Style Notes - When There's No Headspace Left for Getting Dressed.

What I'm wearing when school's out...

I’ve checked out of caring about what I pull on my body in the morning.

There’s an interesting combination of reasons why, but for the most part- this time of year is all consuming. I always imagine that the chaotic summer season begins when school ends, but in actuality, we’re already neck deep in mayhem by the last day of term. July is our busiest month of the year at work (Stalf is mostly worn for weddings, holidays, hot, sunny weather) but let’s also add to that the chaos of the final weeks of school term (IYKYK.) The kids are nothing short of delirious, tempers are frayed, patience is tested, the juggle is real before we’ve even started to figure out childcare for the next six weeks.

Basically, when all is said and done just now, I couldn’t give A F what I’m pulling on my body everyday.

Except… I do.

Because when I look like shit, I feel like shit. Getting dressed is a way I tap into myself everyday: how I’m feeling (if I need a little pick-me-up, it usually does the trick) what I want to express (creatively, emotionally) never mind the practicality of the fact that I sell clothes for a living. Getting dressed (if it’s done well) every day is one of the most cost-effective ways I can market my small business. Pulling on clothes (and thinking about which clothes I’ll pull on) is pretty integral to my day to day.

So what do I do when there’s just no headspace left?

Usually I allow myself a week’s grace period if I’ve got stuff going on in life/my head that’s taking me away from the norm (for me, a grace period looks like a week of gym shorts or running leggings with a battered, old tee or sweatshirt) and then, when that grace period is done, I dive head first into my summer sartorial-coping-mechanisms:

I’ll use a moodboard to help illustrate said tips.

1&2 When inspiration is scarce, All White Everything.

You have to take advantage of being able to wear all white in Summer- there’s no other time of year that this feels as simple and accessible.

Go straight up co-ord, or smash a load of different textures together- it all works when it’s all white. My tip- stick to plenty of linen and cotton so you don’t have to feel precious- everything can be lobbed in the washer at the end of the day.

My current favourite is our white crosses fabric:

I’ve shared on socials that we are being forced to retire this glorious fabric since our supplier will no longer be making it- it’s one of my all time favourite Stalf fabrics.

Lightweight, breezy, flowy and delicate yet still pretty robust- it’s detailed without being ditsy- just a perfect balance and super easy to pair.

You can go all-white (matchy-matchy) and break up the whole with darker/more robust accessories to ground the whole look:

FYI, the Flutter Blouse (in White Crosses) is available here until the fabric sells out, or you can email me (customerservice@stalf.co.uk) to place an order for items that aren’t on the site as standard (like the Crinkle Shorts/ Crinkle Cami below.)

An outfit I’m toying with for my Hen Do:

Can’t go without mentioning the Birthday Blouse at this point (for the simplest injection of frivolity.) This is most definitely a piece that does all the talking for you when you can’t be bothered. Pair with jeans, or (since we’re talking all-white)…

Or perhaps…

Within the all-white-in-summer section of my wardrobe, there’s one item that does all the heavy lifting- a great pair of white linen trousers. These are the best I’ve worn. I got them at the beginning of last summer, they’re hands-down one of the most worn pieces in my entire wardrobe.

See below, last Summer’s all-white edition:

3&4 (conversely) COLOUR.

It’s more specific than just wear colour. Ask yourself: which colour is your neutral? Find it and lean on it.

I’ll elaborate. Most people I know, have a colour-comfort-zone. For my sister it’s green- anything green, in any shade. My colleague goes for red. I am pretty committed to the pink-lilac area of the spectrum. There’s a point at which you become so comfortable wearing said colour, that it just becomes neutral- but it’s a you-specific neutral because when you pull it on, it sings for you.

Working example: I have three or four tees much like the one below. My “Buck Foris” tee was purchased in lockdown (for obvious reasons,) and it’s one I pull on for an easy pick me up. I also have this one from Batch 1 and ever since said purchases were made, a little pink tee has become an absolute staple for me on the days I can’t be bothered. It does the same as a basic white/black/grey tee would, but with the added bonus that this is the colour that lifts me. The tee works twice as hard to boost my mood because it’s my colour.

Bonus points for pairing with even more of your colour (as below, although I also have these on my radar.)

I do the same with shirts. A white linen shirt is an essential, yes (as outlined in point 8, below) but grab a linen shirt in your colour and it will be worth its weight in gold. To illustrate, I pulled mine on with the wildest co-ord I own… 10/10: