Let me guess: you're thinking, "You don't look dressed for Summer," which could be true if I lived anywhere else in the country but San Francisco, where summer means fog, wind, and temperatures that hit the mid-60s if we're lucky. Earlier in the day when we shot this, it was glorious and sunny (we ate brunch outside and I actually got a little sweaty), but sure enough, late afternoon rolled around and so did the clouds. So long story short, always bring a sweater, which thankfully I did. That said, even if you don't live in San Francisco and, say, have to deal with blasting air-conditioning all season, this outfit will also work. While it's definitely a little dressier than what I've been wearing lately, it's also incredibly comfy (and can be even more laid-back with a change of shoes). Here's how to put it all together.
How to wear all black in summer
My comfort zone is somewhere between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit; I'm sweating bullets if it's warmer than that, and I'm reaching for a sweater if it's any cooler. Living in SF, the latter is usually the case, so I almost always have a sweater or jacket with me (Sean jokes that this is my #1 rule). Even in summer—like places that have actual summer—I like to have something airy with me, just in case. This Halogen cardigan is just what the doctor ordered. It's a linen blend that's light and breathable, but it's substantial enough to keep you just warm enough. (I like to think of it as the summer cousin of my go-to long cashmere cardigan, also by Halogen.) I am also really into longer sweaters lately; I'm leaning into the whole loungewear vibe of 2020, and there's just something so comforting (and bathrobe-like?) about a long, drapey cardigan. This one runs true to size—I'm in my usual size small.
This dress, which you've seen several times before—last on New Year's Eve—was on the chopping block recently, and I almost gave it up to The Real Real for consignment. In my mind, it's a dressy dress, and well, I have no occasions to dress up for in the foreseeable future, plus I pictured it as being kind of clingy and as I mentioned last week, I've put on a few extra pounds. But I caught myself almost buying something very similar, so I rescued this one and, lo and behold, it fits even better than I remember, plus it's comfy AF. It is clingy, but the ruching at the waist is super flattering, and I love that it hits just above the most flattering (i.e. the thinnest) part of my leg. I wore it earlier in the day with sneakers while I was running errands, thankful that I didn't give it away. This dress is by IRO, which is one of my favorite brands, and it's several years old, but I've linked a more recent version below. I'm in a medium—I almost always size up in French brands.
Also good for running errands: this Keebos Iphone case. It has a little pocket in the back where I keep my ID and credit card (no one in SF is taking cash anymore!), and it's so lightweight, I forget that I even have it on. You last saw it with my tiered midi skirt and I've probably carried it a hundred times since then!
And, ok, I kind of lied, since I'm not wearing all black—obviously these boots are white, and perhaps a bit unexpected for summer, but since my feet tend to freeze when the temperature drops, they seemed like a smart choice. I also love how they pop against the rest of my outfit. You last saw these boots with a shorter dress, and if I haven't proven to you that they go with pretty much everything, I suppose there are always sweatpants. Although I'm pretty sure they'll go with those too. :) Just a reminder that Calla's boots are made for people with bunions and run a bit differently than regular shoes, so pay attention to the measurements on their site—I take a half size smaller than usual.
OUTFIT DETAILS: Halogen cardigan | Iro dress (recent version here) | Keebos iPhone case (c/o) | Calla Camila boots (c/o)
