What is the first thing that comes to your mind if I ask you: What is the best summer outfit?
To answer this question, you have to think about where you live, the weather itself, and your lifestyle of course. Are you a hiking person? Beach person? City Person?
For me, having a one-piece outfit is easier: I don't have many summer tops because here in Portland where I live rains nine months a year. Most of the locals don't see the city as someplace cold, but as a Brazilian (born and raised) everything under 23°C (around 70°F) feels chilly.
Even in summer when during the day the weather gets really hot, at night the temperature drops considerably.
Now that have lived here for 3 years, I set foot on a strategy: I try not to buy so many sleeveless/ strap/ spaghetti dresses. Wearing 3/4 sleeve dresses is perfect for me. Having some coverage on the shoulders makes the outfit last until the night comes and keeps me comfortable whenever entering AC places. Also, shopping only natural fibers such as cotton and linen also helps - they let your body breathe, so you don't feel burning from the inside wearing them.
Then comes your lifestyle. Before I had my son, I had a more variety of dress lengths. The need get down to pick up a toy or someone on the floor did not exist. Now, my dresses are all midi or long because they are simply easier to follow my agenda.
Realizing that can be life-changing. I am not saying that you shouldn't wear minis ( I still have one or another skirt) because of motherhood or any other old-fashioned age fashion rules. It's just about comfort - something that you can't live without at some point in life.
Besides - as a person and Image Consultant I don't recommend buying anything you would wear on just one occasion. The clothes need to fit into my life, not the other way around. Conscious consumption and a good and organized closet starts with smart shopping.
To answer my own question in the beginning - I am a city person. Of course, I love to enjoy the summer outdoors, preferably at the beach. But, since the beaches in PNW are cold, we end up spending more time in the city.
That's why I think this dress is the perfect summer dress! It has the color and elements that make it just my style: the citric green has a cooler undertone and brightness that match my personal palette (winter) and break the sweetness of this romantic prairie dress style.
I wore it with my favorite Gucci open loafers (perfect for the city), but it would also work with any type of sandals (great for the beach) or even sneakers.
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