Ladies,
Summer dresses with sleeves are another wonderful thing we may have forgotten about for too long, but something that we can remember and enjoy again. Historically, women wore sleeves even in the summer, in fact, it was of utmost importance to have the protection from too much hot sun. It was only in recent decades that we associate hot weather with wearing dresses that are sleeveless. I enjoy a sleeveless summer dress as much as the next, but I have also been enjoying the beauty and comfort of the puffed sleeve dress for summer.
Puffed Sleeves
As a sleeve enthusiast myself, the recent re-emergence of the puffed sleeve summer dress emboldened me to embrace the “summer sleeve” even more. The armpit area is one part of the body that I question as to how much we show it. It is neither very attractive, nor keeps me any cooler to have it exposed in contrast to covering it with the right kind of fabric. When fabric is breathable, sleeves shield the hottest sun rays from skin while allowing air to pass through and across sweat to keep cool. Sleeve coverage takes the focus off of the sweaty armpit area and puts the focus on other things.
I have concluded many things about the abandonment of sleeves including manufacturers simply saving money and time by pushing styles without them, to women being trained that more skin showing equals feeling cooler and looking better. With the re-emergence of the puffed sleeve in fashion and fond memories of Anne Shirley pining after a puffed sleeve dress and Matthew gifting it to her in what is one of the most heart-achingly wonderful scenes to ever be filmed, I just had to make some summer dresses with puffed sleeves.
Simplicity 2917 is one of those patterns that is basically a whole wardrobe in itself. A princess seam dress in two different lengths with sleeve variations, a skirt and a top…you get a lot from this one pattern. I changed my neckline to be higher and round, but I also love the heart shaped neckline provided.
Summer Fabric
Linen, cotton and rayon may be the absolute best breathable fabric for your summer wardrobe. This is a rayon fabric from Hobby Lobby. It is breathable and has a weighty and fluid drape to it and it keeps me comfortable in over 100-degree weather, but low humidity which does mean a more comfortable summer heat.
Loving Lavender
Lavender has to be one of the loveliest of all colors and the one that just sings spring and summer. I have always wanted a rather large plot for a “lavender farm” of my own. Right now, I enjoy this plant via its color in fabric.
I typically avoid solid colors due to them showing every mark of dirt and food upon me wearing them daily. In the summer, solid colors will show sweat marks too. But when a solid color fabric has some kind of texture to it, the difference is almost like wearing a print. This fabric has a raised vertical embossed stripe and a rather seersucker like texture which is kind of like a permanent crinkle look and it does not have to be ironed. These features make this fabric very friendly to daily wear.
Fully Opaque Summer Dresses
I used to wear mostly dark colors because they were less see-through than light colors. This limited me greatly as I admired so many beautiful light-colored clothing. Then I bought a midi length vintage slip at a thrift shop, and it gave me such security in wearing lighter colors. The dresses sat better over the slip. My body was fully covered. I felt more comfortable. I still enjoy my beautiful vintage slip beneath many dresses, but since learning to sew, I have been fully lining them. Now, many of my dresses do not require the slip but has the full benefit of one built in. Every lady’s wardrobe needs a slip, even for the simplest summer dress, since they tend to be light weight, light colored, and see-through!
Long Lengths for Summer
One thing that is very freeing with fashion is rediscovering good things that made women look so lovely, like a beautiful sleeve. Much like abandoning the sleeve, we abandoned the beauty of long lengths for many decades. But midi and maxi lengths have found their way back into our hearts and wardrobes reintroducing a timeless modesty, dignity, femininity and elegance.
Summer Accessories
I prefer a semi-fitted dress that is a bit loose so that I can tailor the waist in with a belt. If the dress was perfectly fitted all over, it may be too tight with any amount of bloating but I also just prefer the feel of something a bit looser. A small collection of belts gives you the ability to make a plain dress look styled, but also to give a perfectly tailored fit in the waist, without any discomfort of the dress being too tight anywhere else.
This is a 100% genuine leather belt that was thrifted and this material will last the longest as an investment in your wardrobe, but I do have other belts that are synthetic.
Summer Sandals
When it comes to summer sandals, your best bet is any sandal that is more shoe like and less flip flop like. Buy something with larger straps, pretty embellishment, a slight wedge heel, or something that makes it look like a well-made sandal. Opt for a sandal that covers the foot more like an actual shoe or has some kind of beauty to it. My sandals are plain but have a feminine shape and blend in with my skin color and pair with everything I wear. One of the best pieces of fashion advice I ever got was “flip flops aren’t footwear.”
Wear a beautiful color, wear a beautiful sleeve, wear a slip, and something longer, that blows and swishes in the breeze…
WHATEVERLOVELY.com
CHRISTIAN LIVING – FASHON – HOME
Leave a Reply