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Smart Casual Summer Capsule Wardrobe
For those of you who work or who need a some smarter outfits, Summer days can be tricky. But I have put together a selection of mix and match pieces to create a mini capsule wardrobe. I have based it around a linen suit with a difference - this one has a sleeveless jacket. It makes it still smart, but contemporary too.
To the suit I have added a print blouse and then used the colours in the blouse for other pieces in the capsule. I have included a pair of cotton stretch trousers, floaty skirts in blue and soft yellow and two further blouses in green and ivory.
Only one pair of sandals are needed in a neutral. But of course you could choose an additional pair in blue, green or a neutral tan. I have chosen a block heel that makes them comfortable to wear but is a little smarter than a flat.
The Pieces
Jacket // Trousers // Print blouse // Blue skirt // Green blouse // Green trousers // Ivory top // Yellow skirt // Sandals or here //
These eight pieces...
3 Ways To Wear A Kaftan
You might not be heading off on holiday, but that doesn't mean you can't add a kaftan to your Summer wardrobe. Of course they are perfect on a sun kissed beach, cocktail in hand, worn over your swimwear. But you can get wear out of them at home too.
I have a gorgeous kaftan I bought to take to Antigua a couple of years ago and I have worn it with slim leg trousers for the evening too. In fact if you watch this week's video you will see me wearing it to film as it was such a hot day.
As well as classic kaftan shape I am wearing, I love the long open front versions too. The one below looks great over swimwear, but imagine it with a cami top underneath and a pair of white jeans for day or silky palazzo trousers for the evening.
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I've chosen one pretty blue print option and styled it 3 different ways below and linked a few more options for you at the end of the post.
3 Ways to Wear - Beach
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The Easy to wear Summer Trend To Try Now
Welcome to the return of the Monday Pick me Up! A short but sweet, Monday indulgence :)
Today is all about a Summer Trend that is wearable and stylish too. It's the mixture of blue and white and reminds me of Wedgewood china.
If you don't like these prints, you could do a stripe or just mix blue pieces with white pieces.
It looks especially fresh in linen and all that's need for accessories is a touch of tan leather and a basket bag.
Will you be trying this combination?
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Skirt // Pineapple Bag // Top // Dress // T-shirt // Mules // Trousers // Belt // Sandals // Tote // Blouse //
Styling A Summer Skirt
If you have watched this week's video (below) you will know that although I am not a huge skirt wearer - especially in winter as I hate tights - I do like a Summer skirt. The problem is finding one that works on my shape. As my waist has now disappeared and I'm short waisted, it's hard to find a skirt that works.
However, there is one style that I come back to that does work. I love a midi with an elasticated waist. This skirt fits the bill perfectly. Not only that, I love the colours - not your typical Spring/Summer pastels - and the Batik inspired print, for the touch of Boho I like in the Summer.
It's made from beautiful lightweight organic cotton tiers, making it the perfect floaty Summer skirt. The added bonus is it also has pockets!
I have plenty of little tops that will work with this skirt as the weather improves, but for now, I will be wearing it like this...
All the other pieces of the outfit are old, but I've found you similar alternatives.
Skirt use code MARIA15...
Wedding Guest Dress Edit & How to Accessorise
Now that weddings are back on, you may be needing an outfit for a rearranged wedding. The easiest answer is a dress and it makes sense to choose one that can be worn again for other occasions and evenings out. You are in luck this season because there are plenty of gorgeous options available. Below are some of my favourites.
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Top row left to right Blue // Pink // Yellow // Blue // Coral // Blue/white //
Bottom row left to right White/pink // Peach/cream // Red/blue // Green // Red // Dark green //
When you are accessorising your wedding guest outfit, look for multi tasking pieces. Choose neutrals and metallics, then you can wear them again and again, both together and separately. If you opt for a dress with sleeves you won't need to add a jacket.
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Dress // Fascinator // Earrings // Bag // Shoes //
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Dress // Fascinator // Earrings // Bag // Sandals //
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5 Outfit Ideas As We Come Out Of Lockdown
Monday sees the easing of more restrictions and at last we can go out for a meal or shopping trip and coffee with friends and we can sit inside. Hurrah!
So I have put together 5 outfit ideas from casual to a smarter evening dinner look. I hope one or more of them work for whatever you will be doing next week.
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Top // Trousers // Bag // Espadrilles //
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Top // Trousers // Earrings // Bag // Shoes //
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Jacket // Dress / Bag // Sandals //
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Jacket // Top // Trousers // Bag // Bag Strap // Trainers
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Mini Socialising Capsule Wardrobe
Have you been out socialising yet? If not it might be down to the cool weather we have been having. While it is supposed to warm up a bit soon and it's not long until we can socialise inside, I thought I would put together a mini socialising capsule that is pretty, can be dressy and hopefully won't have you freezing.
I have included a crochet sweater and skirt co-ord - a great buy because the skirt will look great in the Autumn and Winter with boots too - a pair of white jeans (one of my Spring/Summer wardrobe essentials) and a second short sleeve wrap knit. Add a couple of accessories, in this case a pair of bow detail shoes, small neutral bag and necklace and you have 4 outfits that will take you to a restaurant, pub or friend's for dinner.
Of course the sweaters and skirt will also work with other pieces in your Spring/Summer wardrobe too.
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Sweater // Skirt // Jeans // Pink cardigan // Necklace // Bag // Shoes //
Spring Prints & How To Style Them
This season I am loving prints! I've been more drawn to them this year than ever before. Most of my wardrobe is made up of plain pieces and the odd stripe. But now I am inspired to add a few more prints.
They can be more versatile than you think, especially if you have plain pieces in your wardrobe in the colours within your print. In fact this is one method I use for creating a colour scheme for a capsule wardrobe - as evidenced in this month's magazine where I have created a capsule wardrobe around a print.
Here are a few ideas to inspire you to add some prints to your Spring wardrobe.
Print Skirt
How to wear a print?
This gorgeous skirt in a fabulous clashing red and pink print can be toned down by pulling out the soft pink to create a blended look. Or use the red to colour clash for dramatic effect. Option three is to contrast by using the white. Which is your favourite? I'm loving the drama of the colour clash.
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Pink necklace // Pink top // Skirt...
3 Ways To Wear A Strappy Jumpsuit
Jumpsuits have become everyday staples in our wardrobes, but you might think a strappy version wouldn't give you good cost per wear. However, I have found one that I think will. Plus, it comes in a great neutral Taupe which can be worn with brights, other neutrals and pastels.
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Outfit Option 1
For my first look I have paired it with red. For a daytime look I've layered a t-shirt underneath and added red sandals and bag.
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T-shirt // Necklace // Bracelet // Bag // Sandals //
Outfit Option 2
For this look I have dressed it up for an occasion with this fabulous print jacket (also has matching trousers) high sandals and clutch and included a lovely bright pink nail varnish for fingers and toes.
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Jacket // Bag // Shoes // Nail varnish //
Outfit option 3
Finally for a smart casual look I have added a crochet knit (an on trend piece) a raffia bag and woven shoes.
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Spring Outfit Ideas - With A Pop of Brights
Add a some bright colour to those warm weather essentials of espadrille sandals and a basket bag. This Broderie skirt is so pretty and can be dressed up or down. Add a white blazer and sandals for a smarter occasion with that pop of pink on toe and finger nails.
Espadrilles are proving to be very popular at the moment so buy early as they are selling through quickly!
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Sunglasses // Top // Nail varnish // Highlighter // Bag // Skirt // Sandals //
