During the summer we like to keep our outfits light and effortless, but we still want to look fashionable and pulled together. The trick is to have a few pieces with high impact that will give you great results every time. You’ll look stylish but still feel cool and easy-breezy with these 5 summer outfit makers at the ready.
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In the fall and spring we often talk about outfit completers, those third pieces, such as a jacket or cardigan, that you add to an outfit as a finishing touch that pulls your look together. But during the summer – when we often don’t care to add a third piece because it’s just too hot outside – we can bring our outfits to life with an outfit maker. These outfit makers are sometimes essential elements in your outfit, whereas other times they are flourishes or accessories. Having one or two of these outfit making details will set you apart and give you that pulled together look without making you appear fussy or overdone.
Punches of Color
The first summer outfit maker? Color! I love to wear neutrals even in the warmer months. But truthfully, wearing color is one of the easiest ways to look summery fresh and stylish. You’ll always stand out from the crowd in a pretty color.
During the summer I think we can give ourselves even more license to wear bold color, colorful combinations and colorful prints. We still want to wear color strategically, but there’s no reason to hold back just to be on the safe side. In a recent video I shared tips for wearing color strategically, including color blocking and matching sets.
You could wear the trending colors of the season, such as buttery yellow or brilliant red.
But no color ever goes out of style. So feel free to wear the colors you look your best in or that just appeal to your senses.
I’ve collected below a few of my favorite colorful items to add to your summer wardrobe. But of course, the sky’s the limit here. Just make sure you have a few pretty pieces in your summer wardrobe in standout colors.
Bandanas, Scarves and Wraps
In a recent YouTube video I shared how adding a scarf or bandana to a handbag is a great way to add a pop of color and interest to your summer outfits.
Since then I’ve ordered several colorful bandanas and you’ll see me wear one in an upcoming post. In fact, I wore this one to church this past Sunday. Tied simply around my neck, this summer outfit maker paired perfectly with my new pale sky blue shirtdress. You may also be able to wear a colorful scarf as a belt, like I’ve done below.
And larger scarves and wraps pair nicely with everything from evening dresses to swimsuits. I’ve collected some favorites for you to peruse below.
Pretty Sandals
You may occasionally opt for closed toe shoes during the warmer months, but I almost live in sandals from May through September. Keep up with your pedicure and enjoy the opportunity to wiggle your toes a little. Pretty sandals will make the most basic outfits look seasonal and special.
I’ve collected a few of my current favorites below.
A Great Dress
I’ve been wearing dresses more than ever recently. Summer is the perfect time to opt for a dress because they’re cool and easy to wear. A dress is truly a one-and-done in the warmer months when you don’t need to add tights or boots or outerwear.
Trust me, my legs are not what they used to be, but I still enjoy wearing dresses and skirts this time of year. I have age spots, bulging veins, cellulite and other signs of aging. But I just don’t think anyone is examining my legs that closely. And if they are, shame on them! I put on a little sunless tanner, keep up with my pedicures and slip on those dresses!
Of course it is smart to make sure you have the necessary undergarments to make summer outfit maker comfortable and wearable. I wear these slip shorts with all of my dresses and skirts during the warmer months. And I frequently wear this slip, but I’ve ordered this one, too. It’s less expensive and looks like it has a slightly fuller skirt.
I’ve gathered up a few more of these easy breezy summer outfit makers below.
Summer Jewelry
I don’t necessarily want to wear a lot of jewelry in the summer. It can start feeling hot and heavy on warm, humid days. But pretty, summer jewelry is a definite summer outfit maker that’s worth having on hand and wearing frequently.
I hardly even wear my Julie Vos jewelry in the colder months. But when the sun comes out, so does my Aztec gold Julie Vos. But just recently they’ve introduced a new silver line, too. Their jewelry is bold and bright, perfect for adding to colorful summer outfits like I did above and below.
But in this recent YouTube video I shared about the summer jewelry trend I’m most enjoying. You can layer in just one or two colorful beaded necklaces with your usual gold or silver strands for an updated summer vibe.
I love this summery outfit maker because it allows me to keep wearing the pieces I love while simply adding in a few novelty items that I’ll pull out again next year. Many of these little beaded chains come in sets of three or more that you can divide and wear in multiple ways. Fun!
Do you have the summer outfit makers you need in your closet? Then enjoy using them to create easy breezy outfits that feel good and look fresh and fun. Summer is the perfect time to be a little more playful with our outfit choices, so don’t hesitate to add whimsy and joy into your outfits with ruffles, summery fabrics like seersucker and gingham prints, floral mixes and sweet details.
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Blessed for My Day
Have you ever felt so guilty about something that you just wanted to run and hide? You hoped nobody saw, nobody knows, nobody ever finds out. And maybe you’ve even been tempted to “cover up” the guilt with “little lies” or half truths. There’s nothing you can do about it how; the deed is done. But if you can keep from exposing your mistake, your blunder, your sin…you’ll do whatever it takes to cover things up.
Of course you and I have lived long enough to know that little lies and short cuts do not suffice for ridding us of our guilt. They only dig the hole deeper, in fact. That’s why God…in His goodness and grace…stepped in and took care of our shame. He didn’t just cover it up, He washed it away. By the blood sacrifice of His Son, our sin is covered and we are made new. That’s why, if you have received this free gift, you don’t not have to walk around clothed in your shame. Instead, you have new garments that have been washed clean in the blood of the lamb. Remember that today if the enemy of your soul tries to tell you otherwise.
Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings. ~ Genesis 3:7
The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them. ~ Genesis 3:21
Good morning, Kay! Thanks for your devotional message today. I’m so grateful for God’s grace in my life.
Have a super day.
I love the sleeveless and short sleeve tops but don’t wear because of age spots and imperfections but like some 3/4 length sleeves. Thanks for those selections. Appreciate the devotion for the day.
In the hot and humid summers, I wear very light necklaces as I have to wear a lanyard around my neck too.
I like the beaded necklaces with another necklace! Thank you for the variety of ideas!
Thank you for BFMD
Great ideas, and I just love wearing sandals and dresses!!! PS, Timely devotional.
Love the devotional message. Thanks for all the fashion ideas. I like the scarves as belts. I’m going to try it. I have a delicate bead necklace that I like to layer. I bought black linen pants I can’t wait to style using your ideas.