One of the challenges I’m having, as I create content this summer, is finding recommendations that meet my standards. In all my years in and around retail, I’ve never seen such low inventory levels.
With the lack of inventory comes a void of size options.
For example, I’ll find a great pair of shorts, but there will be almost no sizes available, or they don’t offer an inclusive size range. Which means I can’t feature them.
As much as I want to do one comprehensive round-up of shorts that is size-inclusive and offers a variety of lengths, there aren’t enough options to do a full post.
Instead, I’m going to dedicate a few posts to specific options within our Back to Basics series. Doing so will allow me to post quickly, and you can act fast. I am starting with these mid-rise chambray shorts, at an astonishingly low price from Old Navy.
Thank you, Old Navy, for offering one of the most inclusive size ranges in retail. I know they are not the highest quality, but for shorts that you are going to wear a handful of months, you don’t need to pay exorbitant prices.
I like chambray as a more polished alternative to denim. You can wear them the same way; the fabric is just a little more elevated.
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.
Like many wide leg pants, these are high waisted. That’s important to note because it comes into play with the featured tops.
Regarding length, you have options. If you want a length, they need to be hemmed perfectly for your height, meaning that when you’re in a shoe, they need to just skim the ground. This look works best if you are tall.
In the summer, many of these pants come in some kind of crop. Generally, the area around the top of your ankle to the bottom of your calf is ideal. Once you start cutting through the calf, you enter capri territory, and we all know how I feel about that.
Depending on your frame, the width of the pant may be overwhelming. If that happens, remember, you can have these easily altered. If you try these (or any pair) on and you the fit of the waist and rear, have them hemmed to your most flattering length and ask to take a little bit of fullness out. It’s an easy fix.
How are you wearing these?
The outfits below are ideal for the office, a date, or a small get-together. As always, you can shop this post full of practical recommendations OR use it as inspiration so you can see how the components work together.
This is one of my favorite looks because it’s elegant and has structure. Because the pants are so full, you need a top that will help create balance. This simple white jersey top from COS brings a lovely drape and feel.
They are calling it a “crop” top, but it’s not, it’s just short, and that’s what you want. You won’t show your mid-drift. Instead, this will sit over the high waistband, and you can leave it out, full or half tuck it. I LOVE it.
Next, this patterned sleeveless top (from Banana Republic) is another lovely option because it gathers at the waist, creating a beautiful shape to the outfit. It’s a great top for the summer and available in several prints and colors. All are on sale for under $50, in regular and petite up to and XXL.
Finally, a monochromatic navy look. This is important because wearing one color can help you look taller (and slimmer!) so if you are on the petite side, and want to try out a wide leg pant, this is a way to do it.
This navy top has subtle lace trim on the sleeve – another easy-to-wear summer piece from Banana Republic. It also comes in white, light blue, and olive in regular and petite up to an XXL for under $40.
Tuck the top in to show off the detail on the waistband.
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.
When rompers first became popular a few seasons ago, I quickly associated them with the cute little outfits my kids wore and ignored the idea for grown-ups.
In my defense, the first round of rompers as a category in women’s fashion were either strapless or off the shoulder, and the shorts were short, short, short. Most were skimpy, like something I would have worn to a bachelorette party in my twenties – ah, youth.
Happily, trends evolve, and while I wouldn’t call a romper a “staple,” it has expanded its style to make more sense for the average woman – myself included.
So right before we left for the beach, I ordered this romper from Amazon. It’s by Daily Ritual, an Amazon brand known for quality casual pieces at affordable prices. I have a few items from the line and have always been pleased with them.
Let me tell you; this is the coziest thing I have worn all year. (See it in real life at the bottom of the post.)
Three Easy Ways to Wear a Romper
Romper, $31 Available in sizes XS (0-2) – XXL (20 – 22) in olive (above), black, navy and stripe
While we were away last week, I spent mornings on the beach, and around lunchtime brought the baby back to the condo for a nap. I slipped into this and sat out on our balcony, reading and enjoying a glass of wine; it was divine.
There is no better feeling than washing the sand and sunscreen off your body and wrapping yourself up in something soft. So if you are beach-bound, consider having this on hand.
I barely styled it. Instead I pulled my hair back and wore flip flops. Now that we are back home, with a restrictions almost completely lifted, there is more opportunity to leave the house.
Below are some ways to bring it into your everyday life, using pieces I’ve featured over the last month.
After almost four months of being cooped up at home, I am SO HAPPY to feel busy again. For days of running errands or picking up and dropping off kids, this is perfect. I have and love these chic sneakers from Dolce Vita at DSW for under $50. They add a fun pop of print to so many outfits.
I love the casualness of the beach. At least in the shore towns we frequent, everything is so wonderfully relaxed. In normal times I was always found it a welcomed break from how intense life on the east coast can feel.
For a night meeting up with friends at the beach, I’d throw this on and then add some elevated basics.
Then I added this gorgeous clutch from Tuckernuck, it’s my favorite leopard clutch ever – and you know I have a million of them 🙂 If it’s your first purchase, be sure to sign up for their mailing list and get an additional 20% off.
Finally, you don’t want to over do it on the accessories, so I used these simple studs from Gorjana that I know many of you already own.
Lastly, many of us will be working from home for at least the rest of the year. While it’s so convenient, I suspect that for many, the novelty is wearing off a bit.
It’s too easy to stay in loungewear all day, but if the loungewear looks like an outfit – you have a win-win.
Here, I added a real shoe. This sandal slide from Sam Edelman has been popular with readers this month, it comes in a ton of color options. Sometimes wearing an actual shoe while working from home can help you focus.
And then I added a pretty headband to quickly create a Zoom -ready hairstyle with little to no effort.
After a Day at the Pool … How to Wear a Romper In Real Life
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.
Maybe your days are filled with Zoom calls, you’re headed back into an office, or you’re venturing out to see people for the first time in what feels like forever.
Whatever your schedule, after months of being cooped up at home making do with what you have, you probably have some voids in your wardrobe.
This time every summer, I stand in my closet and say, “I just need a few tops.”
You would think finding some tops that make easy outfits would be a breeze. But with so many options that are too bare, or so sheer you require an additional layer underneath, it’s quite time-consuming.
Today I thought I’d save us some time and I’d start the week with a roundup of pretty tops, with a real sleeve that can work double and triple duty in a variety of sizes.
This crisp poplin top from Banana Republic is perfect to pair with white jeans, or navy ankle pants. Take it to work with a simple ballet flat or add a wedge sandal for much needed night out.
With a universally flattering neckline, this polka dot blouse works with any bottom. I would pair it with either summer white jeans, or a navy bottoms like an ankle pant or skirt.
Maybe you need a solid basic, that you can pair with any kind of bottom and jazz up with accessories. I love this option from Halogen, a private label brand found at Nordstrom. The slight puff at the sleeve elevates it, and the knit fabric let’s it breath while not being transparent.
Boden is a much-loved brand for our readers, and this one, available at Nordstrom for 30% off, is a great basic. When I look for white tops, I try to find ones with a little something extra. Here, the ruching around the neckline creates interest and a lovely drape.
You can full tuck, or half tuck this top into any bottom; it’s especially lovely with a colorful pant or print skirt.
By far the best deal on the list is this drapey blouse from Gibson at Nordstrom. This top will fall away from your body, It’s under $20! You can wear it out with slim lined bottom, or tuck it into a high waisted pair of paints.
Finally, I absolutely love this tie wasted top by 1. State (also at Nordstrom) for plus size. It’s an incredibly flattering cut, with the stitch detail in the front helping to pull the eye in and the tie waist designed to show off your shape. It’s important to pair this with a slim cut bottom to keep the look proportional.
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.
It’s been over three months since Bri and I went out or did anything even remotely fun. The most exciting place I’ve gone is Target, and I’ll be honest, wearing a mask while you’re walking around it hasn’t lowered my bill, but it has removed all joy.
My home state of Pennsylvania has had some of the strictest stay-at-home orders in place since March. But today, my county’s restrictions are lifting, and restaurants can open for outside dining.
I made a reservation the second they were available (they all filled up in minutes) at one of our favorite places. Pretty sure we’re eating under a tent in a parking lot – but I do not care one bit.
We’ve been part of our community for over 15 years. We’ve watched it grow from an up-and-coming neighborhood to a robust and thriving urban suburb. Supporting our small business, especially our restaurants after all they have been through, and getting away from my kids for an hour or so is a no brainer.
LOFT is having another great sale. I picked up a few dresses early last week. Their shipping is some of the quickest without having to pay more, which is nice since generally shipping can take up to two weeks.
It’s available in regular from an XXS – XXL and plus size from a 14 – 26. The sale price is fantastic. It’s gathered at the waist, has a pretty split neckline, a subtle shimmer thread running down the fabric, AND it’s lined.
A block heel is practical and stylish. These by Via Spiga are fantastic at an incredible price. They are so comfortable. You can certainly wear a strappy, lightweight option, but I like how these ground and dress down the look.
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.
For many of us who are moms, after having our kids at home for three months and attempting (poorly in my case) to educate them, news that pools are reopening is a moment to rejoice.
I can’t tell you how many times over the last few weeks I received or sent a text that read, “the pools just need to open.” These kids need to get out of the basement, off their devices and into the sunshine.
And you know what, so do we.
It’s amazing what a few hours in the sun can do for your soul.
So today, I thought it would be helpful to rounded up some of my favorite coverups that are both chic and practical. There are so many options out there, many seem as revealing as the bathing suit itself.
But I really like a simple, lightweight fabric, cut like a tunic or dress that actually, you know, covers you up a bit!
My Favorite Chic Swim Cover Ups
First, let’s talk about price points. By now, you know I am a proponent of quality of quantity and buying the best you can afford.
But it feels like things these days are becoming expensive for the sake of being expensive.
For example, the average price of a cover-up that I found while organizing this post was $125. That’s stupid.
So for today’s post I kept the price under $70, in many cases, well under $70.
I find that if you buy one or two cover ups a year, that are nice quality you’ll have them for many, many seasons.
There is nothing more classic than an oversized shirt style cover up. This one, by Tommy Bahama is limited in sizes. I would throw a pair of denim shorts in my bag and half tuck the shirt when running to grab something to eat by the beach.
I ordered this Moroccan-inspired tile print dress for myself. I love the pattern and fabric. It will be great to keep on while sitting in the baby pool with Vivi. It’s currently on sale at Bloomingdales, in sizes S – XL.
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.