WIW: Supporting today's blog & for Glory and Gaylene

Today I was already dressed in a version of today's blog formula. The day has included errands, a haircut, downtown walking.

And because I promised Glory, I'm adding the kimono when I join a friend on a patio for a glass of wine.

Many times last summer I bewailed my lack of summer style. Gaylene was kind enough to share a secret. When it's too hot for toppers (my usual kick-it-up solution) try colour blocking with brights. This has been a revelation for me this summer. Simple, easy, and low fuss. So far, I've been doing it mostly with cobalt and various combinations -- black, white, cream. But I've also used navy and taupe and navy and white or cream, and white plus bright pink. Next year I think I will branch out and try a few more bright bags to give myself more options.

Thank you, Gaylene, for sharing your wisdom.

Skirt: Vince Camuto tube skirt
Top: Club Monaco shell
Shoes: Reiker (Angie pic)
Bracelet: from trip to England
Bag: RL
Kimono: Zara

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10 years ago

Glory

Veteran

Stunning.

Mochi

Suz, you look crisp yet relaxed yet bold yet approachable yet arty and interesting. Not that any of these are in conflict anyway Who wouldn't be asking to take your picture?

Suz

(website)

Heh, around here they are more like telling me where not to walk. Our roads are a disaster and today I was having trouble finding the sidewalks amid the construction. Seriously. No street style bloggers here.

Mona

LOL! I hear you about the streets. Its like half the downtown is closed due to construction.
Colourblocking during summer is a genius idea and you are rocking the cobalt blue this summer. Love the bracelet and sandals too.

Vicki

Don't you look phenomenal and cool as a cucumber, too! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Gaylene's summer style secret to "color block" and the lightbulb just went on! Thank you for also sharing it and your photos describe it so well.

Your kimono is a lovely topper for your afternoon and I still can't get over how your cobalt bag matches your skirt.

Cheers!

nancylee

You look fabulous, Suz! Hm, color blocking to make up for the lack of toppers in the summer heat. Somehow I missed that sage advice from Gaylene last year.

So glad you kept the kimono. Yay!

Sylvie

Brilliant! Both you and Gaylene. (I think this tip is going to change my life)

Thank you -- and again, thanks, Gaylene, and Glory, thanks for the push to wear the kimono!

The colour block thing sounds obvious, right? But if it was so obvious, why hadn't I thought of it before? The minute I do this I feel automatically more stylish.

It does require a few things.

1: COLOUR! (Ha!) Obvious, I know, but you need to have some articles in fun, rich, relatively intense hues. I guess you could do it with pastels, too, but since I don't look good in them, that's out for me.

2. Bags used as "items." This big shopper from RL is genius that way. But an oversized clutch, the right cross-body, or really any colourful bag will do.

3. A few bright accessories. I've found that my cuff bracelet is my go-to accessory. Since I can't abide necklaces in humidity, and the stone is relatively cool, it works.

Parsley

Fabulous outfit, Suz!
Glad to see you wearing the kimono- it looks wonderful on you!

I am definitely going to try this color method, Suz! I don't have a lot of bright color clothing items, so I might have to use accessories.

Thanks for the tips!

Anonymous

Sage advice indeed from Gaylene and you are a fine example of this. You look great! Love the arty vibe with the kimono and the way your sandals echo the colours. Wonderful.

Beautiful, Suz!

Awesome! And now we know your secret, heh! Love that kimono with the sandals.

Karie

Color blocking your summer wardrobe is a genius idea! I will be re-thinking what I pack for next week's vacay.

You look fantastic, I love the cobalt blue, you look sensational in that shade!

Transcona Shannon

LOVE LOVE LOVE this!!!

Jaime

Fantastic!

lyn67

Wow, I love love and love it, Suz! In fact, I think I was colour blocking myself today, too:-)...hah,will post it later:-)

Lyn D.

Suz, I am taking all this in for our Summer.
I love these 'lightbulb moments' we can all put towards improving our hot-weather style.

Lantana

Marvellous response to the limitations of summer. You look so vivacious, Suz. I see your eyes and smile as part of that "brights" equation.

cjh

Nice! The kimono adds a sweet yet dressed up feel, light enough for a summer day, special "date" with a friend.

I have been noticing, and it is in a good way, that you and Claire seemed to have flip-flopped your color basics. Her complete wardrobe posts have shown she is leaning heavily towards neutrals, a little animal print for interest, and whites, taupes and blacks as the main components. She had a tendency towards blues and whites last couple of years, summer especially.

Whereas the summer finds you in crisp white, blues, and higher contrasts than some of your taupes and richer colors you favored the last season or two.

Interesting, and wondered if you had noticed it at all?

Susie

It may have been Gaylene's idea- and it is a fabulous one- but YOU have put it into play in a delightful way. You look great! Don't you just love both white and cobalt?! And together they are even better.

Carole

Brilliant! You look stunning with or without the topper!

Thank you, cjh. And yes, I have noticed that I seem to be favouring more blues and whites this summer, and Claire's amazing outfits last year were a definite influence!

You're right that she has purged a lot of bright colour. But I think she has kept a fair bit of blue and white. And she looks amazing in those, as well as in her quieter neutrals.

But yes -- it's funny how we seem to have reversed roles in a way! We actually own a couple of the same items.

Scarlet

I love this! So elegant punchy and still practical too. Great tip from Gaylene!

CocoLion

So fresh and bright and polished!

Firecracker (Sharan)

Gorgeous! Thank you for passing on this winning formula! You look so fresh and pulled together in both versions.

Just popping back in to say you sure do rock those tube skirts, girlfriend! You've got a fantastic figure.

Beth Ann

Yeah! Another tube midi!

I'm just catching up on posts after a busy week. This reminds me to play with some color blocking. I realize that, in addition to my formula of patterned tops for Summer (I've upgraded to more wovens), that I tend to wear patterned base layers and solid jackets when the weather allows layering. Nothing wrong with this, but I'm observing you do the opposite here with the kimono, and I've also loved your new floral jacket from Zara. You look amazing!

Angie

Fashion Stylist

You own this look, Suz! And you are stunning in it xo

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