Seeking Approval #03: Dressing For Hot Weather
As the summer fast-approaches, I reflect on my tumultuous relationship with hot-weather clothing.
In my jury duty uniform. Full look description below.
When I was around 14-years-old I spent the night at the home of a girl we’ll call Jermaine. I had never really connected with her, but I knew sleeping over at her apartment with our group of friends was a good thing. I knew that, in some juvenile way, being there solidified to everyone else that I belonged in the group.
After talking about Jermaine’s boyfriend, a senior, and the boys the other girls were dating for what seemed like forever, we somehow landed on the topic of our armpits. I couldn’t tell you how. Each girl made comments about themselves as they individually raised up their arms so we could examine them closely. I quietly looked at each underarm: Smooth, a few fine hairs, some deodorant in the crease of her skin…
I was self-conscious about my skin and had already gotten used to wearing long sleeves and racer-backs to cover it up. I didn’t want to invite scrutiny from a group of girls I didn’t feel could relate to me. I wasn’t like them, I thought. When I got acne, it scarred for weeks or months. When I shaved, I got razor burn.
Once all the girls had their arms back down and it was my turn to raise mine, the room seemed to instantly fall silent. I sat there blank-faced with my arms down, frozen. The girls looked at each other. I shrugged.
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A photo snapped at The Sensuous Bean while awaiting my large, iced, oat milk cappuccino this week. :)
When the weather gets hot I sometimes think back to that 14-year-old version of myself...
I can be hyper-critical of my skin and body, so when it gets hot I sometimes end up paralyzed by my own closet.
This week I made a point of getting some summer-friendly clothing I actually feel comfortable in, starting with shorts:
Practically pajamas.
I bought this silky pair of Madewell shorts just before my trip to the coffee shop this week. Here’s a flat look at them:
A couple casual, running-errands looks from this week:
Uniqlo denim coverall (still available in off-white) with Madewell shorts, Rothy’s flats and Burberry sunglasses.
And another:
Madewell shorts, Uniqlo sweater vest, Parks Project T-shirt with Ray-Bans (these ones are similar and currently half off) plus a baseball cap I designed in college. The red tote is from Maison Miru.
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Earlier in the week, I headed down to the financial district for jury duty. I wore a V-neck camisole from Scanlan Theodore (this metallic knit one is awesome) and topped it off with my LouLou Studio no-lapel blazer for the cold courthouse:
On my jury duty lunch break, here. LouLou Studio double-breasted twill blazer, Scanlan Theodore camisole (similar one), Uniqlo wide-leg jeans, classic Chanel flats, Burberry sunglasses and Vogue Runway tote bag.
Sometimes my instinct is to hide myself: Hot weather just isn’t my thing. But it’s simply not true! If you’re like me and occasionally get anxious at the thought of stripping down for the summer atmosphere, let’s conquer it together. The market is rife with innovative fabrics, styles and silhouettes that are built to work with us, not against us, and I’m determined to embrace that.
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With that, thank you so much for being here! The world feels like it’s speeding up, and I hope you’re enjoying it while making time to slow down and rest. I also hope I can take my own advice, haha!! Until next week, wear something you’re completely comfortable in!
Yours Truly,
Kyoko
I am not compensated for the features listed in All-Year Season. My sincerest thank you to Uniqlo for supporting the creation of this post.
