WIW 9/28-10/1: Hot weather continues!

September is usually our hottest month here in So Cal, and this year has been no exception! So here are my hot-weather outfits for Monday through Thursday of this week!

1. This is one of my tried-and-true warm-weather favorites. Halogen print skirt, ancient Eileen Fisher silk tee, Olivia Moon linen blazer, Madden Girl navy pumps, Banana Republic white satchel. Everything is old but I still love it

2. I am happy every time I wear this white Zara skirt because Angie helped me pick it out when she visited Pasadena a couple of years ago! Teamed it with Calvin Klein navy linen polka-dot blouse, Olivia Moon coral blazer, same pumps and bag.

3. I wore this to lead the opening song at my Rotary Club meeting on Wednesday and I liked the bold pattern mixing. Halogen skirt, Lands End striped top, another Olivia Moon linen blazer, T.U.K t-strap pumps, Banana Republic satchel, H&M pendant.

4. I was really happy with this outfit, which took me from the office to a dinner-and-theatre date with a friend. (We saw The Sound of Music and it was unexpectedly terrific!) Nic + Zoe leopard skirt, Eliza J blazer, Jones New York silk tee, Ann Taylor pumps, Coccinelle bag, Target studded belt. The shoes and bag in this outfit are the only new-this-season things I've worn all week!

As always, I appreciate your looking and your honest feedback!

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Ann Taylor

Sophie Colorblock Leather Kitten Heels

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Nordstrom

Olivia Moon Three Quarter Sleeve Linen Blazer (Regular & Petite)

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Nordstrom

Olivia Moon Three Quarter Sleeve Linen Blazer (Regular & Petite)

$79.00 $47.40

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Nordstrom

Olivia Moon Three Quarter Sleeve Linen Blazer (Regular & Petite)

$79.00 $47.40

Sale

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Lands' End

Women's Stripe Crewneck Swim Tee Rash Guard from Lands' End

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9 years ago

Carole

Veteran

A great week, Mary you look fantastic each day...I'm feeling extra love for the fun pattern mixing in 3!

Janet

(website)

Impossible to choose one that's best! You always look so impeccable, Mary.

I'll try to send some of this rain and cool we're having your way, but it's a long haul!

catgirl

How do you make a formula look so un-formulaic? It's all that pattern and color. Incredible!

Ginger

Whoa, I love the rash-guard-as-tee in #3! These are all terrific, great use of your formula with lots of color.

MsMary

Aw, thanks, ladies!

Una, you make a great point! Outfits 1 and 3 and literally the exact same outfit (same blazer, same skirt, same bag in different colors, and a tee) but the different prints and colors make them look completely different.

Stephanie

Active Member

I second alaskagirl - you make this formula look so different and fun in every outfit. I love your use of color and pattern, and it's nice to have inspiration from someone else in a warm climate. I need to inject more patterns into my work wardrobe. Outfit #3 is amazing!

JAileen

I love 1 and 3, especially 3, with stripes and flowers, and the pop of red.

We finally cooled off and got some rain. Last night I had to put on a fleece vest and sweats. It was glorious, after months in the 90s. I hope you get some relief soon.

Anonymous

"The hills are alive...with the sound of music!... (sorry couldn't resist)

Four Mary outfits, what a treat! I really love the colours in your skirt in #1 and it looks fresh with the light bag and minty/blue top. Love the boldness of the orange, black and white in #2. Fab monochrome print mixing in #3 and I love me a bit of animal print as in #4. YLF!

Maneera

I am always amazed at how versatile your 'formula' looks. I think it's all that colour and pattern play! I love that you wear the same silhouette over and over and yet it never looks the same!

One of my goals this month is to come up with some formulas. I'm so going to copy you, Mary! You look fab in EVERYTHING YOU WEAR, honestly.

AviaMariah

#3! Love me some b&w pattern mixing! And your shirt is a rash guard. Who would have though.

abc

Can't pick a fave between 3 and 4. Love the mixing on 3, and the bold blue of #4. As usual you are my icon.

So here's a question, because you've triggered some thoughts for me. Does each day feel like a different outfit to you? Or does it feel like you're wearing a uniform, in a good way?

Because instead of varying my FFBO silhouettes and trying to find new ones like culottes, I'm realizing I could focus more on variation WITHIN my current silhouettes (like more pattern!).

Spill it!

Great question, Una. It feels...definitely easy, so in that sense I'd say uniform-in-a-good-way. But it also feels like a different outfit every day because I have all the pieces in all the colors, which I love. I have that Olivia Moon linen blazer in four or five colors and the Halogen skirt (and BR ankle pants) in a bunch of colors and patterns, and identical or similar shoes and bags in every color, so at this point it's all really simple without being boring.

I feel like I put in a lot of work for several years and now I'm able to coast a lot more.

Nebraskim

Good question and good answer. My style is a less spectacular variation of yours, Mary. Pencil skirt, top and jacket made fresh with lots of color and pattern within the same basic shapes and silhouettes. I feel it's not routine nor formulaic because of the color and pattern variations. I would get bored with same black skirt, white shirt and blazer though. Mary has a deep enough closet and veers off the formula enough to maintain a really interesting wardrobe. Plus you're always particular about fit. Your hard work makes things look effortless. Which is the holy grail for many.

Joy

Wonderful outfits and formula. The fabulous white skirt throws a different shape into the mix as does the longer blazer in the last photo. How do you like the longer jacket length? Do you have to work harder with proportions?

Aida

Mary's Magical Wardrobe strikes again All fab as per usual, but I am particularly fond of #3 (moody floral+bright white=perfectly warm weather fall) and #4 (SO fun to see that longline blazer with your otherwise usual proportions).

Also enjoyed reading your answer to Una's question, very interesting. Different within the formula's constraints. It's just a matter of figuring out what constitutes as something "different" in each of our cases.

You all are so kind! Really I felt like this was a pretty ordinary week and you are making me feel great about it!

Joy, I love the longer blazer. I am looking for more of them to mix things up a bit more! To my eye the longer length looks fresher these days so it's easier rather than harder!

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