough of a dainty, dressy feeling when in reality, you’re just wearing a half-step above a tee. You can still this wear a bra with this type of top (not possible with a tank), and if this is important to you, they’re nursing-friendly.

easy breezy

IMO, a good puff sleeve top doesn’t have wildly exaggerated sleeves; they are just subtly puffy-enough. I like to call these Doen tops, because it’s the first brand I saw popularizing them, but I could be wrong. (They also make the best variation IMO, but I know not everyone wants to spend $150 on a top, so I’ve got other options for you below.)

Jean shorts I like:

• These in any of the washes, really

• I currently own these, same as above but with a frayed hem if that’s your thing

• I just bought these in black and they’re a little longer (true to size - also sold here)

Puff sleeve tops I like:

• Doen

• Madewell - very similar to above

• Anthro - a little dressier

• Staud - crispy! I have the dress version of this

*Another trick to un-sloppify anything, really, is to add a belt with hardware on it. But I don’t looove jean shorts with a belt, especially on a hot day, it’s too restricting.

Variation 1:

Top. Jean shorts. Mini beaded bag. Birkenstocks in a perfect sandy color!

Variation 2:

Top. Jean shorts. Birkenstocks. Mini woven tote.

Variation 3 - One that’s more office appropriate:

(I’m cheating because I realize these aren’t jean shorts…but I wanted to share the versatility of the puff sleeve top and how to style them.)

Top. Linen trousers (maybe swap to white if black is too heavy?). A more structured bag. Sandals. The structured bag, full-length bottoms, and the hardware on the sandals helps this look a little more polished and ready for the office A/C whilst still keeping you cool outside.

Bonus: The one-and-done dress + minimal sandals.

I mentioned the one-and-done dress on Friday. Realistically, if I have a flowy cotton, linen, or poplin dress, it is always going to be my first go-to when it’s too hot outside. Here are three picks…

Left to right: White embroidered poplin dress. Red linen A-line dress. Gingham linen scoop neck dress (comes in lots of other colors, has adjustable straps - I just got this one!)

wearing the aforementioned linen gingham dress

(I’ve been asked about Quince pieces and if they are legitimate. It’s a fair question, especially because lately I’ve been leaning into paying more for pieces that I know are high-quality and made by smaller brands.