When the air conditioning is on full blast and you’re sweating before you’ve even left the house, motivation to get dressed and put on makeup can be at an all-time low. But here’s a little secret: Summer is the easiest time to look cute, and that’s because summer outfits are easier than we might think. To look (and feel) your best all year round, all you need are a few simple summer style tips.
If your sleep is more important to you than your time getting ready (same thing) or you just don’t feel like putting too much effort into your appearance, summer is the easiest time of year to make people think you put more effort in than you actually did. Comfortable dresses, no-makeup makeup, and a few good accessories are the surefire ways we have up our sleeves to get out of the house on hot summer days.
Want to look like you spent an hour getting ready when in reality you made it from bed to the door in 10 minutes? We’ve got you covered. Keep your snooze button habit going with these six easy lazy girl hacks:
1. Make the most of dresses
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: The best thing about the warmer season is that you can make the most of dresses. Not only are they one of the most comfortable pieces of clothing, but they’re also a one-off outfit option that you can throw on and get out of the house.
If you don’t have a dress collection you want to reach for, investing in a few different, versatile dresses – like a lightweight midi dress or a crochet midi dress that can also be used as a swimsuit cover-up – can be enough. You don’t need dozens of dress options; you just need a few that you love and know work for you.
2. Plan your outfit the night before
If you’re a late riser, I can totally relate. Crawling out from under the covers every morning is a battle I’ll never give up. It often results in me hitting the snooze button and having less time to get ready. The secret to not letting it affect your look? Plan your outfit the night before.
Sure, you might have an aversion to this habit because your mom made you do it in elementary school, but it’s pretty foolproof. Knowing what you want to wear can help you avoid the all-too-common situation where you rush around trying on five different outfits you don’t like and then leave in one you hate anyway. Even if you end up swapping out small details (like accessories or shoes) depending on your mood that morning, you’ll have a foundation to work with, and that saves time.
3. Create a standard uniform
It’s easy to get into the habit of wearing similar outfits over and over again, and we don’t think that’s a bad thing. Once you know what looks good on you and have a few pieces you feel most comfortable in, create a mental checklist of a few outfits you’ll need in a pinch. For a day of running errands, that might be denim shorts and a knit top; for a BBQ or a night on the patio, it might be a midi dress and sandals. Don’t listen to what Kate Sanders told us as kids—this is where repeating an outfit is good.
4. Invest in accessories
You know what can make even a white t-shirt and jeans combo look like you took your time with your outfit? The right accessories! And you don’t have to reinvent the wheel to have a few you can wear to elevate your look. A gold necklace, a pair of sunglasses you feel comfortable in, and a statement piece or two can be constantly paired with your outfits to make you look like you put effort into it—even if you didn’t.
5. Keep Your Closet Updated for the Season
I know, I know. Regularly purging pieces from your closet that you don’t need is easier said than done. But my trick for cleaning out my closet? Doing it consistently, rather than all at once.
When I reach for a piece that no longer fits me or that I just don’t feel comfortable in, I immediately put it in a donation bag that I keep under my bed, rather than putting it back in my closet where it will just collect dust. I alsostorage bins of out-of-season clothes under my bed that I only bring out when the weather is right. When your closet is free of pieces you won’t wear, it helps you see more clearly what you can wear, which actually makes you feel like you have more choices – not less.
6. Master your no-makeup makeup routine
No one wants to put on a ton of makeup only to sweat it off before they even get to the end of their block. No-makeup makeup is the name of the game in the summer, and most of the time, it just involves using a few simple products. Skip your full-coverage foundation and try a light, heat-resistant look instead.