If you need a summer top that provides a little extra coverage, but is it still lightweight enough to wear in the heat, a tunic may be just the thing.
Tunics have long been considered a wardrobe classic, but many women avoid them because they have a reputation for sometimes looking matronly.
However, the right one, paired with modern basics, and updated accessories, can look incredibly sophisticated.
Luckily, now that Lilly Pulitzer and Tory Burch, brands famous for their love of tunics, are seeing a rise in their “younger” demographic, more mainstream stores are offering their own versions.
Which is great because I get requests all the time for recommendations on what to wear if you prefer to have your arms covered, or if you’re inside the air conditioning and want to keep the chill off.
Now that the category is trickling down into bigger brands and stores, there are more stylish and affordable options than ever.
So let’s break down a simple formula for how to wear a tunic.
You want a tunic to have a slim fit to avoid it looking oversized. It shouldn’t cling, but rather hang just slightly off the body. Here, you can see the combination of the v neck line and subtle vertical tonal stripe is going to help create a long, slim line to the body.
I love how the soft blue pairs with crisp white jeans.
It’s important that you pair this with a straight or skinny bottom to balance the proportions. Here, I used a reader favorite by Wit & Wisdom (on sale for $30 in limited sizes). But you can wear any white bottom in your closet with a slim, tailored fit.
Then, I think a tunic requires a dramatic earring, so you can really lean into the “lady-that-yachts” vibe it gives. These double hoop earrings from Baublebar are perfect, and under $40.
Our readership inspires all of our posts and is not sponsored or paid for by brands or retailers.
Recommendations are based on my experience as a personal stylist and wardrobe consultant for over a decade. I worked with busy, down-to-earth women who wanted to look chic and feel confident but were often confused by so much of retail.
Some links are affiliate links, which means if you purchase via our site, we receive a small commission.
One of the most important staples in a classic wardrobe is the striped top. You can wear it all year long, but the summer is the season it really shines.
You can wear it so many ways and it’s simple to pair with the items you already own.
Today, I’m showing three options that you can alter to fit your body type and budget. Every item featured, I’ve either showcased before (so you may already own it) or I recommend.
But remember, you can also use this as a guide and find something similar that fits your specific needs.
These posts are designed to both inspire your own creativity and help provide product recommendations.
How to Wear a Striped Top Three Ways
For the striped top I am featuring the popular Boden striped boatneck top. This lady sells out all the time but is currently available so scoop it up. It’s under $40 and runs true to size.
I created three looks including one with shorts, one with a white jean and then a fun skirt outfit that will help you understand how to mix pattern and shapes together.
Generally, a white jean looks best in either a skinny or straight leg that hits at the ankle or is full length and slightly breaks on top of your foot. I used this comfortable wedge slide from Aerosoles in a go-with-everything tan for under $60.
Finally, a leopard print clutch because I love an animal print and a stripe together. This one from Turkernuck is under $50. It’s a beautiful piece to familiarize yourself with the brand. I ordered it too because I plan to be extra social the second half of 2020 to make up for lost time.
Finally, a striped top, when styled correctly, can be used as a neutral. If you have ever wanted to learn how to mix and match patterns, the easiest place to start is to pair the stripe with a floral or floral-like pattern.
Because we completely skipped over the spring season, we missed the forecasted trend of fuller skirts. These were meant to balance out all the maxi lengths we’ve been seeing. It’s safe to say they aren’t going anywhere, so if this lady like style is for you there are tons of options out there.
Our readership inspires all of our posts and is not sponsored or paid for by brands or retailers.
Recommendations are based on my experience as a personal stylist View Post and wardrobe consultant for over a decade. I worked with busy, down-to-earth women who wanted to look chic and feel confident but were often confused by so much of retail.
Some links are affiliate links, which means if you purchase via our site, we receive a small commission.
One of the many things I’ve learned over the last few months is that I love getting dressed.
Don’t get me wrong, during this stay-at-home experience I’ve had more than my share of days where I look down at 3 pm and realize all I did was put a fleece over my pajamas.
But more often than not, getting up and getting dressed as made the difference between a miserable or great day.
Now that it’s Spring and orders are relaxing, let’s look to the future! While working from home is going to be the norm for some time, entertaining at home is going to surge too.
Many of us are excited to start to welcome friends and neighbors back into our homes and onto our patios for some much needed human interaction.
So today’s collection offers some relaxed yet polished looks for the coming weeks and beyond.
How Our Capsules Work
At the beginning of the season, I publish a cornerstone collection filled with size inclusive wardrobe basics. Specifically for this year, I focused on versatile stay-at-home appropriate pieces that you can easily transition back into normal life.
In the following months, I create smaller capsules meant to help expand those pieces and build out your options.
Within the content of these posts, please pay attention to the links and notes about size. If a featured piece is not available in all sizes, I make every effort to offer an alternative, but please remember I am limited to retailers and their inventory.
To help create a mix and match wardrobe, also reference pieces you picked up in April’s Collection so you can see how all of this builds.
Maybe it’s the color combinations, but this capsule feels so optimistic. I’m extra excited for the shoe options. Two of which are going to require an at home pedicure 😉
You can use this post one of two ways.
First, you can shop it. I recommend all of these pieces based off my experience as a stylist and personal shopper, AND my deep knowledge of our readership.
Or, you can use this as inspiration. Maybe you have similar pieces already in your closet and this gives you a push to try a new combination, or you’re simply motivated to get up and get dressed in something you love.
Either way, there is nothing but good intentions behind all of my posts.
I have this dress from Banana Republic in “Sandy Beige Dot.” (You can see it here.) The yellow is limited, but worth highlighting. Either print is beautiful.
A dress is even more comfortable than sweats but looks and feels a 1000 x chicer. Give it a try this week and throw on any dress you may already have hanging in your closet. Banana is excellent for size range. This dress is available in missy, plus, and petite up to a size 20.
The trick to pairing sneakers with a lightweight dress is to make sure the sneaker has a slim profile. If the shoe is too bulky, it will look off-balance. Whatever you do, not wear your white “gym” shoes – they are an entirely different animal.
Finally, adding a gorgeous earring can elevate your look and mood.I am becoming a big fan of Julie Vos Jewelry.Her pieces are the kind that you don’t see coming and going. They are also reasonably priced for the quality and craftsmanship.
A few days ago on Instagram I took a poll to see who loved shorts, and who loathed them. To my surprise, the results were straight down the line. So if shorts aren’t your thing, you can easily replace these with the linen ankle pants we featured earlier this week,see post here.
For this outfit, I use an olive pair of pull on shorts from Old Navy. Olive is a fantastic neutral, but these come in six other colors. My second color choice would be the caramel, and for the preppy pop of color, the mango. They have a 4″ inseam and come in sizes XS – XXL.
Whenever I wear shorts, I always pair them with a 3/4 length or long sleeve top. That’s just me, it helps balance out my proportions. Otherwise, because I’m tall, I look like all arms and legs.
This sweatshirt from LOFT doesn’t show well in the image above, a better image is here. It’s lightweight, and has a flattering curved hem in the front. Available in missy, petite and plus sizes, in three colors.
I could not love this outfit more. I live for a striped shirt and this one from Everlane is only $25. I paired it with crips white jeans with a relaxed frayed hem. Next week I have a round up a white jeans (that aren’t see through – so stay tuned!).
These are under $100 from 7 for all Mankind. They are a mid rise, with sizing up to a 33. They run true, and remember, they might feel snug when you first try them on, but they will stretch.
Finally, earrings. These chic white enamel hoops are comfortable enough to wear all day, so why not! I like them here, or with the dress in either color.
Our Content is Inspired by Our Readers
Our readership inspires all of our posts and is not sponsored or paid for by brands or retailers.
Recommendations are based on my experience as a personal stylist View Postand wardrobe consultant for over a decade. I worked with busy, down-to-earth women who wanted to look chic and feel confident but were often confused by so much of retail.
Some links are affiliate links, which means if you purchase via our site, we receive a small commission.
I am a planner. My husband might call me a control freak – that’s fine too, I answer to both. Planning and figuring things out is how I cope with stress.
If I have a plan, or two (or three) then I am prepared, and everything will be okay.
As you can imagine, our current wait -and-see situation, is less than ideal for my personality.
The summer is, by far, my favorite time of year, but this one is going to be a little weird.
Our big trip to Greece to celebrate my birthday was postponed, and our shore house rental is currently closed. It’s hard to be bummed about it, given the real challenges facing the world.
But, as a family, we could all use something to look forward to, especially with all the doom and gloom in the news.
To lift our spirits, we came up with some alternative plans to enjoy the warmer weather, and get us out of this house the second virtual learning wraps up at the end of the month.
Yesterday, over in our Facebook Group, I asked our members their plans for the summer. I was so happy to hear that you are itching to get out again too (safely, of course), and there are many, many road trips planned for the summer.
Which means, we are going to need a few things to wear, AND we have to order them now because everything is taking longer these days. (Depending on the retailer, shipping is taking twice as long.)
Here’s the deal. I love shorts. But after being stuck at home, with no gym access for three months, I’m probably NOT wearing them right away this summer.
As an alternative, I picked up these linen ankle pants from H&M.There are running low on inventory, but as I write this they still have enough to make it worth a post.
They are under $40 and come in sizes 0 – 18. Generally they run true to size, but be sure to look at and compare your measurements. I bought the navy and the blue and white stripe. I’m also on the waitlist for the khaki green (olive).
I don’t always love linen, but in a dark color you can pull it off without looking like an unmade bed. Avoid the white and beige option -they will be see through, and messy.
We’ll all likely be working from home this summer, so these are ideal for those days. But I’m wearing them instead of shorts for our first trip to the beach in June.
The sandals, by Tory Burch, are a splurge. I love them, they go with everything and help elevate a basic look. If you picked up her “Patos Disk” sandal last year (a 2019 Reader Favorite) they work perfectly here too.
Finally, a sweet pair of hoops (under $60) with a white enamel accent, bring a fresh, modern vibe to the outfit.
Fingers crossed that everyone gets a much needed break this summer – and for continued health and healing over the coming weeks! xxoo
Our Content is Inspired by Our Readers
Our readership inspires all of our posts and is not sponsored or paid for by brands or retailers.
Recommendations are based on my experience as a personal stylist View Post and wardrobe consultant for over a decade. I worked with busy, down-to-earth women who wanted to look chic and feel confident but were often confused by so much of retail.
Some links are affiliate links, which means if you purchase via our site, we receive a small commission.
Target currently has some sweet and feminine pieces worth sharing. All of them have a bit of a romantic touch which is fun to try out right now as the weather warms. You can wear them now, and as restrictions begin to lift, out and about in normal life.
Sweet and Feminine Finds at Target
Let’s talk about sizes. Target is all over the board. I tried all of these on so please read the descriptions below for specifics. Generally, I size up one. I usually wear a medium, but a large feels slightly more comfortable. The items below are available in XS -XXL and then a few have a plus size option linked.
This dress is not specifically petite, but if you are petite, it will work beautifully. I LOVE the idea of it, but if you are tall, like me, it’s a no-go.
However, it’s great if you are under 5’7. Perfect for a work from home day when you want to get out of your leggings and look chic comfortable. Available in XS – XXL in white, blue and pink. Plus size version here.
This wrap is great if you are short waisted and straight up and down (what some would call a “boy” shape). It’s done in a pretty ivory with a subtle windowpane pattern and a soft full sleeve the gathers right above the elbow. You’ll see a white bra through it but not a neutral-to-you. Looks perfect with summer jeans or a bright colored ankle pant. Plus size version here.
This lightweight tunic top is a lovely alternative to a tee shirt. I bought it for myself and my teenager, in different sizes, obviously. It falls away from the body, but doesn’t feel oversized. It comes in the pretty blue and white print, and a bold red. Scoop it up now to wear with jeans, and then pair it with your favorite shorts this summer.
If you want to add some fashion drama to your stay at home wardrobe, this tee shirt is the way to go. The body is done in soft cotton with detailed eyelet sleeves with an exaggerated puff at the shoulder. It’s fun and affordable, available in white, red, and rust.
This wrap dress looks so much more expensive than its $30 price tag. I featured it above in what they are calling gold – I would call it marigold – because it looks extra sophisticated. Wear it now with a pair of slim white sneakers, and then break out your wedges for a summertime night out.
Our Content is Inspired by Our Readers
Our readership inspires all of our posts and is not sponsored or paid for by brands or retailers.
Recommendations are based on my experience as a personal stylist and wardrobe consultant for over a decade. I worked with busy, down-to-earth women who wanted to look chic and feel confident but were often confused by so much of retail.
Some links are affiliate links, which means if you purchase via our site, we receive a small commission.
Our Private Facebook Group is a gift. At almost 3,000 members strong, it’s a treasure trove of ideas and inspiration to help me come up with specific posts that serve our ever growing audience on a daily basis.
One question, posted a few days ago, was about maxi dresses.
So, how is everyone feeling about maxi length skirts or dresses? Are they over or about to have a new moment?
And the consensus was pretty unanimous – we love them!
Of course, not every style is for every person, so I was surprised and delighted to read such enthusiasm.
Based on that question, and the comments that followed, I thought it would be helpful to share a few options that you can wear right now and then later, along with some “best practice” tips.
So let’s start there.
Maxi length dresses are everywhere. Formal, casual, swim coverups … you have your pick!
But for today’s post, I had a few requirements.
First, you have to be able to wear a regular bra. None of this strapless nonsense while we’re social distancing at home. And no funky cut outs, or backless details.
Now is not the time 😉
Second, length is always an issue. So I made sure to include petite options (you still might need to have it hemmed), a few that will work if you are tall, and some that will hit right below your calf, so no matter your height, you’re covered.
I ordered two of these and will share pictures over on Instagram when it warms up – it’s still a little chilly on the East Coast.
Finally, the prices on most of these are insanely good.
Maxi dresses are nice alternatives to the leggings/joggers/jeans that we’ve all been living in. Now that the weather in many of our towns is getting warmer, having one or two of these on hand will help break up how mundane many of our wardrobes are feeling.
Outside of staying at home, these are lovely, breezy pieces to wear to the beach, a casual dinner, or an night with friends (remember them??).
I like them as an alternative to shorts or short dresses and, as a bonus, they help you instantly feel more feminine. I don’t know about you, but I could benefit from feeling normal, and pretty right about now.
I absolutely love this simple tiered dress. It’s available in for colors in sizes XXS – 3X. Pair it with flip flops around the house and then flat sandals when we get back out and moving.
A high low hem adds just a wink of drama to your look. Throw this on at home for a date night on the deck, and then add a strappy sandal, pile on some bracelets and grab a wrap for real date night in the summer.
Bright, cheerful, and only $35. You can’t feel down in this dress so I put it directly in my shopping cart. Again, wear it now with flip flops, take it out on a neighborhood stroll, and then wear it for a night out with friends this summer. Available in 00 – 20.
Like a sweatsuit, only not, and maybe better. You can curl up on your sofa, watch a movie, and play with the kids but look and feel a little more pulled together.
Wear it now with whatever you like, flip flops, slippers – who cares! But later add a sweet pair of sneakers and a denim jacket. Available in XS – XL.
And, don’t forget about this short sleeve tee shirt maxi I featured a few weeks ago – it’s long (I’m just shy of 5’10) and is getting lots of wear right now.
Our Content is Inspired by Our Readers
Our readership inspires all of our posts and is not sponsored or paid for by brands or retailers.
Recommendations are based on my experience as a personal stylist View Post and wardrobe consultant for over a decade. I worked with busy, down-to-earth women who wanted to look chic and feel confident but were often confused by so much of retail.
Some links are affiliate links, which means if you purchase via our site, we receive a small commission.
I thought it would be fun to try some trends outside my wheelhouse over the next few weeks, while we’re staying home, and highlight them here.
Maybe we’ll discover a few updates we can wear when we’re out and about this summer that we would otherwise have skipped right over.
I’m starting with tie-dye.
Somehow, for reasons far beyond anything I can understand, a global shut down created a massive trend in tie-dye. From sweatsuits and pajamas, to spring dresses, and even hair accessories.
It’s everywhere and much of it is really expensive, like hundreds of dollars for a tie-dyed sweatshirt. This is where retail loses me. Something you can make in your bathroom is sold for $400.
I always say, price isn’t a single guidepost for quality. Somethings are worth a higher cost, some aren’t.
Generally, tie-dye doesn’t exactly fit into my style. So I’m starting with this subtle, “grown-up” tie-dyed sweatshirt for around $20 – a price that seems reasonable.
Technically this isn’t tie-dyed. It’s ombre or dip-dyed, which seems like a better translation of the trend to wear now at home and later in the summer.
These days I’m wearing it at home, with distressed jeans. In the summer, it will look cute with white bottoms, like shorts or relaxed ankle jeans at the beach. I like it because it’s lightweight, similar to the LOFT sweatshirt many of you picked up earlier this month.
I have it in the pink (see below). It runs true, I’m wearing a medium.
In Real Life
I’m posting work from home outfits over on Instagram. If you enjoy our content, please consider following along. I am a few hundred followers away from hitting the coveted 10,000, which opens up business functions that would help us grow and monetize, something small businesses need now more than ever.
Our readership inspires all of our posts and is not sponsored or paid for by brands or retailers.
Recommendations are based on my experience as a personal stylist View Post and wardrobe consultant for over a decade. I worked with busy, down-to-earth women who wanted to look chic and feel confident but were often confused by so much of retail.
Some links are affiliate links, which means if you purchase via our site, we receive a small commission.
Striped Top
Striped Top
Dress
Shorts
Shirt
