I brought leather to the "girlie summer party." Everything I wore last week.

If I wanted to look like a Puritan I would have stayed in New England.

For someone who’s created a living situation around yearlong summer, I have a lot of issues when it comes to “in the thick of it” summer dressing. Floral prints, minis, flirty one-and-done dresses, these ignite my inner rebel and make me want to wear the jeans I can’t possibly wear. (Hence our Market Editor

Wendy Duffy

‘s search for our favorite lightweight denim.)

This week, with Miami weather BLAZING, I wanted to see if I could make my inner rebel happy by adding a little leather. Without overheating.

Here are my takeaways:

1. Treat a leather thing like what it is. Wearing pleated tan leather shorts, ask: how would I wear regular pleated tan shorts?

2. Looseness plays a role in heating/cooling too: We always think about fabrics and layers - but it’s also how tight something is. A loose leather short or tank or even necklace allows more airflow and cooling.

3. A dark leather belt (chocolate, black) adds a LOT of attitude without adding much if any heat.

4. Don’t match the leather with other leather. Change the texture (say suede, embossed, patent) or at least the color (pair with greige, eggplant, bottle green).

5. If the contrast is too strong, keep the IDEA while lessening the contrast — bring in a lighter or narrower belt, switch to an airier shoe, etc.

MONDAY

What:

• Tibi sculpted polo (and we found some other interesting polo shirts too)

• Sheer socks

• Margiela fold back Tabi loafer

• Jil Sander bag — and we’ve updated all the raffia/straw bags here with new reasonable and secondhand options too

• Leather shorts Petar Petrov from pre fall 2021 (options here!)

Why: I love (and am scared of) leather shorts. But these are loose khaki shorts, most commonly worn with — a polo shirt! I tried with a regular Lacoste — it didn’t work at all. So I thought what’s a polo I have that will stand up to the shorts? Easy. With polo + shorts, loafers are a natural. I used the thin socks because I like the look better but also because I can walk farther. This saw me through a busy day of research and other work plus a few errands.

Outcome: Lofted Settledness.

TUESDAY

pre-workout

What:

• My go-to Left on Friday uni suit — I got a second in brown

• Left on Friday shirt dress and pant

• old Carbon 38 sports bra - this looks about right and I have it in other colors

• Jil Sander bag

• Miu Miu rope sandals

Why: Hot as b*lls pre workout; got in a little walk + work.

Outcome: A little too “I’m at a retreat” for me. Love all the pieces. But I will separate them. I want to wear the white pants with a heel and a tee on a sweaty night. And the shirt buttoned up with a transparent skirt over. Or a mens shirt tied at the waist and some necklaces.

post workout

What:

• Tibi slip dress I like mine a size up for loose fit (and my bum)

• Talentless mock neck tee (which I love but do not know it it’s responsible …)

• Margiela thongs (here with other white thongs)

• Vintage leather flask via Capsool + leather necklace from my friend Susanne (We have curated leather necklaces to layer —- this way.)

• Hermes JPG Birkin (more white bags we love)

Why: I just LOVE this combo of slip dress and oversized tee. With this being all white, I liked the idea of using these leather necklaces to toughen it up. But the black alone was too matchy with the black lace trim, the brown helped it out. I loved wearing this all day long and didn’t even feel like changing at home.

Outcome: Lofted Settledness.

WEDNESDAY

morning

What:

• James Perse dress from the post on Pliable Dresses.

• old secondhand Barney’s brand olive-ish v-neck (I think this is such a power piece for me because it’s a Ring 3. Here are more secondhand finds like this.)

• Evie Marques original necklace in Sedona (this is my good friend’s brand, and I wear these lots! I bought about 6; it’s how we met. She recently gave me this color, which she said I just had to have, and she’s right! This is a great Ring 3 color.)

• Tibi Harold blazer, sold out so rec’ing a Liam, navy, nylon for this vibe

• black Haviainas

Why: I was shooting the end of my dress story. But then had to fly right into a few meetings. I found myself in a look I said was perfect if you have to Zoom - so I went with it :-). It was. Another example of my Kitchen Sink Neutrals theory. More on this coming.

Outcome: Lofted Settledness.

afternoon

What:

• LONOCO shorts

• Tibi Gary printed T-shirt, sold out (past season find favorites here!) (and more clean graphic tees we love)

• Loewe Obi Belt (old) and here are other wide belt comps

• Margiela fold down flats

• Secondhand Hermes JPG and white leather favorites here too!

Why: A t-shirt and shorts is that outfit you think of when you hear summer. It sounds so basic and suits the weather - but sometimes I’m not in a basic mood. I had a day of research and writing — you can see in the photo I was touching at Tory Burch to make sale picks! I thought just taking shorts and a tee and adding a belt would change the whole dynamic.

Outcome: Lofted Settledness. It took a few tries to get it right. In the end I liked it best with the pebbled greige bag — you want some contrast and no black leather.

THURSDAY

am - pre workout

What:

• Left on Friday cropped leggings

• Margiela transparent skirt (this Tibi one is the same deal + it’s in sale!)

• Secondhand Hermes Bolide (fits my laptop - it’s nice when they’re big and mushy like the ones I linked)

• Marc Jacobs tee from around 2013 (a few that recently caught my eye)

• Miu Miu hotel slides

Why: A happy accident. I realize my t shirts don’t have to be super long when I have the legging. This bag has a raincoat and I was worried about rain.

Outcome: Lofted Settledness.

afternoon

Here’s how I planned it in Sunday Nights Outfit Planning:

• Prada dress — we found reasonable comps for you here

• old brown Bottega belt and belts with the same feel here

• black the row sandals — fun alternatives here!

• tibi Gabe shirt

I loved the brown belt (the dull triangle echoes that dress detail) and the black suede shoe for another texture, unmatching…) But then it rained and I needed rainboots. It was too hot for the shirt, and the short sleeved one I had had some interesting details.

When I put the boots on, the brown belt looked crazy and just too much. Especially with a waterproof bag. It was like too many fun interesting things, eye going all over:

See?

But what I like about outfit planning is having a plan! Like no freak out! Just stay with the plan and think for a sec. A shorter dress is good for rain because you won’t kick up puddles onto the fabric. So I just swapped for a white leather belt. Then your eye slides down, everything is calm, the gold on the glasses harmonizes the gold on the boot.

What:

• Prada dress — we found reasonable comps for you here

• (old) Vanessa Bruno clear plastic tote — oh look here’s one!

• Old white Jacquemus woven leather belt (some white belt options here)

• Pushbutton short sleeve top (old, secondhand — but here are options)

Why: See above!

Outcome: Lofted Settledness. Felt amazing in this, even in the rain.

Thursday night

What:

• Pucci top I got while “researching” this story (job hazard!) see all the wearable Pucci picks we pulled together here

• Tibi Weber sandals that I am IN LOVE WITH — these make my feet feel sexy and that is major (TTS)

• Rick Owens x Champion nylon shorts

• Bottega Ring 3 Bag (3 ways to order, 24S gives me a better affiliate rate, Bloomingdales may be easiest, Senser is a deal and I know Leandra has ordered from them but I have not.)

• CDC Security Blanket sweater

Why: When trying something new, try it with a Security Blanket item. Date night with

Kelly Klein

and her hub — the pressure was ON. I want her to think I’m cool toooooo!

When working on the Pucci story — this one:

— Fana from Tibi inspired me to try something athletic with my Pucci, and I thought that was genius. Mismatching the shoe, while in the same family, adding the Ring 3 bag and gray sweater, made it feel less POW POW POW Italia and more… skinny spicy with my new pal.

Outcome: Lofted Settledness.

FRIDAY

.

What:

• tibi white pleated skirt

• Lonoco white linen tee

• olddddd tibi bustier (this might be the only one left! here are some fun alts for the same vibe)

• Warby Parker York aviator sunglasses

• Miu Miu ballet flats (TTS)

• Secondhand Hermes croc mini Bolide (but I think the thing is that it’s a brown croc texture which gives some contrast against the black leather — any of these would do it nicely)

Why: Worked in the morning, then met our Market Editor

Wendy Duffy

for shopping at Capsool (did you get to peek inside the store with us yet?). The bustier over tee trick was an early Tibi Style class learning from Dione Davis. I like doing it with this tee from my friend

Sheila Yu

‘s brand LONOCO because it’s floaty and light and more refined than just a regular tee. It’s also a true white without being super bright - there’s contrast against the skirt but it feels elevated. I planned to wear a white flip flop — and couldn’t find it! But I think this peachy is better, less matchy. It’s why I picked the brown bag and the croc texture. Again, Kitchen Sink Neutrals.

Outcome: Lofted Settledness.

What:

• Needles pants (I’m in medium)

• All Three deep U tank

• Tibi Harold blazer, only XXS, crispy Liam is the same vibe

• Miu Miu shoes

• Lizzie Fortunado Camper necklace with pearl — sold out, new options

• Secondhand Ferragamo locket (this alt is so good)

• No bag! Just stuck my keys and this in my pocket and held my phone.

Why: I had some little cold and also a dinner date with a bestie and her hub. And they are COOL DRESSERS. I thought: I want to feel like I’m in jeans. But it’s hot AF. But there could be blasting AC.

Outcome: Great. This could probably use one more interesting unexpected modern thing. Maybe my little track jacket or interesting buttonup instead of the blazer. But felt good.

SATURDAY

What:

• Men’s Kapital belt tee

• Tibi lightweight Winslow sweatpants

• Loewe bag

• Miu Miu rope sandals

Why: I went to pick up a smoothie and get steps, testing whether I’d be too hot in the lightweight sweatpants. Answer: Not on the way there. Hot on the way home.

Outcome: Great. For a sick girl, good. You can only feel good in these sweatpants.

SUNDAY

What:

• Emmanuel College tee (my son will start there in the fall!) good graphic tees here + here.

• Crazy Fendace men’s silk pants (the vibe: omg and these)

• Miu Miu rope sandals (p.s. have you seen these new babes?)

• Secondhand Lutz Morris Seveny tote (great used one! and a comp we love)

Why: Sick, but doing low key Father’s Day stuff. I wanted to be comfy but fun.

Kelly Klein

helped me play more with these pants - they’re men’s pants I bought with Jim during the Fendi x Versace collab. They’re giving some sort of Hef-but-not-a-predator vibe and make me laugh. I like the way the navy of the tee doesn’t match but the gold picks up the pattern.

Outcome: Lofted Settledness.

Sunday — later

What: Same pants …

• secondhand Prada pajama shirt (fun comps here incl secondhand … also a great gray print on Consign of The Times on IG … DM them for details)

• secondhand Old Celine bag (options … the price of the same bag I’m wearing is really good here BTW)

• Miu Miu shoes

Why: Taking hub to cute not-a-bar bar. Even though we both feel meh. So pajamas is the way! The silky PJ texture unifies it, the heels pick up the bag but are different leathers. I feel party-ish but also so relaxed.

Outcome: Lofted Settledness.

OUTFIT PLANNING

This week (Outfit Planning Live here): Mother Mermaid! Your version. Some of the elements at play via

Allison Bornstein

— boho, water, glass, cool tones, silk, sheer, shells, beads, sandals.

@allisonbornstein6#mermaid #fashiontiktok #style

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Go read the post, but I also put these flatlays from it here for reference.

And the week after that: Wear your swimsuit or coverup every day for a week.

Let’s get dressed.

XOXO,

Rachel

Notes:

1. I am using affiliate links, and I do not use them lightly. In fact here’s a whole post on it. Thank you for using these links to shop. Every little bit helps!

2. My Market editor Wendy and I are in limited, special, and really particular ways working with a select group of partners and accepting gifts in order to inform you better, especially around attainably priced brands and pieces. Here’s something on that.

3. We are also starting to get promo codes from brands, and here’s an updated list; be sure and check weekly before purchasing. I grew up shopping Filenes Basement. Your girl loves a discount:

CLOTHES

Callas Milano : Take 15% off with code HMS15

Heidi Merrick: Take 10% off with code HEYMRSSOLOMON10

Left on Friday: Take 10% off with code HMS10

Sanctuary: Take 15% off with code RS15

LUISAVIAROMA: Take 30% off full price items with this link and code LOVEX30 (excluding Adidas & Salomon)

SHOES

Nomasei: Take 15% off with code HMS15

JEWELRY

AtPresent: Take 15% off with code HEYMRSSOLOMON15

BEAUTY

Lake & Skye: Take 15% off with code HMS15

Ursa Major: Take 20% off with code HEYMRSSOLOMON20

FRE Skincare: Take 25% off with code MRSSOLOMON