The friend I went out with on Friday spent the weekend in town, and yesterday was her birthday, so we went out again on Saturday night & met up today for a leisurely late brunch and then trip to the yarn store so she could pick out yarn for a project she asked me to knit for her before she headed home. My goal was to be comfy and casual, covered up from the noonday sun, but not overheated in the 95+ temperatures (I try not to use my car's a/c unless absolutely necessary). Oh, and I only had about 30 minutes to get ready, from showering to out the door! No time for extra thinking.

I reached for my new drapey grey trousers again, because they are impossibly comfortable & just flattering enough (my figure-sensitive sister approves them, even the back view). I also knew I wanted to wear these little 'arm warmers' I finished on Saturday, because after all I was visiting the yarn store, full of friendly people who always appreciate finished knitting projects! hehe These are knit out of a linen/cotton yarn, so they're not actually warm at all, and they are *just* the thing for my short sleeve blouses: I get sun protection on my arms and hands without adding the bulk of an entire cardigan or jacket. Plus, they kind of remind me of the gloves ladies wore at Regency balls! Anyway, out of my short sleeve tops, I opted for one with waist definition, to balance out the trousers. It's too sheer to wear on its own, and I popped a grey cami underneath to echo the sleeve things. My hair went up in my favourite summer style, I added some silver accessories, opted for my nude sandals to keep the outfit feeling light, and I was out the door.

I felt really, really good in this outfit and got compliments from friends & strangers. It felt like the perfect blend of airy but flattering, as well as tomboy & romantic (oh! I just realized that instead of 'girly tomboy,' which I never completely connected with, I should use the phrase 'romantic tomboy'! style naming breakthrough!), contemporary & vintage. It also kept me quite comfortable in the heat, and I think it'd be a fabulous traveling outfit for a hot weather destination (although these aren't 8 hour tourist walking shoes). I felt a bit smug actually, as if I'd finally mastered hot weather dressing in a true to me way. But I don't think it photographed terribly well...drapey stuff tends to look a bit off in pics, I think.

That being said, suggestions and comments always welcome! I know it looks like I'm saying the pledge of allegiance in the detail shot: I wanted to get my bee brooch, the shirt's buttons, and the arm warmers (there must be a better name) all in one photo, and that's the best I could manage.