I love wearing black in the summer, so I asked a style expert to help improve my outfits. Megan duBois I mostly wear all-black outfits because it’s easy and timeless, but I do live in hot Florida. My favorite hot-weather outfits combine a flutter sleeve with trouser shorts or a fun black dress A professional stylist said I could upgrade my looks with accessories and waist-cinching belts.
I love how simple my mostly monochromatic closet is with a range of staple pieces in white, black, and navy. As an average-sized woman typically wearing a size 12 in pants and a large or extra-large in tops, I’ve found that having a few basics to piece together makes getting ready so much easier. But I live in Florida, and in the hot summers, my mostly black wardrobe can sometimes be tricky since dark-colored clothing traps the heat from the sun.
And although I love my simple wardrobe, I have days where it feels boring and I think it could use a lift. So I reached out to Denise Caldwell, a style expert who’s been featured on shows like “Good Morning America” and the “Today” show, and sent her photos of five my go-to summer outfits. I asked for her opinion on each all-black look and if she had tips to make it better and more flattering on my figure.
I wear trouser shorts and this flutter-sleeve top almost every weekBlack eyelet top, black trouser shorts, and pointed rust-colored shoes. Megan duBoisFlorida summers can be sweltering, so I try to pick comfortable clothes that have a little extra room instead of tight, fitted pieces. These semi-loose trouser shorts do the job for me when it’s 100 degrees Fahrenheit and I’ve got to look somewhat professional for a work event.
“To battle humidity, choose materials that are versatile, flowy, and lightweight,” said Caldwell. Caldwell’s main suggestion for this look was to use some sort of waist cincher or drawstring belt to balance out the voluminous areas around my midsection. “A satin belt or a belt that has elasticity is always great to create a waist and draw the eye to your midsection to create an hourglass figure,” she said.
She also said I should add metallic accessories, like gold hoop earrings, to polish off the look without overwhelming it. “A headband with mixed metallics would really compliment and streamline the all-black attire,” she added. I recently added this romper to my wardrobe Short black romper with metallic-gold sandals.
Megan duBoisRompers are one of my favorite things to wear, but sometimes it can be a pain to find one that fits just right. I love this one because it’s got plenty of room in the torso to be slightly loose, but it’s not so short in the leg that I’m constantly pulling it down. “This look has so much versatility.
This look can go super casual with white sneakers, a baseball cap, and a denim jacket to run errands, or jazz it up with a nice strappy sandal. This is a nice look for brunch,” said Caldwell. She also praised the knit fabric, which is super breathable and light so I won’t get too hot in the scorching Florida heat.
The romper also earned points for its cut — Caldwell thought the length of the romper was great for my curvy frame and the hem hit me in a flattering spot. “I love the metallic-gold sandals. They are the extra accent to give an optical illusion of elongated legs,” she said, adding that nude shoes would also be a good choice.
To amp up ths outfit, she said I should add “wrist candy,” like layered bangles and a watch to mix “classic and modern” pieces. I’m a fan of this look because it’s easy to throw on and is so versatileBlack ankle-length jumpsuit with black pointed-toe shoes. Megan duBoisOne of my favorite looks is this cropped-pant jumpsuit.
I always find that it’s easy to throw on when I’m running errands or going out with friends. I also love that it can be dressed up or down with the addition of a few key accessories, and Caldwell agreed. “We know the little black dress, but this is a stylish departure with a masculine and feminine take,” she said.
She liked that the soft cotton fabric was slightly stretchy “because a little stretch goes a long way” to make a flowy fit flattering and comfortable. My choice of headband passed the mark because, according to Caldwell, headbands are trendy right now. She also said that I should consider adding statement earrings.
“Have a party above the neck and keep it simple with your outfit,” she said. This dress has been a staple in my wardrobe for yearsBlack lace dress with black pointed-toe shoes. Megan duBoisI have quite a few black dresses in my wardrobe, but this one from Zara is my absolute favorite.
“The above-the-knee length is great for your figure. It has a pencil skirt finish which really creates a long and lean silhouette for the curvy frame,” said Caldwell. She did say that adding shapewear can make all the difference with this dress.
“While some shapewear may be unbearable in the summer heat, consider a light shaper with tummy control. A light brief shaper, either a high-waisted or mid-waisted, will give a smooth finish to your dress,” she said. Caldwell also said the look would be great with my long hair up in a top knot with some pearlized stud earrings or an ear cuff to create a modern, yet edgy look.
I don’t go for this combo super often, but it comes in handy when I need to dress up A flutter-sleeve black top with a leather pencil skirt and bone-colored pointed-toe shoes. Megan duBoisI think my almost all-black wardrobe lacks pencil skirts when it comes to professional wear. This is one of two that I have, and the other has silver threading going through it for a more party-ready look.
Caldwell said that adding a pair of black tights would help this transition into a great fall look. But, overall, she didn’t love the proportions of this outfit. Although wearing all black is said to be slimming, she said it’s important to “remember proportions.
” Caldwell told me that if I wanted to wear a voluminous top, then I should go for a more slender bottom. She loved the nude pump, which helps elongate my legs. She said a white pump or sandal would also look great.
Overall, more accessories and airy fabrics are the way to go Although I’ve never been a fashionista, I’ve always loved getting dressed up and I plan to use some of these tips. Some of my main takeaways are that accessories — especially metallic or statement ones worn above the neck — can really go a long way with upgrading my classic looks. I should totally keep reaching for gold and nude shoes, which help elongate my legs, and I will keep looking for light, cotton fabrics that are comfortable in hot weather.
Click to keep reading how stylists would upgrade other writers’ wardrobes as part of Insider’s fashion clinic. Read the original article on Insider.
From: insider
URL: https://www.insider.com/stylist-shares-how-to-improve-hot-weather-outfits-photos-2022-8
