Finally answering the question

...what do you wear in the summer?

I don’t shy away from many style questions but one that makes me mildly shifty is - what do you wear when it’s hot out?  To date, I’ve managed to dodge and deflect but there’s plenty of space to explain myself here on Substack, so there’s no skirting around it now. 

This note’s audio accompaniment

The problem is, summer me is so basic that I’d find it challenging to fill two lines even if I poured over the minute details.  I have a simple uniform that works and I stick to it.  I rarely reach for shorts or miniskirts (some unsightly veins are to blame), so the foundation comes down to this — a relaxed top and a pair of wide leg jeans/trousers or maxi skirt.  Few fashion rules are as binding to me as “comfort first’ and it can get unbearably warm in Toronto in July and August (yes it does, look it up) so that dictates the outfit.  My peace of mind and overall wellness are intricately tied to how I feel and the feelings that hold notable weight are comfort and confidence with comfort being the priority.  When I step out in the summer, I usually feel pretty good but there’s nothing special or differentiating about what I’m wearing and plenty of people can be seen in the same. 

As the heat rises and I strip my layers, what I’m posting doesn't always align with what I’m wearing. I’m not the best at taking candid selfies and I’d ask my family for assistance but they’re terrible at taking photos of me because they know better than to excel at something they don’t want to do.  Sometimes the post doesn't align because I’m wading into the next season or dressing for the gram purely for the joy of creating. Either way, when my #ootd isn’t my actual outfit for that day, I suffer transparency anxiety (also happens when I think my underwear might be visible). I really enjoy the art of building a look but summer Neelam is a simpleton. I live more, wear less. 

I don’t do feminine dresses that often, I still wear a lot of black, and I don’t like anything too complicated (even the idea of it makes me sweat). I tend to rely on shoes, bags, and jewelry to do the heavy lifting when the foundation is basic and I’m very happy about The Row’s expansion into the latter category.

Here are some recent outfits — the base, the betterments, and the explanations.

Base: Extreme Cashmere tee dress - one size (this one is nice, this one too), The Row Banana bag (here too), The Row flip-flops -tts

Betterment: The Row bangle (in store only, but this is really nice)

Explained:  You can’t go wrong with a tee dress.  They’re easy to move around in, the air flows up nicely to cool down hot parts, and they’re so simple that it’s hard to complicate matters. The Row wrist bangle is weighty and substantial, it adds some colour variation and compliments the outfit. It’s available in silver too (again, in store only), but as I mentioned, J. Crew has a lovely bracelet that comes in silver and gold and they work just as well. The Banana bag pulls the dress in a little and gives me more shape and the canvas is lightweight and perfect for warmer days. I could have done some colour with the shoes, but the bangle was enough.

Base: The Row jeans (and here) - size 2, Massimo oversized shirt - size xs/s, The Row flip-flops - tts

Betterments: Massimo silver cuff, The Row Genevieve raffia tote (alternative)

Explained: With a shirt like this, the rest of the outfit can be simple. It’s an airy cotton/silk blend with subtle stripes and it’s generous in size.  You could also wear a tank top and wear this shirt open or around the waist. And the cuff!! It’s bright and cheery, extremely light, and somewhat adjustable. I like to layer them so I bought two. I stalked the Elsa Peretti Tiffany Bone Cuff for a long time but gave up when, after repeated requests, I wasn’t able to special order one in a size that would wrap properly around my infant-sized wrists (even the xs doesn’t fit). The Massimo cuff is similar and I like it about the same (and it’s a fraction of the price!). Finally, a little raffia tote to complete my summer look. I executed a swap - The Row Oregon for Genevieve.  Orgeon is large (and I was seeing it everywhere) and the base is wide, so I traded it.  I wanted something close to the body and Genevieve is malleable.  I’ve dolled it up with an old TR accessory.

Base: Massimo Ramie blend shirt - I took xs, old Massimo maxi skirt (another nice option), The Row Debee crossbody bag (I like this one too, and this is the smaller version)

Betterments: The Row Canal slip ons, The Row Comb necklace

Explained:  The necklace is quirky and not everyone’s cup of tea but I like it. It’s a runway piece I was drooling over when I was in Paris at the S/S 2023 show and The Row kindly sent it to me. However, the shoes are the main attraction in this look. I don’t incorporate a lot of suede in summer but how could I resist this colour?  When they were first released, I put them firmly on my wish list (but at the back - colour always finishes last). Also, in the inexplicable workings of that part of my brain dedicated to making purchasing decisions, with every hour/day/week that passes on an item I desire, there’s a corresponding increase in the value it holds to me. I was all set to wait for a bit but then Leandre posted a picture of herself in them, and I knew my days of distant longing were over.  It was only a matter of time before her followers gobbled up any remaining inventory, so it was a “buy now or miss the blue shoe boat” situation.  As beautiful as they were, I let them pass because acquiring under duress, with very little time to ruminate, often feels bittersweet and I was unwilling to abandon my best practices for an irregular (non-black) purchase. And then, as I was filling the empty space I’d created for the Canals (which unsurprisingly, sold out), I remembered something — Ssense’s summer shipment was delayed!  It meant I might still have a chance should they have been part of their buy. You already know how this story ends…my restraint was rewarded and a pretty pair of electric blue suede shoes now occupy their rightful place in my closet. I know, I know, they’re no longer available BUT these are quite nice and if you’re not a fan, you could always try another style in another colour — like these or these.  The point is, when the rest of the outfit is monochromatic, punching it up through coloured shoes is a great idea.

Base: James Perse pants - size 1, Frances de Lourdes tee - size xs, old Essen City sandals (these would give you the same look and they’re very comfortable), old Massimo necklace

Betterment: Balenciaga weekender

Explained:  This outfit is so unbelievably comfortable.  I love my Frances de Lourdes Johnny tees and I have them in a few colours. And finding these wide leg pants from James Perse was a blessing.  As for the bag, I think you can tell I’ve been digging into the archives lately.  The old Bals are insanely good.  This one is from 2005, hailed as one of their best years (for bags) when most of the coveted Holy Grail leathers were produced in incredibly rich colours, thick and chewy, with a sweet subtle scent that holds nearly twenty years later.  The weekender style is one of my favourites because they’re rare but also because they’re ludicrously capacious and come in happy colours. I have a few of them.

Base: The Row tee - size s as it’s a little cropped, Massimo skirt - size s so it would be longer, TR City flip-flops (here and here) - tts

Betterments: Little Lifner bag, Alighieri necklace (I like this one too),

Explained: For anyone who’s familiar with my love affair with black, the betterment here is simply that I’m wearing colour.  For anyone else, it’s the combination of colours and textures.  This wrap skirt is light enough for summer and heavy enough for fall/winter. It’s the goldilocks of leather skirts and works well with shirts, knits and tees alike. The blend of the Niteroi tee lends a bit of a burnout heathered look and I like the texture of it. I recently purchased the burgundy flavour in the City flip-flops and together with the suede toffee coloured bag and the rich gold necklaces, the look is earthy and warm.

Base: Massimo shirt (this is another great option), old Sportmax skirt but this is nice (this one too)

Betterments: Bal weekender, The Row flip-flops, The Row necklace (in store only) but again, these Alighieri necklaces are lovely (I have a few of them so I can stack them)

Explained: Hey, I’m wearing white, what more do I need to say? The flip-flops are a nice pop but are mostly sold out (I like these but any bright shade will do). The necklace is also a strong piece as it breaks up the monotony and adds some depth with the gold.

That’s all for now.

N xo