
This time of year presents a huge dressing challenge. You need a suit that works for both chilly conference rooms and for surviving an outdoor walk around your campus in the Southern summer heat.
Fabric – I choose a lightweight fabric. Linen can be your friend if you buy a linen blend, and I always have it lined. The combination of lining it and the blend reduces the wrinkling. Another option is cotton sateen, which is just a dressier cotton that doesn’t wrinkle as easily as regular cotton. Again, you want to get a lined pant or skirt. A third fabric is a lightweight wool (some stores call this a summer wool or seasonless wool). I still find this fabric to be a little hot and really feel it is better suited for days you will not be outside long or if a cool front came through.
Top – Sleeveless is your friend. I always wear sleeveless. Ann Taylor offers their perfect shirt online in sleeveless. They also have some cute shell options. I love a cowl neck shell as another option this time of year.
Skirt or Pants – The day you are hiking around campus, I recommend a skirt or dress. However, I am old school Southern, and that means sheers on your legs. The long day in a chilly board room is definitely a pants day. (I also keep a pair of trouser socks and different shoes in my bag for those occasions)
Dress – I like the option of a dress – it somehow makes me feel cooler psychologically to only have a dress and a blazer. This also gives you the option to wear a lighter fabric and the choice of something with a little more movement.
Things I Keep in My Bag to Refresh: Boogie Wipes (I like to consolidate – so these little guys are great for removing sweat and for cleaning up little monkeys), Travel deodorant, Aquage Travel Dry Shampoo (I turn my head upside down and spray a little to reboost my style and it smells great), Touch Up Make Up with Oil Absorbing Papers
Don’t forget to check out my Pinterest page for outfit ideas!