The gorgeous weather in Toronto continues and though it isn’t even officially summer yet, it’s shaping up to be a hot one. When the weather gets hot and sticky as it often does in Toronto, the last thing I feel like doing is putting together a proper outfit. While I love dressing for summer, I find it can sometimes be challenging to dress comfortably for the weather while not reverting completely to Lululemon running shorts and a bralette. We have patios and parks to attend to and need to look presentable!
These past couple of weeks, I’ve really been falling back on a few essentials that have almost become a uniform for me. I’ve never been one to gravitate towards anything short or tight; my sweet spot this time of year is loose fitting clothes, cool fabrics, and anything floaty that won’t stick to my skin. I’ve been having a lot of fun styling these pieces with the rest of my wardrobe, and they really are failsafe summer pieces that would slot seamlessly into any closet.
I’ve written about these a few times now on here, but I truly don’t know how I managed without a pair of linen pants. I don’t always feel like wearing a skirt or shorts, and most pants can feel too restrictive in the heat, but not these. An ivory or natural linen colour especially is so nice for summer, and they feel so cool and comfortable on even the hottest of days. Plus they look so chic with just about anything and are one of the most versatile pieces in my wardrobe. I just know they’re going to be a staple for years to come and will be right at home on a European holiday whenever those are allowed again.
The next piece I’ve been falling back on recently is the classic neutral-toned tank, and I love the slightly 90’s cutaway shape to this one in particular. This would work in any neutral colour but I went with black since I have so much white and cream in my life already. The slim fit looks so nice tucked into pants and midi skirts (another seasonal staple of mine), and it’s so easy to dress it up or down for various occasions. I’ve literally been asked by friends if I’ve taken it off since I’ve gotten it, and the answer is no I haven’t.
Next up is a feel-good dress that makes you feel like you can conquer anything. I’ve built up quite a collection of summer dresses over the years, and they really do get so much wear this time of year. From dinners alfresco to hanging out in the park, there’s almost nowhere you can’t take a good dress. I always go for linen, cotton, or silk in the summertime and love to mix in a good pattern on occasion. This is an old season Sézane number, but they have many equally chic styles live now. Nothing better than a one-and-done outfit as far as I’m concerned.
It wouldn’t be summertime without a pair of wear-with-everything sandals that you can slip on everyday, but a good pair is easier wished for than found. While I love my Birkenstocks they can be too casual for some occasions, and I don’t always want to wear a heel either. Enter, Ancient Greek Sandals. They strike the perfect balance between stylish and comfortable, and can be worn from the beach straight to dinner. In my opinion, the perfect shoe to take on holiday to any warm-weather destination, but feel equally at home in the city.
Last but not least is a newer addition for me but I think an important one. A brimmed hat not only protects you from the sun, but looks so chic at the same time. I have a truly massive head so had almost completely written off hats as too difficult to find in my size, until I found this one from Bohème Goods. I’ve already fallen victim to a shoulder and scalp sunburn this year and I’m not too keen on another one, so I snatched this up fairly quickly.
It’s essentially an oversized bucket hat in cotton canvas and comes in multiple sizes for us big-head girls, and as a bonus, has a moldable brim for when I feel like hiding away a bit. I think hat styles are so personal, and the sheer amount of variation out there can make it tricky to decide. I will say my next addition will be a woven palm one à la Lack of Colour for a relaxed, beachy vibe.
Linen pants – Shelter; Tank – Richer Poorer; Dress – old season Sézane; Sandals – Ancient Greek Sandals; Sunhat – Bohème Goods; Bag – Vintage from Bohème Goods; Oval wicker bag – old season Cult Gaia.
