It’s been so fun to embrace different aspects of my style at our new location. I’ve been leaning into my love of summer dresses on hot days, matching sets in the mornings and lots of elevated loungewear. I’ve found that, as always, 1 part simplicity to 2 parts quality, with a sprinkle of interest, is the style recipe that works best for me.
Here’s a collection of 10 timeless summer outfits I’ve been wearing at the lake this season (and plan to for years to come).
1 | SMOCKED DRESS
Bonus points if it has multi-functional straps…and pockets!
SMOCKED TIERED DRESS | VETTA | wearing my usual dress size. | Three colour options and a great price-point for the quality.
LEATHER STRAP SANDAL IN SADDLE | Jenni Kayne .
BEADED BAG | ANCÁN | old .
This dress is the perfect combination of carefree and comfortable. I really like the breathability of linen, which is blended with Tencel for a silky feel, making it less prone to deep creases. I wear it with my minimal leather sandals and a textural tote bag for a look that’s great for just about any easy-going summer occasion. I love this one for patio lunches in town and visits with friends on the dock. If it gets chilly I just throw a cardigan or denim jacket on top.
I LOVE the smocked bodice because it means no bra needed while still offering support and lots of texture, so my nips aren’t the star of the show lol. The straps are also fully adjustable so you can wear it with them crossed at the back, tied as a halter-top, tucked in for a strapless look or just as a regular shoulder strap. VETTA always incorporates clever details like this into into their pieces.
2 | MATCHING STRIPED PAJAMA SET
THE STRIPE SET (Top & Bottom) | Soft Focus | sold out| Canadian brand!
LONGLINE CAMI | Soft Focus | sold out | Canadian brand!
EVA ARIZONA (White) | Birkenstock
In the summer months I usually sleep in a matching tank and brief set, so when I have my morning coffee on the dock and walk Dobby around the yard it’s nice to have a set like this to put on.
I also think that this set would make the perfect addition to any travel packing list. Sleep in the nude or in your skivvies then just pop this on for a pastry run or over a swimsuit as you head to the beach!
3 | CUTOFFS, A CROP TOP & A CARDIGAN
CROP TOP | old .
CASHMERE COCOON CARDIGAN | Jenni Kayne .
DEE HIGH RISE SHORTS (IN CHIMES) | AGOLDE | TTS (I vary between 26/27 and got the 27 in these).
RILEY FLIP FLOPS .
This one has been a regular this summer. I love when it’s warm enough for shorts all day and cool enough for a soft and cozy sweater in the morning or evening. This oatmeal colour is a great way to add warmth and keep the look feeling summery.
4 | BEACH DAY UNIFORM
EVA ONE PIECE | YOU SWIM | One suit fits 7 sizes thanks to a super stretchy fabric that feels amazing on.
MESH PANT | Na Nin .
KLINT BOATER HAT | Janessa Leoné
RILEY FLIP FLOPS (IN SABLE) | TKEES .
I bought these pants at the end of last summer and I’m so happy I did because they’ve become the perfect companion to a swimsuit on hot days. The light mesh material lets the breeze right in but a touch of coverage keeps me feeling at ease. Paired with a one-piece suit, a simple flip flop, a boater hat, and lots of sunscreen, I’m good to go for boat rides and dock hangs.
5 | T-SHIRT, JEANS & BIRKS
COTTON BASIC TEE (Sage) | Jenni Kayne | sold out.
90’s CHEEKY JEANS | EVERLANE | TTS (if between, size down) | Wash is old, linked to similar. | See my Curvy fit comparison here.
EVA ARIZONA (White) | Birkenstock
This combo rarely goes wrong and I’m very into the fresh punch that my white EVA Birkenstocks add to such a simple outfit. I’ve been loving the ultra soft, oversized fit of this cotton tee and find it’s super light but has a lovely drape.
6 | BLACK LINEN SUNDRESS
MILOS DRESS | Sold out | Harly Jae | Canadian brand!
CIRCULO TOTE | Artisan & Fox | Sold out .
LEATHER STRAP SANDAL IN SADDLE | Jenni Kayne
I snapped this beauty up after having it on my list for a couple of summers and it has quickly jumped to the top of my “favourite things to wear” list. It’s just everything you want in a garment on a smokin’ hot day when you mostly want to be naked but also need to be covered. The neckline and covered elastic straps are so beautifully designed and extremely comfortable. Oh and it’s made in Canada! 10/10 would recommend.
7 | STRIPED TEE & JERSEY PANTS
THE COMFY WIDE LEG PANT (Black) | ENCIRCLED | Canadian brand!
THE EVERYDAY BOXY TEE (Golden Yellow Stripe Bamboo) | Canadian brand!
WOVEN CIRCLE BAG | old
EVA ARIZONA (White) | Birkenstock
Isn’t it great when an outfit as comfy as pjs can look entirely legit? This is one of those. Encircled is a Canadian brand I’ve been wearing for many years and I’m just a little bit obsessed with the latest pant and top they kindly sent for me to test out. I love the length of these pants, long but not too long, and the shape of the leg, wide but not too wide. IMHO, they’re a perfect elevated lounge pant. Plus, they’re miraculously resistant to lint and pet fur, something that has long plagued my love of black pants.
I’ve also been reaching for this striped tee on a regular basis because it’s impossibly soft and lightweight, ideal for hot days. Paired with a black pant and some fresh white Birks, I’m all set for a bakery run, a bit of gardening, a walk with Dobby, some computer work, or whatever the day may call for.
8 | FLORAL MINIDRESS
SUMMER GARDEN WRAP DRESS (sold out) .
LEATHER STRAP SANDAL IN SADDLE | Jenni Kayne.
BEADED BAG | ANCÁN | old .
Another fail-safe summer look I keep in my seasonal repertoire is the floral minidress. It’s an easy win whenever I’m feeling like I need a sartorial pick-me-up. This is my favourite sort of dress to bring on trips too because it’s so versatile and easy to pack. I can wear something like this with a pair of minimal slides, espadrilles or a strappy block heeled sandal if I want to take it up a notch.
9 | BLACK TANK & BLACK SHORTS
BLACK CROP TANK | old | HOI BO (a very cool Canadian brand).
BLACK CHINO SHORT | Sold Out | FRANK & OAK | Canadian Brand!
RILEY FLIP FLOPS (IN SABLE) | TKEES | Canadian Brand!
DENIM JACKET | Everlane | old .
This is my answer to function-forward chic. A stretchy black fitted tank and comfortable black shorts in a soft fabric and loose shape with black flip flops (or Tevas) and a denim jacket. Works every time!
10 | LIGHT & COZY KNITS
ALPACA COCOON CARDIGAN | Jenni Kayne | Sold Out .
GOOD COTTON ESSENTIAL TEE (Bright White) | FRANK AND OAK | Canadian Brand!
COTTON/CASHMERE JOGGERS | Jenni Kayne | wearing my usual Small, you may want to size up for a slouchier fit.
EVA ARIZONA (White) | Birkenstock | ( I wear a US 7 and have the 37)
Depending on where you live your summer closet may not require any knitwear at all, but here at the lake some cozy layers have been super handy. When the temps dip, I’ve been reaching for these cotton/cashmere joggers a ton and wearing them with an easy-going t-shirt, my Birks and a chunky cardigan. It’s my go-to uniform for outdoor evenings or screened porch dinners when cool air starts making its way across the lake.
