While summer can often be a challenging season to dress for, there are a few sure-fire ways to ensure that you can dress for the sweltering heat and humidity while still looking chic and effortless. For starters, you want to opt for light colours that reflect the sun's rays.
Moreover, stay away from tight pieces; loose-fitting garments are much more likely to keep you cool. Look through the best women's wear collection and opt for dresses, linen shorts, and embroidered kimonos that you can wear over and over again.
For more advice on curating the summer wardrobe of your dreams, read on for the essential tips for an effortless summer style.
1. Pay attention to materials.
The materials that your garments are made of will make a significant impact on your summer style. Generally, the best materials for hot weather are cotton, linen, rayon, and denim.
As it is soft, lightweight, and breathable, cotton is ideal for the summer. Luckily, you can find cotton items in a range of styles and colours, making it easy to include this material in your wardrobe. Look for a cotton mini dress for a chic, feminine look.
Similarly, linen is another fantastic choice as it is also a breathable fabric that is loosely woven, enabling heat to leave the body. More than cotton, linen absorbs moisture while being quick to dry, ensuring you remain cool. A pair of linen trousers can be worn in a variety of ways and are a must-have for any summer wardrobe. Similarly, linen shorts are the perfect companion for long, hot days.
Rayon comprises very thin fibres, permitting it to breathe and feel light on the body. This fabric is best suited for sportswear and summer dresses. For example, a minidress with a 100 percent rayon skirt is ideal for beach time – especially if it is embroidered and features a structured upper part.
Due to it being constructed from tightly woven cotton, denim is just as breathable and sweat-absorbent as cotton; however, it is a much heavier fabric. That being said, everyone's summer wardrobe should (at the very least) include a couple of pairs of summer denim jeans, shorts and a denim jacket.
2. Balance comfort and femininity.
When getting dressed for the summer months, it is essential to prioritize comfort while not sacrificing your femininity. This style of dressing takes its cues from Parisian women who tend to be masterful at the effortless look. Rather than feeling hot and bothered in a tight, short dress, opt for a flowing or deconstructed dress silhouette that will keep you cool and feeling free throughout the warm months.
For example, a loose-fitted midi dress with sleeve frills is feminine, comfortable and timeless. This style of dress is ideal for all body shapes.
Another good option to have in your wardrobe is an embroidered mini dress made from lightweight textured cotton fabric and adorned with coloured applique embroidery. A piece like this can be dressed up for dinner or worn over your bathing suit while at the beach.
Whatever style of dress you prefer, make sure you choose pieces that are crafted from beautiful, natural materials. Additionally, you may enjoy having dress options that feature a discrete pattern (such as a modern paisley pattern) or neutral colours that you can wear in various ways.
3. Buy less, but better.
An integral part of effortless dressing is prioritizing buying fewer but higher quality garments. Instead of having an abundance of clothes that you rarely wear and that don't fit you well, you want to have a small curated collection of items that you love, that work for your body and lifestyle and align with the rest of your wardrobe.
By purchasing higher-quality pieces, you can be assured that these items will stand the test of time. Your closet may include a number of different pieces from light jackets to silk skirts, an embroidered kimono to a minidress.
However, when you are more selective with what you bring into your wardrobe, you will find that you have more space for the garments that you positively love and frequently find yourself reaching to wear.
While the individual pieces may be more expensive than cheaper options, overall, you will find that you spend less money on your wardrobe because you don't have to re-buy items over and over again. Not to mention that it will take you less time to get dressed each morning because you won't have to make so many decisions.
4. Keep your makeup natural.
Your outfit doesn’t just consist of the clothing you wear, but also your beauty products. In order to look effortless during the summer, you want to ensure that you are taking a simple approach to your makeup.
This means bypassing your heavy foundation and reaching for a light tinted moisturizer. Finish off your look with a neutral lip, bronzer, bronzy eyeshadow and mascara. Natural brown tones tend to emphasize your eyes, while a swipe of red lipstick brings a pop of colour.
Products that produce a sheer, intense colour can quickly brighten your face even without you needing to wear too much. In many cases, bright colours can further enhance your natural glow, enabling you to achieve a no-makeup makeup look with less product. The best way to apply a brightly coloured product is to do it very lightly, rather than as a full-on statement with too much texture.
Wearing a few high-quality, simple products will take you from day to night effortlessly and ensure that you are always ready for what the day brings. For nighttime, add a little extra bronzer, some more eyeshadow and eyeliner, a more glossy lipstick, and you will be walking out the door in no time.
Final Thoughts
By following these tips, you will find yourself with a summer wardrobe filled with timeless and comfortable pieces. For the women in your life, opt to buy gift cards online for your favourite summer boutiques and help them also achieve the wardrobe of their dreams.
What do you think are the essential tips for mastering effortless summer style? Which items do you feel are necessary for this type of wardrobe? How do you like to style your hair and makeup in the summer?
Let us know your thoughts and any additional insights you may have in the comments below!
AUTHOR BIO
Andrea Bertinetti is the Marketing Manager at Scarlett Poppies, a vivacious Dubai-based resort and beachwear brand that offers edgy, easy-breezy and effortlessly cool pieces designed by a cultural melting pot of designers. Influenced by tribal trends with a touch of Scandinavian flair, the brand's beachwear styles are always ethereal and minimalistic.
