Summer Survival Guide

Skirts: pink pleated midi, navy stripe midi, polka dot midi, teal pleated midi, aqua pencil skirt (have and love!)   |   Dresses: gray tee, floral tee, dot chambray, teal dotted, aqua lace, stripe tunic   |   Shirts: blue popover, white lace yoke (have and love), navy lace tee (have and love), aqua crew-neck tee, pink v-neck tee, navy stripe tee (have and love), octopus graphic tee, chambray (have and love)  |  Shorts:  jean, pink Bermuda (just bought - so, so cute!), navy lace)  |  Light layers: kimono cardigan, gray cardigan, cream cardigan (have and love), pink cardigan  |  Accessories: sunglasses, navy print tote, cognac strappy sandals (have very similar), saddle bag, canvas clutch, rose gold flip flops, neutral wedges

With the exception of the past few days, it has been so.stinking.hot in here in Florida. Forget spring, we jumped right into summer with 80 degree temps and lots of humidity. Which has gotten me in a bit of a panic, since my closet leans heavily toward fall/winter and most of my summer clothes no longer fit. So, I decided to do a little outfit planning to figure out how in the world I'm going to survive spring summer. Because if it's this hot already in March, I cringe to think what July and August are going to be like.

My game plan - lots of breezy skirts and dresses, light tops, sandals for days, and light-weight layers for the AC. I have some of these items, pretty much WANT everything I don't have, and know a few of them will eventually make their way to me (hello - gorgeous pink and polka dot midis!) And as always, my love for J. Crew, J. Crew Factory and Loft runs deep...

SKIRTS

Lady-like skirts: J. Crew micro-pleated midi  |  J. Crew polka dot midi  |  J. Crew Factory pleated midi  |  J. Crew Factory striped midi  |  J. Crew Factory cotton pencil skirt

Skirts - Can I just say I pretty much WANT everyone.single.one. of these skirts. I love midis for the summer because they're nice and airy and breathe. They're perfect for work with a cute wedge sandal, or can be dressed down for the weekend with a pair of cute strappy sandals. I did throw in the aqua pencil skirt because it isn't quite as fitted as some of my other pencil skirts and the cotton feels comfortable and light.

DRESSES

All dressed up: Boden T-shirt dress  |  floral T-shirt dress  |  Boden dot chambray dress  |  Loft lace dress  |  Boden jersey dress  |  Boden Breton tunic 

Dresses - I'm all about dresses in the summer. You don't really have to think about it - just throw one on, grab some sandals and a necklace - and done. I tend to stick to dresses with sleeves since I don't like to show my upper arms and don't want to have to wear a cardigan when it's 100+ degrees outside. I threw two longer-sleeve options into the mix, which are nice in the blisteringly cold air conditioning and you can just roll the sleeves up when outside. I'm especially enamored with that fun dotted chambray dress!

SHIRTS & TEES

Top it off: J. Crew Factory corded popover  |  J. Crew Factory linen lace tee  |  J. Crew Factory aqua  tissue tee   |  J. Crew Factory pink v-neck tee  |  J. Crew Factory octopus tee  |  J. Crew Factory embroidered tee    |  J. Crew Factory chambray shirt  |  Boden Breton tee

Shirts - My rule about sleeves with dresses also applies here, so I stuck to short-sleeve options or sleeves that can easily be rolled up. I love tees that have a little extra details - like lace or a pretty pattern - which makes them look more dressed up than a plain tee. Though those can be great too, which is why I included bright pink and aqua options. Plus you can't go wrong with a chambray shirt - I swear they go with everything - and that blue popover is everything. Want so bad.

SHORTS

Hey shortie:  Loft denim Bermuda roll shorts  |  Loft Bermuda roll shorts  |  Loft floral scallop lace shorts

Shorts - I hate shorts, I hate, hate, hate them, but they are a necessary evil. It's just to darn hot here in the summer for pants, and as much as I love skirts and dresses, sometimes it's nice to be a little more casual (and not have to worry about your skirt blowing up in the wind). I just picked up the pink Bermuda rolls shorts and they are so cute in real-life - super comfy and hit above the knee, so they don't look matronly. I love a good jean short - the thicker material doesn't ride and they pretty much go with everything. Lace shorts are out of my comfort-zone, but I tried these on in the store and they were super cute. Short, but not excessively so, and the navy helped tone down the whole - hey I'm wearing lace shorts - look at me thing.

LIGHT LAYERS

Baby it's cold inside: Loft kimono cardigan  |  J. Crew perfect-fit mixed-tape cardigan  |  J. Crew Factory cardigan in champagne  |  J. Crew Factory Clare cardigan in sweet pink

Light Layers - Seems like when it's miserable hot outside, it's FREEZING inside. Hello, AC over-compensation. I always keep a light cardigan around to throw on inside and immediate strip off as soon as I hit the outdoors. I have - and love - the cream Clare cardigan and would love to add a fun color (like pink) into the mix. The long gray cardigan would go with everything from shorts to dresses and the kimono cardigan looks so perfectly casual. Definitely want to check that one out in real-life.

ACCESSORIES

Finishing touches:  T-Shirt & Jeans canvas printed tote  |  J. Crew Factory canvas placed-stripe leather clutch  |  Sole Society Thalia crossbody bag  |  American Eagle flip flops  |  J. Crew Factory suede demi-wedge  |  American Eagle strappy sandals  |   J. Crew Factory modern tortoise sunglasses 

Accessories: A much as a hate shorts, I LOVE sandals. If I could, I wear them forever and always, even in the winter. I like the idea of a more dressed up wedge to wear with skirts and dresses, strappy sandals that go with everything, and lovely rose gold sandals for a more casual look. A tote bag is a must for beach day or just for everyday errands, and I like that the canvas clutch can be dressed up or down. I'm so excited this crossbody bag is back in stock, it's the perfect day-to-day bag. I just picked up the tortoise shell sunglasses to replace my recently broken aviators, and I love them! They're a bit different with a slight cat's eye, slightly retro and fun!

Whew, that's it. Now, who wants to buy me all these lovelies for my closet? :)  I'm thinking that lovely blue popover, pink midi skirt, polka dot midi skirt, kimono cardigan and fun wedges might just have to make their way to me in the coming months...ooo...and maybe those rose gold sandals and patterned tote as well.  I have a shopping problem for sure...

And a good outfit planning post wouldn't be complete without some outfit planning, so for funsies, I put a few look together to show how great all these pieces would mix and match. Enjoy!