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A little (texture) goes a long way

A little (texture) goes a long way

low effort, high impact summer textures for the win.

Angela Galvez's avatar
Angela Galvez
Jun 11, 2025
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Letters We Send Friends
Letters We Send Friends
A little (texture) goes a long way
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Hi friends — this letter has been sitting in my drafts for too long because I’ve been distracted (and distraught) by the current state of this country. As a child of an immigrant and as an immigrant myself, I am very fortunate to be where I am today. It’s a privilege I don’t take for granted.

Writing about clothes while witnessing what’s unfolding in LA (and other parts of the country) is a total mind f*ck. After multiple rounds of editing and overthinking whether it actually matters (it doesn’t), I decided to finally hit send, in the hopes of providing some levity during a heavy week.

Hope you enjoy and find some inspiration for your summer adventures. xx

P.S. This letter might be too long for email — if it gets cut off, just hop over to the Substack app to read the whole thing.

P.P.S. This one’s free for all subscribers this week, after which it’ll be for paid subscribers only. Thank you for supporting what I do here and grateful for all of you who make this work sustainable!


Summer dressing is its own little puzzle, isn’t it? It feels like we’re all trying to crack the same code: how to stay cool while looking effortlessly put-together when wearing as little clothing as possible.

I devoured

laura reilly
’s summer vibe report, and realized I’ve been channeling a mash-up of Row-hemian and Romantic Nomad. Think the Row’s minimalist sophistication meets Chemena Kamali’s dreamy Chloe aesthetic — that sweet spot where understated meets modern bohemian romance.

My formula is simple: clean, minimal silhouettes elevated by personality-packed accessories that do all the heavy lifting. And I’m relying on texture for turning simple pieces into something dynamic.

This look I wore in the South of France captures exactly what I’m after. Summer should be about ease, but easy doesn’t have to mean boring. The right accessories and a little textural interest can transform a basic outfit into something that feels more intentional.

Toteme crinkled silk dress (skirt version on major sale) // Juju Vera pendant necklace // A.Emery Kinto sandal // Clare V. pot de miel bag

Good thing summer’s most popular textures offer something for everyone — delicate lace, playful crochet, sweet eyelet, intricate embroidery, flirty fringe, and earthy raffia. The key isn’t wearing them all at once, but choosing one or two that speak to you and work with real life.

Below the jump, we’ll tackle these textures and how to wear them — from summer vacay to everyday life.

Crochet, eyelet, and lace have that gorgeous openwork quality and give you that breezy summer coverage through different techniques. Here’s a quick refresher:

Crochet uses a single hook to create interlocking loops — think of it as building with yarn, one stitch at a time. Each loop connects to the next, creating that distinctive structured-yet-flexible feel.

Eyelet (broderie anglaise) is actually a type of lace! It starts with solid fabric, then cuts out tiny holes and stitches around them to prevent fraying. Those pretty scalloped edges are a dead giveaway.

Traditional lace (like needlepoint or bobbin lace) is made by stitching with a needle or weaving threads around pins from the start. The goal is creating intricate patterns where fabric and open space dance together.

My '70s Bohemian Romance

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Crochet

If you want to try crochet but don’t want to channel full-on Coachella, opt for versatile separates — you’ll get more wear out of the pieces past your OOO.

I’m swooning over this cover-up from Eleven Six, an ethically produced knitwear label that offers handcrafted pieces made by Peruvian artisans. It’s perfect over a swimsuit or you could throw it over a simple tank, silky pants, and flip-flops for breakfast at the resort.

Eleven Six coverup

I’d wear this matching set (also from Eleven Six) to dinner somewhere tropical. There’s something about monochromatic black in the summer that just screams whispers effortless and chic. And wearing personality earrings on vacay should be mandatory. These drop earrings from Chan Luu are exactly my type.

Crown Affair | Hair Claw • COS | Soleil Straw Clutch • ELEVEN SIX | ISA CROCHET SKIRT • ELEVEN SIX | MILA CROCHET TOP • A.EMERY | Kinto leather thong sandals • VIOLETTE_FR | BISOU JELLY Sheer Hydrating Lipstick • Agmes | Large Astrid Cuff • Collage Created on Zeen

This Calle del Mar set is technically a pointelle knit (a great alt for crochet btw), but I love how it’s styled with a white tank as a base layer. I’d wear this to the farmer’s market then brunch, but with strappy sandals instead of sneakers.

Calle Del Mar shirt+ pants

For work, opt for fine, structured pieces — like delicate cardigans over tees or fitted crochet tops layered under blazers. The trick is choosing tighter weaves and pairing them with tailored pieces so you get the texture without looking too casual. This Posse vest and polo knit from Madewell checks the boxes and will work for the weekend too.

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