The term “hot girl summer” may have flared out of pop culture vernacular with Megan Thee Stallion’s eponymous 2019 hit, but the concept defies trend cycles—and genders (everyone looks good in their favorite pair of shades).
Hot girl summer is about feeling your best by looking your best, whether that’s seasonal fashions in moderation or from head to toe. Here are some ideas for styling this summer’s It pieces, picked with help from two professionally fashionable local experts.
The Experts
Darcy Camden, founder of personal shopping and wardrobe styling service Styled Seattle.
Kayla Gil, owner of Fremont women’s boutique Pipe and Row.
Utility Jumpsuits
Camden calls a casual, short-sleeve utility jumpsuit her “current uniform.” Sway and Cake’s Margaux jumpsuit in black cupro looks and feels great for running errands or running around with kids.
Chunky Sandals
“Women are embracing styles that promote cool, effortless comfort,” Gil says. “Especially in Seattle.” Chunky platform sandals bring a dose of high fashion to any look (without the high heel). Active PNWers “need footwear that we can walk around in all day and then go out in after.” Pipe and Row stocks the Vagabond Eyra fisherman sandal in off white for just this purpose.
Shop the look:
KkCo Stripe Ruffle Utility Tote, Nordstrom Local
$95
This unexpected ruffle tote in fuchsia—another 2022 fashion trend, per Kayla Gil—carries you from the beach to the cocktail bar.
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Raie Eyewear Lucky Clover Sunglasses, Pipe and Row Local
$131
These are a slightly different shape from the sold-out Aries Raie sunnies we photographed, but cream-colored Italian acetate ensures they’re still Hamptons-holiday chic.
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Vegan Leather
Leather, an autumn staple, “may seem like an unusual pick” for summer, Camden admits. But a soft vegan-leather jean or skirt, like the Sunday Best Olive micro skirt in fluid blue vegan leather from Aritzia, keeps the look light and fresh.
Mesh
“The mesh trend feels like a nod” to the late ’90s and early aughts, per Gil. But screen-printed abstract art and modern silhouettes make this year’s mesh tops, like Pipe and Row’s Mundaka tulle long-sleeve top, feel “modernized,” “sexy,” and thoroughly 2022. If going braless or showing off a cotton bralette isn’t your speed, mesh layers elevate dresses and sweater vests all year long.
Shop the look:
Graphic Tees
Graphic tees are everywhere this season. For those looking to stand out from the crowd, supporting local musicians is always on trend. Darcy Camden encourages clients to go directly to the source and buy artists’ merch directly instead of “picking up some licensed graphic at who-knows-where,” then pair it with the aforementioned vegan leather pants. If you don’t already have an artist in mind, start with the extensive lineup at Sub Pop.
Get the look:
Heaven Tee, Left at London Local
$25
Note: This preciously sacreligious tee from local indie singer-songwriter Nat Puff, aka Left at London, is currently on pre-order.
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$178
Agolde adds a little visual interest to blessedly mid-length denim shorts with a trendy criss-cross waistband.
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Art Direction by Jane Sherman / Photographed by Patrick Tak / Modeled by Makenna Mueller / Makeup by Melissa Korn / Styled by Zoe Sayler