SUMMER CAPSULE WARDROBE: 10 PIECES, 10 WAYS – WITH TALBOTS

One of my favorite posts these past few seasons has been a “capsule wardrobe” type round-up featuring 10 core pieces, styled 10 ways with my friends at Talbots. A full IGTV try-on video is live on my Instagram now, but I wanted share the photos of each look + outfit details here for reference. These pieces really can be mixed and matched in endless ways and be worn from work to weekend depending on how you style them.

To note: almost all of these pieces are available in petites, regular and plus sizing (sizes 0-24) and I really can’t say enough good things about the quality and the fit. I’m wearing a size 2 or XS in everything except for the pink sweatshirt (size S) and the checked blazer (size 4) as I wanted a bit more room to layer. I’m 5’4″ for reference.

I love this dress – it makes me think of something Betty Draper would wear on a picnic. It’s perfect on it’s own, but on the left is how I’d wear it at the lake house (where it gets cool at night) – with a sweatshirt over top and the belt tied into my hair as a headband.

LOOK 1:

LOOK 2:

You all already know how much I love a blazer. This lightweight version in a fun check print is great for the office (where the A/C is always blasting) but cute too on the weekends with a pair of white jeans.

LOOK 3:

LOOK 4:

One of my favorite styling tricks is to later a skirt over a dress to make it look like a top. The secret is to pick pieces with similar waistlines and to use a lightweight dress and a fuller skirt so that you don’t add bulk. You practically double your wardrobe this way!

LOOK 5:

LOOK 6:

A sleeveless button down shirt is a great summer layering piece. Underneath this striped linen jumpsuit it adds just a tiny bit of pattern mixing, and on the left – I tied it up high at the waist for a very ‘Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday’ vibe.

LOOK 7:

LOOK 8:

This cute little embroidered berry t-shirt is unexpectedly one of my favorite pieces from the collection. I’ll be wearing this tossed on over a bathing suit, on trips to the farmer’s market and for ice cream dates all summer long.

LOOK 9:

LOOK 10:

3 WAYS TO WEAR WHITE JEANS

While I’m usually a dress girl in the summer, I do love a good pair of white jeans against tan skin. If you’re hesitant to wear white jeans, I think it’s best to try on lots of different cuts and styles. To help, I wanted to show you guys 3 ways to wear white jeans using 3 different cuts – 1 pair of relaxed fit, 1 skinny pair and 1 wide leg cropped pair. From work to weekend, you can watch my full IGTV try-on video here and hopefully are inspired to mix up your own white jeans look this season! Below – links to everything:

SHOP LOOK 1:

SHOP LOOK 2:

SHOP LOOK 3:

SIMPLE SUMMER STYLE

The Steele Maiden: Simple Summer Style in Madewell Wrap Skirt and Straw Bag

Summer is all about keeping it simple. It goes by fast enough without overcomplicating things, right? So this look is simple – a striped tee I’ve had forever, blue sunglasses and heels I wear at least once a week and a straw market tote that I carry to work, the beach and everywhere in between.

SHOP THE STORY

Continue reading “SIMPLE SUMMER STYLE”

CHARLESTON: PLAID SHORTS AND OFF THE SHOULDER TOP

The Steele Maiden: Summer style in Charleston - plaid shorts and linen off the shoulder top

As soon as we landed in Charleston I couldn’t wait to slip into this summer-y outfit. In fact, I had bought these shorts (on majorrrr sale) weeks before and was saving them for exactly this occasion. Well mainly for weather above 60 degrees. But a matching pastel-hued city definitely didn’t hurt.

SHOP THE STORY

Continue reading “CHARLESTON: PLAID SHORTS AND OFF THE SHOULDER TOP”