The MVP of My Summer Wardrobe
A don never wears shorts and apparently I don't either!
Shitters! If you opened this expecting to see shorts or dresses, I don’t blame you, but even in the summer, I tend to reach for pants. It’s not that I’m a shorts hater (well, not entirely), but they can be tricky. Nine times out of ten, something that looks good on a hanger or a model ends up falling flat in person, or is fussy or uncomfortable (hard no’s in my book). When I want an easy outfit, especially for dinner or a night out, I’m going for pants pretty much every single time.
But this summer has been a HOT one, and when temps/ humidity got too high for my usual jeans or trousers, I found myself at a bit of a loss. I had silk pants (these are similar), but they would wrinkle at the first sign of sweat, and are a no go on any night when even a drop of rain threatens to fall (which was seemingly every night of June/ early July). I had classic white linen and poplin options, but they felt too casual for a date or night out. And there were only so many times I could wear this Doen number before it was actually getting old. So I decided to go back to the drawing board—hence the hunt for the perfect summer pants.
This sounds like a massive undertaking, but it was actually quite short!
If you’ve been here a while, you know that these twill pants have been my favorites for years (more sizes here). I wear them to work, events, out to dinner, during the day—they have the most flattering, easy fit and are a true workhorse in my closet. They’ve been so popular that the brand has introduced the same fit in different materials, most recently including linen (ding, ding, ding!). And when I saw that they made a black linen version, ordering was a no brainer.
I already loved the cut, but the linen version was so much lighter and perfect for hot temps. The thin waistband made them feel more elevated/night out-friendly than drawstring pants, as did the darker color. And the fit made them just as versatile as the original—I can wear them lower on my hips with heels at night, or higher with sandals or flats for daytime outings, work meetings, and casual nights. In short, they’re everything I love most about my favorite fall/winter pants in a summer-friendly fabric—what could be better?!!! (They make a white version too if you prefer a lighter color, or if you just want both… I won’t tell!)
Size-wise, there is a slight difference between the two versions. The linen runs truer to size IMO (I wear a 1), whereas the twill runs a bit bigger (I wear a 0). I haven’t added much else to my closet this summer (my bathroom counter is another story…), but these passed the return test with flying colors!
Currently on the vanity: Speaking of my bathroom, I’ve become pretty ruthless when it comes to culling products that aren’t worth the counter space, but the following have really impressed me recently.
This perfume. Consider my years-long hunt for an everyday fragrance over! This is the most special perfume I’ve ever owned. It’s calming and gentle (the notes include magnolia, lavender, and ambrette), and is such a beautiful scent. I wrote more about the line earlier this month, but know that if I didn’t love you all, I’d be gatekeeping this so hard.
This SPF primer. Holy hell. I’m not one to be enticed by a celebrity beauty brand (honestly, my instinct is to skip most entirely), but this stuff is really impressive. It gives your skin an otherworldly glow (it really does look like a filter), and is just as nice on its own as it is under makeup. I feel like a walking Jergens ad every time I put this on.
This foundation/concealer. I’ve tried a LOT of complexion products over the years, but I think my skin looks its very best with just this on as a spot concealer. You can add blush/ bronzer/ all the things afterwards, but I’m realizing that my skin looks even with so much less base makeup than I once thought I needed. I apply it with my fingers and blend it out with this brush. (PRIYANKA15 lets you save on all things Violet Grey—my favorites live here.)
This balm cleanser. If you haven’t gotten on the balm cleanser train yet, it’s time! I can’t even explain how good it feels to massage this into your skin (and how effective it is at removing makeup/SPF/buildup)! I understand the hesitation, especially from people with acne-prone skin, but I promise this won’t break you out. Work it in for a good 15-30 seconds, rinse thoroughly, and follow with your usual cleanser—your skin will thank you. I alternate between this one and Furtuna’s, but I prefer this in the warmer months.
This candle. This really should go in the next issue of “Shit That Smells Good,” but I couldn’t resist! I found this while browsing at one of my favorite shops recently and bought it on the spot. It’s woody and creamy with subtle sweetness (the brand’s hero ingredient is plum, which this combines with cedarwood and orris), and I’m obsessed. It’s a perfect, cozy, delicious scent that every single friend who has a giftable event in the foreseeable future will be getting from me!!!
Other things I’m loving lately: This terry tee from ME+EM!! Under $100 and my new obsession! Sizing runs snug, I’m in the 4. The I Know What You Did Last Summer remake! Is it the height of cinema? Obviously not, but it was a fun one to see with friends! Did I order Skims boyshorts to sleep in because of Iris from Love Island? Obviously. (Do I watch every edit of her and Pepe on TikTok? Also obviously.) I didn’t think I was a scented detergent person until I tried this stuff (based off of this Shitter favorite clean fragrance!)—I love it for sheets and towels and for hand washing swimsuits.
book recs!
carley fortune for beach reads; jessica knoll’s bright young women for long flights/delays; seeking fortune elsewhere by sindya banoo for quiet afternoon reading time; the sun down motel by simone st james for a little thriller, a little mystery, and a little ghost(y).