While most of the country is starting to bundle up, South Florida expects to enjoy nice, warm weather throughout December, with AccuWeather reporting highs of 85° and lows of 54° throughout the month, and with much of the fashion industry focused on warm winter clothing, it can be hard to look for fashion inspiration for warm December months. Luckily, we can look towards summer trends when it comes to our December wardrobes. Of course, it’s important not just to stay stylish this season, but to ensure that we’re comfortable as well, and the right cut and fabric of your summer dress can be essential.
Because of the heat, you’d be excused if you wanted to bear a bit of your midriff, and crop tops and dresses with open midriffs are quite the rage as well. Here’s a great tip from InStyle: “Show as little (or as much) skin as you’d like-the secret to scoring chic looks like Balenciaga and Elizabeth Banks’s is all in the proportions. An A-line skirt is a demure addition to a denim halter, or pair a mini and boxier blouse if you dare.”
Maxi dresses are also a good choice for showing off some skin, and their cut makes them perfect for the summer. After all, Marie Claire was right to say “Maxi dresses are summer’s go-to dress length for parties, weekends and work… Maxi dresses are the original summer-ready style item, but there’s nothing classic about this season’s take on the wardrobe essential.” For example, the Shifting Sands Maxi Dress from Bec & Bridge on Lyst comes in colors not usually associated with the summer, with sleeves that are a bit different to what we’d usually see on maxi dresses. “With heavy prints and boho styles hitting the rails, there’s never been a better time to update your maxi dress collection.”
Most dresses for warmer weather should be made with sheer materials, as this is breathable and comfortable. This means it’s easy to adhere to another trend described by Vogue: frills. “With so many designers citing “celebration” as their inspiration for next summer’s collections, it makes sense that frills – in all their fancy, frou-frou frivolity – were in abundance. They came flouncing on sleeves, bouncing on hemlines and asymmetric across corsets, all to jubilant effect.” These frills are apparent in dresses by designers like Matthew Williamson, whose Hibiscus Flower Chiffon Ruffle Trim Dress brings images of tropical vacations – perfect for the South Florida weather!