Finding Your Seasonal Fashion Rhythm: How to Dress for the Minneapolis Heat
By Maren — Home cook energy. Not chef energy. Let's make something good with what you've got. ·
June in Minneapolis hits different, doesn’t it? One day you’re wearing a light cardigan for a breezy morning, and the next, you’re sweating through your shirt before the school bell even rings. If you’ve been following my kitchen adventures for a while, you know I’m a firm believer in the ‘what’s in your fridge’ philosophy—using what you have to make something nourishing. I’ve started applying that exact same logic to my closet, especially now that the humidity is settling in for the summer.
The “Ingredient” Approach to Your Closet
When I look at my sourdough starter, Gary, I know he needs different care in the winter than he does in the June heat. He’s active, he’s hungry, and he needs attention. Your wardrobe is the same. Seasonal fashion isn’t about buying a brand-new outfit every time the calendar flips. It’s about knowing what ‘ingredients’ you have and how to combine them to stay cool, comfortable, and—most importantly—like yourself.
I spent years trying to force outfits that looked great on Pinterest but made me feel like I was being slow-cooked in a Dutch oven. Between teaching middle schoolers and trying to keep my own life together, I don’t have the bandwidth for clothes that fight me. Here is how I’ve been approaching my June rotation lately.
Identify Your ‘Base Layers’ (And No, Not the Thermal Kind)
In the kitchen, I always have a base: a bag of rice, a carton of eggs, a block of cheddar. In fashion, your base for summer is the fabric. If you’re wearing polyester in July, you’re asking for trouble.
I’ve been leaning hard into linen and cotton blends. I know, I know—linen wrinkles. But honestly? The wrinkles just give it that ‘I’ve been living my life’ look. It’s breathable, it moves with you, and it doesn’t trap heat against your skin. Go through your closet and pull out everything that’s synthetic or stiff. Put it in a bin under your bed. If it doesn’t breathe, it’s not for June. Period.
The ‘One-Pot’ Outfit Method
When I’m exhausted after a long day of grading papers, I want a one-pot meal. Something I can throw into my grandmother’s cast iron, put in the oven, and walk away from. Your ‘one-pot’ outfits are your summer staples—the dresses, jumpsuits, or matching sets that require zero styling effort.
I’ve been relying on a few midi-length cotton dresses that I can just throw on with a pair of comfy sandals. They don’t pinch, they don’t ride up, and I can move around my classroom without worrying about whether I’m showing too much. The trick is to keep your ‘one-pot’ items neutral or in colors that make you feel genuinely happy. For me, that’s earthy tones—sage greens, soft yellows, and terracottas. They feel like a garden, which tracks with my obsession with fresh herbs.
Accessorize Like You’re Garnish-ing
Listen, I’m not a fashion plate. I’m a teacher who spends half her day chasing down markers and the other half trying to keep her sourdough starter alive. But adding a bit of ‘garnish’ to an outfit makes me feel like I actually put effort in, even when I didn’t.
If I’m wearing a plain white tank and linen trousers, I’ll add a colorful bandana, a chunky thrifted belt, or even some of my grandmother’s old gold hoop earrings. It’s like finishing a soup with a squeeze of lemon or a handful of fresh parsley—it elevates the whole thing from ‘I’m just wearing this to survive’ to ‘I actually chose this on purpose.’
Practical Tips for the Heat-Sensitive
1. The Damp Cloth Trick: Sounds weird, but keep a small, clean washcloth in your fridge. When you get home from work, press it to your neck and wrists. It resets your body temperature so you can actually enjoy your evening instead of melting into the couch. 2. The ‘School-to-Patio’ Transition: I always keep a lightweight linen blazer or an oversized button-down shirt in my car. If I’m heading to a patio dinner after work, I throw that on over my dress. It protects me from the sun and makes a casual outfit look ‘pulled together’ in two seconds flat. 3. Footwear Matters: I’ve traded my heavy boots for sandals that actually have support. If your feet are comfortable, you’re 80% more likely to have a good day. My grandmother always said, ‘If you can’t walk in them, you can’t work in them.’ I take that to heart.
Make It Your Own
At the end of the day, seasonal fashion is just another way to take care of yourself. It’s about honoring the season, honoring your body, and not letting the heat dictate your mood. Whether you’re wearing a thrifted floral skirt or your favorite worn-in jeans, make sure it feels like you.
Don’t let the magazines tell you that you need to spend a fortune to be 'seasonal.' Just like a good meal, it’s all about the quality of the ingredients you choose and how much love you put into the assembly.
How are you all staying cool this month? Are you leaning into the linen life or are you more of a ‘keep the AC at 68 and never leave’ kind of person? Let me know in the comments—I’m currently looking for new ways to style this one oversized button-down I found at a garage sale in St. Paul, so give me your best ideas!