What to Wear to be Summer Chic in the Month of July

Are you staring into your closet and wondering what to wear in July 2020, dear reader? We’ve got ideas and style inspiration on what to wear in July 2020 for working from home, working out, lounging around, maybe even taking a vacation and heading outdoors (in a socially-distant manner, of course). We even have the all-important face mask covered. Spoiler alert: in July, we’ve got the blues.

what to wear in July 2020

Just for fun, when we think about the perfect wardrobe for a new month, we like to dress in a color palette that channels the true essence of the month.

So what should we wear to channel the essential spirit of July? 

what’s the color of July?

Here at Dandelion Chandelier, we did a quick word association with the word “July,” and here’s what was top of mind for us: Beach. Ocean. Fireworks. Freedom.

That pretty well sums up the mood of July: sunny, sparkling, adventurous, natural, and carefree. There’s not much shade to be had in July – and mercifully, less shade being thrown at other people, too. Even in our fractured world, most people are still mellower when the temperatures rise.

So what is the essential color of the month of July? We’re feeling indigo. Midnight blue. Sapphire. The color of the clear night sky. The blue of the deepest part of the ocean. The jaunty hue of a sailor’s uniform, or a beach umbrella on the Cote de Azure. The color of lapis lazuli.

We came to this idea on our own, but it just so happens that the 2020 Color of the Year is PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue, a deep blue shade that’s exactly the kind of hue we’re talking about for the essential spirit of July.

A spokeswoman for Pantone, when describing Classic Blue, shared: “The indigo hue brings to mind both the constant and the classic; the sky at dusk, an impeccably tailored suit, serene waters, or a bowl of perfectly ripe blueberries.”

“It speaks to our feelings of anticipation; when you think about the sky at dusk, the day isn’t over. You’re thinking, what’s ahead of us?“

The other attribute we love about indigo blue as the color of July is that it’s environmentally friendly, with deep roots in the natural world and global cultures with respect for sustainability. Indigo as a color is naturally derived from plants native to India, making it a color that aligns well with sustainable and environmentally-conscious luxury.

It’s pretty easy to figure out what to wear with indigo blue. It plays extremely well with any other shade of blue. Or white, black, and charcoal grey. If you’re feeling sassy, add a hit of neon green. Or bright turquoise. Or purple, or even green. Silver and gold work equally well with indigo – which makes it a lot easier to pack when you’re using it as your base color. 

Indigo blue can be Boho chic (think tie-dye) or all-business Boss Lady. Or anything in between. What could embody the sweet freedom of July better than that?

style inspiration for what to wear in the month of July 2020

If you’re all in on this, come along, dear reader. Wondering what to wear in July 2020 for work from home, working out, lounging at home or heading outdoors (maybe on vacation)? Here’s how to play indigo blue all month with panache and style, including some of the best face masks to coordinate your look.

1. what to wear in July 2020: for work (perhaps from home)

From lush floral prints to tie-dyed silk to deep blue with a pop of neon green or brushed gold, there’s plenty of work wear from which to choose this month in indigo.

Carbon 38 silky bias cut skirt in Ink Blot ($128). Zimmermann Glassy Placement bird and floral-print silk shirt ($895). Another Tomorrow twill jacket ($990) and coordinating slim trousers ($620). Marques’Almeida feather-embellished ribbed-knit pencil skirt ($345).

For just a pop of indigo, consider these office-ready accessories: Valentino Garavani leather belt ($995). Bahina sapphire, London-blue topaz and gold cocktail ring ($6,450). Jil Sander Tangle braided-strap leather shoulder bag ($1,260). Gucci Alison platform pumps ($1,100). Malone Souliers Lucia satin and leather mules ($575). Toss on this stunning Bottega Veneta quilted satin coat ($3,810) for the ultimate chic layer of blue.

2. what to wear in July 2020: for a (socially distant) happy hour

Lisa Marie Fernandez ruffled peasant dress ($695). Raey patchwork suede jumpsuit ($1,637). Bottega Veneta scoop-neck satin midi dress ($1,780).

Colette Jewelry gold, lapis and diamond signet ring ($1,620). Joie DiGiovanni gold, lapis lauli and pearl lariat necklace ($595). Bahina amethyst topaz and gold earrings ($6,550). Mukhi Sisters diamond lapis lazuli and gold cocktail ring ($2,310). Gianvito Rossi platform sandals ($895). Le Monde Beryl slipper shoes ($455). The Row x Oliver Peoples BA CC sunglasses ($370). Louis Vuitton Escale NéoNoé bucket bag ($2,410).

3. what to wear in July 2020: (maybe at home) workout and active wear

Sweaty Betty Storm Seeker jacket ($191). Koral lustrous high-rise leggings ($80). Spiritual Gangster’s Amor active tank is available in solid and tie-dyed deep blue ($44). Frankies Bikinis x Sofa Richie Jordan tie-dyed bikini top and bottom ($135).

Runners will love Nike’s CruzrOne sneaker in Coastal Blue ($89.97). LNDR’s Beach Run sports bra ($70) and mesh shorts ($63). Finally, this Splendid Horizon tie-dye hoodie ($158) and Carbon38’s wildly popular Takara leggings ($98) are a perfect match.

4. what to wear in July 2020: (small group) outdoor adventures and (driving distance) vacations

Staud Cayman oversized organza shirt ($225). Carbon38 camisole in Ink Blot ($78). Versace zipper detail denim jacket ($1, 350). Zimmermann Glassy ruffled paisley mini dress ($1,665). Balmain sleeveless denim dress ($1,795). Figue Leah embroidered shorts ($277). 

Paco Rabanne gold and resin earrings ($280). Kenzo x Vans Old Skool Tulipes sneakers ($240). Retrouvai Compass lapis, diamond and gold cocktail ring ($2,402). Sonia Petroff Aries cabochon-embellished rope belt ($845). FENDI oversized gradient sunglasses ($365). Toss everything into a sleek shopper like this Valextra canvas and leather tote ($1, 850), and you’re good to go.

5. what to wear in July 2020: (every day) lounging around

Anthropologie Robyn Tie-Dye button-down shirt ($98). Vetements distressed sweater ($1,650). Frame Le Sylvie jeans ($225).  Extreme Cashmere stretch-cashmere tank top and coordinating skirt ($850). 

Lunya resort-linen pajama set ($190). Poupette St Barth Sasha tie-dye minidress ($280). Prada stretch sneakers ($720). Gucci Princetown slippers ($790).

6. Face Masks

Don’t forget perhaps the most important of your July 2020 ensemble: the indigo blue protective face mask! Here are some luxury face masks that would pair perfectly with the mood indigo we’re establishing here.

KES sustainable face mask ($21). The Phlemuns Cloud Mask ($29). VPL has a stunning collection of masks made from vintage fabrics ($25), many of them in gorgeous indigo blue. Or consider these nautical-inspired navy and cream stripe masks from Kule ($24). Shashi’s double layered cotton jersey face mask ($11) is a shibori style. The Chrysalis Lab butterfly-inspired mask ($35). David Lerner “Blue Zebra” print masks ($28).

how to dress this July 2020

Those are our ideas for you on how to not just survive, but to thrive this month, led by the color indigo blue, including the all-important face mask.

Whether we’re debating what to wear to work via video conference, take a solo walk outdoors, make a masked grocery store run, chill on the weekend, or get bedazzled for our next digital dance party, this is what we’re planning to wear  in July 2020. How about you? Whatever hue you choose, stay safe and healthy out there, dear reader. 

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