https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/smart-casual-for-summer Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 10 Jun 2026 01:46:14 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/smart-casual-for-summer#post-3329 Tue, 15 Apr 2008 03:56:28 +0000 Angie 3329@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This might surprise you. Parisians people don’t wear berets. It’s interesting that this is a common association. It’s a country-like, small village thing. </p> <p>Are you asking whether the French men that bra fit you are good looking, Nicole? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/smart-casual-for-summer#post-3325 Tue, 15 Apr 2008 03:49:17 +0000 Ana 3325@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Shiny, go for the beret! I've never been able to pull one off, but you have a cute short hairstyle and I think the flair to get away with it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/smart-casual-for-summer#post-3309 Tue, 15 Apr 2008 03:00:35 +0000 shiny 3309@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ana - no perfume for me - I can't tolerate the stuff! To my DH's chagrin, because he would love to buy me perfume. :-(<br /> A beret however might work - as cliche as it is - I've always adored them. </p> <p>Angie - Taking notes... I really love the idea of French lingerie! DH wouldn't mind helping me shop for that either. And we do have Zara here, but I'm sure we'll check out the Paris version since my teens will also want their own souvenier - it's so fun to have kids old enough to enjoy shopping for clothes - unfortunately, they are still growing so no investment pieces for them! </p> <p>How much do you think I should budget to splurge on, say, a perfect fitting french bra and panty set? Hmm... </p> <p>Do they have petite stores? Or how does that work? Is everything custom fit? (which would be a dream... I think there is a lot of $ to be had if some U.S. chain would offer custom fitting!) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/smart-casual-for-summer#post-3308 Tue, 15 Apr 2008 02:59:02 +0000 Nicole 3308@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yeah, but are they hot? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/smart-casual-for-summer#post-3304 Tue, 15 Apr 2008 02:54:28 +0000 Angie 3304@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Get yourself off to “Galleries Lafayette” and “Printemps”. They are next to each other on Boulevard Haussmann. These are fab department stores. “Le Bon Marche” is another favourite of mine. </p> <p>Euro chain stores are very good. Zara, Promod, Un, Deux, Trios and Agnes B are particularly good in Paris. You need to experience a French lingerie store. Sometimes it’s men that fit you! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/smart-casual-for-summer#post-3300 Tue, 15 Apr 2008 02:46:57 +0000 Ana 3300@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Perfume! Real perfume, like, the essential oil kind! That stuff is hard to get here and the selection is limited (unless you're ready to spend a fortune). That's what I would get in Paris. Is that too "typical?" </p> <p>You could always get a beret. Just kidding. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/smart-casual-for-summer#post-3284 Tue, 15 Apr 2008 02:21:27 +0000 shiny 3284@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Nope, I've never been there before. We travel a fair amount, but this is one place I have yet to visit - my DH has, however. But he has no clue about where to shop for women's clothing. ;-)</p> <p>I don't want to spend the entire vacation shopping for clothes, but I do want to bring home something from the trip to commemorate it. I.e., nothing I could already buy here in the states. Even just one item - a handbag, a piece of jewelry, or one article of investment clothing such as a coat or jacket - would do just fine as a souvenir for me! </p> <p>(I know scarves are very french... but they just aren't my style. My neck is too short, and I just fine scarves too fussy in general for my tastes) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/smart-casual-for-summer#post-3270 Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:13:56 +0000 Angie 3270@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow. Where do I start when it comes to shopping in Paris, Shiny?! Have you been before? (I shall be there for a school reunion at the end of May and I'm excited to be reunited with old friends). </p> <p>Linen is a very Euro thing. Europeans LOVE linen. I, on the other hand, do not. I can bear one beautiful linen item in my closet at a time and that is it. It’s just too wrinkly. BR has just brought out an entire linen range which is rather nice. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/smart-casual-for-summer#post-3268 Mon, 14 Apr 2008 23:24:54 +0000 shiny 3268@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks Angie I will watch the weather report. I'm anticipating it isn't going to be all that different from Boston: we can also get chilly here in the summer, esp after sundown. Or we can be horribly humid and sticky. You never know. </p> <p>We will only be staying in the city and not venturing out. If you have suggestions on where to shop and what I might want to splurge on while I'm there, let me know. ;-)</p> <p>Regarding linen wrinkles: my very first boss - who was somewhat of a style mentor for me early on in my career - used to say that wrinkles were a sign of quality fabric. That has stuck in my head ever since. </p> <p>And of course, I never suggested anyone actually wear linen on a plane !!! It would be too chilly, not to mention the wrinkles. (I always freeze on the plane). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/smart-casual-for-summer#post-3267 Mon, 14 Apr 2008 22:49:46 +0000 Julia 3267@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks Angie and Patience for your replies. I'll wait for the summer collection to shop for blouses and dresses, as well as the bag. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/smart-casual-for-summer#post-3264 Mon, 14 Apr 2008 22:31:48 +0000 Angie 3264@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>We use to live in Paris, Shiny. It can be hot or cold in Summer. Watch the weather report closely before you pack! Western European chills are unexpected. It’s much warmer in the South of France, if you’re going there too. </p> <p>Love the sound of your hot weather uniform, Patience. They’ll be plenty of voluminous blouses on their way Julia so wait a wee while.</p> <p>Don't give polyester blends the boot ladies. This is THE fabric to travel with. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/smart-casual-for-summer#post-3257 Mon, 14 Apr 2008 21:52:17 +0000 Julia 3257@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with you Becky. If I look for travel friendly clothes, they are hardly made from linen or silk. I wonder where I can find wrinkle free, stylish and made from natural fabric clothes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/smart-casual-for-summer#post-3256 Mon, 14 Apr 2008 21:49:58 +0000 Patience 3256@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Julia, I would have posted a pic but it's no longer there-- must be sold out online. The store I got it at had plenty though, so you could try there. They also had some other good options too. </p> <p>I also don't really like linen for its wrinkles and sometimes its feel too (personal taste). Cotton /linen blends are better but I'm not sure they wrinkle any less. I'm sure there is a wide range of linen quality as far as feel goes too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/smart-casual-for-summer#post-3255 Mon, 14 Apr 2008 21:33:41 +0000 Becky 3255@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love the look and weight of linen for summer, but I DON'T love the way it wrinkles. Has anyone discovered any solutions to this problem? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/smart-casual-for-summer#post-3253 Mon, 14 Apr 2008 21:22:52 +0000 Julia 3253@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks Ana and Shiny for your detailed descriptions. I love the idea of using accessories, shoes and bags to make summer outfits more interesting. Also I'll pay more attention to the materials, I never thought about that before.</p> <p>Tanya, I love the jacket for cool weather smart casual style so a thin short sleeved shirt/blouse is a good idea for Summer, I have a cream cropped short-sleeve cardigan I got from AT last year, I think that it would be perfect.</p> <p>Angie and Patience, I hear you about Voluminous blouses over clamdiggers. Do you think that there will be more choices coming out in the next few weeks? So far I only have one from JCrew that can be wear with white or denim walk shorts. I need to get more.</p> <p>Patience would you mind to post the links of the blouse you bought from AT if it's still available? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/smart-casual-for-summer#post-3227 Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:18:10 +0000 shiny 3227@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm going to Paris for two weeks this summer, so I've been contemplating the same question!!</p> <p>My game-plan (so far) is to focus on dresses and skirts, with a pair or two of walking shorts, one of which will be a pair of blue &#38; white striped seersucker shorts from BR. The second will probably be crisp white cotton shorts that I already own. </p> <p>For dresses, I'm focusing mostly on simple dresses that can be dressed up or down, or worn more than once, with a change of jewelry and shoes. I will bring a couple of short-sleeve cardigans. I always just tie the cardi to my purse when not in use. </p> <p>For hot weather I would consider fabrics carefully. Linen is particulary good for hot weather and looks more dressy than cotton. I just got this simple linen dress from BR the other day - in white (which isn't showing up on the site). It is lined in linen so it has some structure and isn't see through at all: </p> <p><a href="http://www.bananarepublic.com/browse/product.do?cid=35723&#038;pid=565542" rel="nofollow">http://www.bananarepublic.com/.....pid=565542</a></p> <p>Silk is also cooling, but I always worry about armpit stains, since silk stains so easily! </p> <p>I would probably skip any dresses or tops in synthetic material, no matter how lightweight - unless you plan to only wear them at night or in air conditioning or on the plane. It's easy to get overly hot in synthetics (even if they travel well). Do test run before you go, if you're unsure. For example I have this one adorable cotton top that goes with nearly all my skirts, but in very hot muggy weather, there's just something about the material that makes it too hot and cloying to wear. </p> <p>For jewelry, think about more delicate pieces or statement pieces in natural materials - stones, wood, pearls. That always works for summer. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/smart-casual-for-summer#post-3224 Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:43:53 +0000 Patience 3224@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm in the same boat. Thanks to Angie, I have been focusing my efforts on more voluminous blouses this year and I have had some luck. I think my casual uniform is going to be denim clamdiggers and airy white cotton tunics with colorful sandals or handbag. I also found a great sleeveless silk blouse at AT with a banded bottom and halter style neckline-- but it does have a back-- that is very dressy. I'm looking for more of the same to wear for work with my walk shorts. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/smart-casual-for-summer#post-3210 Mon, 14 Apr 2008 05:08:26 +0000 Angie 3210@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I consider HK home. I grew up there. We go back every few years and it’s heavenly. But it’s hellish weather in July. Unbearable actually, and the air-conditioning is freezing. Ana has given perfect advice. Well done Ana.</p> <p> The style quotient is extremely high in HK. One of the highest in the world. Parisians can learn from street wear in HK. Make sure that you dress up when you go out at night. Voluminous blouses over clamdiggers is the way I would go. Or, airy fit and flare dresses with cardigans. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/smart-casual-for-summer#post-3206 Mon, 14 Apr 2008 03:43:45 +0000 Tanya 3206@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ana has pretty much said it all, the only other option I could add for tops would be thin short-sleeved (or sleeveless) shirt/blouse layered over cami, only few middle buttons closed. It could have a jacket effect. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/smart-casual-for-summer#post-3201 Mon, 14 Apr 2008 03:22:54 +0000 Ana 3201@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am having this same problem, Julia. My issue is that it will be blazing hot outside and I'll be miserable and sweaty when I'm out in the heat, but then when I go inside, I will be freezing from the A/C. Will this be an issue with you as well? </p> <p>I have already gotten started on putting together my summer wardrobe since it's getting warm here (in the 80s now). From Angie, I learned that knee length walk shorts or skirts would be most flattering and appropriate to the smart casual look. Then I decided on the requirements for summer tops based on what I think would be most flattering for my body type: ie, must be sleeveless, V-neck or low scoop neck, empire waist, but no pleats, no cap sleeves, no puff sleeves, etc.... Then, when I went shopping, I didn't have to waste a lot of time trying things on that I already knew wouldn't work. It took a while to find what I was looking for, but I managed to find one great top at Ann Taylor, a nice one from bluefly, and 3 nice tops from Ann Taylor Outlet. The tops from the Outlet are not super nice quality, but they were the only things I could find that fit all my requirements, and they only cost me $17.00 each, so if they only last me this season, it's not such a tragedy. Of course, I'm still keeping my eye out for nicer quality items, but at least I've got my bases covered. I think that with summer outfits, since layering is kept to a minimum, accessories like jewelry or belts/shoes become more important. They are probably what are going to add the most interest to your summer outfit, so don't forget about those. </p> <p>Deciding what to look for ahead of time is really really helpful, I would definitely recommend this, because it's frustrating to not find what you want, but I think it's more discouraging and frustrating just trying everything on without having an idea of what would work for you (my old way of shopping) and then deciding there's nothing out there for you. </p> <p>Now, you can still layer in the summer if you want to, but the trick is choosing very light fabrics to layer. Like, some of my sleeveless tops can be worn as a single layer, but look much nicer and more interesting with a lacy cami or something layered underneath. This helps when you go into air conditioning as well. Another thing to consider is maybe a light, short sleeved cardigan to have in your bag or something to put on when you go inside. J. Crew has awesome short sleeved cotton cardigans in fun colors. I only have a black one (boring) but I'm thinking of purchasing a second more colorful one:</p> <p><a href="http://www.jcrew.com/catalog/product.jhtml?id=prod91476181&#038;catId=cat301172" rel="nofollow">http://www.jcrew.com/catalog/p.....=cat301172</a></p> <p>My cardigan has worn very well, no shaving necessary yet. </p> <p>So, I guess to boil down my really long post, I would say that for me, a Summer Smart Casual formula might be something like this:</p> <p>Crisp Walk Shorts/Dark Denim Walk Shorts/Dark Denim A Line Skirt + Knit Sleeveless top (+ Cami) + Short Sleeve Cardigan/Blazer (Optional) + Interesting Accessories + Dressy Sandal/Ballet Flat </p> <p>Dresses are also wonderful alternatives, because it's just one thing, dress it up with some interesting accessories, and you're ready to go. </p> <p>Hope this helps and doesn't just overwhelm you! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/smart-casual-for-summer#post-3190 Mon, 14 Apr 2008 02:24:01 +0000 Julia 3190@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Angie, I love the smart casual formula you posted before. Like Shiny mentioned in another thread, your article changed my style from plain v-necks and jeans to much more interesting and layered looks.</p> <p>However, my question is that how to do this in Summer when the temperatures are consistently above 90 degrees. I'm going to a trip to Hong Kong this year in July. We will do shopping, site seeing and visiting family members, so I'll be outside a lot. I'd like to be able to do the smart casual style in Summer but I can't think of putting two layers on when it's 100 degrees outside. Any suggestions? </p>