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Summer Wrap Up (long)

Star (Lise)

Veteran

Hi Everyone

The weather has changed where I live. Just enough for clothing changes. Cool mornings and evenings, day time temps are lower by about 5 degrees. So I decided to close up my Summer Capsule (all 90 pieces Ha) and start thinking Autumn. I also moved the high summer clothes to the upper shelf and the spare room closet and brought in some early Autumn items. I tracked my summer wears from 3 June until 14 September. We have very high heat July/August (although this year it was not as bad as usual) which results in only cotton clothes with very little shape being worn in this time. This is what I found out from my tracking and some general thoughts.

I was initially excited about the few rust and mango coloured items I had thrifted. They felt fresh and it was a much needed new direction for me. However they did not become real workhorses. I did wear them all a few times and enjoyed them but I still resorted back to my tried and tested high summer items more often for various reasons. I don't regret buying them though. A few the materials were just a bit too hot for high summer, which I knew when I bought them. One is a bit too flimsy, one is a bit too short. They will stay in my wardrobe for next summer.

My most worn pieces are the same every summer it turns out; white cotton shorts, denim shorts that are narrow and knee length, a cotton camo skirt and a black/red floral slipdress. Even though the shorts are a bit too short for my current liking, for daywear they are good. The denim shorts are low-rise Benettons from the 00s. 100% cotton and no stretch. The problem with them is the low-rise. Camo is not my preferred pattern any more due to many war refugees in our town but still these pieces won out over all my other pieces as the coolest cotton items in my closet that have some heft. The slipdress which I have had for almost 30 years (home grown vintage :)) is perfect for any occassion and works well for our summer nights. Interestingly all of these workhorses are not thrifted but were purchased new well over 10 years ago. For next summer I will be looking out for shorts of the same substantial cotton but longer, as well as some denim ones with a higher waist, without stretch. Most worn tops were black ones; a sleeveless button down and a shell, for nights again. I will remember this for future shopping, similar but in other colours.

Thanks for letting me share my thoughts with you. Has anyone else sealed up their high summer clothes and wearing early fall pieces yet?

Dressing

22 replies

Latest reply was from Ket

LJP

Veteran

I have ! I started packing up a couple of weeks ago and just finished packing up some stragglers that got a bit of wear this past week or two. Our weather (Prairies - Canada) has been all over the place and today it's 27C! UGH! That said, I'm wearing darker colours in lighter weight fabrics until it's cool enough to wear a sweater. I realized late August that I lacked pieces just as I described (fall colours but light weight fabrics) and haven't found anything in that category except a washed brown knit top from Zara I've worn non-stop since picking it up last week. I'm weak in shoulder seasons - find them tough to predict and buy for!

p.s. I'm with you re: wearing camo, but not because of any refugee considerations - more because it seems now too young a look for someone my age. I used to LOVE anything camo print and had the usual field jackets, pants, etc . Now? I have one pair of cotton shorts that I finally tossed when packing up summer.

Runcarla

Veteran

Cool mornings and nights, but warm days. The A/C (set for 80deg.) was threatening to kick on yesterday! I’m still in shorts and summer tops (including sleeveless), but keep a topper handy.

Over the past couple of summers, I’ve switched from substantial cotton shorts and denim to technical fabrics, and then converted to linen. Going with lighter fabrications seems the way to go with the summers getting hotter and hotter. I did wear dresses more this year, though.

Looked at my closet this weekend with a view to putting the lighter colours and whites at the far end and promoting the darks and black - but decided I’ll do that on another day. We have lots of winter, so I’m going to milk summer for all it’s worth!

Irina

Veteran

Interesting observation about your workhorses being purchased new rather than thrifted. Out of my thrifted summer pieces, only one is a true MVP - white linen wide leg pants from Eileen Fisher. I wear them here and take with me on vacations.

I packed away some of my summer clothes but not all. I will need it for our trip to the south of Spain. We are leaving on Sunday. Afterwords, I will move it to a spare closet.

The weather is all over the place in Toronto. Last week I wore on different days a light blazer, a cashmere cardigan, short sleeve t-shirts. But I don’t mind at all - is sunny and pleasant.

Dee

Veteran

Just like your thrifted rust and mango items, I have couple of thrifted shorts that didn't get as much wear as expected. The colour of one of the shorts wasn't as versatile as I'd hoped. The other pair stretches out with wear. My newest denim jorts have seen the most wear this summer along with an assortment of cotton printed tees.

Right now, all my summer linens and sleeveless tops are put away. I'm still wearing my various jorts, but on the occasional cooler day, it's cropped jeans and sandals mostly. Weather has been gorgeous lately. Sunny, 23 Celsius, no humidity. Can't complain.

bella

(website)

Veteran

Our days are still around mid to high 70s, so plenty warm! I haven't packed up summer clothes yet. I did, however, slowly retire about 10 items over the summer, mostly due to wear and tear.
I did start wearing my cropped jeans (which I never do during summer!), and I throw on a sweatshirt at night when I am lounging.
Sad to see the summer end.

JAileen

Veteran

I’m still in shorts, but it’s nice rather than blisteringly hot. We went to an outdoor martini party yesterday evening. I wore cropped jeans and a 3/4 sleeved top. I was comfortable temperature-wise, and thanks to YLF, I felt appropriate, too!

I don’t pack away summer things. I wonder if I should. We definitely have distinct seasons.

Lisa

Veteran

I also found it interesting that the new items became workhorses over time versus the thrifted pieces. You have a very nice analysis of your use this past summer season as well as a nice list of specific items to purchase in the future. Bravo!

Our fall weather jumps around, it can be shorts and tee shirt temperatures one day and jeans the next. Layering also becomes more important, as we run colder in mornings and evenings but hot midday.

Since I prefer to dress in seasonal colors, my most summer colored items have been moved to the higher shelves. I'm still wearing some summer items (like shorts and short sleeve t-shirts), but I'm trying to swap the colors used in that summer outfit formula. For example, instead of a white tee with navy shorts, I'll pair ivory, rust, or brown instead.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think the change in weather patterns makes it even more difficult to predict what we will wear or love in any given season. It's always interesting to pack up the things from one season and prepare for the next, though, isn't it? It's too bad the rust pieces did not work out as well as you had hoped, but they did inject a jolt of inexpensive fun exactly when you were craving that, and now you have learned (yet again!) what you're more likely to wear in high summer.

Our temps are similar to yours but I have not yet switched my closet over. I intend to do it this weekend. I find the shoulder seasons tricky -- not as difficult as they were for me when I lived in a more extreme 4 season climate (because I've purchased for them in the years since I moved) but still confounding at times!!

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Well of course I’m the opposite hemisphere. I don’t need to pack anything away thanks to my wonderful walk-in wardrobe for the past 7 years. I do move items within each section a little to make the most seasonally appropriate items the easiest to reach.
I still find my tracking lists incredibly useful, like in mid September right now I can glance down them and instantly see the workhorses. 2 pairs of pants have predominated this month, for instance, one casual and one dressier, with other items worn much less. I’m not as much of a thrifter as you but one thrifted soft wool blazer from 2022 that cost $15 has had 16 wears this year alone!
Like you I keep and wear my clothes a long time, now that I am mostly making better choices by being very PPP fewer need to be edited out, although I am getting tired of a few.
Sorry that the pretty rust items didn’t get as much wear as your initial excitement suggested! Maybe next year.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Lise, you like to wear cotton in Summer! The most important lesson here. Next, thrifted items that are not at least an 8 out of 10, should not enter your wardrobe. You also prefer wearing neutrals. Those are the conclusions I am drawing from your awesomely honest review. You rock!

I don't seasonally swap out my wardrobe. I did break out my new toffee jeans today though! I match Jo. (Pics below). And yes, jackets and vests are in full swing too. It’s cooler here. One more week of sunnier mild weather. Boots and knitwear soon.

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Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Thrifted items are often a bit of a compromise so it makes sense to me that your longest workhorses weren't thrifted. But it sounds like you've had some good insights. It is still hot here (80F and 30C+) but I am looking forward to revisiting my jackets and coats. Eventually.

Sisi

Veteran

It's always interesting to read a wardrobe analysis. It seems you have pinpointed well what your ideal Summer capsule is. As you say, this helps for future shopping. I am still wearing my Summer clothes, yay! The weather is being unseasonably hot - and I hope it will continue still for long .

Lisa

Veteran

Love the matchy matchy vibe with Jo, pink, and toffee jeans Angie!

Star (Lise)

Veteran

Angie you and Jo are the cutest twins! You are absolutely correct. Cotton for summer. I have been applying higher standards while thrifting but still need to raise the bar a tad. I have noticed that for a few years the workhorses are neutrals. I am not sure if it is because they are easier to pair with multiple tops/bottoms or it is a real preference. I do feel good in neutrals. This is a fairly new development for me in recent years for someone who thrived in lots and lots of colour in the 80s. Jaime is also spot on about comprimising when thrifting. You only have one said item to choose from. It may be a bit large or small, or long or short, and on top of that, in my case, items are extraordinarly inexpensive. So the idea that it is good enough to try out and can always be converted to a sleep top or moved along painlessly is in the back of one's mind. But still. Time to apply the higher standards. Lisa and Lisa (LJP) I am going to experiment more with wearing fall colours when the weather is still warm. It makes sense actually as the light is a bit different and those summer bright whites or pinks (etc) don't quite look the same. LJP I have edited out my two other camo pieces (pants and a vest) a while ago. Your reasoning resonates with me. I will be 60 in Feb. The skirt works as a daywear piece, mostly around the home, for now. Irina and Lisa I have been thinking about why my tried and tested workhorses are not thrifted and there are a couple of reasons I have come up with. Clearly the compromises made as mentioned above is real. The other is that alot of my thrifted items are too tight right now and the older ones fit. That said I have altered 3 of the 4 said workhorse items over the years and they do fit better. Not only in the waist/seat of the white shorts but the camo skirt had a velcro closure above the fly which I hated and once I had a tailor remove it and put in a button and button hole it became a workhorse. I also took in the slipdress when it became too big due to weight loss. I would never spend money on alterations on thrifted items. The cost would be easily 10X more than the purchase, and the clothes are not always pristine to start with. Angie tells us how alterations can make a big positive difference and it is so true. If I was still working and my outfits needed to be perfectly polished I would definitely do it more. Bella and Jaileen I too am wearing jeans earlier this year! Jaileen I rather like putting away my out-of-season items. I never did this until I moved to a 4 season climate ten years ago. Sus the different climate patterns is a thing. Funnily I have too many shoulder season pieces coming from Johannesburg where there is no real winter. Well not one anything like I have experienced here! So most of the clothes I brought with me are for moderate weather or what I call the shoulder season period which is super short here. Hence a big number of my clothes don't wear out because they get such little wear. I have to stop myself buying more items like this. Dee I want to try some jorts next summer. They probably will appear in the thrift shops by then. You and Sharan both look awesome in yours and have totally inspired me to try them. I hate denim that stretches out. I only buy denim with max 2% elastine. It helps. I am curious which colour you thought was going to be versatile and was not? Carla so true about milking the summer and it's pieces. Winter is dark and gloomy here too, and long! Irina how fab that your summer will be extended in Spain! Looking forward to a fashion report when you get back if you have the will. Jenni it feels good when you see a thrifted item clocking up the wears! Kind of helps with the ones that don't. Yes maybe next year for the rust/mango pieces. If I knock off the few remaining excess kilos they may well fit and sit better!

I really loved hearing everyones experiences at this time of year. It is the best time of year for me weather-wise. A warm 25-ish, not humid, a gentle wind. It should last until the end of September at least and maybe even a bit longer. It feels good to be able to go for a walk dressed but not with a topper IYKWIM.

RobinF

Veteran

After a few weeks of cool fall weather, it has warmed back up again here in MI, although not "summer" warm. I thought about packing up my summer but decided to wait a week or two longer. Anyway, I have a lot of items that cross over seasons. I'll be sad to pack up my sandals but I haven't been wearing them as much lately as it has cooled off.

Sounds like you picked up some great insights to summer dressing. I agree about thrifted clothes being often a compromise. Luckily they are usually so inexpensive that it is worth the attempt to make them work but I do my own alterations.

Star (Lise)

Veteran

Clever you RobinF! I am awful at alterations and only attempt the most basic ones myself. I wish I had the skill and it is not for lack of trying. I am just a bit naturally clumsy or not nimble-fingered :). I can give you a smile - my DH is better with a needle and thread than me. Much neater. His Granny in the village taught him as a child. Forward thinking Granny!

RobinF

Veteran

Haha I love it when men are taught sewing and knitting!

Many of my clothes need to be altered, I would go broke if I had to pay

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Lise, I'm nodding along with your further analysis.

My 2 cents, FWIW:

Now that your hair is peach and you wear burgundy specs - it might be all the colour you need in an outfit. Hence your innate gravitation to neutrals. (Until your mood changes, of course ......)

As for thrifting most of your wardrobe - As Jaime astutely mentioned - it lends itself to compromising if you are not super aware of that fact. You nab what is available when you see it. It's hard to prioritize purchases because you can't shop for something that isn't there. You are at the mercy of what they are offering when you shop there. Also, thrifting prices are attractive so it's easier to be swept away.

Good lessons learned!

Sal

Veteran

Smart analysis with good lessons.

In the heat of summer practicality rules.

Mostly my thrifted piece provide variety rather than being my workhorses. Workhorses are not always expensive though.

Suntiger

Veteran

I love dressing this time of year! Still warm enough for summer things (most days), not hot and humid, and my preferred dark and warm colors look seasonally appropriate.
I have pared back my wardrobe enough that I can keep much of it out all year, and will slowly add the colder weather things starting late October.

Star (Lise)

Veteran

ANGIE you on to something about my statement hair and specs working with less loud neutrals. I definitely feel more at ease in such pieces these days with a few bright exceptions :).

SAL quite right practicality rules when weather is extreme. I do find most items thrifting though, but I have a lot already so hardly ever have a very specific need even for an essential.

ST I think you are in a more moderate climate, correct me if I am wrong, so fab you can keep most things out all year round.

Ket

Veteran

Great analysis!! I'm glad you're keeping the new summer pieces. Even though they're not workhorses, they provide joy and interest. A good 30% of my summer wardrobe was never worn, including tees. Not sure why really.

I have swapped out already! I did it a week or two ago, on my one free day. Not sure why -- I just really wanted to swap and clear out my drawers. Despite summer heat dragging out a bit, I felt over summer clothes. I kept out a couple of summer tops and the rest of my summer wardrobe has been stored away under the bed. Probably will tuck away my summer tops this week or early next as long as temps continue cooling.