How One Vogue Editor Dressed to Keep Cool On the First Days of Summer
In today’s edition of What I Wore This Week, Eliseé Browchuk shares her past 5 days—which includes criss-cross denim shorts and plenty of linen.
It goes without saying that everyone has been looking forward to this summer for a long while, myself and my neighborhood included. I’ve been eagerly watching my little corner of the Lower East Side ease back into the electric energy it’s known for as more people begin to enjoy the start of summer.
Restaurants are overflowing with patrons happy to wait for hours on the curb, outdoor pergolas are packed to the brim, art galleries are glowing with new exhibitions on rotation, local stores are happily entertaining customers while they discover IRL shopping again, and new hot spots are cropping up on every block. It all gives everyone a reason to go out and explore summer.
With everything reopening as reemergence hits its peak, I’ve found it harder to balance dressing for work and play, especially in the city heat. But I’m always up for a challenge, and the flexibility of working remotely makes the art of staying cool at home that much easier. From morning Zooms to finding a moment of zen on my roof, here’s a glimpse into my wardrobe for the first week of summer in the city.
Monday
Summer in New York City is synonymous with low functioning air conditioners and high humidity percentages. Breathable and light, linen is the only fabric that can truly handle the heat. So, throwing on this simple shift dress for my 9:00 am Zoom meeting felt like a seamless choice to start my week.
Tuesday
Still working mostly from home means that my jean shorts are finally having their weekday moment this summer. I absolutely love this pair of light wash Agolde crossover shorts. Not only do they perfectly hit my mid-thigh, but they are also sophisticated enough to wear from work to a mid-week happy hour. When my afternoon meeting ran late, I quickly slipped on these Saint Laurent espadrilles and shuffled over to the East Village to meet friends for a few one-dollar oysters. Yum!
Wednesday
When I have a mixed schedule full of both Zoom and IRL appointments, I always opt for the most versatile option: an oversized oxford shirt. It’s comfortable and adaptable—two things every reemergence outfit should be. I’ve been wearing these high-waisted white linen trousers all year round, but they definitely feel a bit more in-season now that it’s officially summer. On that note, I’ve been daydreaming about spending some time at the beach but flipping through the pages of Gestalten’s Surf Shacks will have to do for now. Sigh.
Thursday
The good news is that I found myself with a few hours free to run some errands today. The bad news is it’s a sweltering summer day in NYC, the kind where you sweat just thinking about having to travel a few blocks, let alone a borough. So, I threw on my holy grail on-the-go summer get-up, my Girlfriend Collective unitard. Paired with my New Balance grey sneakers, a woven basket bag, and a bright green crewneck to save me from those stores that blast the AC way too high, my one-piece and I headed over the bridge to Brooklyn.
Friday
Finally, it’s Friday, which takes on a whole new meaning in the summer. Enter Summer Fridays, the official gateway to the weekend offered a few hours early for only a few weeks out of the year. This week, I packed my Prada tote with a plush towel, my new read, and a yellow bucket hat for a picnic on my very unfinished roof. Pro-tip, Chloe’s popsicles add an extra fruity twist to any wine and keep the chill factor in check. Don’t mind me pretending that Allen Street is Atlantic Avenue Beach on this sunny afternoon. Cheers!
