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Yep, once the pools are open here in the northeast, we can be sure that summer has again arrived. Life will be much easier overall now that we won’t have to put on socks and sweaters. However, there are downsides to summer, and just to be a cynical provocateur today, I’m going to list some of them-just to keep the giddiness about summer living and summer fashion in check.

Living-The sun is bright as all get-out before 6:30 AM and the birds awaken an hour before. Don’t they realize that a large part of the population stays up late since they don’t have school to attend or teach? You’d think nature would be a little more considerate, wouldn’t you?
Fashion- The new flowered, woven linen scarves look pretty, but why would anyone put them on when it’s already 75 degrees as they walk out the door at 8 AM?

Living-There are ongoing battles over air conditioning between those that sweat profusely when the temperature rises over 75 degrees and those that love to wallow in the warmth that has been denied to them for the last 8 months. (Guess which category I fall into and which includes those I live with?)
Fashion- Silky, draping camisoles are indeed feminine, but with the new trend of anchoring them with the skinniest straps that crisscross far down one’s back, clearly the inability to wear them with lingerie limits their use. Plus, their fullness isn’t that conducive to wear under clingy summer tops.

Living-Cats demand an open door policy. When they realize that summer is here, they either meow incessantly to go out or come in, scratching the screen to shreds, or paw at the door until they open it by themselves.
Fashion-Rompers are now supposedly “in”, but I think that most gals will shun them. Hitting mid-thigh, they’re a bit short for a lot of physical activity, the dropped waist makes them rather shapeless, and the positioning of big pockets will surely add the appearance of 5 more inches to every girl’s hips.

Living-There’s the inevitable mosquito bites, sunburn and disagreements over whre to go on summer vacation.
Fashion-Another new trend is to wear two different floral patterns at the same time. According to professional advice, one of them should be bright and the other more faded, with both slightly covered by an overlapping sheer cover-up. Does this seem like a bit too much work to you? Sure, I have florals in my closet, just like the rest of you. Would I dare wearing a flowered skirt with a different flowered top? Probably not. There’s no chance the two pieces would ever look as good as it does in the fashion magazines, where an assistant scoured the city and spent over $300 to to achieve a thrown together look.

Living-With backyards furniture and grills ready and waiting, there’s no longer a reason to put off having more company than one may actually want.
Fashion-A few months ago, I wrote here about my personal distaste of the fad whereby a dressy dress is worn over a t-shirt. The saga continues. However, in deference to summer, fancy dresses such as those with frilled or balloon hems, or those decked with sequins, are now paired with tank tops, summer vests and fancy flip-flops for a “dress down” effect. I’ve yet to see a soul in such a getup; have you?

Living-Kids are bored within 2 weeks of school ending, regardless of camp or other activities.
Fashion-Intuition and Mayle have come out with purses aimed as evening bags-and they’re made of denim. With patchwork, faux leather insets, and gold chain detail, they’re supposed to look “remarkably elegant”, but can you see your mother buying one for a relative’s wedding?

Some landscaping and gardening really does warrant compliments, and you can’t beat the smells wafting from flower beds or the chirping of crickets and cicadas every night. Summer probably lasts as long as it should. After the dog days of August, it is nice to look forward to the crispness of fall… by then most of us are ready for different clothes anyway. Here’s hoping that this summer brings you fun, rest and several happy memories.