What's the summer (in humid DC) version of this daily uniform?

[Anonymous]

A few years ago I started dressing basically the same way every day, and it's been great. The outfit is not exciting but I buy high quality, mix in a few bright colors, and splurge a bit on shoes and jewelry. This is the uniform:

High quality tee in white or gray
Boxy crewneck sweater (some cotton, some cashmere, some wool) in a variety of colors
High rise, straight leg jeans, or sometimes I sub in a pair of high rise, slouchy suiting pants
Chunky sneaker or loafer, in dead of winter I'll wear a Chelsea boot

It has made getting dressed so effortless, I love it.

I cannot crack the summer version of this outfit. I've tried but it never looks right. Summer weight pants aren't as structured and they don't look right with the tees/tanks I pair them with. Without the sweater layer, it looks super boring. Maybe I need to go for a skirt or dress in a neutral, but if so, which one? Can I get 3-5 of them and wear them daily and not have it be really obvious? With jeans/pants, this is easy, but it feels harder with skirts and dresses.

Any ideas?

[Anonymous]

Khakis and a button down shirt?

[Anonymous]

Teacher here. My summer uniform is khaki/black/navy blue/white shorts (maybe 4 inch inseam) and comfy crew/v-neck t-shirts. Lather, rinse, repeat.

[Anonymous]

I have your same uniform, OP…and have the same problem with summer. I wear birks, cut off jeans, and muscle tees. It’s not a great look and I’m trying to structure it better. I’m going for more tailored shorts and some athletes dresses.

May I ask what kind of loafers you wear?

[Anonymous]

Athleta not athletes.

[Anonymous]

Shirt dress would be easy and look nice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Teacher here. My summer uniform is khaki/black/navy blue/white shorts (maybe 4 inch inseam) and comfy crew/v-neck t-shirts. Lather, rinse, repeat.

This is also my summer uniform, although I do wear lightweight pants regularly, too, like the jcrew seaside pants.

OP, for me the trick to keeping this more fresh in the summer is wearing cute sandals and a colorful necklace, or solid but not navy/khaki colored shorts/pants, like a wedgewood blue or coral color. It is still a uniform bc I wear white tshirts with almost all.

[Anonymous]

Dresses. That's the effortless put together look for summer.

[Anonymous]

Can you wear shorts, OP, or does it have to be pants?

If you like skirts, I think a midi skirt with a tank or good t, and nice sandals could give you the same level of dressiness, comfort, and ease as your winter uniform.

A denim skirt is also really versatile and easy. I don't live in them only because I don't want to worry about my underwear on display all the time.

[Anonymous]

This post reminds me of the tv show and character "Monk". His closet is full of several of the exact same dress shirts, pants and suit jackets. Op, do you have a female version of Monk's closet?

[Anonymous]

Nice shirt dress or you could get skirts to pair with your tshirts or maybe incorporating silk scarves for color?

[Anonymous]

Go to a place like REI. They have neutral color dresses and skirts. Sometimes you can also find the dresses in the athletic sections of Marshall’s. Thinking a brand like Prana.

[Anonymous]

Linen pants and a breathable long sleeve buttoned shirt tucked in at the front. It looks put together but is so comfortable in both the heat and the air conditioning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This post reminds me of the tv show and character "Monk". His closet is full of several of the exact same dress shirts, pants and suit jackets. Op, do you have a female version of Monk's closet?

NP
Sometimes I envied Monk's closet

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dresses. That's the effortless put together look for summer.

+1

I have like 25 on rotation. Casual t-shirt, linen, ribbed maxi halter, off the shoulder linen, spaghetti strap, etc.

Wedges, sandals, jewelry, big straw hat.

I hate shorts at 50+ and pants way too hot. I hate anything binding.