When the AC is blasting and you’re still sweating before you’ve even crossed the threshold of your home, motivation to get dressed and put makeup on can be at an all-time low. But here’s a little secret: Thanks to the easy-to-wear pieces that come with summer dressing, June through August is the easiest time of the year to look good. Gone are the days that require layering and strategy to conjure up an outfit you’re proud of. In the summer months, a few foolproof styling tips are all you need.
If you value your sleep over your getting-ready time (same) or you just don’t feel like putting too much effort into your look, summer is the easiest time of the year to get away with tricking people into thinking you tried harder than you actually did. Easy dresses, no-makeup makeup, and a couple of good accessories are the fail-safes to keep up our sleeves for getting ourselves out the door on hot summer days.
Want to look like you spent an hour getting ready when you really got from the bed to your door within 10 minutes? We’ve got you covered. Keep up your snooze-button habit with these six summer style hacks.
1. Take advantage of dresses
We’ve said it once and we’ll say it again. One of the best parts about the warmer times of the year is that you can make the most of dresses. Not only are they one of the most comfortable articles of clothing you can put on your body, but they’re also a one-and-done outfit option that you can throw on and head out the door.
If you don’t have dresses you already love, consider investing in a few versatile options. A lightweight mini dress or poplin midi that can be dressed up or down will suffice. You don’t need dozens of dress options. You just a need few that you can wear on repeat until the first days of fall.
2. Plan out your outfit the night before
If you’re an over-sleeper, I deeply relate. Peeling myself out from under my covers every morning is a battle that I never stop fighting. The secret to not letting it hinder your look? Planning your outfit out the night before.
Sure, you might have an aversion to the habit because your mom made you do it throughout elementary school, but she was onto something. Having an outfit planned will help you avoid rushing around to try on five different outfits that you don’t even like. Even if you end up swapping little details (like accessories or shoes) based on what you’re feeling that morning, you’ll have a base to work with, and that’ll save some time.
3. Create a go-to uniform
It’s easy to get into the habit of wearing similar outfits over and over. And contrary to popular belief, that’s something to be proud of. If you know what works for you and have a few pieces that you feel your best in, create a mental list of the outfits you know you can reach for in a pinch. For a day of errands, that might be denim shorts and a knitted tank; for a barbecue or night on a patio, it might be a midi dress and sandals. Don’t listen to what Kate Sanders told us as kids—around here, it’s good to be an outfit repeater.
4. Invest in statement jewelry
Beachy details and colorful beads make the summer’s jewelry the most coveted of the year. Even if you’re just throwing on your favorite pair of linen shorts and a tank top, the statement-making jewelry of summer can help any outfit to feel fully styled and intentional. If you’re underwhelmed by your outfit, try try layering on your favorite statement necklace or earrings to make it a look you’re excited to be seen in.
5. Keep your closet updated for the season
I know, I know, regularly clearing pieces you don’t reach for out of your closet is much easier said than done. But my trick to cleaning out my closet? Doing it consistently instead of all at once.
When I reach for a piece that doesn’t fit me anymore or that I just don’t feel great in, I’ll immediately put it in a donation bag I keep under my bed rather than putting it back in my closet only to collect dust. I also keep storage containers of out-of-season clothes under my bed that only come out when it’s the right weather. When your closet is free of pieces you aren’t going to wear, it helps you see what you can wear more clearly, which will actually make you feel like you have more to choose from—not less.
6. Master your no-makeup makeup routine
Nobody wants to cake a bunch of makeup on only to sweat it off before you even get to the end of your block. Summer is made for no-makeup makeup looks, and more often than not, that’s probably only going to include a few, easy products. Ditch your full-coverage foundation and give a lightweight, heat-ready look a try instead.
READ: All of the Glow, None of the Hassle: These Beauty Products Were Made for Lazy Girls
Jessica Welsh, Senior Fashion & Beauty Editor
Jessica oversees and edits all fashion and beauty content on The Everygirl. She also writes in-depth styling stories, trend reports, capsule wardrobes, and more. She was previously the Commerce Editor for The Everymom, where she oversaw all shopping content on the site and social. She has created editorial content for major brands such as Nordstrom, Old Navy, DSW, and Kohl’s.
Madeline Galassi, Former Senior Fashion & Beauty Editor
Madeline Galassi is the former Fashion & Beauty Editor at The Everygirl, where she oversaw the fashion and beauty categories of the site. She brainstormed, wrote, and edited stories across a broad range of topics including trend reports, product reviews, celebrity style, and more. She’s always keeping a pulse on the latest trends to create timely, exciting content for our readers.
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