Summer seemed to arrive suddenly – and very early – in Edmonton this year, which took most of us by surprise. Normal temperatures in May are usually in the mid-teens and they’ve been as high as +30 Celsius recently. I hesitate to call it “summer” because the weather here is nothing if not unpredictable – we’ve also had snow in May before – but it does look like it’s time to put away my spring coats. I am slightly sad about it, because I love spring fashion, but I’m now pivoting hard to my hot weather wardrobe. I put the boots away, brought out the sandals. Took out the wool jackets, coats and skirts, and unearthed all the summer dresses. It’s a ritual I strangely enjoy, even though it means turning my small house upside down for a day.
I am still vibing with last year’s summer aesthetic so I have no plans for major edits to my wardrobe, apart from a few updates (thrift gods willing) and maybe some paring down. With my annual clothing swap coming up next month, it’s a good time to do that. But even when things are mostly staying the same, I like to gather new style inspo at the beginning of the season. It’s like bringing in fresh air – new ideas make me feel energized and excited about the clothes I already have.
You won’t be surprised to hear that one of the first places I looked for inspo is old Ralph Lauren runway collections. It’s not just that I love the eclectic aesthetic; but nobody does layering and mix-and-matching like RL, and these are key strategies for me when it comes to making the most of my wardrobe. The way RL runway outfits are styled give me so many ideas for novel combinations of pieces from my own closet. Being able to “remix” my clothes in new, fun ways cuts down on the desire to buy new things simply for the novelty.
Here is one example. I was drawn to the pattern mixing and the use of accessories in this outfit. I don’t have a patchwork/madras jacket (looking for one!) but I worked with pieces from my closet to create something that, to me, had a similar vibe.
Here is some non-RL inspo that caught my eye too. On the left is a current Brunello Cuccinelli ad; I am not normally a fan due to the brand’s “stealth wealth” associations (gag) but I love the mood this image evokes (which, for me, has nothing to do with rich people). I don’t have the pieces to replicate it exactly, but I could put together my own take on it.
Here are a few more RL runway outfits that I’m saving for reference; they are not specifically summer looks, but again — it’s all about the proportions, layering and mixing.
The key to layered looks in the summer (in Edmonton) is breathable, light layers. I love cotton and especially linen for that. Also vests and crop tops. Loose dresses and skirts come with their own built-in AC. The creative challenge is taking the inspo look, which may or may not be geared to summer, and translating its components into summer-appropriate versions.
Here’s an example:
Not the same-same, but similar. The inspo is never a recipe, after all; it’s a starting point.