I Hated Dressing for Summer Until I Made This Small Change
I’ve always loved summer, I mean, who doesn’t, but I really love it. (Even those 40 degree days, and nights spent sleeping with the windows open and battling mosquitoes). I think it’s because I spent so much of my childhood outside and in the sun, that summer always feels nostalgic when it rolls around—I feel like a kid again. The only problem? Dressing for the hottest months of the year.
I grew up in the Sutherland Shire, so my weekends were spent in Cronulla. If you live down south, or you ever visit the beautiful beaches, you’d know one thing—there’s a style uniform that consists of denim shorts, bikini tops, and mini cotton dresses. That’s all well and good, but what about if that’s just not your style. I feel comfortable in a bikini on the sand, but walking through the local mall while grabbing lunch? Not so much my vibe. Not to say there’s anything wrong with that at all, we should all celebrate each other’s fashion choices, but for me, I feel better when I’m a little more covered up (which is why I’ve always loved dressing for winter). I spent the formative years of my youth, trying to fit in—denim shorts, mini dresses, and short flippy skirts. I never felt like ‘me’, and thus, I ended up hating getting dressed in my favourite season—until I made this small change. I swapped short lengths for long, and immediately felt a change. I learnt that I don’t need to have my entire body on display to feel sexy and youthful—a cropped top and midi skirt can be just as alluring.
I’m not saying that there’s only one way to do sexy and comfortable, but if you like the idea of free-flowing fabrics, and subtle glimpses of skin, keep scrolling for outfit ideas.
shop my summer essentials
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Amanda Bardas is an award-winning leader with 15 years experience building modern digital media businesses. She is currently the head of Val Morgan Digital Publisher. She joined the Val Morgan team to help launch its digital business and to shape the content team of the future. In six years they’ve grown to become Australia's largest youth network by bringing together household name brands including Fandom, LADbible Group, POPSUGAR, BuzzFeed, and Tasty, all under one roof.