Blues Traveler.

(1. Zara Heels; 2. Modcloth Dress; 3. Topshop Earrings; 4. Buckle Bracelet; 5. Asos bag – now on sale!)

The end of a 3 day weekend is certainly eased by the fact that we are now (unofficially) in the Summer season.  And one of my favorite things about Summer fashion is how globally influenced it is…


African inspired prints, colors picked up along the Grecian shores, ruffles taken from traditional Spanish senoritas, all of it happily co-mingled on the racks.  And like the lovely ladies shown above, possibly even all worked into one ensemble.  Take a cue from them and start with a well draped dress (this scalloped eyelet number was made for the Mediterranean-minded).  And from there – go wild.  Mixed metallics, ornate embroidery, a tapestry of prints. It’s all in the accessories here.  And with a world of cultural influences to draw upon, don’t be afraid to stop at just one or two.  I’ve mentioned before that my own travel is a constant source of inspiration and until I can jet off to explore another far flung destination, I’ll be here in Southern California – wearing a little worldliness instead.  


Summer Essentials – Backyard BBQ

The Steele Maiden: Summer Essentials - Backyard BBQ(Denim Jacket – similar here; Forever 21 T-shirt; Madewell Dress – now sold out, similar here; H&M Clutch – another cute option here; Ruche Wedges)
 
There’s no better way to celebrate Memorial Day weekend (or my Top 20 Summer Essentials week) than with fireworks, am I right?!  And even if that just means running around your backyard with a few sparklers and a few friends on a Summer night – I say that’s good enough.  My final look this week is just the thing for a backyard barbeque…

I saved some of my favorite items from my Top 20 Summer Essentials (see the full list here) for last – including this striped t-shirt (#3) and printed silk dress (#7).  The striped t-shirt would work just as well with the cut offs I featured earlier this week, and the dress can certainly stand on it’s own – but they somehow become infinitely better when paired together.  Throw on a denim jacket (#9) and you’ve got a seriously patriotic party look.  These open toe wedges (#15) round out the outfit perfectly – keeping it casual but still cute enough for festivities and a metallic clutch (#16) adds just the right amount of shine.  
 
And there you have it – 20 Summer Essentials, 4 Looks, Endless possibilities.  I hope you enjoyed following along this week as much as I did coming up with these posts.  Have your own Summer Essentials list?  Or a favorite look that was featured?  Feel free to share.  Oh, and have a happy (and stylish) Memorial Day weekend everyone!
The Steele Maiden: Summer Essentials - Backyard BBQ
The Steele Maiden: Summer Essentials - Backyard BBQ
The Steele Maiden: Summer Essentials - Backyard BBQ
The Steele Maiden: Summer Essentials - Backyard BBQ








 
  

Summer Essentials: Shopping Trip

The Steele Maiden - Summer Essentials: Shopping Trip(Sunglasses – I love this option; Madewell Blouse; Urban Outfitters Shorts – similar here; Vintage Patterned Bag – cute alternative here that’s on sale!; Ruche Wedges)

So you’ve had your big night out and you’ve relaxed by the pool.  But there’s still plenty of Memorial Day weekend left, so now what?  You go shopping…
Memorial Day weekend is known for great sales and in the case that you realize you’re missing one of my Top 20 Summer Essentials (see the full list here) I suggest you spend an afternoon searching for some deals.  This outfit is also perfect for grabbing lunch with friends, meandering around a museum or any other summer afternoon activity you can dream up.  This solid silk blouse (#10 on my list) has the exact type of slouchy, breathability that looks tailored and cool without being fussy.  I paired them with these slightly retro high waisted shorts (#11) which could easily be substituted for a skirt – but I happen to love the ease of shorts for walking around town.  Then finished it off with comfortable but still cute open toe wedges (#15), sunglasses (#8) and my favorite patterned bag (#2) that has a handy chain strap to keep my hands free for scouring the shops.  These are the types of pieces that you’ll reach for again and again over the course of the Summer – imagine the top or the shorts switched out with either piece from yesterday’s post – it all still works.  And one more reason why you need these items in your seasonal wardrobe?  My trick for fail safe packing whenever I go away for the weekend is to bring a couple of items that could work for say – an afternoon shopping trip – but in a pinch also take me into the office Monday morning.  If you miss your flight or oversleep after a fun filled weekend getaway the last thing you need is to have to face your boss wearing flip flops and a sarong.

The Steele Maiden - Summer Essentials: Shopping Trip

The Steele Maiden - Summer Essentials: Shopping Trip
The Steele Maiden - Summer Essentials: Shopping Trip




   


Summer Essentials: Poolside

The Steele Maiden: Summer Essentials - Poolside
(Tulle Top – similar here; Victoria’s Secret bikini; Cut-off jean shorts – similar here; J.Crew Factory Leather Belt; Random Cuff Bracelet – cute option here; Target sneakers; Steele Canvas Basket Co. for J.Crew Tote Bag)


Now that I’m a Southern California girl there’s ample opportunity to be poolside, but even when I was back on the East Coast – Memorial Day weekend always meant a trip to the nearest beach/pool/lake to kick off summer…
And while that definitely calls for something casual, I like to throw on an outfit that’s presentable enough to run a few errands in or grab lunch just in case the day calls for it.  Armed with my Top 20 Summer Essentials (see the full list here) I started with the obvious – a bathing suit (#12 on the list) and sunglasses (#8).  From there I added cut off jean shorts (#4), because, honestly is there anything more quintessentially summer-y?  Then paired them with a bright blouse (#1) – in this case a textured cotton number – for a laid back look.  Here’s where most people would stop – but I urge you to take one extra minute and throw on a thin leather belt (#19) and a statement bracelet (#14).  Neither one is fussy like a statement necklace or earrings would be (and they can easily be slipped off and thrown into your bag when you get to the pool) but they add just enough polish to really turn this into an outfit.  Finally, I slipped on a pair of canvas sneakers (#18) – just as easy as flip flops but way cooler.  And last but not least, a tote bag (#13) to wrangle your towel, sunscreen etc.  The ‘Steele’ tote bag shown here is made by Steele Canvas Basket Co. for J.Crew, but if you don’t happen to have a company making chic totes with your name already printed on them – go the monogram route.  If you need me, I’ll be relaxing by the pool…

The Steele Maiden: Summer Essentials - Poolside

The Steele Maiden: Summer Essentials - Poolside

The Steele Maiden: Summer Essentials - Poolside

The Steele Maiden: Summer Essentials - Poolside




Summer Essentials: Night Out

The Steele Maiden: Summer Essentials - Night Out(Free People Dress; Vintage Printed Bag – cute option here: Earrings – similar here; Denim Jacket – similar here; Strappy Sandals – Shoemint, now sold out, pretty alternative here; Maybelline Color Sensational in Vivid Rose)

So I’ve presented my Top 20 Summer Essentials (see the full list here) and made the argument that using just these items you can get through any event Memorial Day, or the rest of the Summer season for that matter, will throw at you.  Time to practice what I preach and show you exactly how I would do it…

Long weekends call for a night out on the town.  Try a new restaurant, grab a drink, wear a pair of heels.  You’ve got 3 long days to sleep it off.  I usually like to keep the outfit relatively simple when I go out and use more playful accessories to add character.  This lace dress (#5 on the list) is the perfect building block.  It’s comfortable but still dressy enough for wearing out and simple but still interesting because of the lace.  And nothing says summer (or highlights a tan) like bright white.  I love this chain strap printed bag  (inherited from my great Aunt – one stylish little lady) for a million reasons, but one is that it’s a constant conversation starter at social functions and it also keeps my hands free when I’m trying to hold a drink and navigate through a busy bar.  A patterned bag is #2 on the list.  I threw on a pair of strappy sandals (#20) which seem wild, but actually manage to act almost as a neutral here because of the color scheme.  The trick with heels for a night out?  Go for a stable block heel like these and you’ll be dancing till dawn.  And finally, I grabbed my denim jacket (#9) to combat those over air conditioned restaurants, simple thin gold hoop earrings (#6) to frame my face and swiped on a bright lipstick (#17) for an extra punch.  


Come back tomorrow.  We’re hitting the pool with my Top 20 Summer Essentials.

The Steele Maiden: Summer Essentials - Night Out

 

The Steele Maiden: Summer Essentials - Night Out
The Steele Maiden: Summer Essentials - Night Out