Castañer

How to Wear Black in Warm Weather

black polo dress, espadrilles, and straw tote

Some say wearing black in summer makes you hotter, and some say it makes you cooler. When I told my mom that I was going to write a post on the topic, she said, “You’re going to roast them. Stick to the light colors.” She agreed that it’s ok to wear this shade when the sun goes down, but she wasn’t sold on the idea of wearing it when, as I’d phrased it, “it’s not too hot.” If I’d been more specific with the range in temperature to which I was referring, perhaps I could have made a better case for wearing it during the day.

In addition to wearing black when the sun goes down, I don’t see anything wrong with wearing a little black dress or other article of clothing made from breathable fabric if the high stays below 80° F. If you’re going to be stuck in the office for most of the day, wearing black seems like the least of your worries. If the temperature in your workplace is regulated and/or your desk is located away from a window, the issue is far less relevant. If you’re in Germany, you probably have access to a functioning window at work; lucky you! For those who can’t see the sky from their desks, the sun isn’t going to know or care what you wear to your workplace. If you’re in the cloudy UK, wearing black in summer is a nonissue.

Other black items that can be worn during warm weather include a swimsuit at the beach or by the pool, sandals, and accessories. A straw bag with black accents, like this one from Kayu, is aesthetically pleasing and a bit unexpected.

Works Sighted

Nautica polo dress // Castañer Carina 60mm wedge espadrille // Kayu mini Behati tassel straw tote (old)

Further Reading

How to Wear Black in Summer (Net-a-Porter)

Should You Wear White or Black on Hot Days? Here’s the Data (Wired)

Impulse Buying

Black and khaki outfit

Impulse buying often carries a negative connotation. The act of making an unplanned purchase is generally considered irrational, irresponsible, and something to be avoided. I, on the other hand, disagree. A few of my most loved pieces were acquired through impulsive transactions. My most recently impulse buy: this skirt from Banana Republic Factory. I knew I had to have it the moment I laid eyes on it.

The item is an online exclusive, but I stumbled upon it at the Chestnut Street location. There was only one in the store (probably a return), and after trying it on, I decided that I needed to go a size up. An associate offered to order it for me; the process was incredibly quick and so was the shipping. This skirt fits my personal style to a tee; it’s A-line and has pleats and pockets. Truth be told, I probably would have ordered a second skirt in black if it hadn’t been sold out.

Making impulsive purchases isn’t a habit of mine, but sometimes when an item of clothing speaks to me, I know that we are meant to be. The question remains: How does one impulse buy responsibly? Making room in your budget for these types of purchases is key. You shouldn’t be impulse buying at Gucci if you can’t pay your rent. The maximum amount that I am willing to spend on an impulse buy is somewhere in the neighborhood of 40 USD. If you cannot set a price limit for your surprise purchases or refrain from gifting to yourself too often, impulse buying isn’t for you.

Works Sighted

J.Crew puff-sleeve top (old) // Banana Republic Factory skirt // Castañer Carina 60mm Wedge Espadrille