24 In Style

Sayonara, Summer

Frame black denim dungarees

I will admit, I am not a lover of summer (too much heat, too sticky and sweaty, too many bad hair days, too much sliding makeup, etc.).  Also, I don’t like summer clothes nearly as much as autumn and winter clothes (boots! cashmere! scarves!).  I find it much harder to feel stylish in summer clothes because I’m generally just too hot and wrecked to make any effort, so I rely on sunglasses to do most of the heavy lifting, style wise.

As you know, I often stick to black, even in summer.  Last year, I bought these Frame black denim overall-shorts with gold hardware.  They are soft and loose; I love them as much as I can possibly love a pair of shorts (which isn’t a lot).  Last year, I also bought these Chloe wedge sandals with teensy gold buckles on every strap, and I wear them nearly all year round with a skirt or cropped trousers (unless I’m going through an airport, in which case these definitely stay home).  They’re suede, so they still work in winter…not snow, mind you, but winter.  I am very hot natured (a double fire sign for you astrology types, and a definite Pitta for you ayurvedic types) so sandals in winter are actually an option for me.  I am the only person I know in London with an air-conditioner.  I was born for cool climates!  My husband doesn’t understand this, so when we go on holidays to hot places and I’m silent-but-crabby, I try to explain that for me, being hot is the equivalent of having a constant headache, and why would I choose to go on holiday somewhere that I have a headache the whole time? (I am a joy to live with, as you can tell :-))  Now, we go to hot places in May or September, so that I am not so unbearable to be around.  And I will never go on holiday to a place where the only thing to do is sit on a beach and bake, getting me and my books covered in sand and sunscreen and dripping drinks.  I’d genuinely rather be in a big city with air-conditioned museums to explore!   Anyway, back to style…

Heat or no heat, you gotta have good stylish shades in the summer, end of discussion. Sunglasses are one of my obsessions.  Perching the right pair of shades on your nose can completely change your style in the 3 seconds it takes to put them on.  I buy handfuls of sunglasses from ZeroUV, because what happens is that my friends steal them, I lose them in taxis, or they get thrown in my handbag and scratched up by my keys.  I don’t want to have to be precious and neurotic about every pair I own, so it is great to have a few cheap-and-cheerful pairs.  Most of my ZeroUV sunglasses cost under $10, so I figure that brings the average price of my sunglasses collection down significantly, and I can splurge on Anna-Karin Karlsson or Miu Miu here and there with no guilt.  These rainbow-lensed heart-shaped sunglasses are fun, and they get me through the hot days until the weather agrees to cool off and become more civilised once again.

How about you, are you a summer-lover, or do you simply endure it like I do?

 Frame black denim dungarees

Overall shorts black, Frame denim


Heart rainbow sunglasses, Sequinist, LisaOveralls: Frame Sunglasses: ZeroUV Heart Sunnies Sandals: Chloe Photography: Lottie Anderson

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24 Comments

  • Reply
    Vivian
    August 30, 2015 at 7:22 PM

    I am so with you on the sunlight thing, it feels like radiation poisoning to me. Give me a lovely cloudy day where are the colors are vibrant and lush.

    And yes, it’s so much nicer to be able to rock boots, coats and cashmere. It’s been too hot here in Oakland this whole season.

    • Reply
      Lisa
      August 31, 2015 at 2:10 PM

      I love the idea of California, but it is far too hot for me! xx

  • Reply
    Pam@over50feeling40
    August 31, 2015 at 2:35 PM

    Cute outfit…great shoes!! I love autumn…bring it on!

    • Reply
      Lisa
      August 31, 2015 at 2:46 PM

      Thanks Pam! I can’t wait either… I even have a new coat I’m dying to wear, ha ha! xx

  • Reply
    Suzy Turner
    August 31, 2015 at 6:17 PM

    OMG this post could so easily have been written by me! I am EXACTLY the same as you! I can’t bear to put up with the heat (which is why I hate where I live at this time of year – Portugal – and I’d much rather go to my birth country – England – for a few months!). I’m usually to be found in the house with all the shutters closed. We do have air conditioning but only in our bedroom. As for clothes… it’s so difficult! I live for my boots, scarves, coats and thick socks and hats! Roll on December, is all I can say! lol 😉
    Suzy x
    http://www.suzyturner.com

    • Reply
      Lisa
      August 31, 2015 at 6:20 PM

      Ha ha, Suzy… I just don’t see how you live in Portugal! It is beautiful, but damn, is it HOT in the summer! xx

  • Reply
    Anastasia
    August 31, 2015 at 11:38 PM

    So I am with you on the AC. I was so confused when I found out people in NYC and LA don’t live with the AC on 60 after having grown up in the south with central air.

    I am counting down the days until I can bust out my boots, sweaters and leather.

    Oh and those shades! So cute.

    xo
    A

    • Reply
      Lisa
      September 1, 2015 at 8:08 AM

      Thanks, Anastasia! OMG, Atlanta would be un-liveable without AC. xx

  • Reply
    Abby
    September 1, 2015 at 12:47 AM

    Ah the Leo nature:) I thought I was a fan of summer until I moved to Sydney – and I could write a book about running make up and awful stickiness all year round. Which is why we’re so perfect here in France. Anyhow, loved the funny post! And your shorts!!! Not to mention the sunglasses!!!!!
    xx Bisous

    • Reply
      Lisa
      September 1, 2015 at 8:07 AM

      Thank you, Abby. I rarely complain about the weather here either; the humidity and lack of sun are good for the skin! xx

  • Reply
    Little Red
    September 1, 2015 at 5:19 AM

    I’m more of a hot weather person. But it is possible to be too hot as it was the summer of 2012 here in DC. I can live with winter but this past winter just lingered way TOO long with too many polar vortices to deal with.

    • Reply
      Lisa
      September 1, 2015 at 8:09 AM

      Send me ALL the polar vortices! –the Ice Queen.

      • Reply
        Little Red
        September 6, 2015 at 8:22 AM

        Deal.

  • Reply
    michelle
    September 1, 2015 at 11:02 AM

    I look forward to summer every year but by the end of it I’m really ready for a change & that is probably one of the main reasons I stay in the UK. SEASONS! I love having proper seasons where you know there’s change by the environment around you, leaves turning red in autumn, daffodils in spring, wellies & puddle jumping & in winter SNOW! Obviously knitwear & boots feature heavily in this scenario too 😉
    Btw Lisa you look super cute in shorts x

    • Reply
      Lisa
      September 1, 2015 at 12:09 PM

      Aww, thank you Michelle. Let’s hope for some snow this year! xx

  • Reply
    D. A. Wolf
    September 1, 2015 at 9:38 PM

    So happy you popped by my place, because now I get to visit yours! (And those shoes are adorable. I admit my weakness is footwear…)

    Personally, I am fine in the heat and I like summer! But oh, those early autumn days are always delicious and when it’s time to turn to fall colors and textures in the wardrobe (and yes, boots!), I’m always delighted.

    So nice to meet you! And I will definitely stop by often!

    Cheers,
    D. A.

    • Reply
      Lisa
      September 1, 2015 at 9:50 PM

      I hear you; I also have a weakness for shoes. And boots. I enjoy all the shoe reportage on your blog! xx

  • Reply
    Michelle
    September 5, 2015 at 6:48 PM

    I’m with you, not a summer lover. Yes, I love being outside without a jacket. Yes, I love that I don’t have to get up quite as early for work since my kids are out of school. But sticky …. sweaty …. icky weather … no thanks. I love sweater weather!!!!

  • Reply
    Lana
    September 9, 2015 at 5:59 AM

    Love this whole outfit. The sunglasses are adorable! I actually really enjoy summer – because I’m cold the rest of the year. However, fall is my favorite “dressing” season, and I’m definitely ready to pull out the boots and sweaters!

    • Reply
      Lisa
      September 9, 2015 at 11:01 AM

      Thanks Lana! xx

  • Reply
    Highland Fashionista
    September 14, 2015 at 12:38 AM

    You are ROCKING those sunglasses…they work really well with your face shape!

    • Reply
      Lisa
      September 14, 2015 at 9:56 AM

      Thanks, Highland Fashionista! xx

  • Reply
    Gina
    September 14, 2015 at 2:21 PM

    This great post made me realize what a style minimalist I must be. I prefer to be wearing no more than three things at a time. Dress, shoes, bracelet/earrings. Plus sunglasses, depending on weather. Scarves, coats, gloves, hats, tights, and boots in addition to actual clothes make me feel fussy and overwhelmed. Since I live in Ohio, I own tons of that stuff and wear it every day for five months out of the year. Plus, it takes up so much room in my suitcase when we travel!

    I love the sunglasses and especially the black overalls! I had a linen pair in candy apple red several years ago that I adored. I wish I knew what happened to them!

    XO,
    Gina

    • Reply
      Lisa
      September 14, 2015 at 5:14 PM

      It sounds like you need some more overalls for next summer… something to get you through putting on all of your winter layers!

      I have my style minimalist phases too… sometimes I am a circus of accessories, and sometimes I’m dress, sandals, watch. It is usually weather related for me as well.

      xx

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