The people whose outfits I notice in July all have this in common

They're not trying harder. They just know which lever to pull.

My hot take is that the people with the best style shine in the summer.

When it’s hot out, many of us stop trying. Not because we don’t care, but because when it’s ninety degrees out, the last thing you want is to think about what you’re wearing. So most of us default to a simple dress and a sandal. One and done. And to be clear, there’s nothing wrong with that.

But the people whose outfits I notice in the middle of July aren’t working harder than everyone else. They’re not over styling themselves either but rather, they’ve figured out how to stay stylish without adding a single layer or breaking a sweat. And it’s not exactly groundbreaking. They’re just being more deliberate with how they use texture, color, and accessories in their outfits.

Consider these three as styling levers for getting dressed in the heat with ease. And you don’t even need to pull them all at once. Pick one that matches how you already shop: start with texture if you’re a neutral-loving minimalist. Drawn to color? You know where to go. If accessories are your weakness, build from there.

Summer Styling Levers

TEXTURE

Most people treat texture as if it’s only a fall/winter thing. Texture actually matters more in the summer because when you strip away the layers, there’s nothing left to hide behind.

Monochromatic outfits are chic but they tend to fall flat, and it’s almost always a fabric issue. Wearing the same texture on top and bottom can feel one-note because it lacks contrast.

Poplin top (alt), Jacquard pants (alt) , Floating eternity necklace , Sandals , Sunglasses, Bag

The poplin top and jacquard pants are both cotton, but the poplin is crisp and structured whereas the jacquard is soft, textural and a little bit romantic. The eye has somewhere to land even when color is absent because texture provides depth when there’s nothing else going on.

Another perk of wearing a textured bottom like jacquard or broderie anglaise (eyelet) is that you don’t have worry about those damn wrinkles. Freedom!

Poplin midi dress (alt), Suede sandals, Phone trug, Sunglasses, Enamel necklace

Construction can make an impact too. The ruching on the bodice and the pleats falling from the waist make this dress inherently interesting. A piece with built-in texture from a single fabric is always a winner in my book.

The materials of your accessories also matter here. If you’re going tonal, your bag and shoes can dial up the interest. It may seem counterintuitive to wear a woven basket and a suede sandal together but they actually work. The friction between the materials (rattan = warm; suede = cold) instantly amplifies the overall interest in this look. The unexpected pairing of these two materials don’t feel chaotic since both pieces live in the same color family.

Linen top , Raffia top-handle bag, Earrings, Silk shorts, Sandals (alt)

The same logic works just as well in black, with a little more edge.

The interest still comes through when every single piece is in the same color but all are completely different to the touch. The linen top is matte and substantial while the silk short is fluid with a little shine. The raffia clutch and beaded sandals have opposing textures at play as well.

Shape and silhouette are also worth exploring during a tonal moment. The asymmetric linen top against the fluid silk shorts provide some structure as well as movement that a basic tee could never. The east-west shape of the clutch and circular beads on the shoe are both interesting on their own but don’t compete within the look.

So what I’m saying is… neutrals in the summer don’t have to be boring when you know how to play with texture.

If that sounds a lot like what a good color pairing does, that’s because it’s the same underlying principle: texture and color both create contrast. The key is to pick one to vary and let the other hold steady, which is exactly what I just showed you with texture. Now let’s do it with color.