May is the month everyone forgets to dress for. I guess it makes sense. It’s not deep enough into summer to commit to a full linen look, but definitely not cold enough to justify the leather trench you’ve been reaching for the past few months. It’s technically the in-between, which, if you ask me, is sometimes the best place to be. Hey, in Arizona, you either get sweltering hot, hot, nice, or just plain cold. You have to take what you can get when you can get it.

Given that, I’ve been saving a handful of looks for the moodboard that feel right for this in-between stage. Five different moods and five different starting points. Some probably have pieces you already own while others will have you confirming that one piece you’ve been waiting to buy. Whether you are inspired by the whole look or just steal one piece, that’s the idea because these ladies know what’s up.

The romantic, bohemian shirt dress is doing the heavy lifting here. It’s what originally caught my eye while scrolling. It’s doing the most and doesn’t really need anything else, but the clogs sold me on it. It’s giving a whole 70s-ish vibe, and I love it. The raffia shoulder bag adds a bit of texture in a way that a good summer bag should, and the sunglasses have a bit of extra, effortless cool-girl feeling. This is definitely a “I actually thought about this, but I’m not going to admit it” Sunday type of outfit.

A black knit over a white linen midi skirt doesn’t feel like it should work at this time of the year, but it absolutely does. The weight contrast is the thing - the sweater is grounding, and the skirt gives a light, airy quality. The baby tee underneath is a layering detail that could easily be skipped, but really shouldn’t be. It is doing something with this look that is very interesting. The compact barrel bag is the kind of bag that people always ask about with good reason. The sandals keep the outfit from going too serious, and of course, the oval-frame sunglasses are the one thing in this look that earns its standout status. The whole look reads like you got dressed in 10 minutes, even when you didn’t.

Alright, I’ve been having a love/hate relationship with the long lace camisoles everyone is wearing, but this look was pretty darn convincing. A faux leather jacket over a lace cami and midi skirt is fighting itself on paper texture-wise. That is, until you get to the gorgeous pumps, and the look gives the air of being planned all along. That’s how it works. The right combination changes the way you read everything going on. The tote is doing similar work with a structured silhouette that shifts the outfit without being too bold. This is the “I’m in my serious era, but I still know what I’m doing getting dressed” outfit.

Just like romantic, bohemian dresses, the blouses are also having a moment. The blouse is the centerpiece of this look, so everything else is much more considered rather than competing for attention. Relaxed denim jeans, the raffia tote, and the sunglasses are doing a lot of the styling for you. It’s a really strong look that I could easily see being a go-to option for most of the summer. Adding anything else to this outfit would be undoing the whole thing. The key is one strong piece, dressed quietly around it.

I love a good sheer skirt, but it feels like the sandals are the starting point for this outfit and also the reason it works so well. The muscle tank and sheer skirt are doing what the best supporting pieces are supposed to do: not pull the focus away. The bag carries a similar energy as the shoes: being structured, deliberate, and not at all casual. A bangle as the finishing touch takes everything from put-together to a seasonal go-to pretty easily. It’s minimal in a way that takes more thought, not less, and I am here for it.

The Bottom Line

These five looks have been sitting in my style inspo folder for a few weeks now. It felt like May was finally the time to pull them out for the shoppable moodboard. Steal one piece, borrow the whole look, or save it for a day when you’ve run out of ideas and need a starting point. That’s what moodboards are for, am I right?

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