Kayu

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)

Casual Dresses for Warm Weather

4 dresses: polo dress, shirtdress, tank dress, tee shirt dress.

Yesterday my travels took me to the center of PHL, also known as Spandexville. Many of the ladies who were out and about had used the warm weather as an excuse to show off their tight crop top and shorts sets. The college students were in their denim shorts and spaghetti strap tank tops. If I didn’t know the geography of Philadelphia, I would have thought there was a beach nearby. I took my habitual lap around J.Crew Liberty Place and spotted the new linen shirtdress I’d seen online. I thought to myself, There’s some people I’ve seen on the street who need this. This particular selection of dresses is intended to save you from pulling something unbecoming from your closet. (Although, I really hope that you don’t own a spandex shorts and crop top set.) Consider the polo dress, shirtdress, tank dress, and tee shirt dress for casual wear. Save the spandex for the gym. If your gym isn’t located inside of your house, remember that it’s not the beach.

Works Sighted

Lacoste polo dress // Superga 2750 Cotu classic (white/gold) // Kayu mini straw tote

J.Crew linen shirtdress // Sebago docksiders // Kayu sur straw tote // Made Solid belt

Amazon tank dress // Superga 2790 Acotw (navy) // St Tropez pom pom straw tote

J.Crew midi tee shirt dress // Superga 2750 (off-white) // Kayu mini St. Tropez pom pom tote

Escape to the Chateau

Outfits inspired by Channel 4’s Escape to the Chateau. Two dresses and gardening clothes for your visit to Château de la Motte-Husson.

You’ll recall that a bottle of Chateau du Petit Thouars Crémant de Loire prompted me to travel virtually to the Loire Valley this past November. Visiting the makers of my favorite Crémant has been on my to-do list since the holiday season, but Channel 4’s Escape to the Chateau is starting to inspire a full-scale Loire Valley itinerary. I’ve recently added Château de la Motte-Husson to the list of stops.

The nineteenth-century house is a two-hour drive from the Château du Petit Thouars, but stops in Tours, Angers, Le Mans, and Laval are bound to extend the trip north by a few days. The venue is available for hire during the wedding season, but its owners offer other opportunities to see the chateau first-hand. I envision myself taking part in the gardening days and food-filled festivities. The grounds are also outfitted with pods for glamping.

It has been a joy to see Dick and Angel Strawbridge transform this 45-room house. I’m currently on episode 3 of season 3, and there are 7 seasons in total. If you’re in the UK, you’ll be able to watch via Channel 4, but as a resident of the US, I’ve been tuning in via Peacock TV. Dick and Angel are such a creative team! I can’t predict what improvements I’ll bear witness to next, but I’m sure I’ll find myself in awe several more times as the series progresses.

Works Sighted

The Floral Society apron and glove setJ.Crew linen shirtCOS pantsSuperga 2750 Cotu Classic

Sunbody Hats straw hatJessie Zhao silk scarfKayu tote

Alex Mill dressSuperga 2750 Cotu Classic

Aurate earringsMiss Dior eau de toiletteL.K.Bennett clutch

Staud dressSarah Flint heels

Art elements from thechateau.tv

Kayu Mini Behati Tassel Straw Tote

Kayu mini Behati tassel straw tote and Castañer Carina espadrilles.

I’ve always considered the first day of August to be the beginning of the end of summer. Every year around this time, I reflect on my summer accomplishments and contemplate whether or not I’ve spent enough time outside. My reflections on the present season have led me to realize that I’ve spent too much time inside, and now I feel obligated to take full advantage of August. Step one of savoring the remainder of the summer: carrying a straw bag. I often daydream about being back in Paris. Recently, I’ve envisioned myself there carrying a variety of straw bags. I’m not doing anything particularly thrilling—being in Paris is enough. The straw tote symbolizes a carefreeness that many of us haven’t experienced in a long time.

Kayu’s mini Behati tassel straw tote was the first addition of its kind to my closet. I’ve been carrying it often, even on walks around the block. The brand produces bags made of real straw, not the synthetic, straw-like material commonly found in similar products on the market. Furthermore, the brand’s bags are woven by women in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia; the craftsmanship has been passed down through generations. The company’s social impact initiative and handmade approach to production make my purchase even more meaningful. Although I’ve only made one purchase from Kayu thus far, I’ve added a few more items to my dream list. I know I’ll have to stow the mini Behati away when fall arrives, but for now, I’ll enjoy the joie de vivre it stirs up within me.

Works Sighted

Kayu mini Behati tassel straw tote; Castañer Carina 60mm wedge espadrille