Ladies, it’s HOT outside! And if you’re out and enjoying the warm weather any you know what a challenge it is to look cool and chic in the summer heat. Even just walking from your car to an event you can work up a sweat if you’re not dressed in something that can take the heat. So today I’m breaking down one of my favorite summer outfit formulas in a little more detail so we can keep our cool while the heat is on.
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In yesterday’s blog post I shared five summer closet essentials that the stylish woman needs in her closet in order look pulled together during the dog days of summer. From the comments it looks like one of the most popular of those essentials is the drawstring, wide leg pant. And I’m all on board! This trending pant is generally blousy and lightweight, so it doesn’t stick to you like jeans or other pants will. It’s a great solution for when you want to look stylish and pulled together but still casual and cool.
Dress Up the Drawstring Pant
I love that you can dress up the wide leg drawstring pant for a slightly more elevated look, but still look cool and chic in the summer heat.
Rather than wear a heavy summer sweater, which surely is chic, opt for a lightweight silk blouse. Silk is a natural fiber fabric that helps to regulate your temperature. When it’s hot outside it will keep you cool, and vice versa.
My silk blouse above is no longer available. And it wasn’t inexpensive. But each summer I do invest in one or two beautiful silk blouses that I can wear with multiple things. And I’ve discovered that they work beautifully with otherwise casual drawstring pants.
The outfit above is the one I wore to shop the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale recently. I felt just as comfortable and cool in this outfit as I would have a pair of shorts and a t-shirt, but the outfit is decidedly more elevated and chic. It’s not the best photo in the world. Ha! But the outfit was great.
Then, while I was at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, I purchased the silk blouse shown above and below. It’s the same brand as my other print silk blouse above and, again, rather pricey. But since I was using a double points day at Nordstrom it seemed like the right time to pull the trigger on a versatile silk blouse I’ll wear for years. (The one above is three years old and I wear it frequently.)
Again, I didn’t wear the above outfit anywhere fancy. I just did some “blog research” at the mall and had lunch out. But I felt cool and chic in the summer heat that day. And of course this would be a great outfit to wear to friends’ for dinner, church, a baby shower or brunch.
A silk blouse is always going to be an investment. But as the season wraps up (crazy, I know!) they’re starting to go on sale. I’ve collected a number of beautiful summery silk blouses in the shopping widget below (you can see the whole collection at once HERE). Unfortunately I can’t indicate price with the widget, but click through on anything that interests you because many are on sale. And others will be dropping in price soon. (By the way, I’m not recommending shirts in other “silky” polyester fabrics because they don’t have the same temperature controlling properties. But if you feel comfortable in those, they can be just as beautiful with your casual drawstring pants.)
Dress Down the Drawstring Pant
But you can also wear the same drawstring pants more casually. And that’s the beauty of this particular trouser. It can be one of your most versatile pieces in your summer closet because it suits almost every occasion.
Above I wore my favorite linen drawstring pants very casually with just a linen t-shirt and sandals. And I’ve created a similar look with the same pants in buttery soft yellow below. Those yellow linen pants are lined, by the way, but in a soft linen and still very cool and comfortable.
Below I’ve provided several style boards for more inspiration with these linen wide leg drawstring pants. But you could work these formulas with most any solid colored wide leg drawstring pants in your summer wardrobe and look cool and chic in the summer heat.
First we have a monochromatic look with a linen pullover top in the same color as the pants. These items are all in stock and shoppable in the captions, by the way. Give the top a gentle front tuck or let it hang loose for an even more casual vibe. Complete with your favorite jewelry and sandals.
Above we have a striking outfit with some fun strawberry sunrise linen pants. Those are in my cart! I’ve just topped them with a simple but feminine white top for a very soft, casual look. Add cognac sandals and a woven rattan bag and you’ll look cool and chic in the summer heat.
Another favorite outfit formula to wear with these linen drawstring pants is to pair them with a fun but classy graphic tee. I’ve done that above earlier in the spring and added a jacket. But below I have a style board below with options that are currently in stock and without the jacket. Just as on trend and smart.
Are you staying cool and chic in the summer heat? Pull out your drawstring pants and start creating fresh outfits with them. That’s what I’m wearing today. How about you? Oh, and I’m sharing another shopping widget below with lots of options in case you don’t have any yet.
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Blessed for My Day
I’ll admit, it’s not always easy for me to accept correction or even criticism and advice from other people. I have to talk myself down off my high horse before I can sift through the well-intentioned comments to look for the gems I need to humbly apply. Do you struggle with that, too?
But I learned years ago that the Word of God can be trusted and even treasured. So when I come across Scripture that rebukes or instructs me, I take it to heart immediately. I don’t have to worry if the Lord knows what He’s talking about, if He has my best interest at heart or is simply being mean-spirited, if He can be trusted or if He dislikes me. These are the things I’m skeptical about when others advise me, but I don’t even think about those things when God’s Word convicts me. I know that His Word is delightful, even when it tastes bitter at first. Friend, I want you to know that you can trust what you read in the Bible. It is for you, not against you.
Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. ~ James 1:21
Thanks, Kay. I’ve been reluctant to keep an online order purchase, since I’m not used to the new silhouette. This post helps!
Do you wear shorts very often?
Love the butterfly video. Such beautiful variety of them.
Last year you styled some denim raw hem shorts from Talbots I bought and love them. They are so comfortable and my first Talbots purchase and right when I needed them.
Ahh, interesting. They’re actually making a reappearance in tomorrow’s YouTube video. Ha! But they’re no longer available. Be sure to watch to see what I say about them.
Really???? So funny.
Great inspiration. I love how you show the versatility of wideleg drawstring trousers. The silk blouses you are wearing with them look so pretty. I also like the dress you wore to the butterfly photography event.
Thank you. Here’s a link to the dress if you’re interested. https://rstyle.me/+Iy4GxYE-4QVGMZRHhlpkCA
The Conservatory brings back Cincinnati memories. Had no idea that was where you are.
Born and raised there!
Yes, it was lovely. 😊
Those silk blouses are so beautiful! Love the way the drawstring pants can be dressed up and down, both. Are there recommendations for those of us trying to avoid extra volume at the waist, stomach and hips that sometimes comes with that style of pant? I do have one pair of black linen drawstring pants but tend to only wear them with a third layer, which is sometimes not practical in really hot weather, and I’m always looking for pear-shaped dressing tips – easier in the fall, winter and spring to balance the look than in the summer, it seems.
Check out today’s YouTube video to see how I styled them there. https://youtu.be/swvFdQo9snc
All of these outfits are lovely Kay. I’m so pleased to see the pretty print tops as I often see style advice to ditch the prints completely. I have worked to edit my closet and include more solids and neutrals but feel some prints are part of my personal style. Thank you for showing me how to wear prints and not look dated.
Thank you for so many suggestions in silk. I have been wanting to wear something a little more dressy than t-shirts. These are very pretty.