Summery Things I Find Incredibly Chic

An authoritative but not definitive list.

Arm candy // wrist stacks

This summer, I want my wrists to rattle when I move. Clinging and clanging like a coin purse with gold and silver bits, friendship bracelets from years long passed, cuffs, pieces of string moonlighting as bangles you were conned into buying in Athens, etc. etc. The key here is to mix high and low, colours and textures.

Bare nails if by the beach or bright short ones if in a city (& anarchy if you’re in between)

Undoubtedly a needlessly particular and deliberately inclusive take, I think that nails are a fun extension of personal style and should be treated as such.

When beachside, there is nothing chic-er to me than bare, well-maintained nails. Something about a lack of cuticle embellishment feels very in-step with the whole undone, effortless, young-wild-and-free aura that we all know pairs deliciously with a beach/lake-side setting.

If; however, you —like me— are not so fortunate as to be body of water-adjacent this summer, and are instead confined to a summer in the city (and trying to make the most of it), then I think there’s nothing for it than to embrace summer every way you can. For me, this looks like super bright, colourful, eclectic nails. Although I’m hugely partial to a hot pink, any colour will do. The goal? To be the envy of 8 year old girls everywhere. The more fun, the more chic.

Head coverings (headscarfs, bonnets, headbands, etc.)

I know the Muslim girlies have been doing it long before the rest of us but boy am I into a headscarf at the moment! Not only are they a great way to keep everything our of your face and strategically cover greasy hair, they also add colour and texture to an outfit.

Brazen & braless

In my books, going braless is the default.

An inevitable but proud member of the IBTC, I will often leave the house sans soutien-gorge out of convenience and comfort, but, more and more, I’ve been doing so as an intentional styling choice. Something about bralessness gives an outfit such an effortless and cool-girl edge- a bit of an ok anddd? element. I find it especially chic when I see someone doing so in a clearly styled and thought-through outfit. The juxtaposition of dressed and undressed feels like a real nod to Chanel’s notorious “take something off before you leave the house” styling tip— but done in the coolest and most summery of ways.

Bras as accessories

On the exact opposite side of the equation, I think that if you are going to wear a bra, you might as well make it an accessory.

Brows and lashes. That’s all.

I am a strong believer that summer makeup is at its most chic when confined to a strict clear-eyebrow-gel-and-one-coat-of-mascara cadence. Bare, imperfect skin exudes confidence in such a chic and sexy way. Fresh-faced beauty is in.

Having fun and looking like it.

More of an aura thing than anything, there is nothing chic-er to me than those I see out who look like they’re having the best time.

I went to a rooftop DJ set in Williamsburg last week (I know- I’m insufferable) and the dance floor was full of people standing still, clutching their drinks, and occasionally bobbing their heads. YAWN!!! Not to be a boomer, but I find it so uncool to pretend you’re too cool for something. Trust me, you’re not. And also trust me, you will feel far more cool if you stop thinking about being perceived and have a boogie.

Summer is for having fun and its chic to embrace that.