Every summer rolls around and my Substack feed revisits the age‑old question: why is it so hard to dress in summer? Without our usual arsenal of layers and blazers, outfits can feel flat and uninspiring, so for many in the fashion crowd summer dressing becomes a challenge (personally, I love it - it’s my season of unlimited skirts). Inevitably, just as we start to figure it out, autumn arrives and we forget everything by the following June.
Last year I tried a hack: I wrote myself a mid‑season letter listing the outfits that worked best for me in July 2024. Today, one year later, I’m rereading it to see how my favourites have changed. Have a look!
Relaxed Linen Pants + Belt + T-shirt + Any sandals you like
July 2024
This is my go-to outfit this year, and I think it is extremely easy and elegant. I remember wearing it for several years already, and in fact it is quite easy to do different combinations with it – oversized T-shirt, simple T-shirt, monochrome, contrast, etc. It works every time!
All old: Uniqlo top, Flattered sandals and bag, Unknown pants, Marc O’Polo belt
July 2025
It is still a nice outfit, but feels a bit too simplified for my current style. I like more things in my outfit now. It also helps that the summer here has been very cold thus far, so more options for layering, but I’ve been wearing this vest and switched the pants from simple beige linen to a light green material to add more interest. However, the bag is still the same and still in heavy rotation!
All old: Tibi button up, Marc O’Polo pants, L.A. Apparel shoes, Flattered bag, the Frankie Shop vest.
Mini or Slim Skirt + Oversized T-shirt + Flat sandals
July 2024
This must be my favorite outfit this year – the top makes it so relaxed, and the sharp pattern on the skirt makes it really pop. I loved wearing it to the beach and around the resort on my holiday.
All old: Cos button up, Flattered bag, L.A. Apparel shoes, Basic Apparel skirt
July 2025
Interestingly enough, I have not worn a slim skirt much this year. This is the slimmest I could find in my looks. The summer is not over, so who knows?
All old: Tibi skirt, Arket top, Flattered bag, Gray Matters shoes, Uniqlo cardigan
Wide (Cargo) Pants + Dressier top + Shoes
July 2024
I’ve always struggled with cargo pants as they can be so sporty and masculine. That is, until I discovered how well they go with dressier tops. They are cargo for a reason – to balance the dressy top, and then everything falls into place.
All old: Flattered bag, J.Crew pants, Tibi shoes, Uniqlo top
July 2025
I feel a bit over the cargo trend now. Instead, I’ve been loving this bio-twill skirt from Tibi - it has that structured-but-casual, slightly utilitarian vibe. It gives the same effect, but in a way that feels fresher to me now.
Tibi skirt, Cos shoes, Uniqlo top, H&M belt, Kazys Varnelis bag
One and Done T-shirt dress + Accessories
July 2024
I remember clearly this being one of my favorite dresses last year. It has the boldness and speaks for itself – paired with the cool greenish Wandler bag and neutral Flattered loafers, and I loved it completely.
All old: Cos dress, Wandler bag, Flattered shoes
July 2025
Right now, the outfit above feels understyled and too simple for me. Are we all waking up from the years of minimalism or is it just me? Anyway, this year, I am playing with the monochrome dress-like look, but adding more interest with scarf, vest and the jewelry - much richer to my taste!
Tibi skirt, Jil Sander shoes, the Frankie Shop vest, Arket top
Big skirt + Tube, Tank or Slim top
July 2024
I wore this Tibi skirt quite a lot last summer, pairing it with slimmish tops. It gave a good combo and was very convenient too, as a long skirt does not restrict movement in any way.
All old: Flattered bag, Tibi sandals, Tibi skirt, Uniqlo top
July 2025
Again, I found myself craving more interest this year, compared to last year’s look. I loved the Toteme-inspired look of making the skirt into a pant, and in general have been craving more interesting, asymmetric, cocoon skirts. Anyway, here’s the look I’ve been sporting this year – the vest reappearing again in heavy rotation, after sitting untouched in my closet for 3 years or so.
All old: Tibi skirt, Tibi sandals, The Frankie Shop vest (old), Flattered bag.
When I started writing this post, I thought it would be a simple checklist to refer to next summer. But revisiting it, I realized how much my taste has evolved. Is it a vibe shift? Or does this happen more often than we notice?
I’ve also been thinking recently: in style (and life), we’re always striving to find the perfect capsule, to nail down the system, to finally “arrive” at the ideal wardrobe. But a few moments after we think we have it figured out - we get bored. Maybe the goal itself is elusive. Maybe it’s better not to aim for a final answer, but to enjoy the messy, shifting journey along the way.
In any case - happy summer dressing to you!
David: What I most love here is in the title! Because in my experience, the willingness to change is the most essential ingredient in what we call style. Its the balancing act between what is innate to each of us coexisting with our continual evolution as human souls.. Now, where I live, our Summer so far has been exceeding hot, (climate change for sure!). So some days my choices are definitely ruled by that! I'd I had my drurhers, I'd live in linen all Summer!. 🥵
This is such a fun exercice to do, definitely blocking some time out this week to write about what I like to wear this summer to see how/if it will have changed next summer. Thanks for the idea!