This entire post is a testament to one of my favorite design principles for the more “risk-averse” (me!). Here it is: Start with something simple and classic, then make it fun and interesting with style. Now I’m no fashion stylist, and sometimes I like to dress it up when I go out, but as a lover of mostly casual, comfortable attire, I have to dress things up to make sure I don’t look like I’m wearing pajamas in public. Once you see my tricks, you’ll see that it’s really formulaic (in a way that makes our lives easier, hopefully).
Styling Casual Outfits: Curating Accessories Elevate Baggy
linen shorts | linen shirt | Target Bag (in-store only) | scarf | Huaraches | raffia cowboy hat | necklace
The pre-styled version could definitely be a point of shame, but with some styling, she looks totally respectable! I don’t necessarily try to “top” things up, as a lot of this may not actually be possible. But by arranging things a certain way on my body and adding the right other things (shoes, scarf, jewelry, hat), it looks like a dress, not like a schlubby pajama set. I did not intend to match the hat, bag, etc. flatsBut I think by doing that, it pulls together all the looseness of the shirt and shorts. It should be noted that I was told by my sister over the weekend that the French tuck is “out”, but I still like it here. and while that scarf There’s no real functional purpose on the bag, the darker tones and hit of pattern give it a bit of an edge – less Martha overall. a floppy hat And a beaded layered necklace Definitely help.
Styling casual wear: always a hit in black and white
cotton shorts | short top | cotton cardigan | sneakers | knit cap | crochet bag
On the left – straight out of the bedroom. On the right, she’s a little coo-coo (that smile, oops!), but definitely a respectable lady who can hit the farmers’ market without any embarrassment. I love a hit of black and white in almost every outfit (and room), and that bag And samba Embrace the “get out of bed” feeling and make it clear that you care equally about comfort and style.
Styling Casual Outfits: Matching Sets – Pajamas or a Deliberate Dress??
top | shorts | belt bag | leopard sandals | sunglasses | necklace
Now, when I wore this extremely comfortable mesh set for the first time, I said, “I mean, sure, it’s super soft and doesn’t cut up, but it’s 100% pajamas.” My team disagreed and forced me to try styling it. And then after doing that, I was like, “Hey! Team! I can go out in public wearing pajamas!!” By adding a millennial-lover belt bag, leopard sandals, sunglassesAnd the layered necklace (with half-tuck), it looks casual with intention.
top | shorts | sandals | bag | necklace
Well, I have returned this set, but that’s because the seersucker was too boxy for me (no drape) and the shorts were cut at the waist, which is unbearable for me. But it’s a good reminder that a set can look like an outfit with some styling.
Styling Casual Outfits: Elevating Striped Linen Bottoms
Cap | button down | shorts | necklace | Target Bag (in-store only) | Shoes
I just realized I followed the exact same formula for this outfit as #1 (minus the scarf, but that could have been prettier). different hat, dark shortsand strangely different linen shirt (The pocket one is from J.Crew; this one is from Quince – both very good, the J.Crew one is 10% better, and double that). Would 100% take this with me on our family vacation in CA (where I am now :))
Cap | button down shirt | pants | sandals | bandana | sunglasses
proof that your favorite cheap shirt And favorite shiny pants You don’t necessarily make a good “outfit” unless you style and accessorize correctly (both so breathable, lightweight, comfortable, good to sit on and wear, etc.). but add a bandana And Cap, sunglasses And sandalsAnd a tuck, and you can wear anything, anywhere.
Cap | shorts | linen shirt | necklace | bag | sandals
You’ve gotten this far 🙂 Boyfriend pajamas, add cute things, then the dress. Honestly, I didn’t even intend to post this like this. But once we saw all the pre-style and post-style shots, I realized I clearly had a way of styling basic clothes, and it was fun to see the before and after.
Styling Casual Outfits: Adding Structure to Fun Flowy Shorts
shirt | shorts | denim button up (same) Shoes | sunglasses | bandana
these shorts Astonished me – 100% bloomers. And t-shirt It didn’t have great proportions (I know it’s in, but doesn’t look good on women with larger breasts, IMHO – something should be shorter or shorter). But once I tucked, wrapped and rolled, it all worked!! Now I love the t-shirt (the graphics and colorways are amazing), and adding van Gave that pop of black and white that I love.
Cap | button down shirt (Similar to a ruffle collar) shorts | sandals | bag | necklace | sunglasses
This was an outfit I copied this weekend. It’s not doing anything special, but it’s 100% comfortable, I feel cute, and I can wear it almost anywhere. silk shorts Are very fine (and have more structure than silk; they’re thick in a good way). By the way, I’m wearing a medium in shorts. and I love that hat (Going to a wooded farm this summer, so I’m bringing that hat).
bandana | jacket | shirt | shorts | bag | sandals
these target shorts They are the foundation of the outfit due to the black and white pattern, but still give that “boxer shorts” look. but once i put That Mustard Linen Jacket (it’s my favorite) and scarf (That’s a triangle, not a perfect square) and a pop of redThis totally looks like a respectable “out of the house” attire.
Here are a few more that I haven’t come across before, but the style appealed to me and falls into the same pattern as above:
Left: bandana | cardigan | shirt | shorts | belt | sandals | bag | sunglasses | necklace | Correct: linen jacket | long sleeve t-shirt | Jean shorts | Shoes
I mostly tend to wear jeans shorts and t-shirts, but I think both of these outfits show that shoes, belts, scarves, and layers make a difference. If I were one of those weird people who stuck pictures of your styled-out outfits to your closet door, these would be two summer outfits I’d want to wear over and over again when I go out. I feel beautiful, stylish, comfortable, and like me in these (and totally PNW appropriate, no heels and very casual).
Sweater | jeans | belt | bag | sandals
A reminder that you can style a tonal outfit with some pop – patterned sandals, a belt, bagAnd bran. Since I bought this dress, I have been wearing it a lot even on less hot days. Nothing special, but it sounds like me and is easy/comfortable.
So I thought I’d round up some of my favorite accessories so you can see them for yourself:
1. Packable Wide Brim Ecuador Hat | 2. Coney Island Picnic Sardine Trucker Hat | 3. Blanket-Stitch Lantern Hat | 4. Trucker Hat *Claire V. Collab | 5. Brixton Harmony Packable Bucket Hat | 6. Raffia Wide-brim Cowboy Hat
1. Beach Day Jelly Sandals | 2. new balance 471 sneakers | 3. brit ballet flats | 4. Teva Original Universal Slim Sandal | 5. Water | 6. Nike Pacific Premium
1. Madewell x Shopbop Oversized Bandana | 2. satin hair scarf (Set of 2) | 3. Organic Cotton Eyelet Bandana | 4. medium silk bandana | 5. Goldie Cashmere Blend Triangle Scarves | 6. Two-tone printed hair scarf
1. Madewell x Shopbop Oversized Wood Beaded Choker Necklace | 2. fish charm necklace (Set of 2) | 3. mixed bead pearl necklace | 4. Madewell x Shopbop Beaded Shell Necklace Set | 5. le stripe pearl necklace | 6. Colorblock Beaded Pendant Necklace
1. Italian Suede Bucket Crossbody | 2. Small Handknotted Straw Tote | 3. Love Knot Raffia Buckle Slouchy Bag | 4. Lexington Small Tote | 5. sonia hat bag | 6. midi sack
Enjoy your weekend, and may you feel more confident in your comfortable clothes 🙂 xx
*by photos Caitlin Green
