When I first arrived in New York City last month I bemoaned the fact that I hadn’t packed for the cold weather I was met with in the first few weeks. I somehow thought I’d go the whole summer being slightly chilly in all my warm weather outfits. As it turns out, I was very wrong! After a chilly start, New York has certainly heated up for the summer and it shows no signs of turning back. It’s tempting to think about wearing breezy exercise clothes while spraying yourself with a mist fan as you travel through hot subways and up endless flights of stairs, but unfortunately working professionals just can’t pull that off the way tourists can. What they have to do is find a way to beat the heat, dress appropriately and still look like an individual.
I spotted this Fashionista traveling through the Garment District. I noticed her silky menswear-inspired button-down first and then admired the rest of her outfit. She chose a simple top and trendy jeans ripped at the knees. A few silver accessories matched the edgy metal cutouts in her sturdy heels. To me, this look is perfect for a casual business meeting or brunch with friends or colleagues. It’s simple and easy to pull off but the pinstripes and cuffs keep it playfully professional. And perhaps most crucial of all, it is light enough to keep you from burning up and burning out before your next important meeting.
One Simple Change: To make this look fitting for a more casual summer day, trade the heels for sneakers, jeans for cutoffs and roll the sleeves up of the button-down. Another way to stay cool is to add a trendy baseball cap and throw some much needed shade.
