Jeans are a staple in my closet all year long. When I’m not in business clothes or workout gear, you will find me in jeans. In the summer, faded blue or crisp white are my favourite. I also love wearing comfy summer dresses all day long!
White jeans can be casual or dressy, and easily go from day to night. Change out your t-shirt or tank to a blouse or sleeveless top, and your sneakers or flats to a heel, and you’ve suddenly moved from “a day of errands” to an “evening out”.
With travelling regularly over the summer between the city and cottage, jeans are always the first thing I pack. My favourite brands (both “finished” and distressed) are Silver, 7 For All Mankind, AG, and rag & bone. I recently purchased a great white distressed pair of 7’s at Luxe Label and my white skinny leg (as seen below) is AG from Nordstrom.
I love pairing white jeans with a Joie top: the one below was from The Bay online last year (on sale!). Their blouses are super soft, feminine, and are done in gorgeous prints. Jennifer at Luxe Label carries a great collection, as does Nordstrom. Joie can be an investment piece if purchased at the regular price, but you can find them at great sale prices from time-to-time at Saks off Fifth or Nordstrom Rack. Club Monaco also has a similar “look and feel” in their classic blouses.
Off the shoulder is a popular style again this year which lends a lovely feminine look, but how many times do we have to keep adjusting them to stay properly?! One trick a girlfriend taught me (to keep the off the shoulder in place) works perfect: I found her trick online here so I could share it with you :).
As for summer accessories – when picking jewelry I mainly go for silver and colour (although gold has certainly made a come back)! It’s the time of year when we can wear anything from bangles to rope bracelets and anklets and large colourful gem stones. The Tiffany bead line is classic and they recently added a new ball ring (which I was lucky to receive on Mother’s Day). Hermes enamel bracelets are also beautiful unto themselves (and great to layer!). Lastly, Canadian designer Hilary Druxman (always a staple and treat in my jewelry box!) has a beautiful line of silver as well as long gem stone necklaces (which are great layering pieces too), and a variety of pearls.
When opting for a comfortable summer shoe, how can we not keep a pair of Toms in our shoe closest? Their “one-for-one” philanthropic program is wonderful, plus Toms shoes are comfortable and stylish. Perfect for a daytime flat, or a night time heel or wedge (yes – Toms has heels and wedges!).
All you really need for summer makeup is a great SPF CC cream (protect that skin!), bronzer, mascara, and a couple great colours of lipstick and glosses. Light beiges, soft pinks, and corals are perfect. Make sure to have at least one bright option for evenings, to pair with your crisp white jeans (see this month’s D’s Picks for my two bright staples)!
Being middle aged (and modern!) gives us the privilege and confidence to really embrace our own style. Make the most of summer and take time to feel beautiful, and fashion-forward. Or at the very least, feel perfectly comfortable in our own skin and enjoy the sun on our face.
Why? Because we can!
Photos: Scotch & Coffee
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