This post is for Team Subtle Black in Summer. That’s when you don’t wear large expanses of black in hot weather, like you might in cold weather. Instead you wear outfits with small black components and enjoy the looks just as much. Onto some outfit inspiration.

1. Black Top

Combining a summery black top made of breezy fabric that showcases skin with non-black bottoms is an easy way to incorporate subtle black into your style. Here, a lightweight and on trend boho-lite ruffled top is paired with ecru wide cropped jeans. Flat black thong sandals match the top and the model’s hair. A straw bag adds an earthy and casual touch.

More ways to wear summery black tops with and assortment of bottoms:

2. Patterned Dress

Wearing black in a pattern instead of a solid is a subtle way to go. Here, an earthy patterned dress with black components is the star of the show. Flat tan gladiator sandals pick up the tan in the pattern. A black bag with tan trim creates a perfectly matched finishing touch.

A few black and white dresses where the black in not the dominant colour:

3. Black Accents

Creating a summery outfit with black accents is the most subtle way to wear black. For example here, a pair of dark blue trendy denim jorts is combined with a breezy white boho-lite blouse. Black belt and clogs that match the model’s hair are the bits of black in the oufit. The silver earrings match the silver studs on the clogs. I see a black bag complete the look.

Two more outfits with bits of black:

4. Stripes

Black and white stripes, and gingham are more ways to wear bits of black in hot weather. Tops and dresses are an uncomplicated way to do that. The collection showcases ways to wear them with jeans, shorts, and white or tan bottoms. The dresses are an easy throw-on-and-go.

5. Black Dress

Last, an example of MORE than a bit of black. Summery black sleeveless dresses in lightweight fabrics can be easy and carefree to wear. Complete the look with metallic footwear, a bag to match, a bit of jewellery, and Bob’s your uncle. Here’s a dressier version with awesome gold boots. Add watch and eyewear as desired.

Feel free to substitute the black for navy or another dark if black is not for you.

Boyfriend jeans are straight leg jeans with a slightly relaxed yet streamlined silhouette. They taper at the ankles, roll at the hems, and have a mid rise. They are sometimes called girlfriend jeans. The collection shows examples of boyfriend jeans, which might look familiar. 

Boyfriend jeans were all the trend rage about fifteen years ago. Today they’ve taken a backseat in lieu of fashionably wide, slouchy, and more voluminous styles with higher rises. To my eye, streamlined boyfriend jeans are a classic with longevity. They are easy to wear and style if you enjoy a mid rise and a slim silhouette. Practical, casual tailoring, and fits a range of body types. They can be cinched in at the waist with a belt when your waist is narrower, or worn without a belt when your waist is wider.

I wore boyfriend jeans a lot when they were on trend years ago. I moved away favouring the next on trend style because I’m “trendy on the bottom”. That said, a couple of weeks ago, I went birthday shopping with hubs Greg, and a pair of boyfriend jeans tickled my fancy. They followed us home, and I’ve been wearing them quite a bit. I love them as a change from my wide legs, barrel silhouettes, and high waisted relaxed straights. Despite my preference for higher rises and wide leg silhouettes, relaxed straights with a mid rise in a boyfriend style like my Dre’s from Rag ’n Bone have my affection. When I roll the hems of my Levi’s 501’ which have a mid rise, they look like boyfriend jeans too. They are classics I’m glad to have back in my style. I vote YAY.

Over to you. Do you vote yay, nay, or maybe on classic boyfriend jeans?

A couple of months ago my big toes were very sore when I walked in shoes or slippers. The skin around the nail beds on the side closest to my second toes was a little inflamed. Bad news for my walking lifestyle. I made an appointment with the podiatrist, who was very helpful with his diagnosis and treatment.

It turns out that my second toes overlap and push up against my big toes when I stride, causing a significant amount of pressure on a small area of my big toe. So much so that it causes discomfort. The podiatrist suggested wearing toe separators with footwear, and soaking my feet in epsom salts at night.

Soaking my feet was easy, and it helped a little, but the pressure build-up in my shoes persisted, and so did the discomfort. I wasn’t keen on toe separators because my past experiences haven’t been good. But I felt I had little choice, so I began my search for toe separators that are subtle, discreet, and streamlined.

Eventually, I landed on the right toe separators for my feet. They even mention them as a way to offset toe overlap in the description. They are small, breathable, well designed pieces of foam that I insert between my big and second toe when wearing shoes. So one toe separator per foot. As soon as I used them, my big toes were relieved of pressure and the discomfort subsided. I was back to walking my fast walk in no time, and no more soaking in epsom salts. It’s remarkable how well they work. I’m impressed! I wear them daily, and in all pairs of shoes except in at-home supportive slippers and some pairs of sneakers.

I’ve gotten good at keeping the separators between my toes as I slide bare feet into shoes. They don’t slip off or move position. They stay put while I stride too. I suspect it will be easier in the colder months when I wear knee-highs with boots and loafers because the constriction of the knee-highs will hold the separators in place.

Maybe you have good experiences with toe separators too?

Unliked ditsy florals, spaced florals have larger flower motifs that are spaced widely apart. The background is often solid and is a larger component of the pattern. Some florals are more widely spaced than others. Sometimes the floral motifs are realistic, and sometimes more graphic and abstract. Some spaced florals are multicoloured while others have fewer colours. 

Personally, large spaced florals are my favourite type of floral pattern both in brights and neutrals. I like them in tops, pants, skirts, dresses (and for knitwear in Winter). Onto some outfit inspiration:

1. Dress

A gorgeous dressy spaced floral kaftan in tropical brights is the star of the show, and doesn’t need much else. A pair of metallic sandals and statement earrings complete the look. Add a metallic bag, or one in a colour that matches the pattern. Easy!

More summery spaced foral frocks:

2. Top

A fluid printed spaced floral tee in black, white and grey is worn over a pair of full length slouchy and wide white jeans. Flat black sandals match the tee, the sunnies, and the model’s hair. A grey and black tweed bag adds texture and a subtle form of pattern mix. Its black strap matches the sandals.

More summery spaced floral tops:

3. Pants

Floral pants are a festive way to mix things up for Summer. Here, an abstract spaced floral motif is combined with a swirly background design to create a maximal pattern in earthy greens, white, black, and a bit of blue. A seaweed green tee with eyelet sleeves is tucked into the floral pants. Ecru sneakers are the casual shoes of choice. A wicker bag in the shape of a shell adds a darling beachy touch.

More summery spaced foral pants:

4. Skirt

Last, a cinnamon midi skirt with a white, light blue, and navy spaced floral design is combined with a tucked white tank top. An oversized light blue shirt is layered over the tank and tied in front to shorten the length and create waist definition. The sleeves are rolled to showcase forearm skin. Flat cognac sandals dress down the shine of the skirt. The straw bag adds another relaxed touch. Add jewellery, eyewear, hat, and watch as desired.