Summer Simplicity

I've come to notice that when I'm feeling more centered, my thoughts about clothing fade into the background.

In summer, I truly enjoy wearing dresses as my go-to outfits, something I don’t embrace during the colder months. However, living in a hot climate that I find uncomfortable means I often focus more on summer attire when others might be thinking of it less.

Having a solid understanding of fashion history can sometimes be a disadvantage for me. For example, shorts, which are a common summer staple, were originally designed for little boys in England as part of their school uniforms. This historical context makes me view them as infantilizing. I hate the way they cut off the leg and can only accept them if they're super short and worn at home as sleepwear. In daywear, I find them unflattering unless they have enough volume, resembling a skort instead.

On a different note, my fascination with WWII led me to watch the series "Bomb Girls" on Prime. Jennifer Tilly's performance stood out to me, and I was also drawn to the clothing featured in the show. Though I’ve often claimed the 1930s to be a fabulous fashion era, I’ve realized that the styles from the 1940s resonate with my body type much more than I had previously recognized.

For me, the concept of summer dressing revolves around comfort and ease. I prefer garments like dresses, skirts, or culottes, which don’t cling to my skin. However, my journey from getting dressed to feeling good is often more complex. This process takes more energy in the summer compared to fall or winter, which I enjoy in Southern California, especially since we don’t have snow.

The challenge lies in finding clothing that aligns with my personal style and flatters my coloring—I have a deep winter palette, which means pastels aren’t my friends. I constantly have to assess what I need for my work on set, keeping up with fashion trends, experimenting through trial and error, and cycling out clothing. This ongoing process of letting go and bringing in new items consumes a lot of my energy.

Yet, this obsession with fashion doesn’t reflect my true self. While I do appreciate it, I question how many hours can I spend engaging in these material pursuits while time slips away from what really matters: creating art, connecting with a higher power, nurturing relationships, experiencing joy, and working. It often feels like an unfulfilling cycle.

When my thoughts are directed elsewhere, the clothes I wear become less significant.

In summer, there's an expectation to show more skin, but it also requires an awareness of how much to reveal. In contrast, cooler months offer a sense of layering and protection—if I dislike my tee, I can simply cover it with a scarf or sweater. Summer styles feel more exposed and vulnerable, which can be freeing when it clicks, but it can also feel disorienting when I seek comfort and ease but can't fully embrace a clothing item, and that becomes destabilizing.

I wonder: am I the only one who experiences this?