A little (texture) goes a long way
low effort, high impact summer textures for the win.
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
’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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Eyelet
Eyelet feels inherently sweet and feminine but could also feel effortless on the right silhouette. Case in point: this Matteau mini dress. The easy shift style and breezy eyelet is a match-made in heaven.
If you prefer more coverage on your bottom half, this maxi from Posse, can take you from afternoon siesta then straight to the beach. I also love the idea of an eyelet tunic as cover-up. This Aligne dress is perfect over a swimsuit. I’d also wear it with silk pants and barely-there sandals for dinner.
I lived in this Doen eyelet shift last summer — I wore it as a dress, a coverup, and a nap dress — and can’t wait to rewear her soon. It’s back this season (guaranteed to sell out like those lace shorts) and it comes in black too. There’s a top version as well if you’re just venturing into eyelet territory. I also love this eyelet tank from Frame paired with ecru jeans for a tonal look.
Lace
Speaking of Doen, you know those viral lace-trimmed silk shorts? I tried it on at the store and it just felt meh. I actually prefer something a bit more structured and substantial, like the Rohe one below. Sadly, she is also sold out, and beyond my budget for an ultra trendy piece.
But! I do love the matching lace cami. Short shorts don’t really make sense for my life in SF, so I generally get more wear out of a novelty top. This is one of my favorite outfits in Provence that I want to rewear sans cardigan.
Sometimes I dream of becoming a full-on maximalist so I can justify all the fun pieces from Dries. Their take on the lace silky short make my maximalist persona want to come out and play. I’d wear it like a track short with a sporty jacket and textural accessories.
I couldn’t resist this Rohe lace cami (major sale score on NAP) because it reminded me of old Céline. I’d rewear this exact outfit and swap the sneakers for leather flip-flops. And speaking of old Céline, this dress is Philo-coded.
Embroidery + Jacquard
Embroidery is like adding jewelry to your outfit — it’s decorative stitching that gets sewn onto finished fabric. Like those textured florals on a top or the beading on an evening dress.
Jacquard is woven right into the fabric itself during production, creating those raised patterns you can actually feel. Brocade and damask are classic examples.
If there’s one brand that does boho minimalism impeccably, my pick would be By Malene Birger. I love a good printed pant on vacay, and this beauty in jacquard knit checks all my boxes. It also comes with a matching top, if you’re feeling more adventurous.
For a subtler take on the textured pant, you can’t go wrong with the High Sport pants. Sorry, the dupes cannot replicate their top-notch jacquard. I always see pre-loved High Sport’s on The Real Real at a much tolerable price point.
If you don’t love embroidery on clothes, why not try an embroidered silly little bag (SLB per The Love List) for a whimsical touch on your summer staples.
Fringe
Fringe started as a practical way to finish fabric edges and became a defining trend of the roaring twenties. Those swaying strands add movement and playfulness to everything they touch.
I love just a touch of fringe at the hem or as a statement brooch. You can recreate the look below with the black tank you already have in your closet. I’d wear this outfit on a real SF summer day in September.
Posse pre-fall on Moda is so fun. Butter yellow AND a scalloped fringe hem?? I’m sold!
And to wrap this all up, may I present to you… my maximalist dream summer outfit. I dream of owning these floral jacquard lace-trimmed pants from Dries someday.
OK, that’s it! If you enjoyed this letter, give it some <3 by tapping the heart, leaving a comment, or sending to a friend. Ciao!
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The pieces you chose from Dries had me drooling from those silky green shorts to the jacquard blue and green pants; what does that say about my state of shopping? No, but really, your edits always have the best pieces styled so fun.
Thanks for publishing, I’m right there with you in watching the horrors of this week AND needing the levity of something else.
Beautiful writing, Angela. Your vision and knowledge are a welcome break from the current state of our country. Celebrating and amplifying beauty, creativity, craft, technique, and talent is always a good thing!