Right around now is when my social feeds flip into high summer mode with a constant stream of my favorite creators wearing sandals, sundresses, flippy skirts, and shorts. Something that I live vicariously through since I’m in San Francisco where summer means gloves, layering, and fitted skirts so I don’t flash everyone during peak wind season1. Some people will tell you that San Francisco isn’t that cold in the summer. These people have high internal body temps and can’t be trusted if you’re a never-warm2 like me.

Although it’s not technically summer until June, my friends in balmier regions and the never-colds in San Francisco have already broken out their shorts and flip flops. In the spirit of almost-summer, I’m sharing my favorite minimalist warm weather looks, plus what summer dressing really looks like when you live in a mild part of the US (hint: there are sweaters involved).

The Dream: Warm Weather Outfits

These are the outfits that make me realize summer’s almost here: breezy skirts, strappy sandals, chic sets, crochet, and not a scarf or glove in sight. I’m tacking on layering ideas to make each outfit a little warmer for my temperate climate friends.

Inspo #1: The Linen Vest + Cotton Maxi Skirt

I love Polly Sayer. She’s funny, supremely stylish, and the embodiment of the midimalist aesthetic3. She’s also stellar at warm weather dressing. If you’re not already following Polly, this is your sign to tap the follow button and get ahead of your summer styling needs.

The outfit: This look is full of contrasts that elevate a seemingly basic black and white outfit: the cinched waist accentuates the flowiness of the skirt, the embroidered detail at the hem builds visual interest, and the strappy sandals create a statement moment. Throw in a woven bag, a simple gold chain, and an earring stack and you have the HG “minimalist with a twist” outfit.

How to layer it: Throw on a preloved black linen blazer over the vest, ankle socks under your OTT sandals, and leggings beneath the skirt, and you’ve bought yourself a few extra degrees of warmth.

Inspo #2: The Cropped Jacket + Mini Skirt

Is there anyone that wears tailoring better than Cherifa Akili? This is a rhetorical question because I haven’t found that person yet, but if you know a creator at this exceptional level of suiting styling, please drop a note in the comments so I can follow them asap.

The outfit: Another deceptively simple outfit that uses proportion play to boost a monochrome palette. The jacket’s cropped length and bold shoulders balance out a fitted mini skirt, and the bag in a subtly darker shade of ivory creates dimension. The leopard mary janes are showstoppers and bring a hint of primness to the shorter skirt.

How to layer it: Swedish Stockings has an incredible sheers collection, and these blue tights would be the perfect pastel pop of color against an all-white outfit. I also love this ivory lace version to add texture. I’d wear my preloved Anine Bing jacket underneath the white blazer for an extra layer of warmth.

Inspo #3: Crochet Pants + T-Shirt

Agnes Pusztai is my ultimate inspiration for mild weather and I suspect that she’s a fellow never-warm since her personal style is rooted in the most spectacular layers. I’ve been hanging onto this outfit for the last year and it’s still relevant today.

The outfit: This look reads ultra-modern as a minimalist take on crochet using a tonal color story and clean silhouette. The red accents from her beaded necklace and mesh shoes lift the ivory, and her charmed-out bag keeps the trend focus on the accessories.

How to layer it: This outfit will get you through the day if you’re in a warmer microclimate, but layer on a leather moto jacket at night to toughen up the sweetness of the crochet. Flip the mesh shoes for retro sneakers like the Puma Speedcat Go Ballet in red to keep the color theme going.4

The Reality: Sweaters and Jackets

These are the actual outfits that I’ve worn in the past week when the weather app says 60s/low 70s but the wind says 50s.

Outfit #1: The Wool Sweater + Linen Sheer Skirt

I wore this on a mid 60 degree day with no regrets since the sailor collar on my sweater gave me the extra warmth I needed to go barelegged. I bravely took my sweater off when I was inside only to put it back on when I stepped outdoors and felt that chilly SF air on my arms. This was my favorite outfit of the week and is now in my outfit repeat rotation.

Outfit #2: The White Jeans + Cropped Blazer

Another mid 60 degree day with lots of sunshine, so I started with a summery base of white jeans and a white t-shirt. Then I went rogue with a cropped jacket and no sweater since there wasn’t a wind emoji in sight on the weather app that morning. Put on cable knit socks under ballerina flats and you have a San Francisco summer outfit.

Outfit #3: Leather Jacket + Corset Top + Midi Skirt

I wore this for a night out which included walking along the waterfront. The temp was in the 60s, but the wind got me and San Francisco did not get to see my favorite going out top in all of its long-sleeved glory because I was too cold to take off my jacket for the rest of the night.

Fashion Notes

If you were in suspense about what I wore for my graduation, it was not a suit (my graduation gown helped insulate against the 20 mph wind that day):

Shoutout to four phenomenal friends doing phenomenal things and a reminder to step outside of your comfort zone:

Continuing with the theme of last week’s post, more influential outfits that are perfect for a San Francisco summer:

Nosy merchant poll of the week:

That’s it for this week, thanks for reading! For everyone that lives in a warm climate, what outfit are you most excited to wear this summer? For my never-warm friends, what’s your favorite summer layering piece?

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