Trendless Summer Dressing Inspo from the Trendiest Fashion Lovers
I gave a few of my favorite writers a bit of homework and they actually obliged!!
Oh hello! Here is the promised part two from last week!
While writing my last newsletter about finding new ways to style what I already had in my wardrobe (i.e. skirts), I started wondering what other style-driven women were doing with theirs. So I did what any curious (perhaps nosy?) person would do and I asked them. Specifically, I reached out to a few women whose way of pairing pieces I really admire and asked them to share an image they’d seen online that inspired them to rework their own closets.
The results? Very chic. Very good. Lots of white. Lots of trousers. And a joyful splash of color. I wanted to share this round of styling ideas in case it sparks something new as you look at your own wardrobe with fresh eyes. This is a long one, so definitely read using the link or on the app!1
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I came across this outfit on Pinterest and immediately pinned it due to its perfectly undone Parisian feel, the rich earth-tone sweater, the effortless denim, and the subtle but intentional accessories. It’s the kind of look that’s simple at first glance but full of little details that make it feel polished. From an afternoon of errands to dinner and drinks with friends, this outfit transitions to easily without needing to change a thing.
To recreate this outfit, I started with my favorite white Tee from Buck Mason. I borrowed my husband’s forest green J.Crew crewneck sweater (way too old to link), paired it with my go-to AGOLDE medium wash jeans, added my Sam Edelman loafers, threw on my Garrett Leight sunglasses, and finished it off with my Rosefield watch, gold earrings, my rings and necklace.
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I’m a sucker for a monochromatic outfit but I was drawn to this image because of the pops of colors. Anytime I’m looking at an inspirational image I’m, obviously, weighing it against what is already in my closet and I knew I had red ballet flats and ecru denim. But I also think it’s key to iterate on the outfit you see until you land on something that actually feels right for you. I started with a more literal translation in a U-neck, like the photo, and red flats. I changed for a white tee (I love ecru and white paired together). And since I didn’t want a heavy knit on my shoulders as the weather warms up so I swapped for a red long-sleeve tee and blue shoes instead. I also love the idea of the red flats with a grey long-sleeve tee I had so I might try that. The reason I love a monochromatic outfit is that the topping options feel limitless!
| Mom Friend
Ok let me start with a confession. I don’t use Pinterest all that much for outfit inspiration. I tend to use it for fantasy vacation planning, interior design inspiration, and mindless scrolling. My feed is scattered with great outfits, but I generally breeze past them, eyes glazed over, preferring to get my style inspiration from the streets of New York City. I also usually gravitate towards my own version of uniform dressing, and wear a variation of the same thing most days; so frankly, I never feel like I need that much styling guidance - especially in this season of my life. I’m a toddler mom working essentially three jobs and running around Brooklyn/New York City all the time. I go for easy outfits, washable fabrics, and comfortable shoes most days.
Which leads me to part two of this, in which I admit I’ve been lusting after this very impractical, all white fit from Donni I found on Pinterest. It’s so good! Now, to be clear, I would have to relegate this to an office or meetings day in which I am not chasing a dirty toddler around a playground. But I can’t resist a white on white look every now and then.
I’ve been into the sheer skirt trend for a while now, and ended up buying a J Crew version on super deep discount earlier this year (it doesn’t seem to be available anymore, but here’s a similar one). I still haven’t worn it, but to recreate this look I’d pair that with my favorite white COS Clean Cut Tee and my GH Bass Whitney Weejun loafers. Unfortunately, it’s been too cold and rainy to test it out this week, but hopefully we’ll get summer here soon!
| Essential Reads
I’ve had this photo of Kendall Jenner saved under my spring/summer style inspo for a while. I loved it because it seemed so simple to recreate—almost everyone has white basics, and I like how she used a black sweater tied around her waist, instead of a belt, to break up the monochrome look.
Even though I was inspired by her outfit, her pieces felt a bit more elevated and I wanted to make small tweaks to keep it casual and work for my lifestyle. So, I chose a ribbed tank, loose, straight-leg jeans that I cuffed at the bottom, and leather slippers for shoes. I have a feeling I’m going to be living in this look on weekends in the summer, going to brunch with family, the farmer’s market, bbqs, etc. To make it even more casual, I’d simply swap the basket bag for a sling bag, and I’d wear this to run errands and do school drop-off/pick-up.
| The Essential List
I’m currently pregnant and almost in my 3rd trimester so I’m really not buying any clothes right now, but I am leaning into accessories that can make wearing the same bump-friendly outfits over and over again feel a little more interesting. In late March, I saw this Instagram carousel of Monica de La Villardière. It’s about the bags, but all I could see was the shoes. I have held off on buying Adidas sneakers until now, but this color combo is so fun—bright red with pink stripes and laces—that I finally bit the bullet and gave into the craze. They look great with white denim, which is a favorite thing to wear this time of year, so I have been wearing them with these white overalls I got to satisfy the look while I’m pregnant.
| No One Asked, But
Okay so at a first glance, this might feel super obvious, but when I saw this instagram ad of a Doen dress (not my dress, different pattern + style)! it was a little unlock moment. I loved the combo of the carnelian beads with the blue dress, and the chartreuse shoes. Sometimes my patterned dressed, as much as I love them, feel like a full outfit repeat (which I have nothing against, btw!) versus finding ways for each wear to feel unique. I love a blue dress, especially a blue and white dress, and I could have looked at this picture and thought -- I want this dress! and, instead, I looked at it and thought -- wait a second, my dress can feel totally different if I wear it with these things. I typically style this dress either with an oversized jacket and sneakers or a casual shoe, or with a strappy sandal for a night out.
| Nan’s Notebook
As I think about getting dressed for the spring and summer months, I’m excited to transition out of wearing jeans daily and wear more loose-fitting, casual linen pants.
Here is my idea of a perfect early summer outfit that I found in one of my saved Instagram folders. I’m not sure I’ll ever look this effortlessly chic as this gal, but I’m certainly happy to try.
Additionally, the good news is this outfit is made of classic basics (as all great outfits are), so I should already have most of these pieces in my closet!
I would remake this look with:
Olina Linen Pants from Reformation - these are my go-to linen pants. I have worn them on beach locations or out and about in New York City, they just work for anything. They also come in plus size which I appreciate it. I sized up one size from my normal size for a slightly slouchier fit.
*The other linen pant I own and love is this version from J.Crew. I just happen to own these in Navy and the Reformation pair in white. It’s hard to say which style is better, but I can say that the Reformation pair is a touch thicker and crisper, while the J.Crew pair is a bit thinner.
The Modern Long from Kule in Cream/Navy Stripe - a perfect striped long-sleeved! I size up one size in this, so it’s a bit boxier/looser, my true size is more fitted.
Demi Ballet Flat from Margaux - I swear by these ballet flats, I own them in multiple colorways. They are the only ballet flats I have found that are comfortable enough to wear for hours on end while walking countless steps.
I don’t have a bag just like the leather woven bag in the image, but I think this basket bag I have might do the trick!
I love the little bit of a chunky silver earring you can see through her hair…I do not have anything like this, sadly! So perhaps I will just wear this more dainty silver earring that I own (mine is size medium.)
My hair could never look so effortlessly chic but I do think if I add this Air Dry Moose to my hair, it might get me a touch closer to this look.
You can’t really see her makeup but I love the little pop of a pink yet natural lip, it makes me think of this lip tint (shade: Je Taime) that I own. So I think I would forgo much makeup and just swipe this on my lips.
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I am always looking for interesting ideas and ways to wear pieces I already own, so when I came across this image of this woman wearing this long navy coat, I knew it was going to be an immediate recreate! This past Spring I bought this navy coat from Donni thanks to its super lightweight (in SoCal it never gets too cold) and I had my eye out for fun ways to style it. I'm currently verrrrrry into an untucked shirt (more on this to come soon!) and so everything about this look spoke to me. I did add a few personal touches - the necklace, bc I love jewelry and also for a bit of color, as well as swapping out the loafers for sandals to make it just a wee bit less preppy. This is exactly the kind of outfit I might wear on the weekends with the kiddos or just on a more casual day at work -- comfortable, easy but still pulled together--my perpetual goal!
A big thank you to everyone who shared their style inspo with me:
, , , , , , , and . I loved seeing how different images sparked different ideas, and frankly, you all made me want to be cooler, chicer, and better at wearing white pants (but only with a Tide pen in tow). Your excellent taste carried this newsletter, and I’m just the lucky one who got to press send.You can also read my take on my summer style inspo here:
There are a few affiliate links used in this newsletter which means the person who provided the link may get a small commission if you buy something (at no cost to you).
So many of my favorite dressers BUT also, new discoveries, cannot wait to read more from Kelsey and Laura. I'm THRILLED to see me, Jennifer, Maria and Laura in very white ensembles!!
Laura, may I ask about what size you got in those overalls? I am 19 weeks tomorrow and my pre-pregnancy overalls are getting too snug!