Summer style ‘rules’ to break these holidays

Mo Doy is a size-inclusive stylist based in Auckland.

OPINION: Summer is notoriously a time when women are bombarded with marketing about getting our ‘best body yet’, followed by ‘new year, new you’ messaging.

This year, I am going with ‘new year, same me and still awesome’ instead. Enjoy the body you’re in, and make goals that focus on what you can do this summer, not what you look like.

To help you get there, here are a few of the traditional style ‘rules’ to reject wholeheartedly.

READ MORE:
* You’re not as body positive as you think. Here’s how to get there
* Plus size swimwear you’ll actually want to wear
* Eight sunscreens you’ll actually use
* I hate summer, these 9 products get me through the sweaty season

Cover up, if you want to

The point of going to the beach is to feel the sun on your skin, be invigorated by the waves and calmed by the cool water. You should definitely have an extra layer to protect you from the sun when relaxing on the beach, but buying a beach cover up is often more about hiding your body than protecting it from the sun.

It’s totally okay to walk around in your togs, and go back and forward from the ocean to the beach without covering up. Two words: budgie smuggler. If they can wear those, whatever you’re wearing is just fine.

Constant hair removal

Men are getting ready to bare their hairy chests this summer, while women spend hours of our lives (and lots of our money) removing all of our body hair, some permanently. But you are allowed to have body hair, you don’t have to remove it if you don’t want to, and no-one else gets an opinion.

I’ve gone for the ‘when I can be bothered’ approach. That means, shaving my dark leg and armpit hair every month or so, and wearing cute togs with a bike short style bottom to swim in. I have no interest in having a permanently stubbly bikini line to contend with. I have a summer to enjoy!

Wear the shorts

What is it about knees that are so horrifying to women? Recently I was in a store trying to mind my own business (I failed) and a woman in her 50s was trying on a dress with a friend.

Woman 1: Oh, look at this dress! (Clearly pleased with what she saw in the mirror)

Friend: Oh gosh, no! You can see your wrinkly knees. Not a great look.

Woman 1: Oh, of course. (Looks awkward and dejected)

Me: (Argues with myself not to interrupt and loses) You haven’t got knees have you!? The horror! I’m just kidding, you look fabulous and so do your knees.

Friend: (Scowls at me)

Me: (Giant grin)

There is nothing wrong with your knees or your legs. Big ones, small ones, long and short ones, they serve an excellent purpose, and they deserve to be comfortable and cool.

I have some discolouration from a medical issue below my knee right now, and I am trying really hard to get my legs out anyway. It’s difficult, and I worry about it, but I am not going to force my body to be uncomfortable because of the way I think my legs ‘should’ look.

Pale is the new fake tan

Controversial opinion: you don’t have to change the colour of your skin to be summer ready!

Coco Chanel popularised tanning along with shorter hemlines in the 1920s and this trend has become a sign of health and fitness, but actually indicates neither.

I am as pale as the day is long, and the thought that I should change my skin colour to be more attractive to others blows my mind. Darker skin women have been marketed skin bleaching products to look more ‘Western’ for generations. Time to love the skin you’re in.

Get your arms out

Swimming, dancing, carrying the shopping, waving to friends and hugging your loved ones: all things your arms are wonderful for.

Freckly, skinny, wrinkly, wobbly, glorious and welcoming, use them every way you can. Sun them, and don’t allow what others think of them stop you from enjoying them. Let them out – it’s hot and they (and you) don’t deserve to suffer.

Denim on denim

Often denim disappears into our winter wardrobe when the sun comes out, but it can be such a useful fabric for summer – just in a lighter version. A 90s favourite, double denim has a bad rep.

I’m not suggesting you make like Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake in their head-to-toe ensembles, but try a denim shirt dress, or a chambray shirt with denim shorts. Chambray is a lighter weight 100% cotton fabric that looks like denim but is woven differently and is cooler for the summer months. Denim looks so laid back, and can be considered a staple all year around.

And a couple to stick to …

Be sun safe

Has anyone else noticed the summers are getting hotter – and later! We need to be prepared to be sun-safe all year around, but especially so in summer.

I’m nearly 40, and it’s taken me this long to learn to wear sunscreen on my face every day – don’t forget to reapply. I’m using Nifty Fifty Sunscreen from Go-To Skincare (available from Mecca stores) and I love it; it’s not too expensive, non-greasy and also looks great under makeup.

Natural fibres are your friend

I know I am repeating myself, but it’s hot out there and your skin needs to breathe. Cotton and linen are best, followed by Rayon (my favourite, because it breathes and is stretchy and lightweight without the creasing!) viscose, and polyester only as a last resort. Like, if you have no washing left and are willing to cook to death.