Nautica

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)

The Nautica Polo Dress

Navy polo dress with navy Superga sneakers.

You’ll recall that I started searching for casual warm-weather dresses in February. For me, the ideal dress was comfortable enough for lounging but also polished enough for the brunch table. The athletic/athleisure dress offered the best of both worlds. I considered a wide range of options and eventually settled on a polo shirt dress by Nautica. It first appeared on the blog last month when I paired it with a skirt. Having purchased five of these dresses (3 navy, 1 black, and 1 white), I can confirm its 4.6/5 stars on Amazon were rightfully earned. My only qualm: The white dress is a little see-through and should be paired with the appropriate underthings. Overall, this dress is very versatile, comfortable, and the fabric is forgiving and breathable. Add a pair of Supergas or espadrilles, and my summer uniform is set.

Works Sighted

Nautica polo dress // Superga 2750 Cotu Classic