I realize that I often complain about taking outfit shots in the cold, although admittedly snow does make for a gorgeous background…
THE STORY
…Quite honestly though, the flip side of the coin poses just as many photographic obstacles. No, I am not complaining about Summer per se. It is after all, my favorite season after Fall. The problem isn’t Summer. The problem is temperatures 90 or above coupled with 92% humidity…ya, you read that right…92%. I personally am more of an 80 degree with low humidity kinda girl.
The day that I took these I had worked all day, on the second floor, in a classroom with twelve middle school kids, three other adults and no air conditioning…in 90 degree heat with 93% humidity. The papers on my desk were literally curling up from being damp. Needless to say, I was not feeling super cute by the time I took these shots.
My makeup had melted to places I don’t normally wear makeup, like say, my cleavage. My hair was a massive ball of frizz that even a claw clip couldn’t tame, my clothes were sticking to me in awkward places, my allergies were off the rails so I had a headache and runny nose and my bra could’ve easily been wrung out. Delightful mental image, yes?
I almost didn’t take photos after work on this particular day. I figured that as much as I hate doing it, I could re-create the outfit on the weekend when I wasn’t feeling so much like a sweaty hot mess. But you know what? I do my best to keep things real around here. I write from the heart, my clothes are often wrinkled because I’ve actually worn them all day and my makeup is typically well on it’s way to be smudged off. So I figured why the hell not?
If these shots aren’t keepin’ it real I don’t know what is. I was sweaty, icky and not feeling particularly fabulous and who amongst us hasn’t felt that way? I think it’s safe to say that we’ve all felt like a giant hot mess at one point or another. The only difference I suppose is that I am weird enough to take pictures of myself and share them with the world when I’m feeling that way. It’s just one more example of how we’re all more alike than we are different. The setting may be different, but the challenges are the same. So the next time your makeup puddles in your cleavage, just remember, we’re all right there with you. No judgments here my friends.
THE OUTFIT
This skirt is destined to be one of my BFF’s this Summer, so when Jonet suggested “Maxi Dresses & Skirts” as our Ageless Style Link Up theme this month, I knew this was the little beauty that I was going to feature. It is so incredibly lightweight that it feels like wearing next to nothing, and the pretty mixed print camouflages any potential see through-ness. It’s completely no fuss…just wrap and go…although I did add a small hidden safety pin like I always do with wrap skirts to avoid any wardrobe malfunctions.
The simple white tank was the top of choice more for survival than fashion. Had it not been so hot I would’ve probably went with a graphic tee, but I wanted as little material covering me as I could get away with so the white tank top it was. Also, had I not been at work the footwear would have been Birks, but I added my sweet little ankle tie sandals to fancy things up a bit.
THE TIP
Loose flowy skirts are the perfect solution to scorching hot temperatures. Sometimes even shorts are too uncomfortable in the heat, and since it’s frowned upon to go out in public sans bottoms, a flowy skirt can save you from an arrest for public indecency. The key is too choose a skirt that skims the body and is made of a lightweight material. Simply toss a tank top and sandals on like you would with shorts and you’re good to go.
THE LINK UPS
Check out the weekly link ups I participate in for even more fashion and style ideas… BE SURE TO SCROLL DOWN AND LINK UP WITH MYSELF AND MY LOVELY CO-HOSTS FOR THIS MONTHS AGELESS STYLE LINK UP!!
Skirt: Amazon; Top: Similar; Sandals: Payless (Similar)
Daenel ~ Living Outside The Stacks blog, instagram, pinterest, twitter
Debbie ~ Fashion Fairy Dust bloglovin, blog, instagram, pinterest, facebook, twitter
Jennie ~ A Pocketful of Polka Dots blog, instagram, facebook, pinterest, twitter, bloglovin
Jodie ~ Jodie’s Touch of Style blog, facebook, instagram, pinterest, bloglovin, twitter
Jonet ~ Fabulously Chic Over 50 blog, facebook, , instagram, pinterest, twitter
Kellyann ~ This Blonde’s Shopping Bag blog, instagram, bloglovin, twitter
Lisa ~ Coast to Coast blog, facebook, instagram, twitter, pinterest
Paula ~ Dimples on my What blog, facebook, pinterest, instagram, twitter
Shelly ~ The Queen in Between blog, instagram, bloglovin, pinterest, facebook
This month’s guest co-host for the Ageless Style Link Up is my beautiful fierce sister Catherine, owner of CatherineGraceO.com and the founder of the Forever Fierce Revolution. If you aren’t familiar with Catherine, I suggest you get to know her better because this woman is a force to be reckoned with! She is a true beauty, both inside and out. You can find Catherine on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.
