During the spring and summer it’s very current to go a little more casual with our outfits. The heat and the humidity couple with our more casual lifestyle to prompt us to dress down just a bit. I’m all here for that. But at the same time, I do like to look polished and pulled together when I step out. It’s easier than you might think to combine that effortless charm of warm weather dressing with a more finished vibe. So today I’m sharing 5 easy steps (and a couple of bonus tips) to help you create an elevated casual outfit this spring and summer.
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5 Easy Steps to an Elevated Casual Outfit
Really, this is where I live. It’s a big part of my personal style aesthetic to look both effortlessly casual and polished. So I’ve built my wardrobe around these 5 easy steps. But even if you don’t wear this style on repeat, you can easily create it from your closet.
The outfit I’m showing here is a new favorite for sure. This is my authentic style uniform. But we’re NOT talking about duplicating this look. Instead, you can create an elevated casual outfit that works for your personal style angles and your closet.
Step 1: Keep it simple!
Resist the urge to complicate your summer style and lean into the simplicity of the season instead. Remember, simple but elevated separates (worn simply!) are trending.
Bonus tip: It’s at your fingertips! Maintaining a well polished manicure becomes a little more difficult in the summer. If you’re in and out of the water, working in the garden or building sandcastles on the beach with grandchildren, your nails can take a beating.
But I’ve discovered that while we like to think we’re hiding our own hands, most of us would agree that we notice other people’s quickly. Guess what! They’re noticing our hands, too. And our hands say a lot about us. We can’t necessarily eradicate all the age spots and wrinkles. But we can put in a little extra effort to keep our hands soft and manicured. The biggest game changer I’m trying to practice is wearing gloves when I’m doing the dishes or gardening.
Step 2: Add some structure.
Adding just a touch (or two or three…) of structure can elevate any look. Consider topping those casual pants or jeans and t-shirt or tank with a summery blazer. It’s no more difficult to wear a sharp blazer than it is a zip-up hoodie, cardigan or denim jacket. And it adds so much more polish…with very little effort.
But you can also add structure to your simple summer outfits with classic slingback pumps, a pair of tailored slacks, a button-up collared shirt, a belt, a satchel handbag, nice glasses or a classic wrist watch.
Step 3: Put your money in the bag.
Speaking of your handbag, let’s not forget that the bag you grab on your way out the door will either elevate your outfit or cancel out all the effort you’ve put into it. That’s not to say that your handbag or shoulder bag has to be a designer bag. But I do find that this is one accessory worth investing in. Think about it. You could feasibly carry – or wear – this one accessory almost every single day. And it really does say something about you in the first few minutes someone meets you.
Step 4: Belt it.
I mentioned adding structure, and strapping on a belt is one more way to do that. When pants started featuring lower rises about 20 years ago or so, many of us ditched our belts and untucked our tops, opting instead for tunics and long sweaters. And having worn our jeans and pants that way for so long now, some of us are hesitant to tuck and belt again. But ladies, a defined waist is structure at its core…literally. And structure = elevated style.
Now I know some women have unique proportions or protruding tummies that trump this style hack. You are excused from this exercise. But the rest of us need to practice wearing our shirts tucked and our pants belted at home so that we can tuck and belt with confidence when it matters. Give it a try. If nothing else, tucking and belting causes me to stand up a little straighter, hold my tummy in a little and carry myself with more poise. And poise = elevated style. That’s why tucking and belting is a great way to elevate your simple summer styles.
Step 5: Dazzle just a little.
Right now it’s very on trend to go minimal with your jewelry. But that doesn’t mean you should leave it off. Instead you want to wear fewer pieces with bigger impact. In fact, we’re seeing the return of the statement necklace, earrings, bracelet, etc. One statement is all it takes, but you might want to complete the look with other smaller pieces of jewelry, too.
Bonus Tip: Giv’em lip! Don’t forget to add some lipstick before you step out the door. And if you’re game, go bold. My lipstick was not as bold as I imagined it was in the photo above. Or maybe I’d just lost it in all the changing clothes. Hehehe! But you get the idea. I love a bold pink or red lip for a truly elevated look. A great lipstick can definitely help to elevate your simple summer outfits.
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Blessed for My Day
Recently my morning Bible reading took me to 1 Chronicles 11 and 12, where we read about King David’s mighty men. As I read through the unfamiliar names and took note of their exploits, I was struck by the fact that no one does great things on their own. Even this man after God’s own heart was surrounded by men who fought for him, counseled him, encouraged him and celebrated with him.
Just like David needed his mighty men to accomplish great things for the Lord and for Israel, you and I need the mighty people in our lives who fortify our efforts. We are wise to surround ourselves with women who speak truth with love, seek a godly perspective, take the higher ground and encourage us toward excellence and virtue. Let’s nurture those relationships today so that we can grow in wisdom in the future.
Listen to advice and accept instruction,
that you may gain wisdom in the future. ~ Proverbs 19:20