Styling Solid T-Shirts Part 2: Dressing Up Simple Summer Looks

Six summertime styling ideas to zhuzh up your hot-weather outfits.

In lightweight 100% lyocell pants. Full look description below.

Lately it’s been a struggle to not find getting dressed a little monotonous. While shopping with a friend this week we agreed that wearing our summer clothing felt pretty awesome at first, but it has gotten old quickly. Two weeks into July and this season is, unfortunately, just warming up. To make it through I am implementing a little mindset shift: feel over look.

I KNOW. Honestly, there are times when getting dressed just isn’t the most important thing. Between the election in the United States, the heat and about a gazillion events devastating the world right now, all I want and need from my clothing is for it to make me feel good.

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Here, an easy way to dress up Everlane shorts and a Uniqlo T-shirt and shoulder bag.

I added an Able dot ring and yellow bracelet to make it more summery, plus beige strappy heels. I put a little Moroccanoil on my legs, too.

Here is a flat look at this loose-fitting Uniqlo T-shirt from their AIRism collection (also featured in part one of this two-part story):

Uniqlo AIRism cotton short-sleeve T-shirt in pink.

For something more business-casual that accomodates the warm weather, try pairing your T-shirt with longer shorts that hit right around the knee:

A sneaky way to make a T-shirt, shorts (similar ones) and flats work appropriate…the secret is Officine Générale.

Another Officine Générale (currently on summer sale!) moment:

Officine Générale pants and Scanlan Theodore belt, Uniqlo mini T-shirt, beige heels (mine are falling apart but these ones look nice), Able ring and a Ferragamo crossbody bag (up top).

Short, block heels are a better choice if your ankles are less forgiving. Personally, skinny heels make me feel unsafe (lol, but truly) so I will avoid them when possible. These Everlane mules are comfy, versatile and easy to slide on:

Uniqlo mini T-shirt with Everlane jeans and mules (available in other colorways)

My fuzzy hair in the above photo is an accurate depiction of what happens to many of us throughout the summer days. Fortunately, jeans and a T-shirt work just as well with hair styled up in a spontaneous bun!

Here, I added a statement bracelet and tied my hair back for a realistic "transition" look for when the hair gets to be too much.

This outfit would also be cute with straight jeans for a more '90s silhouette.

These mini tees are essential. Here they are, flat:

Uniqlo mini tee in white.

Uniqlo mini tee in black.

Same combo—different colors. For more "evening dinner" and less "late-morning brunch," try a darker top with a more sophisticated shoe:

Uniqlo mini T-shirt in black with Madewell jeans, Tod’s heels and my trusty yellow statement bracelet.

Of course, heels are not required to dress-up a casual look. Flats or sandals can be a fabulous addition to almost any evening outfit. I love an elegant shoe because sometimes, this one "dressy" element can prove transformational for an otherwise everyday appearance!

The same black Uniqlo T-shirt plus their easy cargo pants (available in other colorways) and drawstring shoulder bag, Able earrings and dot ring plus beige heels (similar ones).

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With that, thank you so much for being here! In the end, my point is to consider wearing more clothes you can easily dress up and down. Wearing comfortable, versatile pieces, e.g. solid T-shirts, makes this summertime sadness just a little more bearable.

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.