We’re getting into the most serious heat of the season, so it’s time to get serious about not just surviving but thriving throughout the month of August and beyond. I’m a firm believer that what you wear impacts your mood, and when it gets sweaty out there, we can use all the help we can get.
These pieces will not only make you smile all day long, but they’re super easy, no-brainer complete all-in-one outfits—because it’s too hot to think about your outfit right now.
One more thing you don’t have to think about with most of these brands: they have built-in eco-conscious efforts, whether it’s B-corp membership, organic certification, or other sustainable practices.
Stay cool, look amazing, and make getting dressed easy with these effortless outfits throughout this scorching August and beyond.
Ace & Jig's Spring '23 collection includes this new, vibrant fabric, dubbed popcorn.
Ace & Jig playsuit in Popcorn, $325
Ace & Jig’s new fabric Popcorn has quickly become my new favorite from this ethical, inclusive brand with a cult following. You’d be hard-pressed to stay in a bad mood while wearing this jubilant fabric. All of Ace & Jig’s fabrics are designed in-house and woven ethically in India in Fair Trade Certified facilities.
The Phoebe dress features a lively print of foliage and wildlife.
Rhode Phoebe Dress, $198 (down from $495)
This easy dress is also mood-boosting with its jungle print featuring a variety of wildlife and foliage. The folkloric print and light cotton fabric are perfect for dining outdoors on warm summer evenings.
Amour Vert's silk Luella dress is machine-washable.
Amour Vert Luella washable silk dress, $330
If wearing a bouquet of vibrant flowers doesn’t make you smile, I’m not sure what will. Another thing that puts a smile of my face? Silk that doesn’t require a trip to the dry cleaner.
Sail away from your troubles with this lighter-than-air silk dress.
Gucci striped boat print silk dress, $3,300
I’d rather be sailing, but if I can’t, I’ll be just as happy sipping a spritzer in this sailboat-print dress. Light as a feather, you’ll float to your next beachside happy hour in this vintage-travel-inspired dress.
Ganni strikes a joyful balance with pastel blue, seersucker, and ruffles.
Ganni seersucker check smock maxi dress, $445
Powder blue, seersucker, ruching, and organic cotton team up to create this happy, versatile dress. Wear it to everything from a daytime wedding to a fancy brunch. Wherever you’re headed, you feel the opposite of blue.
The Mara Hoffman Ramona dress is eco-friendly and flatters everyone.
Mara Hoffman Ramona dress, $625
This might be your last chance to snag this fashion insider favorite. The color block fabric is stretchy and body con, but the popcorn effect and bold, wavy print flatters every single person I’ve seen wearing it. It’s made ethically in India of environmentally-responsible Tencel Modal.
ocean+main's cobalt silk caftan is as comfy as it is chic.
ocean+main cobalt silk placket V-neck long caftan, $365
There’s nothing I love wearing more than a caftan, and if it’s in an energetic cobalt blue, even better. Besides being incredibly comfortable, a caftan is the one garment you can wear to the beach with Birkenstocks or to a wedding with loads of gold jewelry and heels. Oprah is a fan of this brand, and it's hard not to love their commitment to sustainability.
The Sezane Eris dress just might get you through the dog days of summer with a smile on your face.
Sézane Eris dress, $230
If you could bottle up joy and put it in a dress, I’m thinking you’d get something like this striped, colorful beauty from eco-luxury brand Sézane. The strapless maxi dress features inlaid lace between every exuberant stripe. It’s sure to put a smile on the face of every passerby—and you.
