SUMMER BLACK IS COOL

Photo by Sandy Swagger Jones

Summer is here, and with it the notion that the color white rules (and cools) all.  But as I've been sifting through my closet in the mornings (and sifting through my recent Instagram feed), it has dawned on me that I really have a lot of summer black.  It's such an easy go-to color -- slimming, sophisticated, easy to pair with other colors, and, to boot, it hides perspiration stains far better than white.  I wanted to make the case for wearing black all summer long, since that's what I'll be doing, so some quick internet "research" revealed that black clothing may actually keep you cooler in the heat of summer than white.  WHAT!??!  I don't believe everything I read, but this explanation certainly helps me with my blog post, so...

Now before you go pulling out your black leather pants (ahem...Ross Geller), let's discuss fabrics and fit.  If you're going to subscribe to my "let's wear lots of black in the sweltering heat" plan, you want to wear lightweight fabrics like cotton, linen, and rayon that will breathe and not stick to you all day.  

People Tree Organic Cotton Rebecca Dress

Athleta Linen Pant

Eileen Fisher Jersey Tank

And I definitely prefer drapey and floaty silhouettes over form-fitting shapes in the summer.  This is a personal preference, of course, but I want any breeze to find its way around and through me, so I tend to leave plenty of space for it.  

Alternative Double Scoop Eco-Jersey Tank Dress

BCBGeneration Breezy Way Duster

Please don't confuse drapey and floaty with frumpy and unflattering, though!  You should still pay attention to proportions and accessories to avoid looking like a potato sack.

I'm sure I haven't convinced everyone to add more black to their summer wardrobes, so just for kicks, here are some pretty white things to peruse.

Tibi Jean Leather Ankle Boots

Fashionable Shegaw Scarf

Are you on Team Black or Team White?  If I'm honest, I'm loyal to both!

As a personal stylist and personal shopper in Richmond, VA, I strive to make wardrobe choices clear and easy for women who are short on time, overwhelmed by their closets, or transitioning from one period of life to another.  Let's connect!