What do you wear while visiting with friends over cocktails in a courtyard when ninety degrees at eight in the evening?
I chose a very lightweight knit tank dress and chiffon cascading vest from Covered Perfectly with minimal jewelry and sunglasses.
Metallic leather is considered neutral. I always enjoy wearing silver sandals since they bookend with my silver hair. (Bookending is repeating the same color at the top and the bottom to pull a look together.)
If I had worn black sandals, I would have looked even shorter. I attempt to make myself look taller and thinner by avoiding numerous horizontal color breaks.
This vest is one of the most versatile items I have ever owned. This evening it served as a light, elegant top layer. I would never feel comfortable wearing this tank dress on its own, but I do enjoy wearing it often as a first layer.
Filmy lightweight layers have been components of all my most comfortable looks this summer. They are soft, feminine, and elegant without making me feel even hotter.
The sunglasses are by Dolce and Gabbana. The silver and black earrings are several years old. The shoes are old by BCBGeneration.
A reader asked me this week why I don't show more new items on the blog. I rarely go shopping anymore, and I stopped accepting products to review because it became too overwhelming.
I hope that sharing how I put together my basics in different ways will help you build a wardrobe that serves you well no matter the price or number of pieces you own.
You look lovely as ever! I for one am happy that you show ways to put together chic outfits that don't involve buying everything new. And at 5'3", I love your tips on how to look taller! This is one fan whom you never disappoint!
ReplyDeleteIt would be fun, and a great help, if you would do a post showing 5 or 6 basic pieces that we could easily find, and all the different ways to put them together. You have a wonderful sense of style, and a great way of pulling together simple, elegant looks. Diane
ReplyDeleteLooks nice and cool. Love the vest.
ReplyDeleteLovely look! Would you be interested in taking one week and styling this black sheath 5 different ways?
ReplyDeleteI love the silver heels! Great idea to bookend with your hair. I personally love the not shopping much but re-using what's in your closet.
ReplyDelete90 degrees and you still manage to look fresh and lovely! It was 90 here yesterday and I locked myself in the air conditioned living room and refused to cook! I love black and silver on you. Black is stunning and the silver lends sophistication. The last time you spoke of bookending, I tried it with a pair of caramel heels, and I swear, it actually made me feel taller than my 5'4". I recently had my colors done by a different group than the first. It came out the same, warm tones and no black or silver. Can't do that because I love both. But I am looking forward to buying that cuff in gold.
ReplyDeleteGreat fit, look and combination-Paul
ReplyDeleteVery nice look; I like the almost sheer top layer a lot. It adds so much without adding warmth! It inspires me to look for something similar. And I appreciate that you don't show nonstop new items. For most of us, that isn't the reality of our lives. Neither my time budget nor my financial budget would allow for all that shopping! It's great to see your good ideas about how to combine what you have in different ways for different occasions. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteCan you show us other ways you wear that vest?
ReplyDeleteLove your blog! I too, would love to see a base piece every week and see how you change your look each day building on that base piece. Keep up the great work!
ReplyDeleteI just received this vest in the mail yesterday and I was surprised and how a simple piece is so well detailed. My first order from them with your discount. I would never have known about them if I hadn't found your blog! - Candice from Colorado
ReplyDeleteI just received this vest in the mail yesterday and I was surprised and how a simple piece is so well detailed. My first order from them with your discount. I would never have known about them if I hadn't found your blog! - Candice from Colorado
ReplyDeleteDon't change the way you do things, Susan. You are why people like me follow this blog. Keep it real. I enjoy seeing how many different ways that vest can be worn. You've shown it in the past as a scarf. It would be fun to see a retrospective of past best images.
ReplyDeleteYou don't look bothered at all by the heat, so this look is a success.
Susan, you look lovely and I bet this was a fun time for all! Amused me to read you try to make yourself look taller (you are 5'7")! What hope is there for we who are of petite stature - Yikes!! Miss seeing posts with your friends in them. Hope Rose is doing well.
ReplyDeleteHi. This is Rose. Our summer has been filled with softball, shopping and all things associated with a 14 year old high school freshman. Doesn't leave much room for socializing. Susan and I still keep in touch but it's mostly on Facebook. Sad isn't it when we live about 15 minutes apart.
DeleteSo elegant while staying cool. I love your style!I love bracelets now and wear my gray hair bouncy and proudly because of you. Thanks so much for your efforts!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for not accepting clothes to review! I can't afford the time and $$ for everything new either, but I have a lot of those those basics. I love your blog!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great look for warm weather! It was over 100 here yesterday. I did not manage to pull off a cool look! The bookending tip is very interesting! Will have to try that. I think getting our wardrobes to a point where we only have to shop to replace worn items or things that no longer fit properly is a goal for many of us. I appreciate seeing how to style a wardrobe of basic items. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYou look hot as a firecracker! You just can't beat the simplicity, clean and super sharp combo of black and white! And those heels are perfect to say the outing is a little more snappy than going to church. Love it!
ReplyDeleteWhat a killer outfit on you. It's really good that you show pieces you've owned for a while and obviously love in new and different ways; not many of us have the time to run to the mall always looking for something new. Your creative ways are always great to see. And I love, love, love the finished jewelry from your company - several of the bracelets have my name on them.
ReplyDeleteI'm going gray naturally and love your tip to wear the silver shoes to match your hair. I still have a ways to go before mine will be gray all over, but I will remember to do this down the road. Your outfit looks quite lovely.
ReplyDeleteI keep following you as I slowly unfollow other bloggers because you do not continually bombard us with newly reviewed pieces. Thank you for keeping looking good "real." Most of us can't afford to purchase new wardrobe items everyday. And, it is just not socially conscience to contribute to the planet's demise from over shopping. I love your look and this blog!
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