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My wardrobe goal for 2016: a decent summer wardrobe

Astrid

Veteran

I love my fall winter wardrobe to pieces and am doing not too bad with spring, but my summer wardrobe is still a mess. It's something I want to work on this year. Especially because we're going to do a two week holiday in South Europe this year and if the weather is as it's supposed to be I don't want to feel badly dressed for all of my holiday. I've started thinking about summer formulas for dressing and I'm thinking I will probably try for three formulas:

1. Summer dress
2. Skirt and woven top/T-shirt
3. Shorts and woven top

Plus denim jacket or oversized cardigan for layering and switching to long pants if necessary. I'm also wondering if I should duplicate my swimwear. I have one bikini right now, besides my lap suit which is functional but unflattering. They have the same one I have (#1) in a different colorway on sale because it's last year merchandise. And my sizes are still available. Not really what I wanted to spend money on right now, but with the sale it's much more affordable than full price (it's Freya). And I know the cut works for me. Would you get it, with the summer holiday in mind?

I've also ordered the blue woven top in #3 yesterday, hopefully the fit works out. Another sale item from last summer.

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24 replies

Latest reply was from Sara L.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I vote yes for the bathing suit... Finding a bathing suit you like can be do difficult (at least most women seem to find that) that duplicatimg makes perfect sense to me. They don't last forever, and you also don't want to find yourself without one when you need one!

Great idea to start now, thinking about summer. You are so methodical in your approach I know this will work well for you. I like your three formulas. Very Astrid :).

Helena

Veteran

Definite yes on the bathing suit! Sounds like a terrific holiday!

Astrid

Veteran

Elizabeth, I agree that it's difficult! Freya works great for me because I can buy the top in bra size. And this cut is great with wide enough underwires. I also really like the shorts, fairly high cut in the back with good covering and not making me look stumpy like true shorts do. And yes, having to go looking for a suit on holiday doesn't sound like fun... I think with my goal of avoiding fast fashion I probably need to keep my eyes peeled for summer clothes early on.

Thanks Torontogirl! Yes I think I'm going to order it... We're going to Istria with the car. Quite a drive but actually more or less the same compared with Brittany last year. Holiday home with garden around 200 metres away from the sea.

viva

Veteran

I would get the swimsuit too, if you like the colors that are on sale. It's so hard to find a well-fitting bathing suit that you like. I think this is an ideal place to duplicate (and I am really surprised that it didn't come up in all the talk about duplicating this week!). Looks like a great suit, too. I would grab it while you can.

ETA: I just noticed that you posted the second colorway, and it is SO different from the first that it really feels like an entirely different suit. This is duplicating at its best!

Astrid

Veteran

I just placed the order. All in all at around 60% off from original retail price, so I got a great bargain. I wouldn't have come by one as cheap in summer. And you're right, it really looks totally different!

Anonymous

Great that you got a bathing suit you already know you like and best to get it before it slips away! If the world stops making bandeau tankinis with rushing in the middle I will simply cease to swim

I think you're off to a good start planning out your summer wardrobe. I wonder whether you are going to use pattern for any of your pieces. If you decide to do solids, you could deploy some of your budget on some new accessories-jewelry, bag, etc.- to keep things fun and interesting.
I'm sorry if this is obvious to you--accessories are top-of mind for me as they are a neglected area of my wardrobe.

Bonnie

Veteran

I like to plan ahead, too. It's part of the fun of the trip. The swim suit and the shirt are great choices. Getting them on sale is a great idea.

Angie

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Fashion Stylist

Great goals, Astrid - and good timing because we'll be stalking about style goals on the blog this week.

cheryl

Veteran

Gorgeous swimsuit in both colors. I'm glad you already ordered. The top is very nice too. Excellent idea to start planning early and getting the deals.

Astrid

Veteran

Smittie, I'm not sure yet. I could definitely go for pattern with a dress, especially because if it's really hot a dress is the most comfortable and you don't want to accessorise much. Plus everything goes with black sandals and a denim jacket. I have two dresses already, the black and the white floral. I'm definitely looking for solid colored shorts. Maybe one skirt in a neutral. So patterned tops for both that also look interesting enough with jeans. And maybe I will finally get around to sew my floral skirt this year with the repurposed fabric I have stashed somewhere. I definitely want to concentrate on clothing over accessories first.

Thanks Bonnie! I'm just glad I got new prescription sunglasses last year, that's a big expense out of the way for this year.

Thanks Angie! Looking forward to it.

Thanks Cheryl - the first worked out so well that it only makes sense and I won't have to do all the research again! I got used to it by the way, wearing a bikini again. I've worn the blue one swimming with family and friends and got compliments, even though I felt a bit self conscious in the beginning.

retailgirl

Veteran

Definitely duplicate the swim suit. Not only is something flattering hard to find, I find when I'm on vacation I need at least two so that one has time to dry.

Astrid

Veteran

Yes, you're right. I suspect we're going to be swimming a lot more often this year compared to our last few holidays.

unfrumped

Veteran

Super smart to dupe the swimsuit at a good price. Agree that having different fun print or much different color makes it all the better.
Suits take time to dry and sure, you're going to get wet again, but it's no bueno to start out tugging on a wet suit, generally, so having one drying out is great.
Long lightweight pants are good, or you might find some ankle pants or cropped pants that work well with sandals. For pants I always try to pick the most flattering yet comfortable fit I can find in a summer fabrication, so it might "depend"; not always able to target the exact item in advance so will try an array of options, sometimes something more flowy works, sometimes get lucky with a tailored crisp fabric. Same thing for length of shorts--I look for the hip and waist fit first. Pants are tough!
So some summer skirt or casual dress ideas are great, as they are cool and jump right over a lot of fit issues.

Alassë

Veteran

I'm glad you were able to duplicate the well-fitting, lower-priced suit.

Gigi

Veteran

I am all for duplicating the swimsuit, since it is so flattering for you and since the new colorway is so completely different. They will feel like two very different suits, I think.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I've been in the same position with my summer clothes & you are smart to buy early Glad you bought the swimsuit - it makes sense to have two if you are swimming a lot.

What about your version of a summer LBD - maybe a L Navy D? Something you could wear casually with your denim jacket & sandals & dress up for a more formal look.

Runcarla

Veteran

Glad you posted this! I'm sorted for fall winter and even summer work - but not summer casual. With a winter escape in 10 weeks, I'm starting to browse, but was fearful of posting too early.

I like the woven top #3 pic. I know you love your darks, but would you consider light bottoms? Maybe a white straight legged Jean or a cropped version? Also, how about a chambray tunic dress?

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Aquamarine

Veteran

Just wanted to chime in that I am impressed you have thought about a swimsuit in January, when you don't need it until summer. I wish I could be that efficient...once it gets warm enough to think about swimwear around here, the stores have moved on to fall lines.

rachylou

Veteran

#1 is so cute. Duplicating is smart. Summer is the most difficult season to my mind. So much thinking to do. There are so many gradations of summer. I personally have fumbled around a lot. It took me a year of more serious ponderings to find a groove I liked, just this past summer. I think starting with what you'd prefer to wear is best. One summer I did capri leggings and tunics. Cute. But ultimately I just want cotton skirts and dresses.

greycat6

Veteran

Great idea to duplicate a swimsuit you know is a winner. The selection process can be time consuming and draining. Look at all of the time you saved by being a savvy shopper and buying in the off season!

One thing I have found useful when dressing casually in hot weather is a longish white shirt. I have worn mine as a swimsuit cover up, as a tunic over pants and knotted at the waist when wearing shorts. It has been a wardrobe workhorse, especially on holiday when packing light is important.

Good luck!

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Helen11

Veteran

What a good deal for your new bikini. I love my Freya one, too. You'll have to dream of the beach while it's cold outside!

Astrid

Veteran

Unfrumped, a pair of ankle length slim fit jeans to wear with sandals and sneakers would definitely be nice. And I want ones with a higher rise which I can wear without belt! I'm so fed up with my too big jeans. I think you're right and it will be easiest to just look and keep an open mind. I don't find dresses personally much easier to get right, but skirts are fairly easy...

Thanks Alasse and Gigi.

Caro, I agree. A setup with one lap suit and two bikinis sounds good to me. And I love the idea of a little navy summer dress! I'll be definitely looking for one.

Carla, I'm fairly sure I don't want light bottoms. I know that many people here love their white jeans, but I still think they would not be practical. I live in a dirty big city, take lots of public transport everyday... And my sandals are black and my sneakers burgundy - I'd like lower contrast between bottoms and shoes than white bottoms would provide. A chambray tunic dress sounds lovely, though.

Auqamarine, I don't think I would have looked without the news of our holiday destination. I'm not that organized...

Thanks Rachylou. You're right, it is difficult. I think I want at least one or two decent dresses that look good layered and on their own with sandals. Then some dressier tops to replace the basic solid colored T-shirts - I just feel sloppy in my shorts, tees and Birkenstocks, I need something a bit more dressy in that combination. I definitely want my skirts and dresses longer, I'm really more comfortable with covered knees (except for shorts). I'm thinking a line or slightly full skirts with fluid tops tucked or untucked. Relaxed shorts with relaxed woven tops. Not quite sure about the dresses, besides the length.

Greycat, I could see myself doing a white shirt, if not white bottoms. If it's a bit less classic in styling, maybe a linen cotton mix or something similar.

Thanks Helen! Dreaming is all I can do right now that's true, the weather isn't much fun. There's melting snow everywhere (I hate dirty slush).

Astrid

Veteran

Quick update - the woven top had to go back, the fit was strange. But the bikini fits well as expected and I think I even prefer it over the other one because I can wear the straps crossed in the back. I sometimes can't stand to have knotted straps in my neck, maybe because it's irritating my nerves? This one won't have that problem.

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Sara L.

Veteran

The bikini is great - I'm glad it fits well since they're hard to shop for and you definitely need more than one for a beach vacation. I like to mix and match my bikini tops and bottoms but I think your patterns are too different.