It's nice and warm , and now you feel yourself growing wings. You want mojitos on the terrace, barbecues with friends and above all, a new little dress for the summer. But how to choose the chosen one who will join your dressing room ?
The ideal summer dress is the one that is sufficient in itself . Unlike the winter dress, which is paired with tights and generally ends up hidden under a big coat, the one worn during sunny days is the star of the outfit . And must, therefore, be up to the task.
And when it comes to finding the right one , the offer is (very, too) wide. So broad, in fact, that it is sometimes complicated to navigate and make a choice. Follow the leader !
THE MATERIAL
Let's start with the simplest: which subject should you turn to ? Regardless of the season, at BonneGueule, we will always recommend that you opt for a natural material rather than synthetic (except in a few specific cases, for example for technical clothing ). But this is even more the case in summer, where heat and synthetic materials absolutely do not mix - no matter how effective your deodorant is!
Here is a list of the most common materials in summer dresses, and our advice on them:
1. COTTON
It is a natural and relatively breathable material, which will be your ally even on the hottest days . Cotton is an absolute joy to wear next to the skin.
© Getty Images
A cotton flower (Getty Images)
For environmental reasons, we prefer it when it is organic : this means that it has been grown without chemical agents, and that it has not been genetically modified. If it is GOTS certified, it's even better: this label ensures environmentally friendly production and transformation processes, respect and improvement of working conditions , promotion of the use of organic fibers and banning dangerous inputs.
Finally, it is an easy-to-wash material that requires little maintenance . In the worst case, you will need an iron or steamer to remove wrinkles from your dress after being put in the washing machine.
2. LINEN
It is often accused of creasing too quickly, and this is not completely false: a linen dress should always be ironed or steamed before wearing, in order to remove unsightly creases . It's a bit like the mark of the pillow on the cheek after taking a nap.
However, if there's one material you can trust in summer, it's linen.
© Getty Images
Close-up of linen. (Getty Images)
And the latter has plenty of qualities:
- Aesthetically, its rendering is very beautiful, raw, authentic .
- It is a natural, antibacterial and thermoregulatory material, which means that it is very breathable. Pleasant to wear even in the middle of a heatwave, it also has the ability to keep the body warm when temperatures drop (for example during slightly cooler summer evenings).
- Flax is eco-responsible (it does not require excessive use of pesticides, water, fertilizers and energy), and local, France being one of the largest producing countries.
- It is a resistant material, and therefore durable over time - provided you focus on good quality linen , that is to say with long fibers and a sufficiently dense weave or knit.
By the way, at BonneGueule, this is the material we chose for our Ueda dress, with a paisley pattern. Long and comfortable, made from Japanese linen, its light fabric is very pleasant to wear in summer.
3. SILK
Ah, silk…! It is a natural, noble, soft and thermoregulatory material. Her assets on a dress? Its luminous and silky appearance which rhymes with elegance , or its fluidity, which sometimes gives the feeling of having nothing against the skin. The silk dress is chic, light, pleasant to wear... perfect for summer, in short.
© Soi Paris
A silk dress (Soi Paris)
Silk, however, requires delicate washing (even by hand), so you have to be careful and ready to take the time to maintain it properly .
It is also a more luxurious material than its counterparts, which is reflected in the price . Difficult to find one for less than 200 euros, for a quality dress.
4. ARTIFICIAL MATERIALS: VISCOSE, CUPRO, LYOCELL…
We find a lot of artificial materials, and particularly viscose, in the summer dress offering. It must be recognized that they have quite a bit of quality: they breathe quite well ( not as well as natural materials, but much better than synthetic materials ), they are soft with a silky finish and a fluid drape, which looks particularly good on the dresses. Additionally, as they retain colors and pigments very well, they are a good choice for patterned pieces.
The negative points ? The result is a little “too” smooth which can sometimes give a too artificial side , and which lacks charm and texture. We will also highlight the fragility and instability of certain fabrics which, after washing in the washing machine, shrink. The author of these lines has already had a bad experience! Finally, viscose is very polluting. So choose certified viscose.
To go even further, take a look at this little guide to artificial materials:
5. POLYESTER
To escape as much as possible! It is the material most used by major fast-fashion brands, particularly with a view to reducing the cost of manufacturing clothing - sacrificing, in the process, its quality. The price of a polyester dress can therefore be very attractive, but be careful of what it hides . Most often, this will not be sustainable over time.
Let's also remember that as a synthetic material, polyester is absolutely not breathable, and does not allow perspiration to escape. Not great, then, in the middle of summer .
THE LENGTH
1. THE MINI
Fitting or flared, the very short dress is the most complicated to wear in summer since it is, in a certain way, the least comfortable. With it, most of the legs are exposed, and the most rudimentary models require you to sit with your legs crossed (which is not always easy depending on the situation, for example on a place towel or during a picnic). fuck). It is nevertheless very stylish and modern , and gives a dynamic look to a silhouette .
The mini-dress can be worn with white sneakers as well as sandals, or even heels if you are comfortable . At first glance, we advise you to focus on flat foods, to balance everything out.
Fitted, flared or ruffled, it's up to you to determine the details that best suit your style and personal tastes - there are no rules! Note, however, that the closer it is to the body, the more comfortable you will be , because the risk of it flying away following a gust of wind will be less 😀
At BonneGueule, we imagined the Cesere: a khaki mini-dress that follows your lines and suggests your waist without restricting you, thanks to its subtly fitted cut and its fabric that stays in place. And what's more... it has pockets!
© The Cesere mini dress from BonneGueule
The Cesere mini dress from BonneGueule
2. LUNCH
As we told you in our “ eBay or Le Bon Coin - we get great deals there.
- Thrift stores are full of vintage dresses looking for a new owner. Track down labels and avoid polyester pieces as much as possible - especially since the synthetic materials of the 60s, 70s and 80s were even thicker than those of today, and therefore very suffocating.
- If you prefer the boutique experience without having to hunt around for hours, consignment stores are a very good option . The pieces offered often stick to the trend and are modern.
AND WHAT DO WE PUT WITH THIS?
That's it, you've finally found the dress of your dreams . Now all you have to do is wear it in style. And for that, you need to know how to accessorize it.
In summer, with the heat, the less clothes you wear, the better you feel . It is therefore, precisely, the best season to focus heavily on accessories , in order to counterbalance simple outfits with few pieces.
1. HATS
We put aside the wool hats, the bonnets and the berets , and we draw out the light linen and cotton caps, as well as the pretty straw or raffia headwear. Bonus: it helps hide the damage when your hair is tangled with salt and sand after a day at the beach.
2. BAGS
Rule number 1: avoid metal chains that stick to exposed skin , that burn when you make the mistake of leaving your bag lying around in the sun, and that rub throughout the day.
We also recommend bags in light and natural materials , such as cotton or raffia, which stay in the summer spirit. Large leather bags (smooth or suede) tend to weigh down the silhouette and create an inharmonious contrast with the lightness of the dresses. Some brands offer pretty basket bags with leather details (yoke, shoulder strap, etc.). It's a good compromise halfway between the more urban and summer side.
3. BELTS
Ideal for structuring dresses with a little too much room at the waist, or for dressing up a simple piece that you want to make a little more chic for going out in the evening.
In summer, it's time to bet on models in slightly rustic woven leather , as well as those in raffia in light shades.
THE FINAL WORD
You now have all the information you need to find the dress of your dreams for this summer. If you only remember one magic formula when shopping, it's: material adapted to the temperature + length and cut that make you feel comfortable + color and/or patterns that best represent your style + price that fits your budget . Easy, right?
