How to Beat the Heat? Dress Like an Olsen

I’ve never been very good at dressing for the summer. My denim shorts ride up. I can’t find the right pair of shoes to match my dresses. I refuse to wear a halter top to the office. My list of sartorial woes goes on. But lately, I’ve found a new style inspiration that’s helped me beat the heat: Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen.

Ashley Olsen, in particular, aligns most closely with my personal style—and what I have in my closet. So I decided to test out one of her go-to outfits: a white button-up over black trousers. I’m not exactly an avid The Row customer (if only) but I did look to the label’s spring 2025 collection for help. From my own wardrobe, I opted for an oversized white button-up from Abercrombie, a pair of black trousers from Banana Republic, and thin black Calvin Klein flip-flops. (I also added a pair of oversized Gucci sunglasses, for the full Olsen effect.)

Lo and behold, a miracle! The outsized clothes didn’t stick to my skin like denim and jersey usually do, and the lightweight cotton was breathable and easy to move in. When my colleague and I stepped out of the office for a midday stroll to the food court across the street, I was particularly pleased with how the wind caught in my billowing shirt, giving me some much-needed ventilation.

In the dog days of summer, simply waiting for the train will leave you in a puddle of your own sweat. So do yourself a favor—try out Olsen dressing the next time you dare leave the house.

About The Author

Hannah Jackson

Hannah is a fashion writer at Vogue. She wrote for in Elle, The Cut, Harper’s Bazaar, Rolling Stone, Architectural Digest, W, and elsewhere. She is based in New York.

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