Game, Set, Match.
We made it through Maycember.
I don’t remember where I first heard the phrase “Maycember”, but I remember I stopped what I was doing and laughed out loud because it so perfectly captured the chaos and non-stop demands of the month of May. I remember all my friends with school-aged kids in New York saying May was the busiest month of the year, and my mom, mother of four and a life-long educator, powering through May like her life depended on it. I think it is an especially dramatic shift of gears in Sweden, because most people here spend months in hibernation, and as soon as the weather gets nice, people literally come out of the woodwork. The lack of socializing in Sweden in the winter is one of the things that makes me miss NYC the most, so I am loathe to pass up any opportunity to see friends, art or music once the events start lining up. Between end of school and sports activities, concerts, plays, performances, openings, graduations, weddings, anniversaries, milestone birthdays it’s like everything, everywhere, all at once. So while I am happy to see the calendar turn to June, I am not holding my breath that things are going to slow down. So I will do what I have always done, and arm myself with beautiful clothes to help me feel most myself (happy and comfortable) while getting through it all.
Here is my latest shopping closet edit, my favorite early summer looks to take you from A to Z or A to Ö as the case may be. It’s more matchy-matchy than I usually lean, but maybe that’s my desire to look and feel like I have my act together, even when (especially when!) I don’t, and still be able to get dressed in two minutes. Nothing beats a matching set for elevating an outfit and making you look and feel more pulled together than you might actually be feeling. I am ready to feel the sun on my legs and arms, and suddenly white cloths, floral prints, tank tops, dresses and sandals are all I want to wear.
White Teeth
It is not because I think you have to wait until after Memorial Day to wear white, but sunshine and a tiny bit of a tan do make wearing white that much easier and more flattering. Most high summer collections have a white capsule, and maybe because I am already starting to think about Wimbledon (while still watching the French Open), I am craving crisp white shirts, jeans, dresses and shoes. Rachel Comey’s Tux shirt is classic and cool at once and would make an excellent swimsuit cover-up. Toteme’s Parachute halter and trousers come in off-white and black and I want both. And I love white dresses for summer, even at weddings. No one is going to think you are the bride, and no, you won’t be stealing any of her attention.
Technicolor Dreamcoat
I love a dose of electric color and metallic in the summertime. And, let’s be honest, in Sweden (or in air conditioning) you need a jacket year round.
Modern Graphic Prints
Lrnce is a cool, slightly off the beaten path, design studio outside of Marrakesh that every in-the-know friend will recommend you check out when you visit Morocco. I last visited with a group of BFFs in 2018, and have been dying to go back ever since. We have a trip planned with the boys for our autumn break this year. Out of all the shopping I did on that trip (and it was A LOT!) I think we spent the most time and money at Lrnce. You don’t have to say “ceramics and textiles” to me twice before I am scrambling to find the nearest taxi to take me there. So it was to my utter delight when I saw that they recently collaborated with print-tastic Austrailian label Alémais on a capsule collection for My Theresa. The printed linen and silk tops, shorts, pants and maxi dresses make a perfect summer mix and match wardrobe.
Two pink check looks I love are from two of my favorite NYC designers Rachel Comey and Caron Callahan. Equally at home at the beach or in the city, Rachel’s Harem pants are a style I had over a decade ago and wore out, and one she made multiple samples of for herself for her maternity uniform. They are so easy and breezy and perfect for hot weather. I love the asymmetric detailing on the matching Mata top and the gathered, peplum detailing on Caron’s Gail top. I also love it in cornflorwer blue and the black linen viscose version is a perfect summer not-trying-too-hard dress up look paired back to her version of a harem style Cary pant. I also love the more traditional summery navy and white gingham, cotton and ramie Batavia shirt and trousers and shorts from Max Mara Weekend. A real sleeper hit collection IMO.
Flower Power
Whether you are poolside or wedding bound, summer florals are always the right choice. There is also an abundance of floral jewelry this season that works equally well with white tee-shirts and denim as they do with a formal dress. I love the delicate carved shell flowers of these mixed with the long rhinestone strands. And these sweet pink floral pom pom studs. And these crazy, embellished hoop earrings from Dries also with strands of dripping rhinestones. And my summer wardrobe would not be complete without one or two ruffled floral silk dresses from Maison Mayle.
Modern Suiting
I love the pulled together feeling of a suit, but don’t like anything too stuffy. To give a suit a personal edge, I definitely go for a more relaxed fit or deconstructed tailoring, often with a skirt or shorts and in a non traditional fabric or bright color. Cotton and linen suits from Max Mara Weekend are great for daytime. I am looking at you Emma! The cropped trousers work well with sneakers or birkenstocks. Same with the single pleat white cotton trousers from Toteme. And I love the floral fil coupé Swing jacket and Fezco pants from Rachel Comey in black which can be very dressed up.
Statement Accessories
Everything is better with a bit of bling, especially as the weather heats up and you want to wear next to nothing. Add big fun earrings, a great necklace (love this bead and shell one from Rachel) shoes or bag and you are good to go. I am especially feeling summer sequins.
That’s it for today. Thanks for reading, I am glad you are here.
Happy shopping, happy summer!
Onwards!
Jen
literally honored to be mentioned and now I think I need that green suit
It’s soo good to have you back talking about fashion. Your pov is bringing me back to the excitement of pre-2020 fashion before ‘quiet luxury’ took over. Mayle! Lrnc! I am glad you reminded me that they are still making things. And that RC is still at the top of her game. I’ve been following you/Bird for as long as I’ve been in fashion and it’s so great to see how your career and creative practice are evolving in this new fashion landscape. Forever inspired 🤍