How to Dress for Summer (Without Starting from Scratch)

Real-life, let’s go to the movies with our grandkids, muck around in the garden kinda summer style from Three Wild Women

Let’s get one thing straight—summer style doesn’t have to mean starting over. It doesn’t have to mean jumping on the latest trends but it might mean wanting to liven up your old cotton t-shirt from last year. 

You don’t need a whole new wardrobe just because the temperature’s climbing. What you do need are a few go-to pieces that can mix, match, move, and breathe—without clinging, pinching, or making you feel like you’ve wandered into the wrong decade. Just because we’re not twenty anymore doesn’t mean we need to dress how our grandmother’s did back in the day. 

Which is exactly why I’ve brought in some really great Escape by Habitat pieces into the shop (and online!) for this summer.

Whether you’re headed to the lake, lunch, or just lounging around on the back patio with a cocktail and a good book, here’s how to dress for real summer life—with pieces you’ll actually wear


Start with breathable fabrics that love the heat. 

We don’t do sticky. We don’t do stiff. Summer dressing starts with natural, breathable fabrics that feel light and effortless.

Look for:

• Linen - Like these tops and pants from Habitat
  
  

• Flowing cotton dresses - Like the ones from Orientique Australia
  
  

• Bamboo tanks and tees for layering - Pure Essence (Canadian!) makes these beautifully. 
  
  

These pieces aren’t just cute—they’re temperature-tested. They keep you cool on hot days and layer easily when the sun goes down or the AC kicks in. Now, I don’t want to hear you saying, “Oh, but I can’t show my arms.” We have three options for that. 

Option one, we’re too old to care about what other people think of our arms. They got us this far in life and I’m not about going to try and change them now.

Option two, you do what Skippy does with her little arm workout routine, so she is trying to change them and get them toned up. That’s great for some, I like my popcorn and going to the movies over going to the gym.

(insert skippy video)

Option three, you add a little lightweight topper, which you’ll see if you keep reading. 

Add light layers (yes, even in July)

Let’s be honest—everywhere has AC, and not all of it is set to “reasonable.”

We’re big fans of lightweight summer toppers that keep your arms covered and your outfit looking finished.

Try:

• A soft linen jacket over a dress
  
  

• A loose button-down tied at the waist
  
  

• An open-weave cardigan that gives you coverage without the heat
  
  

These are the pieces that help you walk into a grocery store or café and enjoy the air without getting goosebumps or simply keep your arms covered.

Go for colour—but make it wearable

We love black. It’s classic. It’s easy. But we’ve been watching women light up when they try something new.

If you haven’t worn coral, turquoise, or soft pink in years—this might be your moment.

 

Start small:

• A colourful tank with oatmeal linen pants
  
  

• A turquoise dress with neutral accessories
  
  

• A scarf or printed topper to brighten a navy base
  
  

Most of our summer stock is made to mix. You don’t need to commit to a whole colour palette—just try one new piece and let it surprise you.

Pick pieces that pull double duty

We love a top you can wear to brunch and the beach.
A dress that looks good with sandals and with sneakers.
A pant that works with everything you already own.

This is the heart of our summer collection. You’ll find plenty of pieces that feel “put together,” but still move, breathe, and wash well (because real life includes spills, sweat, and sticky fingers from someone’s grandkid).

Try:

• Shyloh dresses for casual weddings and patio dinners
  
  

• Habitat tanks and wide-leg pants for mix-and-match ease
  
  

• Orientique tunics that double as swim cover-ups or day dresses
  
   

Shop for what fits your life—not someone else’s vacation

You don’t need resort-wear if your summer plans include farmers’ markets, library visits, and hanging out on the deck with a cold drink.

That’s why we keep our summer collections grounded in reality.
Easy fits. Soft structure. Pieces that make you feel like you—just a little more pulled together.

And if you do have a vacation on the books? Even better. We’ve got wrinkle-resistant, packable options ready to go.

 

Ready to refresh your summer wardrobe—without reinventing it - Accessories. 

That’s the true key to summer style. Add a few bright summer accessories to really have you saying, “Oh, this works.”

You can browse all our favourite warm-weather pieces by clicking any of the above photos or come in and play—try things on, feel the fabrics, mix and match. You might just walk out with less than you thought you needed—and more than you expected.