Weekly Roundup: Casual Summer Vibes

These items have been winners on my clients and some forum members, and are good for Summer. You’ll see shoes from Israeli brand Naot, who specialize in creating comfortable sandals with support. If the styles that I’ve highlighted here are not to your taste, be sure to check out the brand’s larger assortment. Some of the footwear is made in Israel.

Browse the colour and size options, and make sure your wardrobes are adequately refreshed if Summers are long and hot in your neck of the woods.

  • Old Navy Mid-Rise Boyfriend Straight White Jeans for Women: These white jeans are substantial, and don't bag out much. The pocket linings do not grin through to the front of the jeans. Nice tailored fit. Relaxed with a mid-rise. Can work on a curvier figure. Straighter figures size down.
  • Gap Soho Skort: If you like to wear sporty skorts in the Summer, try these. They fit a range of body types, come in five quiet neutrals and colours, and are easy to wear and launder. Size up if you want a loose fit.
  • Zara PRINTED DRESS WITH BAG: This was worn by a blogger we featured recently and I loved it. So I ordered the breezy, cheerful, tiered, and 100% cotton number because it's just the type of covered dress I like to wear in a typical Seattle Summer. It came and went because it runs big and overwhelmed me. I could not size down. But it's very soft and comfy, hemmable, and fab for Team Tall. I love the '60s vibe of the pattern.
  • Hobo HOBO: '70s Patchwork Wristlet Fabness. Comes in black and brown solids.
  • Briggs & Riley Rhapsody Essential Water Resistant Nylon Tote: A well-made nylon work tote with a great assortment of organizational pockets. Lightweight, modern classic, and professional in a more relaxed way. The eggplant is sold out, but the rich dark blue is gorgeous. It does not close completely up top, which is a deal-breaker for me, but might not be for you.
  • Aimee Kestenberg Bali Backpack: Here is one way to wear the Patchwork trend, and with a geometric integrity at that. Comes in a fun neutral feather print.
  • Tommy Bahama Safari Bliss Jacket: Botanical patterns are on-trend, and this one in linen screams tropical Summer. Breathable, slubby, and size down.
  • COS Sun Hat: If you enjoy wearing a floppy Summer hat, try this one with an extra long back for neck and partial back coverage.
  • COS A-line Shirt Dress: This oversized shirt dress comes in bright green and white, and drapes in the usual architectural COS way. Well-made, 100% cotton, machine-washable, and plenty of length for Team Tall.
  • Nordstrom Rover Nylon Tote: Classic Animal Tote Fabness. Comes in solid black.
  • Talbots Oasis Palms Crinkle Gauze Popover: A fluid crinkle cotton blouse with a boho-lite integrity that works well on a larger bust and/or apple-shaped body type. Good on a curvy petite too. This is a plus size style when you click the link, and beautifully styled with white jeans, gold sandals, and wicker bag. Comes in regular sizes.
  • Tommy Bahama Tommy Bahama: If you're after a sleeveless V-neck dress with a shaped bodice, and roomier skirt cut that isn't flared - try this one. The hem is easily shortened to your desired length. Comes in solid black and size down.
  • Naot 'Intact' Sandal: A silver sandal with a chunky and casual, yet somewhat refined appearance that is comfortable and supportive is a tall order. Works on a range of feet because the straps are adjustable. Comes in three other neutrals.
  • Naot Mermaid Sandal: Naot makes this sandal every season, and I have many happy clients in it. It doesn't look supportive, but it is. Pretty on the foot.
  • Naot Lodos Mule: A very comfy and supportive mule with a bit of a clog vibe that comes in many quiet colours and a few patterns. I'd be trying it if it came in white.
  • Naot Verbena Sandal: These come in two more neutrals, and look elegantly chunky on the foot. Can work for a wider foot and higher instep. Great arch support.
  • Liz Claiborne Mid Rise Cropped Pants: Chinos that come in seven colours, work quite well on a curvier body type, aren't too high in the rise, and cost $21. Some of the colours go up to a US30W.
  • G-Star Raw E Utility Sleeveless Jacket: An edgy vest that works well over a column of black, navy or white. Fab with dresses and skirts too.
  • G-Star Raw 3301 Slim Jacket: Striped Denim Jacket Fabness that is unique and fun to wear with white. Tailored fit.
  • FANTURE Women's Adjustable Memory Foam Slippers Comfort Knitted Open Toe Non-Slip Breathable House Shoes Indoor & Outdoor: I bought these house slippers for hot days in our Seattle loft that does not have air conditioning, and they are fabulous. A nice rubber sole that feels supportive. Adjustable velcro straps that fit my low-volume feet. And super soft breathable fabric that is cooling to the touch. The open-toe style is VERY breezy.

You can see the items alongside my descriptions on the collection page.

Team Pack or Team Unpack

If you’re in the US, we hope you had a wonderful July 4, and are enjoying the day off. I’ve just come back from visiting my Dad in the Netherlands, so packing for a trip is once again top of mind. I stayed the usual eight days, and packed a casual-for-me Summer travel capsule which was all about pretty dresses, skirts, linen shirts, white jeans, denim jackets, pearls, Furla crossbody bags, and polished fashion sneakers. The capsule was in my signature happy bright colours with lots of blue, blush and white. It worked perfectly. I felt pulled together, attractive, practical, and comfortable all day. I had ample variety and was prepared for both rain and shine.

You are on Team Pack if you prefer prepping and packing before a trip, as opposed to Team Unpack if you prefer unpacking when you’re back at home.

I’m a good packer because I’ve had lots of experience and have learned from past mistakes. But I do not enjoy packing at all. I procrastinate and dread it every single time, despite my organization and having everything in place to make the process easy and relatively fast. I find it awfully tedious and boring. I dislike unpacking even more. It takes longer, is even more tedious, and the big pile of post-trip laundry is off-putting. I also feel compelled to unpack as soon as I arrive back home. I’m usually tired and in need of a shower, which makes the unpacking process even worse.

I bat for Team Pack as the lesser of two evils, because at least there is some enjoyment in putting my mix-and-match capsule together. Over to you. Do you prefer packing before a trip, or unpacking when you get back home? Tell us why, and no batting for both teams. If you can’t pick a side, there’s a vegan feast on the bench. Peanut broccoli, saag paneer, cauliflower rice with quinoa, pickled veg, and sambal. Mangoes for dessert.

Fashion News Roundup: June 2021

A new clean denim line, a biopic about Florence Griffith Joyner, and other news from the style trenches this month.

Fun Fashion Fact

Did you know that one of the biggest trends this Summer “is a clean bill of health posted on social media. There’s even a word for it: ‘vaxinista‘ — a combination of ‘fashionista’ and ‘vaccine’ — referring to someone who has not only had both Covid-19 jabs, but wants to broadcast it via vaccine selfies, cards and even merchandise.

Roundups

Simpler Items

This week's list of top picks list is about basic pieces.

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Assorted Items

Items for Summer, both in and out of air conditioning.

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Casual Summer Vibes

This week's top picks are good for a casual Summer vibe.

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Summery Earth Tones

These items are for those who like to wear casual earth tones in warm and hot weather.

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Hints of Spring

Some tried-and-tested winning items to refresh your style for Spring.

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Dressier Items

An assortment of dressier top picks might be just what the doctor ordered.

Read More

Outfit Formula: Casual White-Out

love the visual effect of white-out, which means wearing shades of white from head to toe. It looks modern, clean, chic, and a little futuristic. Yet there is something fably classic about the vibe too. The look is usually achieved with solids and textures, and maybe the odd extremely subtle false plain, or very low-contrast pattern. Footwear is usually a shade of white, tan, metallic or blush, although feel free to bookend the colour of your hair with browns, cognac, grey or black.

Note that the shades of white do not need to match, so by all means remix cooler bright whites and bone whites, with warmer off-whites, tans and shades of sand. Throw in oatmeal too. That said, some of my clients prefer their whites to match. Personally, I’m happy to match or mismatch my whites. Both combinations look great to my eye.

On to some casual white-out outfit formulas for mild and hot weather. I’ll take a version of each please.

1. Draped Two-Piece Dress

Combine a skirt and top in a shade of white. Add a pair of white booties, and Bob’s your uncle. Here, the silhouettes are architectural and draped. Swooshy, elegant, breezy and comfortable. The bubble skirt is a fun nod to the ‘80s. The casual flat combat boots add a subtle yet effective tough edge. A pair of dressier white boots would look fab too. Or a more Summery shoe in a light neutral. Add a light or dark neutral bag.

Draped Two Pieces Dress

2. White Jeans and Shirt

Combine a white shirt with a white pair of jeans. Leave the shirt untucked. The shirt needn’t be long like the one shown here. In fact, a regular length shirt might look neater. Scrunch or roll the sleeves. Add an off-white vest or jacket. Finish off the look with Summery footwear and a bag to match. Here the black thong sandals effectively bookend the model’s hair. I can see this working as well with cropped pants. Or combine a white, cotton, open weave sweater with jeans and leave off the vest. Shorts instead of jeans are fab too.

White Jeans and Shirt

3. Textured White Frock

I’ve found that a Summery white dress with some texture and weight to it can be more flattering to wear than a flimsy and flat white cotton dress. Slubby linens and eyelets in shades of white are one way to go. Simply pop on the white frock with a pair of light neutral shoes and a bag to match, and you’re done. Here the raffia slides and wicker bag are smashing. Espadrilles in a light neutral are another good option. Why on earth do I not have a white Summer dress yet? It’s on next year’s Summer shopping list, since I’m done refreshing my wardrobe for hot weather.

Textured White Frock

4. Relaxed Sandy Suit

Create a casual matched or mismatched Summer suit with pants and a topper in a shade of white. Keep it fluid and breezy. Add a layering tee, tank, blouse or knitted top in a shade of white. Finish off the look with white sneakers, or open Summery footwear. Add a bag, jewellery, headgear, and watch as desired.

Relaxed Sandy Suit

Who else bats for Team White-Out?

Trend: Patchwork

The patchwork trend is alive, mostly maximal, and quite varied. Generally, a patchwork design is created when small or large pieces of cloth in different patterns, colours, solids, or textures are sewn together to make an item of clothing, a pair of shoes, or an accessory. The patches can create a high or low contrast with one another. They can be any colour and pattern. Sometimes, separate patches of fabric are sewn onto garments so that the patches stand out. Colour blocked items can fall under the patchwork trend too.

Here are examples of patchwork wardrobe items.

Zappos
Frye Frye
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Zappos
Hobo HOBO
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Zappos
Ash ASH
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2
Zappos
BLANKNYC Blank NYC
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Shopbop
STAND Wally Boots
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Zappos
Frye Frye
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2
Zappos
Johnny Was Johnny Was
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2
Zappos
Hobo HOBO
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3
Zappos
Blowfish Blowfish
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Zappos
Tory Burch Tory Burch
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Zappos
Johnny Was Johnny Was
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Zappos
Naot Naot
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Zappos
Bernardo Bernardo
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Zara
PATCHWORK WRAP DRESS
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Zara
PATCHWORK SHIRTDRESS
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Zara
PATCHWORK TOTE BAG
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We see patchwork every season, but there’s more of it right now because it’s having a fashion moment. Patchwork can look subtle, bold, or very hectic, depending on your preference. It can have a bohemian or Western vibe, and some patchwork items look graphic and architectural. There is lots of ‘70s and a bit of ‘80s influence to the look, which either makes you smile with joy or take a pass.

Personally, I like the odd patchwork item, but prefer the vibe on the graphic side. I love patterns, but when it comes to patchwork, I prefer solids. I like colour blocking, and patchwork denim. The former reminds me of the ‘80s and the latter of the ’70s, which are fashion eras I greatly enjoy.

The patchwork trend is a sustainable one. Designers and manufacturers are making a point of using leftover fabric to create the small pieces of cloth that are required. You can upcycle a pair of torn jeans, bottoms or toppers by sewing on patches. If you’re an experienced quilter or knitter, you can make your own patchwork garment.

JUNYA WATANABE Patchwork Denim Parka Coat

Over to you. What are your thoughts on the patchwork trend?