As a devoted member of the “no rules in fashion” club, I wear white year-round. But 80+ degree temperatures make it a necessity rather than a style choice. It’s not just white clothing that will keep the heat from sticking to your body. Material choice is critical. While an item may look adorably easy-breezy-summer-suited, it may be an artificial fabric rather than something natural. Natural materials are:
Better for your skin.
Longer-lasting, so they’re not fast, disposable fashion.
MUCH BETTER in the heat.
Specifically cotton!
Cotton Clouds Ahead! ☁️
As we now cross the threshold into summer and experience those shirt-sticking temperatures, I have combed the internet to find some great white *100% cotton pieces.
*Linen and linen/cotton blends are good, too! Linen is another natural material that is great for the summer heat.
Tops
When looking for tops, consider the number of bottoms you can wear with them. Bottoms are the most difficult to get right in the summer months because they determine your outfit’s Silhouette, and the heat limits your usual go-to options. (ICYMI, I already did the work and found many warm-weather bottoms here.)
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Each of the above tops will look great paired with denim shorts—which are generally a crowd favorite—but also with lightweight track shorts or poplin boxers. If you like to wear easy-breezy long skirts or lightweight pants, you typically want your top to either be cropped (#1, #7) or tuck-able (#3, #8).
Shorts
While I already went into great detail about summer-appropriate bottoms, I have even more personal favorites regarding white cotton shorts. I suggest you wear yours with a pair of nude/skin-tone underwear. These high-rise 100% organic cotton ones from Subset (previously Knickey) are my personal favorite and are currently on sale.
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There are a couple of style types to note here. One style is the classic poplin boxer (#1, #4, #5). Using the Contradistinction Technique, these are great styled with feminine tops, especially those that are ruffly/voluminous, where the shorts peek out from the hem of the top in true Palm Silhouette fashion. The second style is delicate and feminine (#2, #3, #6). Wear your sleep shorts in public! I like this style paired with something more structured, like a vest or boxy tee. The third style is an uber-stylized pair (#7, #8) that make a statement. You can go very simple up top with these. I like the bloomers (which I just bought and am waiting to arrive!) with a tube top and necklaces. The Bermudas are unique because they are the only pair from the above assortment that veers towards Cypress Silhouette. They would be chic with a simple ribbed tank, minimal slide sandals, and statement sunglasses.
Skirts
I divided the white cotton skirt options by Silhouette type.
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With Evergreen skirts, go big or go home! But more volume often comes with more fabric, which means heavier and hotter. The only skirt above with layering (that I’m aware of) is the first Sue Hill Craft one (#2), and I can confirm this one is the perfect cotton Evergreen skirt. It has pockets, too! I’ve featured it many times on The Corner Booth. Palm skirts are fun, but again, so many blends exist! The above skirts are all 100% cotton except for the PacSun one (nostalgia!) (#5). It is 70% cotton and has a delightful price of $42.95. It’s also actually a skort. Cypress 100% cotton skirts are hard to find because cotton alone has no stretch and is not conducive to a long column-shaped bottom. They need a slit or slight flare so you can walk. The skirts I found are all cotton, with a few linen exceptions, but no blends! I love the the slimmer ones (#1, #3) with an oversized/boxy top, untucked. Wear the beach skirt (#2) over white cotton pants as a layering item or with little biker shorts. I like the idea of the vintage one (#4) styled with something masculine, like an oversized pocket tee or polo.
Dresses
Dresses are easy summer items, but when they have even a bit of polyester, they become a plastic bag against your skin. The below cotton styles are as breezy as summer dressing gets. I found a mix of babydoll, drop-waist, corset, tennis, and shirt-style dresses.
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As I’ve mentioned, when styling a dress, you don’t want to one-and-done it. Add elements like chunky bangles, a cotton handkerchief, fun shoes, statement sunglasses, or a belt (ideally rope, crochet, or something lightweight) to make the dress your own.
Pants
The weight of the cotton will make all the difference in how breezy your pants are. I included a couple of bottoms that are technically pajamas because why not? When paired with something sharp (a button-down shirt, a crisp blouse) and classic shoes (I’d suggest no flip-flops; they can read as a “slipper,” which would be too literal), they are appropriately worn all summer long.
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White cotton pants are the perfect blank canvas to wear with your most fun tops. Or! Pair them with a white cotton top to make a “set.” The good thing about white clothing is that if it’s true white, which many of the above are, they should all match!
A note on sets!
Speaking of matching whites—whether you purchased a set or put the pieces together yourself—I love dressing them up. That may include sets that are technically pajamas. Again, depending on how you style it, your pajama set will be appropriate for out-of-bed wear.
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And that goes for styling all of these white, 100% cotton pieces!
You won’t look like a bedsheet if you style your whites with bold elements.
That’s all she wrote this Sunday! Embrace the start of summer in your cotton whites ☁️☁️☁️ and have a happy and safe rest of the holiday weekend.
xo,
Eliz