The Weight Of Summer, August 3rd

So many people look forward to summertime. In NYC often we go from 50 degrees and rain to solid 80 degree days with no seasonable bridge to ease us into the hot weather. The days are longer with more free time. Outdoor activities are usually fun like boating or walking or hiking, outdoor concerts and festivals, or big family BBQs. A day at the pool sounds terrific compared to hunkering down to beat another torrential spring storm or winter wallop. There is the freedom of socklessness that pairs well with the thwap of flip flops against the sand. The lazy days of summer are always numbered so we try to capitalize on the slouchy comfort of outdoor warmth.

You might change out your bedding to a summer weight blanket and update your decorations to paper lanterns and bright striped towels. The smell of Citronella candles and suntan lotion and bug spray float through the air as the jingle of the ice cream truck signals cold, melting sweet treats for the neighborhood kids. Hammock lovers are in all their glory and the bounce on the tennis courts and pings from the pickleball courts are audible. In NYC, Manhattanhenge is all the rage where the sun sets perfectly between the crosstown streets creating a picturesque glowing orange orb between the skyscrapers.

Then there is the obvious question of what to wear. Are white pants ok for work? What is the equivalent of khakis and a polo for women?? What shoes are acceptable in summer rain? In all of my years walking this earth I have yet to figure this out. Especially on a day like today that leaves NYC like a flooding, humid swamp. (Suggestions welcome!)

Summer also comes with trepidation for some. It’s a season of exposure. Of body parts we have been hiding all year. Are we slim enough? Will anyone notice that bruise or scar? There might be a hair issue that clothes covered up so comfortably. Of goodbyes if we send our kids to sleepaway camp. Fears that our children might be traveling far away for once in a lifetime experiences. Of visiting days and tears and heartfelt reunions in August. Or the big expected cry of joy mixed with heaviness seeing your kids head off to college in just a few short weeks.

And as the official summer closes out on Labor Day weekend, the inevitable recalculating happens. For me this is a taking stock exercise of my closet, my goals, my life, my next few months, my plans, my health, the length of my hair and of course the polish color for my toes going into cooler temps. Summer comes with weight issues as well as wait issues. If your spring plan did not spring into action, there is always next year to get summer-ready! And waiting for good news or a change in autumn can be exciting. When do you break out your new fall hoodie? Is early September too early? Do you wait until the leaves start falling to don those new tall boots or is a crisp day ok to pair them with a skirt? As the temperatures fall, the end of summer raises a lot of questions. Colder weather seems to bring about more serious topics as well.