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Temperate climate gals: your summer wardrobe

Aziraphale

Veteran

For those of you who live in a temperate climate: what's your relationship to summer clothes?

I keep most of my clothes visible all year round, except for the summer ones and a few old pairs of jeans that I can't manage to let go of. I pulled out the jeans to chop them the other day, and took a quick look at my summer stuff in the process. A couple of things struck me:

1. There's so little of it. Partly this is because my summer tops are made of light materials and tend to be sleeveless, so they don't take up much space. But there are still a limited number of pieces, and a lot of them are repeats -- as in, four copies of the perfect linen tank that's light but not too sheer and with armholes not cut too low.

2. So much of it has been around for so many seasons. This is because it gets such a short season of wear, I guess. I just can't wear them out.

3. I can't remember the last time -- if ever -- that I've bought a pair of shorts. I love them, and I've got six or seven pairs, but they are all jeans or cargo pants that I've either chopped myself or had hemmed. None of them are ratty (in fact, I have a couple of pairs of distressed jeans that are rattier, and I bought them that way!).

4. I'm always excited to wear the summer stuff at the beginning of the summer, but want to burn it all by the end (much like what happens with pregnancy clothes!). I often spring for a few new things each summer, but I can't bring myself to buy a lot because our "true summer" season is quite short. So by the end of August, I am super-sick of even the new items.

I guess what I'm asking is, am I missing out? Do other people pay more attention to curating their summer wardrobe? I like the idea of buying baggy short-shorts so I might spring for a pair of those, but other than that I don't think I have plans for new summer stuff. Or should I?

Dressing

24 replies

Latest reply was from Aida

RoseandJoan

Veteran

My summer wardrobe is updated when I have a beach holiday which is about every three years, warm days in Scotland are rarer then hens teeth.

That said I like to have nice sandals, a summer weight dress, denim shorts and vest tops on hand just in case.

I long for the sunshine so attach happy thoughts to these seldom worn pieces.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I empathize. I have summer clothes that just don't get enough wear to justify editing them out. I do have a fair number of shorts, and even though they aren't super great, like you, I find it hard to justify buying more of them. They get so little wear. Some summers there are just a few days or maybe a week of shorts weather. My problem with summer clothes is that in recent years, I've found I'm just not the same size from one summer to the next. I'm loathe to throw out shorts that don't fit "this year," because they might fit next year.
Shoes are another story. We've had two rather warm summers in a row, and I've accumulated more sandals as a result. I keep wanting to buy sandals, because I love them. I did just get another pair of closed-toe summer shoes, but I really have to keep myself from buying more summer shoes or sandals. What I have could last me for a decade or more if I could bear to wear the styles that long!

always trying

Veteran

I am in a mild climate, but early summer is usually cooler. Out hot months are September and October. Usually it gets very hot, and I have nothing to wear. I am aged out of shorts and tanks, etc. So I just do the best I can with 100% cotton, and never look good. If I have to get more dressed up it is usually in the evenings and cools down enough to put on something better. Lucky if we can get to the mountains or away for a bit too. I do enjoy putting together spring and early summer, and especially buying and wearing sandals. Finding 100% cotton crops and t's is always my top priority. I have been known to settle for things that may be frumpy, not so stylish, etc. in favor of comfort. Have some white linen but by october it is too summery to wear.

Anonymous

I'm with you. This is my experience too . My summer clothes seem to be bought with working in the yard in mind, and with most attention paid to "can I wash this? and is it loose and comfortable?" . And I'm laughing about pulling the same pile of stuff out year after year - SO TRUE! I'm always on the hunt for the mythically perfect pair of shorts, which of course does not exist, so I have about 8 pair of Joe Fresh shorts that all cost about $14 and look it. So much of my time in summer is spent getting hot and dirty in the yard and garden - which I like - but sometimes I wish I looked a little better doing it. I have no idea what the solution is, but if you figure it out, let me know!

Anonymous

We get plenty of hot weather where I live, and it will soon be 6 months of shorts and flip-flops. Really, it gets too hot to even think about fashion, so I usually just swing by Old Navy and scoop up a supply of whatever looks fun and cool. If it all falls apart by October, that's fine, I'm ready to move on.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I'm just wondering what "temperate summer" feels like. Maryland and Texas are woefully short on that phenomenon. I tend to settle for "adequate" summer style -- not sure that I ever look truly fab in the hot weather.

Anonymous

I know, right? Is anywhere temperate anymore? It seems like we're either in the deep freeze or the frying pan these days!

Anonymous

I have to wear layers even in summer because my office is always cold.

rachylou

Veteran

I started to put some work into my summer clothes a couple a years ago and feel I made some real progress last year. I didn't like my summer clothes because they felt like an extreme style departure.

I kept a lot of old stuff, but have been styling it differently. I can't say my summer collection is small because of varied needs - office wear, bakery wear, at home / walk the dog wear, battling a/c wear...

Also, while my climate is temperate, I find the weather harsher these days. Like the atmosphere has thinned. I have gotten some bad sunburns the past few years. So even if it's not hitting 90 and above, I still need 'sun wear.'

Dee

Veteran

We get really hot in the summer, but I can't wear shorts to work, so I only have a few pairs for evening/weekend use. Most of my tops are year round, layered in the winter and worn alone in the summer, with the exception of a few silk and linen tanks that only come out during the summer months. But I never feel as happy with my options in the summer as I do for the other seasons.

catgirl

Veteran

I'm the same as you. And my casual vacation capsule is the same as my ancient summer capsule: a couple of trusted tees, old as heck denim or cargo shorts, a couple of shift dresses, a pair of linen pants. Most of that stuff is in a big zip bag under my bed. I have very little true summer wear. I don't have all that much interest in updating because so much of what I wear the rest of the time can be worn year round.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

How about giving yourself a budget for three new summer items or even trends each year? It could be as simple as a new accessory, sandal, or hat. Not talking about spending a bundle.

I think until we acknowledge a short season and ensure we have a few items that are suitable to that season, we'll be pretty much miserable, fashionably speaking.

My true spring is kind of like your summer. Almost unnoticeable It lasts for about 2 weeks (if that) from the second week to the third week in May. Flowers all bloom at once, birds go crazy, leaves pop out on the trees, and it is glorious! That is the time I can wear actual shoes (not sandals, not booties, not boots), a light trench coat if it is damp, a blazer or leather jacket if it is sunny, and can expose ankle skin.

But in the meantime, I also have cool spring -- something I never used to recognize or acknowledge. Cool spring begins in late March. It requires clothing in near-winter weight but in colours that feel fresh and spring-like -- otherwise I would go stark, raving mad in a winter that essentially lasts from late October through until aforementioned true spring.

Even though my true spring is very short, I do try to have a few items for it every year. It might just be a pullover in a pretty colour or a new scarf. Now that I have recognized my reality, I buy more for my cool spring -- a season I used to ignore and refuse to acknowledge at all.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

Your situation is not mine, but what strikes me most about your post is how you feel about your clothes at the end of the season. I would pick up a few items soon (because late summer is too late to find summer clothes) and save them for that moment, or just before that moment, that you want to burn them. Another possibility is saving a few of the items you already have for later in the season. Either way, it would be a late season pick me up for both you and your wardrobe. It might seem like a waste, since the season is short, but I think it would help a lot.

Gaylene

Veteran

I think Suz is right on target with her advice to acknowledge and plan for a short season, just like we do for longer seasons.

I used to hate going back teaching in September because my bright, casual summer clothes looked out of place even if the temperature was soaring into the 30C range. I was much happier once I figured out a small capsule of hot weather/fall clothes--a capsule of cognac and black linen kept me cool but felt seasonally appropriate. Same thing for March's "cool spring"--a pastel cashmere sweater and grey pants relieved the winter doldrums.

Even if summer is only a few weeks, why not plan a hot weather capsule using fabrics, styles, and colours that capture your style but keep you comfortable? Use some of your current stash, but maybe think about what you could put with those pieces to create a more definite, cohesive image?

Sal

Veteran

Our climate is very temperate too. We have a lot of in between weather here but do have a couple of hot months and couple of cold ( not Canadian cold though). I packed up my true summer gear yesterday - three dresses, one caftan, three pairs of sandals and a pair of shorts). I still have all my tops out as many I will now wear with a jacket and jeans til May. My true winter is a similar size although there are lots of scarves. I love true summer clothes because they represent holidays and beach and not styling my hair:). I likes dresses for these times because they are cool and breezy- just as much as shorts.

Anonymous

My major season is summer and summer clothing often just lasts a season or two. I get sick of it way before it turns cool. I no longer, at near 70, wear shorts but wear rolled pants and jeans above the ankle with sleeveless tops and light toppers when needed. Cardigans ( linen, silk or rayon. I find cotton too hot) are easiest to carry in my bag. I also wear shift dresses and have a few other sleeveless dresses with some sort of light topper. Sandals are now forbidden, but D'Orsay and perforated footwear works well. My EF pieces have had great staying power where things from Talbots or even Ann Taylor have not, especially knit tops. Denim skirts are important as they are heavy enough not to require a slip, so cool. No matter how much I have, a little refreshing is usually needed mid-season. I wish I could afford a whole new wardrobe each summer. Good sales start about the 4th of July, so I often buy refreshers about then.
Like Gaylene, I have started building some hot autumn capsules. Cool fabrications in fall colors. After the success of having cool spring pieces, I think this will make a big difference.

Anonymous

It's funny how summer here (MB) is relatively short, but because of the heat, feels interminably long. And because of that heat, you are washing pieces after every wear most of the time, which only adds to the wear and tear and general level of abuse they receive. It actually makes sense not to spend too much on pure summer casual stuff because of what we put it through - don't mind me, I'm kind of working my way through this by writing it out *continues buying cheap things made by 13 year olds in Indonesian factories from places like Gap and Joe Fresh * . Sigh.

Anonymous

I'll come back to read others' comments but just wanted to say that everything you said in your original post, AZ., I could have written.
The only small discrepancy is that I am still trying to up my game. I'm on the lookout for woven, inexpensive tops, to do outdoor things in.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Your comment: "So much of it has been around for so many seasons. This is because it gets such a short season of wear, I guess. I just can't wear them out."

This is me and shoes. Sandals I wear out in a season (even when I own and wear multiple pairs -- I usually have 3 relatively casual sandals per summer as well as some dressier options.) Boots and booties will last a couple of seasons with good care and less frequent wear because I generally have more options there.

But shoes? I can hardly justify buying any in my climate, with my casual work from home life, and they never seem to show wear. Basically, I wear them for dress up occasions only. So if I didn't care about footwear looking current, I could wear the same 2 pairs of shoes for the next 20 years and they would not wear out.

However, I do care about footwear looking current, so my strategy is to buy about one pair per year and retire one pair, whether they "need" it or not.

DonnaF

Veteran

I live in a temperate climate (no A/C in my home) and run super cold to boot. I love sandals, but since I have Reynaud's in my toes, I have to be very, very careful not to wear them unless the temperatures are well into the 70s. Last summer, I spent six days per week inland where it DOES get hot, so I really got use out of the three (or more?!? -- don't want to count!) pairs I bought last year, but of course I want to buy more. And since I've been lifting weights since last October, I want to buy sleeveless stuff which I barely have. Uh, so my rationale is that it is easier to layer over sleeveless than sleeved. And I've been searching for YEARS for a casual summer dress that is machine washable and flatters me (shift dresses look TERRIBLE on me). But really, I don't wear out my true summer stuff.

Joy is inspiring me to get a couple of Topshop denim skirts since they are all cotton. . . .Only $55! And since I'm short, they won't be mini as labeled!

Jules

Veteran

Similar here. It's also complicated by the fact I have three hot weather wardrobes: downtown Toronto clothes - not strictly office wear, but dresses, nicer sandals, trendier items; gardening/cottage gear, which is very casual (I know some cottage areas are a bit higher end, but ours are very low key and unpretentious); and tropical vacation stuff, which I only need every 5 years or so but really has a different feel from the first two.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Hi guys, sorry about the extreme post-and-run!

Jules (RoseandJoan) -- yes, I do tend to attach happy thoughts to warm weather clothes too, which is why I'm happy to pull them out at the beginning of summer.

Firecracker -- I adore sandals too! It's as much about how they feel as how they look. I love the feeling of air on my feet.

always trying -- comfort is a very big issue in the summer for me, too. I refuse to ever be aged out of shorts, although there may come a time when I favour short sleeves over sleeveless. I'm liking loose linen blends these days, for being flattering and breezy.

LisaP -- I'll let you know if I find the mythical perfect pair of shorts. I could do with some, too. (And my condolences about the Manitoba summer heat -- I was there once, as a child, in August, and my word! it was uncomfortably hot. Hot enough to be my defining memory of Manitoba!).

Xtabay -- good grief, six months of flip flops. No wonder you're ready to move on by the end!

Janet, I feel like my summer style is just "adequate", too, most of the time.

bettycrocker, but what about weekends? Do you wear summery stuff then?

Rachylou, I think the atmosphere has thinned. I definitely wear sunscreen a lot of the time now.

Dee, I know, right? I'm OK with most of my summer clothes, but none of them is fabulous (except I do have a pair of sandals I really like).

Una, this is understandable, as you must get relatively little shorts weather in Alaska! How warm does it get in midsummer?

Suz, Gaylene and Joy -- you all make a good point about acknowledging the "cusp" seasons, like cool spring/warm autumn. I never thought about that but I do actually sort of dress for both of those. For example, I have two burgundy pieces in light fabrications that I won't wear in the spring, because I feel like it's a fall colour -- but I do wear them in September, when it's usually still warm.

*Suz: I wear out all my footwear slowly -- not just shoes! I'm not sure why.

Barbara Diane, that's a good idea about saving a few new items to wear toward the end of the summer season!

Sally: "I love true summer clothes because they represent holidays and beach and not styling my hair" -- haha so true, I love the bit about not styling your hair. I feel the same way. (btw I live in a part of Canada that does not have "Canadian" winter. It often doesn't snow at all).

Smittie -- let me know if you find anything good!

DonnaF, I have a couple of denim skirts, and I can attest that they are useful of the not-too-hot summer days.

Jules, yes, vacation wear definitely feels different from home summer wear! Although come to think of it, I've never been on a "real" tropical vacation (Mexico, the Caribbean, Hawaii, etc), although I have been to the hot parts of Italy, as well as southern California quite a few times.

catgirl

Veteran

I just want to add that I refreshed my tee capsule this weekend at ON and couldn't be happier! Summer shopping done for the next 10 years. :).

It gets in the 80s, though rarely - but a long sunny day here is pure heaven.

Aida

Veteran

Another temperate summer dweller here. Proportionally summer clothing makes up a small portion of my wardrobe. It's composed primarily spring/fall weight pieces (often rain friendly) since that's what's needed the bulk of the year, then there's a handful of "deep winter" and a larger handful of "deep summer" pieces. There's more summery pieces than wintery pieces for a couple of reasons: I do a lot of outside active stuff in the summer, clothes that get sweaty in need more frequent washing, and the summer fabrics just don't survive as long as their more substantial winter counterparts. I am also much more strict about getting pieces with natural fibers (either whole or blended 30%+) for summer -- I HATE overheating and would much rather be cold than warm!