Stop Overthinking Your Seasonal Fashion: Why July in LA is an Excuse to Play Dress-Up
By Sienna — Spontaneous, playful, a little chaotic. Life's an adventure and I'm dragging you along. ·
Hot Girl Summer? More Like Melting Girl Summer
Look, I know we’re in the middle of July. Los Angeles is currently serving 95-degree heat, the pavement is practically screaming, and if I have to spend one more hour standing in a craft services tent while wearing a headset and polyester, I might actually evaporate.
But here’s the thing about seasonal fashion: everyone treats it like a rigid curriculum. You know the vibe—the magazines tell you that once July hits, you have to be in head-to-toe linen, or you’re spiritually failing at summer. I’m here to tell you to throw that out the window. My car, Gerald, has broken down more times than I’ve successfully worn a starched linen jumpsuit, and let me tell you, that fabric is not made for roadside drama.
The “Everything is Temporary” Philosophy
When I moved to Silver Lake at 19 with $800 in my pocket, I didn’t have a “seasonal wardrobe.” I had a pile of thrifted tees, two pairs of jeans, and a dream. I learned pretty quickly that if you try to build a closet that fits a perfect Pinterest aesthetic, you’re going to be miserable when your life inevitably goes off the rails.
Seasonal fashion shouldn’t be about following trends; it should be about having an emergency kit for your body. If you’re living for the adventure, you need clothes that can handle a spontaneous road trip to Joshua Tree or a sudden call to go work a late-night shoot.
Rule #1: The “One-Piece” Savior
If you want to look like you have your life together when you’re actually running on three hours of sleep and an iced oat milk latte, buy a jumpsuit or a matching set. I don’t care if it’s “in” or “out.” One-piece outfits are the ultimate hack for the chaotic soul. You throw it on, you zip it up, and you’re dressed. It’s one decision, not two. My favorite one right now is this baggy, slightly oversized boilersuit I found at a garage sale in Echo Park. It’s breathable, it hides the fact that I spilled coffee on myself at 6:00 AM, and it looks intentional.
Rule #2: Texture is Your Best Friend
Everyone talks about color palettes, but honestly? Focus on texture. If you’re going to be sweating through a shift on set, avoid anything that clings. I live in ribbed tanks and loose cotton. When you’re dealing with the LA heat, you want stuff that moves with you. If you’re wearing fabric that makes you feel like you’re being shrink-wrapped, you’re going to be grumpy. And nobody wants to be around a grumpy person in 95-degree weather.
Rule #3: The “Gerald” Kit (Your Backup Plan)
I always keep a “go-bag” in the passenger seat of my Civic. Seriously, Gerald is basically a mobile closet at this point. If you want to master seasonal fashion, you need a transitional layer. Even in the height of summer, LA evenings can get weirdly crisp. I keep a lightweight, oversized flannel or a denim jacket tucked behind the driver’s seat. It’s saved me from shivering during outdoor movie screenings more times than I can count.
How to Shop Your Own Chaos
Stop buying things for the person you want to be and start dressing for the person you actually are. Are you the person who is going to wear a silk slip dress to a brunch? Probably not. Are you the person who needs pockets for your phone, your keys, and a pack of gum while you’re running between production meetings? Yes.
If it doesn’t have pockets, I don’t want it. If it requires dry cleaning, it’s a trap. My closet is 80% thrifted because I love the thrill of the hunt, and let’s be real—if I rip a pair of $15 thrifted vintage Levi’s while climbing over a fence to get a better view of the sunset, I’m not going to cry about it. That’s just a new story for the jeans.
Don’t Take It So Seriously
At the end of the day, it’s just clothes. If you want to wear boots in July because they make you feel like a badass? Do it. If you want to wear a sundress with sneakers because you have to be able to sprint to catch a bus? Do it.
Fashion is just another way to tell the world who you are, and if you’re anything like me, you’re probably a little bit of a mess, a lot curious, and always looking for the next thing. Dress for the adventure, not the magazine spread.
Anyway, I have to go—Cole just called and said he found a "haunted" thrift store in the Valley that we absolutely have to check out. I’m pretty sure it’s just a regular thrift store, but I’m going anyway.
What’s your go-to “I’m running late but need to look cool” outfit? Tell me in the comments—or better yet, send me a photo of your most chaotic outfit choice. Let’s talk about it.