Ask Homeroom: How Can I Create a Simple, Stylish Look for Hot Summer Days?

Fashion agony aunts Sophie Barker and Annie Carroll are the gurus behind fashion directory, Homeroom , a website that helps you navigate seasonal trends, find emerging Australian brands, and shop for occasions like weddings and birthdays.

In their third monthly column for Broadsheet , the pair offer six key styling solutions for humid mornings when you need to get out of the door pronto. It’s all about homing in on that one piece that’ll make your outfit sing – from airy, loose-fitting tees to eye-catching sets that do all the heavy lifting.

Hey homeroom: It’s summer. It’s hot. And I don’t want to overcomplicate my morning routine. What are some easy ways I can look pulled together without thinking about it?
– Busy but Breezy

Dear Busy but Breezy,

Stylists will often have a styling “formula” – secret tricks for piecing together different items to create a killer look. But, in many ways, we all subconsciously have our own styling formulas that we adopt day to day. The key is tuning in to which formula makes you feel comfortable, at ease or confident (or all three).

With five or six styling formulas up your sleeve, you’ll be dressed and drinking your iced matcha in no time. It also makes shopping a more precise art, because you’ll know which pieces will slot nicely into your styling formulas, and then you’ll feel more confident about taking a bit of a sartorial risk here and there. And all without really having to think too much about it.

Here are our suggestions for creating your own style formula:

The oversized tee technique
It’s hard to be anything but breezy in an oversized tee. Bonus style points if it’s a statement tee – half the work is already done for you. We love this Mulberry-hued cotton jersey tee from Venroy, especially when mixed with this beach-ready tote from Pan After in complementary hues. Purple not your colour? Try a stripy slouch tee from Bassike and pair with a cute slogan cap, like this one from EM on Holiday. To take this look from the sofa to the street, a pair of silk trousers – like these perennially useful ones from Silk Laundry – will elevate things a notch. Slide on a pair of sandals, like these thongs from St Agni , and a pair of sculptural metal earrings for an unexpected contrast.

The lazy girl illusion
Layer a shirt over a bandeau and you’ll always look like you’ve pulled off the optical illusion of trying, without really trying. An elasticated, knitted bandeau is very summer 2024 – we like a neutral option, like this taupe-hued one from Venroy. Layer it with a lightweight, slightly oversized collared shirt in a tonally complementary colour, like this from LMND or this from Venroy (leave it unbuttoned to create some shape). A high-waisted trouser or short in a loose, androgynous silhouette, like these from new label LEM , will offset the sexiness of the strapless top. Style with a low-heeled sandal , a pair of simple hoop earrings and a classic shoulder bag to evoke ’90s-done-right energy.

The lightweight trouser combo
On the mornings when you just cannot face doing up a button, loophole, zip or any other contraption that forces you to keep things together, allow us to introduce the unwavering emotional support of an elasticated waistband. We love this cotton jacquard striped pair from Assembly Label and this dreamy silk striped pair from Maison Essentiele. For a neutral option, channel a boxer-brief energy with palazzo pants from Country Road. Now pull out a slightly cropped baby tee – one that sits on the waistband of your pants – to avoid any tucking or cumbersome fabric folds. Balance out the wider silhouette with a pair of comfortable heels you can run around in, and top it off with a slouchy shoulder bag and ’70s-inspired orb earrings.

The twin-set trick
Are the 2020s going to be remembered as the twin-set era? Maybe, and for good reason: no styling formula is easier to pull off than a two-piece. You may have seen this vest and skirt combo from local label Posse doing the rounds on social media. Sir’s art deco-inspired print silk twin piece is our version of ultimate resortwear, or, for a more tongue-in-cheek take on pyjama dressing, E Nolan’s cult resort trouser and shirt is high on our wishlist. A two-piece twin-set lets you keep the rest of the look minimal. A pair of flat sandals , a mini beaded bag and a pair of square-framed sunglasses are all you need to complete this look.

The sack dress
The easiest formula of all: a dress you feel good in. And for busy but breezy days, a sack dress delivers the style and comfort combo we’re looking for. This chalk-toned mini with blouson sleeves from Peony will see you through many outfit combinations and occasions. Try this black swing mini shift from Posse for a more minimal silhouette. For a longer hemline, this lapis blue number by Joslin or this delicate everyday dress by Deiji Studios will do the trick. Pair with a chunky sandal , a cat-eye frame and a pair of collarbone-grazing resin earrings in a natural tone.

For more style inspiration, visit homeroom.com.au or follow @homeroomau.