Summer 2014 Plans?

rachylou

This crazy fashion world. Angie says the time for acquiring Summer 2014 toppers is now!!! Ok, very soon.

Anyways, I mean, we're just digging in here for winter. I have no summer thoughts. But I did a quick google, and see that Valentino is feeling me in general...

http://www.valentino.com/en/co.....ummer-2014

The question is... how can this be turned into a summer office look? What meaning would this have for toppers?

What are you guys thinking for your summer season?

11 years ago

Dressing

38 replies

Latest reply was from biscuitsmom

Catnip

Veteran

Hi, rachylou. The link may not be what you intended.

11 years ago

(website)

Veteran

I'm thinking don't sweat too much. Today I rode the bike to go see about black shorts on sale. Was cognizant of my low armholes on my tee and thought, hey, this will be a good feature come summer. It was 77 today. Although 50's are coming back around again I know they won't last and it will only be up from here.

11 years ago

Kristin SF

Veteran

I just bought my summer sandals! The Sam Edelman Trinas are available in new colors, and I loved them so much from last summer. So for this summer, I got a pair of black Trinas, and silver Trinas.

I felt funny buying these in the dead of winter, but I remember how quickly they sold out last year.

http://www.zappos.com/sam-edelman-trina

11 years ago

Susie

Veteran

I don't wear a lot of toppers in the summer because even though I work in an office, it is still plenty hot outside. I do wear them in the spring and I can wear long sleeves and lightweight sweaters in the summer, but a 3rd layer is a bit too much for July and August.

11 years ago

Jewell

Veteran

Check your link, because I did not see Valentino when I clicked.

Toppers (with sleeves that is) and Georgia summers do not mix. I wear cropped jackets and lightweight blazers throughout spring, though. I did buy a denim vest last spring and I wore it as a topper over tees and maxi dresses during spring and summer. My denim jacket has proved so versatile that I was tempted to duplicate in white for spring. Then I reminded myself that I already have a white blazer and a white denim vest. I wouldn't mind picking up a few more vests for the warmer seasons.

11 years ago

Thistle

Veteran

I just can't wrap my brain around summer. It was -8F on my way into work and got up to a whopping 14F today. Yeah, veritable tropical heat wave.

We have had 32 days of below 0 weather before windchill since Jan 1. Yeah, summer is just not on the radar.

11 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

Haha, Catnip. Link fixed now. Was also reading the medical newsletters.

Kristin - I am impressed you got your summer sandals already.

Mo - I guess that's one thing about FL, it's conducive to thinking about summer when it's time to buy...

Thistle - Not that cold here, of course, but we finally got RAIN. There seems a bit more to come. With our false start on spring and then the rains - well, you know what they say about the groundhog... It feels like there's a lot more winter to come.

Jewell, Susie - I just can't imagine being indoors in summer without a jacket, no matter how hot outside. Crazy A/C. Lol. The whole trick is to have a really warm jacket that doesn't make you feel weird looking at it, because it's so hot outside. Sometimes this derails the fashion plans, because the topper comes first for me. I'm Nanook of the Modern Office Building.

11 years ago

Sarah A

Veteran

I am loading up on 2-3 (maybe 4!?) pairs of awesome interesting sandals
to make all my old summer dresses feel new again. Have 15 options on
order to see if any work.Maybe a few toppers in the same vein... Some
fun drapey shirts with interesting hems to pair with jean shorts.
Cutting off one of my pair of white jeans into shorts. Dyeing a pair of
my blue jeans black and cutting off or maybe cutting off then dyeing.
Anyway black jeans shorts being the finished product.

Valentino.... yeah all my stuff will be WAY more casual than that. I am really loving the super geometric embrodery pieces though. And the flowing tops over full long pants (but maybe they are jumpsuits?) with flat sandals great plum version in the RTW section. i can go there too and think those could both be workwear potential concepts.

11 years ago

Anonymous

I need to try and find a pattern for that Armani neckline to make some summer tops....isn't that what Angie called it? Kind of a halter with a circle neckband?

11 years ago

Elly

Veteran

Hmmm- I'm not sure how I would wear that tribal look to work . . . in the SW it would be like playing Aztec or Native American.

Personally, I'm excited to shop spring/summer even though it is not my dominant season. I don't want to over spend, but I have been saving up and plan on doing a pretty decent revamp since I haven't updated my summer wardrobe except for a few tees since (gasp!) 2009!!

Work clothes will probably mostly be summer tops with jeans and toppers, so the tops (3-4) and toppers (2-3) are on my list, along with a pair of straight leg jeans hemmed for flats and maybe my first pair (in a few years) of BF jeans. I probably need 1-3 new pair of work shoes that are more summery, but sandals are probably out.

Casual clothing is my big area-- I need a pair of shorts, 1-2 jersey skirts or dresses, several drapey tees/tanks, and 2 pairs of sandals (something strappy, and a pair of nice flips).

Plus, I need to add 1 gear piece and some new loungwear for summer.

11 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

Ceit - I hadn't heard that term before. Those tops would be very elegant.

Sarah, Elly - I'm so impressed that you guys already have thoughts about summer and what you'll do to refresh. Also, yes, the Valentino look is a tricky one. Both fancy but not formal, a little ethnically offensive... but my very existence is ethnically offensive (because I'm mixed), so I admit I get callous about that every now and then.

11 years ago

Anonymous

No thoughts of summer yet except what on earth will I wear for a 50 year high school reunion!?

11 years ago

shemarie

Active Member

Since my summer lasts about nine months, I'm just trying very, very hard to resist the urge to spend any more $ on all of the great deals I see on winter boots/sweaters/jackets/jeans...though I love, love, love them all but really have plenty for my limited needs. I have no idea what to look for or put on my summer wishlist though, except figuring out how to look stylish/chic/edgy while melting and sweating! For now I'll just sit here in my layers and cozy clothes in denial that winter is over and summer will virtually be here by the weekend. Sigh.

11 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

shemarie - 9 months of summer! I cannot imagine being summery for 9 months! Do you divide the summer up in any way?

Joy - 50 year HS reunion... Heh. Must say, nothing comes to mind as being *the thing.* What's on the agenda for the reunion? Multi-day affair? Field trips? One evening in the gym?

11 years ago

nancylee

Veteran

I'm really loving the avant-garde layers Angie showcased several days ago. I'm also thinking of looking for a blouse in mint since I didn't try that color last year, and it seems to still be on trend. Shoe-wise I'm all over the D'orsay flats. Just ordered these:

http://piperlime.gap.com/brows.....cale=en_US

Other than that I'm going to remain open and see what turns up. Angie always gives us such great suggestions, I'm learning to leave some room in the budget for her finds.

11 years ago

Beth Ann

Veteran

Those links were gorgeous, Rachylou. They remind me of some of the couture from the 80s. The details are stunning, but they serve the whole design and aren't simply decoration.

I want swirling, lightweight skirts -- at least one them in non-country-Grace-Kelly-on-Vacation chambray. Drapey trousers, and a avant-garde layer jacket.

My family is also wanting to plan a late summer trip to Rushmor, Grand Teton and Yellowstone. This will entail some hiking boots and general gear-like casual wear. Does Valentino do geyser-wear?

11 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

Nancy - I am with you on D'Orsay flats. Interesting on the mint. I think of that as "spring". Fancy taking it into summer! Lol.

Beth Ann - You are right about the '80s couture reminiscence. Maybe that's why I like it. I suspect that was couture's last hurrah. Btw, I'd wear the Valentino hiking. But then I used to climb this rock that rock climbers train on in patent leather shoes when I was little. I must say, now I wonder what it must have been like to be passed by a 5-year-old in patent mary jane's and a party dress while hanging off a rock in all their gear... Hahaha! But swirly skirts you say, interesting!

Hey! Where are you guys getting these ideas from?

11 years ago

Veteran

I'm trying really hard not to think about summer. Hopefully I'll have moved north by then, but if not that means 4-5 months of 100+ temps every day. Plus another 2 months either side of 80s & 90s, 70s if I'm lucky. *shudder*

For high summer (90s & 100s), I go entirely with boxy silhouettes, because they let in the most air. My toppers (which I wear outdoors for sun protection and indoors for a/c protection) are either very lightweight cotton/linen jackets in a-line or boxy/Chanel-ish shapes or cotton/silk/linen/blend cardigans, that I wear either entirely open or with the top button done if they're crewneck to get an a-line shape. Both of these go over airy, boxy blouses & depending on my activities/the temperature/etc. either mid-thigh shorts or capris. Or I wear a sundress with one of the toppers. For moderate summer (aka the 70s & 80s), I can still do waist definition, so then skirts can come out to play & more fitted capris/ankle trousers. Don't know if that will help you though!

I don't plan to do much summer shopping though. 3 years here have seen me build up a good collection of summer clothes, and as I'm moving to cooler climates, I don't see the point of expanding that now!

11 years ago

chadya

Veteran

Spring and Summer clothing not even up for consideration here, snow and more snow.
I like to buy in season anyway.

11 years ago

viva

Veteran

I want an outfit like this for the summer. And a pair of drapey pants in a light color. I have lots of black so I think I am covered there (with the Parker Devlin pants as the "current" anchoring piece) -- so my "wants" are more lighthearted and light-toned. My muse is Jordan from the Great Gatsby.

11 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

Viva, that outfit is really beautiful! I may have to go watch Gatsby again, knowing Jordan is your inspiration (!!)

Chadya, it *is* easier to buy in-season. I mean, consignment stores only take/sell things in-season. That's very revealing, if you ask me.

E, looks like you have a whole permanent strategy! Actually, I do too - esp for the hottest 100 degree, at-home days. I am thinking, tho, that this year I need a little style refresh and to shore-up my in-office capsule... thus some of why I feel all panicky that the time to buy them is now. Right now what I've got is some pretty girlish sundresses for 100 degrees and tunics and leggings for 80s-90s range - for at-home. For in-office, silky button-fronts and fluid-fit skinnies/cropped pants. But I'd kinda like to bring in some of that Valentino. I've been growing my hair out for a year, so I can do the Heidi braids one-last time before I feel too mature for that...

11 years ago

Astrid

Veteran

I don't have any plans either, not sure I can think about summer now. I definitely need a lot of new warm weather tops, but I'm not sure yet where and what to buy. And maybe I'll finally find a fab pair of comfortable sandals. I also need two or three warm weather outfits suitable for work, that's been difficult so far.

11 years ago

viva

Veteran

Rachylou, I have not seen the film (gasp!, I know....). Nor the old Mia Farrow/Redford version either. I can be a bit of a purest with literature, and the book is sort of sacred, so I'm really channeling the Jordan Baker in my head from high school.

11 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

Lol, Viva. *Giant Gasp.*

Astrid - 'Summer work' is so hard for me wrap my head around. It's so hot outside, so cold inside. The whole challenge of staying warm while not looking like winter... Well, last year, the puffer never got put away. I just wore it indoors.

11 years ago

Astrid

Veteran

Actually having an A/C isn't as common here, so in summer it's hot inside too, sometimes even hotter because there's no breeze. My problem is more being comfortable but not too casual.

11 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

I'm almost jealous, Astrid, at the absence of A/C. Actually, I AM jealous.

Are you allowed to wear sleeveless, or is that frowned upon?

11 years ago

Anonymous

The reunion will probably involve a dinner which may be a BBQ on a ranch, a tour of the new-to-us highschool, a golf tournament. I love your ideas though. Maybe we could do a field trip of the meat packing plant on the edge of town or visit graves of class members

11 years ago

Anonymous

Rachylou, looking at your Valentino inspiration, how about a LBD and wear lots of turquoise or tribal jewelry with it.? You could find an embroidered black jacket to wear with it, or embroider your own.

11 years ago

Astrid

Veteran

Workplace is very casual, so sleeveless is alright when the top isn't too casual. Jeans are the norm, although men don't wear shorts (but t-shirts). I would say a summer dress that's not too short would be alright, but some sleeves would probably be better. I had difficulties not to show too much skin in the past (I didn't want to wear my mid thigh length shorts for example).

11 years ago

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