Clothes & Body Clothes Things

It’s Hot. Give Me All the Cotton Shirts.

Arlyn HernandezJuly 20, 202112 Comments

Project 365, Day 201/365

This weekend, as I was getting dressed to go to a dog birthday party (a.k.a. a “barkday party”), I looked into my closet and immediately got mad. The last year and a half has been spent in a revolving door of random T-shirts and stretchy pants. Or the occasional dress. Any “proper” clothing I could see hanging up was just not going to hack it for the 90-degree day I was about to face. Why? Well, it was polyester shirt after polyester shirt. What on earth was I thinking when I bought all of those? I could immediately feel the heat rising up inside of me, just imagining being outside in the Southern California summer sun, my natural deodorant not stopping my armpits from producing a fountain of sweat.

“I NEED MORE COTTON SHIRTS!!” I screamed to no one but myself. The next day, Sunday, I sat and looked around online at my normal haunts to see what I could find. Even if I added 2-3 new options, I’d be a happy, less sweaty camper. Plus, we’ll be going to Florida next month, and if you’ve ever been to Florida in August, you know it’s comparable to the heat of the sun over a pot of boiling pasta. Clothes that barely touch my body are the prime choice. If I can feel practically naked while actually be covered up, I will have reached the pinnacle of summer dressing.

If you are also on the hunt for barely-touches-you shirts made of very breathable and light cotton (or linen—hate it in my bed, don’t mind it on my actual body), then keep on scrollin’ friends. Here’s what’s currently sitting in my carts while I decide what I’m actually purchasing. It’s nothing fancy, just some non-T-shirt options made of predominantly natural materials (there are some blends here, though) that seem easy and breezy.

Madewell

  1. Park Popover Shirt in Textured Stripe, $50 + extra 30% off: I’m a big fan of Madewell button-down shirts or their popover shirts. They tend to be a bit boxy but that works well if you want to tuck them in or just don’t care that much about a “flattering” shape and want to feel comfortable. This fabric looks so nice and light. 
  2. Linen-Cotton Hilltop Shirt in Buffalo Check, $50 + extra 30% off: Buffalo checks seem very in right now (or perhaps they’re just always “in” in the summer, like madras or gingham). This one only seems available up to a Medium, which I don’t think will work for me, but I love it and figured I’d share it.
  3. Embroidered Lakeline Popover Shirt in Stripe, $50 + extra 30% off: Show me a shirt with embroidery, and I’ll show you something that I just purchased. Not exactly sure what these little things are, but they seem sweet, and I like sweet.
  4. Beachside Shirt in Seersucker Delmar Stripe, $70 + extra 30% off: I will 100% be getting this shirt because it looks like a whispy dream, and that’s all I could want right now.

Target

  1. Women’s Short Sleeve Blouse – Universal Thread, $15: This comes in a ton of different colors and some patterns and honestly, it looks like the perfect slip-over-your-head shape that may just barely touch my skin as I move throughout the day.
  2. Women’s Ruffle Short Sleeve Linen Top – A New Day, $20: Some more buffalo checks for ya. I love a ruffle sleeve, but it does add bulk to my top portion, which I definitely do not need in my life, but I may just pick cute over balancing my frame.
  3. Women’s Short Sleeve Button-Down Shirt – Universal Thread, $18: If you haven’t caught on by now, this shape of shirt is one of my go-tos. It wears so well, skims the body and is just so, so comfortable.
  4. Women’s Puff Elbow Sleeve Blouse – Universal Thread, $21: Oh peasant blouses, how I love you. This one is on clearance, so it’s definitely worth trying out, I think.

Old Navy

  1. Oversized Embroidered Short-Sleeve Blouse for Women, $35 + extra 30% off: Another day, another peasant shirt. Not sure about where this might cut off my chest, so might be a dud, but I love the scallop edges and the embroidered (surprise, surprise).
  2. Smocked-Bodice Tie-Dye Top for Women, $27: A peplum top is the perfect silhouette for eating ice cream and hot dogs (none of which I’m doing right now, sadly) and not worry about your bloated tummy. Solid gold wardrobe choice.
  3. Loose V-Neck Linen-Blend Henley Tee for Women, $17 + extra 30% off: Fine, this is technically in T-shirt territory, but it has enough detail to count as a proper shirt, I think. I’ve had these linen shirts from Old Navy in the past, and they’re so great for hot, sweaty days. They do pill a bit in the wash though, so I’d recommend hand washing.

Gap

  1. Perfect Shirt, $60: I bet yuo’re wondering how a long-sleeve shirt made it into this bunch. Well…I’m all for rolling up a sleeve, and on a crisp cotton shirt like this, it’s structured enough to stay put all day.
  2. Linen Dolman Shirt, $55: Doesn’t this shirt just feel like something our dad may have worn on vacation in the 1960s? And for that reason alone, I love it.
  3. Flutter Tie-Front T-Shirt, $50: Cute! This may or may not look like a tent on me, but I’m willing to gamble I’ll be okay with it either way. It also comes in three other colors and prints if this isn’t for you.

Nordstrom

  1. Tie Front Tee, $39: This just seems so light and fresh and would be perfect with a swingy skirt, a comfy pair of cotton shorts or I guess if you’re desperate or don’t live in a desert, some jeans.
  2. Embroidered Short Sleeve Cotton Blend Peasant Top, $80: I don’t have access yet to the Anniversary Sale (I’m not a cardholder) so I’m curious if this will be discounted, but I find that Lucky Brand’s pieces are typically well made and while pricey, they hold up.
  3. You Rock T-Shirt, $38: Fine, fine, this is squarely a T-shirt, but the sleeve edge is a little different and it has a great seem in the back that elevates it a bit. Slub knits are so soft without being overly delicate, and I find they have just enough structure that nothing clings to you.

It’s going to be hot here well into October, so I should be able to get plenty of traction out of anything I decide to purchase. Hope there was something here that caught your eye if you’re also very hot and clingy clothes intolerant right now!

See you tomorrow, FOAS>