066: Wardrobe Paralysis, Summer Edition
Styling my way through the heat, one almost-outfit at a time
I’m simultaneously thrilled that we’ve officially made it to 20-degrees-and-up weather, and battling the creeping dread of getting dressed each day. It’s a seasonal identity crisis I go through every year — the moment I realise that my devotion to wool and cashmere has once again left me wildly unprepared for sunshine.
I stand in front of my open wardrobe, paralysed, trying to piece together something that won’t leave me melting across the streets of London like a well-dressed candle.
Despite being someone who’s supposedly intentional about every item in her wardrobe, I can’t quite get a handle on summer dressing that feels both effortless and chic. My coping strategy at the moment is curating my shopping baskets with the styling tools I know work for me: relaxed cuts, tailoring, and elevated silhouettes. The aim is to finally build a summer wardrobe that doesn’t make me nostalgic for knitwear.
In the meantime, while I exercise restraint and try to honour my self-imposed shopping ban (with varying degrees of success), I’ve been trying to shop my wardrobe. Spoiler: not a roaring success. It turns out I’m missing a few functional staples that would actually make these looks work in real life. Still, it was a useful exercise in figuring out what I want my summer wardrobe to feel like, and how to translate some of my winter preferences into warmer-weather versions.
Finding shorts that aren’t full-on jorts or uncomfortably fitted has been one small win. These Jeanerica shorts are the perfect oversized cut — relaxed but still feminine. I love how they pair with my cropped trench from Frankie Shop. Both pieces are roomy, but the trench (not pictured, sorry!) cinches at the waist, which adds structure and polish to the look.
For accessories, I went high-low. The cap makes things feel easy and casual, while the Balenciaga clutch brings it back into “yes, I got dressed with intention” territory.
This might be my favourite look as its deceptively simple but effective. Admittedly, the trousers are wool, so not exactly heatwave-friendly, but they helped me realise what I’m missing: a similar silhouette in cotton or linen.
I paired them with my Groes shirt (sized up for a slouchy fit) to keep the overall vibe relaxed, while still tapping into my tailoring obsession. To stop the look from veering into corporate-core, I threw on a red NY cap and my trusty Havaianas. Running errands, but make it directional.
This dress is a summer regular. It has a pleated, maxi bottom that always brings a bit of drama. But when I’m aiming for something more casual, it can feel a bit too elegant.
To tone it down, I threw on my Aritzia sweatshirt bomber. It balances the look perfectly — casual in spirit, but still structured enough to feel elevated. It’s a nice reflection of my styling approach: effortless with a touch of sharpness. I finished the look with my Balenciaga Knife mules, which add a bold pop of colour and slice through the softness of the dress for contrast.
I challenged myself here to avoid my usual comfort zone of oversized shapes and styled my vintage straight-leg Levi’s instead. Since the jeans are more fitted, I offset them with a slightly oversized Victoria Beckham T-shirt to keep things relaxed.
The all-white palette keeps it feeling crisp and intentional. And the finishing touch? My Balenciaga Cagole mules in the sweetest shade of pink. It’s giving “chic ice cream run,” which, honestly, might be my summer aesthetic.
I’m not quite there yet, but each outfit is bringing me closer to a summer style that actually works for my life (and doesn’t rely on air conditioning or hiding in the shade). For now, I will focus on the small wins.
I hope you have a lovely week and speak soon :)
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All of your outfits are really lovely, with lovely elements of contrast. I enjoyed reading your post
That all white look with the pink shoes!! Such a vibe; one I’d like to copy.