Thermometers in the southeast are already reaching 90 degrees, and memorial day is just around the corner. I’m no meteorologist, and the calendar still insists that it’s spring, but all signs point to summer. Ready to pick up a couple of new items for the hot, sunny days ahead? Here are some “staff picks” for this season!
First on most any woman’s summer list is a dress that’s light and airy enough to wear outside without melting. The Patagonia Kamala Dress is a perennial classic, with a flattering V-neck and internal shelf bra. If you prefer more muted colors and the clean silhouette to match, the Nau Dis-Dress and its flowing blend of organic linen and organic cotton offers simple, easy-to-wear style.
Before we get too carried away with dresses, we know some of you already have that favorite top picked out! The Horny Toad Chaka Skirt is the perfect summer skirt; its A-line shape and just-above-the-knee hem look great with sandals all day, and just as great with boots once you’ve finished watching the sunset and are ready to head back to civilization.
If your springtime adventures require a bit more performance without sacrificing feminine style, the prAna Quinn Dress features a soft, peach-finish polyester with a touch of spandex that ensures a flattering fit. In a similar vein, the Mountain Hardwear La Rambla Skirt is proof that you can backpack across Europe without having to dress like Indiana Jones; the lightweight nylon fabric is quick-drying and durable, perfect for hiking or travel.
For the guys, keep the cotton t-shirts in a drawer and pick up some synthetic tees to wear alone or pair with a button-up. A synthetic will breathe approximately five times better than cotton, and if dashing through a rain shower or riding your bike home on a 90-degree day makes for a wet shirt, synthetics dry incredibly fast. Check out the Mountain Hardwear Wicked Lite T-shirt or the short-sleeved Arc’teryx Motus crew, both of which offer a performance-oriented take on the classic tee.
Of course, man cannot live on T-shirts alone. The short-sleeved Marmot Sutton shirt is a good place to start; it’s made from a super-breathable blend of rayon and recycled polyester, in a style that crosses over perfectly from the crag to the dinner table.
If your weekend plans involve three countries and one beat-to-heck passport, you can skip directly to the ExOfficio Long Sleeve Trip’R Check shirt and hit the ground running; if you’re just relaxing and comfort is priority number one, the Patagonia Polo Shirt is your answer for campfire-watching and tossing around a frisbee. Hey, there’s a long summer ahead — you’d might as well look good!
Here are links to the individual products featured in this article, all available at Rock/Creek:
- prAna Quinn Dress
- Patagonia Kamala Dress
- Horny Toad Chaka Skirt
- Nau Disdress
- Mountain Hardwear La Rambla Skirt
- Patagonia Polo Shirt
- Arc’teryx Motus Crew
- Marmot Sutton Shirt
- ExOfficio Trip’R Check Shirt
- Mountain Hardwear Wicked Lite Tee
Annalee Akagi says
Mahalo nui loa!