Early Summer Lookbook

So it’s been a hot minute since the last blog post, and while I’d normally continue on my trend of seasonal shopping lists, it’s officially Summer now, which makes it (officially) too late to talk about Spring trends. Happy Summer! Winter was long and cruel, but our plight is now over – the sun is shining (sometimes) and the weather is warm (sometimes!). So let’s tackle something more timely, like what to wear when the weather isn’t quite summery enough, or the muggy temperatures make it hard to decide between wearing warm clothes or staying cool. This time of year is tricky to dress for, and I often find myself staring at my clothing rack wondering what to wear. The weather app says it’s rainy and cold out, but you know if you dress for the cold, you’ll regret it around lunchtime. Here are a few of my favourite outfits to wear on those early summer days.

Athleisure

This look is perfect for running errands on your day off. It’s a no-brainer, easy look, both lightweight enough to wear on a muggy day and covered enough to keep you warm if it’s too breezy out. The top, a flimsy long-sleeve crop, is from M Boutique, and while the material is a bit heavier, the lightness of the top allows your skin to breathe and keep cool. The cargo-style joggers are from Aritzia and are a pair that I’ve been pretty much living in all Spring. They work with everything, they have multiple pockets, and they’re still light enough to wear out on a warmer day (like, if I forgot to shave my legs but I’ll be walking too much for a skirt, you know?). With a comfy pair of sneakers and a cool pair of sunnies (mine are from MARS boutique – see my last post for more on them), this is an ideal early summer look.

Casual Femme

Midi skirts are a huge trend right now, and one that I’m actually excited about. As a short girl, maxi skirts were never a go-to for me, but not every day is a mini-skirt kind of day, so I kind of just eschewed skirts altogether. Midi skirts, although hard to find in an ideal length, are the perfect in-between. Plus, no one can deny how nice a summer breeze feels when you’re wearing a skirt – like, that’s gotta be on my list of top 20 best feelings. If the weather gets a bit chillier, throw a denim jacket on top.

This skirt was actually a piece that my grandmother picked out for me in Israel, but similar prints have been popping up in stores everywhere. I paired the skirt with a basic black crop top and a pair of white sneakers to keep it casual, and then added a pair of hoop earrings and a crossbody bag (not pictured) to add some feminine accents.

Maybe She Worked Out Today

I’ve finally found the perfect pair of biker shorts. It took a long time, but this is the pair I’ve been waiting for. I’ve known for some time that biker shorts were going to be huge this summer, but unlike last summer, this time… they’re denim. This is seriously ideal for those of us who aren’t a big fan of thigh-chafing (so fun!) or just don’t like having their legs exposed. Last summer, I didn’t hop on the biker short trend because it was hard to find a pair that didn’t show off my underwear (like those cheap leggings you buy from fast fashion shops), but denim is the dream solution to that problem. The Bermuda length also makes it perfect for workplaces that allow knee-length shorts and black jeans. I’m still waiting for my package to arrive, so rest assured that I will be styling these soon, but in the meantime, here are some inspiration pics. Pair these shorts with a graphic tee and your favourite sneakers for a casual look, or a tank top and runners for a look that makes people wonder if you just got back from a run.

Thanks for reading! It’s been a long hiatus, but I’m excited to get back to posting more content, more often. I’ve got a few posts lined up, but leave me a comment if you have any specific topics you’d like to see me discuss! Also, look out for my posts on College Fashion (.net) this July through December.

xo,

Raye

** All photos of me were taken by Jason Pham (@jasondpham on Instagram)!