I love the feel of August.
We were married in August — in the thick, hazy humidity of sump-like D.C., against the torpid buzz of cicadas and the breezeless but verdant landscape of the city’s Northwest quadrant. I remember descending the stone steps from the cool of my parents’ foyer to the black town car, my bridesmaids around me and the click of the camera whirring, and looking out at the immobile trees and stock-still grass in the lot across from my parents’ home, the sunbeams filtering through the umbrage of branches mottled and hazy and cloudy with moisture.
Against all odds, I love that stagnant August heat, probably or perhaps only because it is saturated with memories of summer spent in the backyard of my childhood home, all bare feet and too-short bangs and hand-me-down polo shirts and cricketsong and popsicle juice dripping down my arm and fireflies and the click-on-click-off of the air conditioner in that ancient stone house.
So I hardly mind the summers up here in New York, which present a similar weather profile, although here there is also the fetid stench of trash baking in bags on curbs and the throngs of tourists and the strange push and pull of not wanting to waste away in the apartment but also craving its air conditioning.
All of this to say: when I think of summer, I dream of a very specific wardrobe, one that it is all about breathable fabrics and loose shapes and below I am sharing what I’d like to add to beat the heavy heat of summer.
A RED-AND-WHITE STRIPED VOILE/LINEN COVERUP (SIMILAR TO ONE SHOWN ABOVE), BARE FEET, AND A CLASSIC WHITE SUIT
THIS VOLUMINOUS WHITE DRESS (NURSING FRIENDLY!)
A SPLURGE-WORTHY HAT (DROOL)
THESE RELAXED LINEN PANTS (LOOK FOR LESS WITH THESE OR THESE)
THIS WIDE-CUT COTTON DRESS ($60!!!)
THIS LOOSE-FIT COTTON COVERUP (FUN COLORS)
THIS T-SHIRT DRESS WITH GOLDEN GOOSE SNEAKS OR SUPERGAS
P.S. What would you change about your wedding?
P.P.S. Poetics.
P.P.P.S. The best bags for everyday adventures and the best beach bags. Also, came across my post on what to pack for a beach trip with baby, and it came in handy as I prepare for our trip to the Hamptons.
I’m catching up on WEEKS of your posts (eek, sorry!) … I find that the older I get, the less I can stand the summer heat & humidity on the East Coast. Why is that?! I admire your nostalgia for the August heat, but I myself linger on October days 🙂
LOVE that ribbed Faithfull maillot! I acquired 2 dresses from that label this summer and I love them both, so this intrigues me. I also own the Everlane linen jumpsuit in 2 colors (black & indigo) and ADORE it.
Your link back to “What to Read This Summer” reminds me that I need to tell you that I finished Normal People by Sally Rooney … OMG, I loved it, and it made me cry numerous times. I liked it even more than Conversations with Friends (though I liked CwF a lot!)
xx
Yes, I know what you mean — some of Rooney’s stuff is just like a punch in the gut. And she’s not even particularly sappy or emotive in her writing IMO. I don’t know. Something about the straightness of it is moving…
xx
Yes, this exactly! I look forward to seeing what else she has up her sleeve.
xx
Love the summer vibes, the fashion and especial the sun hat! Sun hats are soo important to get protection from the UV rays plus it’s a summer fashion accessories must have.
Great job