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I'm the person who wears the same thing virtually every day, as you know. And I wear things til they fall apart. We have a small closet and I don't really hoard clothes like I do lamps. But I update my wardrobe because I like fashion, and even jeans from 2 years ago can be stylistically dated. As I was packing for a trip this weekend I realized that I needed some summer basics so I went shopping and when I put them all together I was like – hey, this is my own summer "capsule collection", and to justify the amount of time I spent shopping, trying on and returning clothes, I was like you bet Imma blog about it. So here we go, my 2017 Summer wardrobe.
Most of these clothes are casual, all are comfortable, some are splurges and some are affordable. And while I don't have some work event clothes or more business-y clothes in the mix, I suppose that is because we really don't dress up too much here during the summer in our field. So everything here I would wear on prep days, but maybe for important meetings or networking events I would step it up a bit.
Bandana | Blouse | Shorts | Shoes
First up – The shorts that just get better and better. I've blogged about them before and a lot of you have purchased and commented how much you love them as well. I love them as much on day 1 as on day 5. The shoes are my new summer Comey's. I had them last summer and I wore them EVERY SINGLE DAY. They give me 2 inches, but are super, super comfortable. They are flattering (because they are nude) and I can wear them with literally any outfit. I lost one of them in the move, and as summer approached I tried on SO MANY more affordable options (I really liked these, but they were slightly higher, so less versatile) but ultimately these are my shoes. They are a splurge, but I'll wear them til they fall apart (which hopefully isn't til at least summer of 2019)
The blouse is from Doen and it's a thick white cotton that has cute gathering at the shoulder, and pretty ties that hang on the sleeves. Super versatile and just a great every day shirt. I can't do white silk or anything too precious, but this one feels like it might stand up to life with toddlers. The bandana is from Madewell, and here's my pitch for these – they are so affordable and unlike jewelry they don't get lost or tangled. I can't travel with jewelry, I just throw it in a purse the second it gets annoying then it's gone forever. These scarves dress up an outfit but also are super practical for a summer traveling with kids.
Sunglasses | Button Down Shirt | Jacket | Jeans | Shoes
I don't wear sunglasses, until now. I felt like I couldn't really see with them (which is why I wear a lot of hats) but a friend of mine convinced me that I was just buying the wrong ones for my face and that I needed to buy Ray Ban aviators – but a very specific style and size. So I did and I LOVE them. The key is getting 'small' which is weird because I have a big face. At first I ordered the normal ones and she was like WHAT ARE YOU DOING I TOLD YOU TO GET SMALL. So I returned them and got these and I love them. Am I worried about a child breaking them? No. My kids don't handle or break anything that's not theirs. HAHAHA. Wish us luck.
The jacket is on sale for $79 right now and it's awesome. I bought it in denim too. It's the WAY less expensive version of The Great's jacket and it's actually has more structure. You can see but it is A-shaped and swingy.
The shirt is a very easy breezy cotton shirt that comes out of the dryer in good shape (that means something to me as I refuse to iron clothes – especially on vacation). It has fitted arms but it's flowy around the middle – a cut that I'm SUPER into. The jeans are my white Madewells. FYI they don't stain easily at all (probably because they are denim and not cotton). I've worn them 50 times and they are still looking brand new.
Hat (similar) | T-Shirt | Pants | Sandals
Here's a secret I'm giving you folks – that T-shirt (which looks kinda schlubby, but isn't in person) is $7 and it's super soft and doesn't really wrinkle. They come very oversized (I'm an XS in this shirt) so if you are teeny this might not work for you, but I love the cut so much. And the price. I'm not selling it well in that shot, but trust me that the sleeves are a cute bell, and it's slightly fitted without being tight.
The pants are from Target and are soooooo cute. And no, I have no obligation ever to wear Target clothes, but when I'm shopping for home you know I hit up that section, too. The hat I purchased last year at Lost and Found in LA and while I do love it, it is starting to fall apart so I hesitate to recommend it. I need a hat to really last if it's going to be expensive, which is why I love the Equal Uprise hats, I feel like they keep their shape for a long time. They need to make a straw hat!
Those flip flops are so cute, simple and nude (if you can't tell I find nude shoes very flattering as it makes your legs look longer IMHO).
Top | Overalls | Mules
My first pair of overalls!!! I wanted to be a part of this trend, I did, but I had to kiss a LOT of frogs to find these. There are so many unflattering ones out there. These are the vintage boyfriend version from Urban and they are universally loved. My friends love them, Charlie loves them. And guess what? BRIAN HENDERSON LOVES THEM. Of course he wants me to wear a tiny little tight cropped top that exposes my side belly underneath and I'm like who do you think I am? Brittany Spears? But his enthusiasm led me to order a bodysuit instead thinking that it would be a good compromise, but the one I got was way too 90's and just a little too revealing for me. It's just not me. I get that wearing something more fitted would be cute and perhaps let him live out some sort of 90's nostalgic fantasy. I'll look around for something, meanwhile I still like that simple striped shirt I've had forever underneath it.
When I came out for this shoot I said 'look, even with a striped shirt it's good!' and he said, and I quote, 'it's cute … for gardening'. I get it. Sara and I disagreed. The shoes are leather mules from Free People and at first I was going to return them, not because I don't love them, but because I don't need another pair of mules, but then I realized I actually did and that these were sooooo cute.
Top | Shorts | Sandals
Now to one of my favorite tops, from Tibi which is on sale right now (for $200 which I realize is still EXTREMELY expensive, but I've worn it probably 15 times in the last 2 months and it's originally a lot more). It's great for the days that I want to look pulled together, but still feel super comfortable – which is I guess every day. I've worn it to night time events with a skirt or dressy shorts. It's also a go-to with these shorts or the Madewell white jeans. It just has such a pretty drape and is really architectural.
The shorts are Levi's from Urban, and they are just a great fit, decent price, and I've gotten PLENTY of disgusting dirt on them, but they stay bright white (cotton shorts don't do that normally).
I was trying to find a more dressy version of my Comey sandals, something with a higher heel, and I found these, above, and love them.
Hat | Shirtdress | Sandals
Every lady needs a deconstructed chambray dress for summer. I secretly even like this one more than the one I got 3 months ago that was way more expensive. Just so easy to wear. Comey shoes – you get it, I love them.
(Also was I the only one googling 'is Rachel Comey related to James Comey' during his testimony? I have NO idea why I thought that would be such a fun relationship…)
Hat | Jumpsuit
Ok. This will be controversial, and for good reason. I bought this jumpsuit in Minneapolis and for some reason felt like it was a once in a lifetime opportunity. It was extremely expensive, $450 but I got 30% off, so thats like $370, right? Still RIDICULOUS. But I couldn't NOT get it!!! I was there on a Target trip and was like – YOU WORK SO HARD AND YOU'VE NEVER FOUND A GAS STATION ATTENDANT SUIT THAT YOU'VE ACTUALLY LIKED AND BOUGHT BEFORE. THIS IS YOUR MOMENT. THIS IS IT!!!!!!! And I do NOT regret it. I know it's not for everyone and you can bet that Brian isn't exactly begging me to wear it on date nights, but every single other person in the world loves it and asks about it (although maybe they are just asking because they got caught staring and then had to say something nice…). I wear it traveling all the time, and because of the drop crotch (like super drop) when I sit down it doesn't bunch up in the crotch area (which I found with many others that I had tried – again a lot of frogs, folks…). I've linked up a much cuter one in the 'get the look' board below that would probably not be so flattering on me, but it's way more affordable.
Also another pair of Rachel Comeys that I bought 6 months ago. Let me tell you – Emily Henderson is NOT a shoe person and I don't go around buying 12 pairs of $400 shoes a season, I promise. I literally wear the same 4 shoes most of the year, and my closet boasts maybe 10 pairs of shoes total. But this designer has my heart (and my wallet). And no, I don't get a single pair free or even with a discount. I've tried and no one emails me back, I am just a solid supporter of them for all the reasons above.
Bandana | Stripe Tee (similar) | Jean | Shoes
Ok, now for a less 'expensive hipster mechanic' look, we have some Levi's, and a $20 Top shop shirt (that has a really cute distressed neckline). You may remember that I insta-storied these jeans a while ago. I LOVED them but then 6 hours later they were so tight that they were painful. Turns out I had bought a pair that was simply too small, and they were more 'morning' jeans and less 'I just put a morsel of food into my stomach' jeans. No room for food, folks. I wore them all day so I can't return them, sadly, but then I kept wearing them – just not to work where I have to sit down (because they are more 'standing pants' than sitting pants … geez I'm REALLY not selling these things). They have indeed gotten looser and while I tried to buy a bigger size, they didn't have it at my local Urban. FYI, if you haven't gotten the point yet, these run small and tight. I bought a 28 and definitely needed a 29. But I still love them!!!!!!! And I get compliments every time I wear them, not because they are flattering but because they are 'cool'. They are the jeans that 28 year-olds wear. I'm VERY hip. They don't look as cool up there as they are … Also I forgot to say they are called 'Wedgie' style so yah, MAYBE they are supposed to be tight, you idiot (talking to me, not you).
These cute Madewell mules are the shoes that I keep at the back door to for every time I head out to the patio. They come in a cute pink color, too.
Hat | Top | Shorts | Sneakers
Talk about mixing high and low. That top, which I bought for the House Beautiful shoot from Ulla Johnson ain't cheap, but it's with Target shorts that SECRETLY feel like jeggings. I mean, they are denim but so, so comfortable. The perfect 'take your toddlers to the park' shorts because they aren't super short, and have so much stretch that you can really play and run.
The shoes are one of my 3 Dr. Scholls that I love. These are pink suede and have an inch in height which I obviously love.
On to swimwear. Sit down for this one because I'll probably blab for a while.
(Left to right) Blush One Piece | Navy One Piece | Rose One Piece | Floral One Piece | Tan & White One Piece
I historically don't 'do' swimwear. I've had the same one-piece since before Charlie – one that I didn't feel or look particularly good in, but it was modest and cute. But a good friend of mine knows about swimwear and every year she gets super excited to buy her favorite brands – brands that she feels confidant are more flattering than your average one (she worked in that industry for a while so she was exposed to higher end brands that I had NEVER heard of). I went over to her house and tried on all her swimwear and I couldn't believe the difference it made. I mean, of course more expensive things generally are higher quality and more flattering, but I was shocked at how instantly I felt more confidant, where I normally don't exactly look forward to donning a suit around friends. So what was it about those suits that was so much better? They are thicker (often double layered), so they keep you in more and show less bits and baubles. And they are cut to look more flattering. They are also way more cheeky – meaning less full coverage in the butt. I'm not talking thongs, folks, but just not full coverage. I resisted this at first, but after trying hers on I realized she was right. It's not inappropriate in my opinion, it's just more flattering. This particular friend convinced me that regardless of what your butt looks like, it's sexier and more flattering if you don't cover it all up.
So above are the ones that I either bought or tried on of hers. The Blush One Piece is JUST for getaways with Brian (it's a lot of side boob and while he wouldn't let me return it, he also said that I wasn't allowed to wear it in front of his friends ;)). The other three are both family/grandparent friendly and yet SOOO much more flattering than the suits I used to have. I didn't buy the floral one but I REALLY want to, I've just surpassed my budget on swimwear. Cliff notes version: I now love the brands Acacia, Kore Swim, and Boys and Arrows.
Acacia sells out pretty quickly but they last for years (I tried on my friends high waisted cheeky bottoms, too, that were SO cute. I do wish that more one-pieces had more boob-support, but I care way less than I thought I would and the above ones are so cute. Oh and the navy blue one is reversible so you can put the zipper in the front which can make it a bit sexier. I was going to do a full post about swimsuits because I tried on SO MANY and learned so much about all these new brands, but the bummer is that you can't really go anywhere to try these on, so you have to order and return SOOO many before you find the ones that are flattering and comfortable (and appropriate for whatever occasion you are going for). Plus every body is different so me doing a post felt kinda weird.
I will say that now that I'm older and have more happening on my body, what with the two pregnancies and subsequent nursing, I found that splurging on one more higher end swimsuits, by a swimwear brand who design for active women, using thicker, higher quality material is worth it to me. So those are the ones that I love and for the first time in YEARS, I'm actually not secretly avoiding the summer pool party.
Sara just bought a few from And Other Stories and LOVED them, and they are way more affordable so give them a whirl, too (I'm over my swimsuit budget, but I'm going to try hers on). Any suit suggestions are welcome in the comments because I know that it's a tricky one for most of us ladies. And no, I'm not body shaming myself, I'm just being transparent about the challenges of wearing tiny spandex in front of your friends and strangers, if you aren't a swimsuit model. 🙂
WOAH. That was a lot of information to digest. So that is what is happening in my closet and suitcase this summer. We rounded it all up in one product board for easy shopping so if you are into it, here you go:
1. O'Keeffe Top | 2. Blue Bandana | 3. Denim Shorts | 4. Rachel Comey Tulip Sandals | 5. Flat Top Straw Hat | 6. Stripe-Mix Shirt Dress | 7. Wynne Sandal | 8. Leather Backpack | 9. Sunglasses | 10. Avocado Straw Hat | 11. Marine Iliana Top | 12. Denim Bermuda Shorts | 13. The Elinor Loafer Mule | 14. Sophia One Piece Swimsuit | 15. Tibi Seersucker Trapeze Top | 16. White Cropped Wide Leg Pants | 17. Majorca Sandal | 18. Eyes on Me One Piece | 19. Roll Cuff Stripe Tee | 20. Ryder Boyfriend Overall | 21. Avocado Straw Hat | 22. Hallie Flat | 23. Striped Twill Button Down Shirt | 24. Levis Wedgie High Rise Jean | 25. Wander Lace Up Block Heel Mules | 26. Denim Army Jacket | 27. The Transport Crossbody | 28. Cevza Jumpsuit ( here's a similar denim jumpsuit, without sleeves for warmer weather) | 29. Lulla Heel | 30. Avocado Straw Hat | 31. Denim Drop Hem Shirtdress | 32.Yellow Bandana | 33. Back News Beck One Piece | 34. Courier Shirt | 35. White Jeans | 36. Blakely Slip On Sneaker | 37. Navy T-Shirt | 38. Packable Straw Fedora | 39. White Frayed Denim Short | 40. Foundations Flip Flop | 41. Cropped Army Jacket | 42. Striped Boatneck T-Shirt | 43. Ehukai Mesh Full Piece
*Nothing was gifted EXCEPT for the Doen top and the Equal Uprise hats, which were sent with no promise of coverage, but I love them very much. While it sounds like I'm a spokesperson for Madewell and Rachel Comey, I sure wish I were, but I'm not 🙂 Everything was collected over the last several months. If you have any really good summer basics tell us in the comments!!
Update: Loved my 2017 picks? Then you'll ABSOLUTELY 100% love my 2018 fashion picks (because they are VERY similar…what can I say, I have a "style"). Check out that post here.
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Source: https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/blog/my-summer-wardrobe