This post is a tip of the hat to European styling and designers. As I write this, I realize there’s a lot to talk about when you think about American vs European designers and the different approach to design and style. Hmm, I’m thinking this could be the topic of another blog post, but I digress.
This very simple outfit shown is a little bit outside of my comfort zone in that the top is flowy (where I usually prefer more fitted clothing) and the shoes are lug soles, which I’ve blogged about before (and a little higher than I would choose for every day wear). It’s a casual outfit, yet it has some details that make it more stylized.
I gravitated towards this top because it’s navy and because it’s soft, made of silk. It’s also not plain, having some raw edging and tie-dye detailing which I like. The back has a keyhole button and loop closure and the slightly elasticized hem is a separate piece of fabric with more subtle tie-dye detailing along the seam. I paired it with classic white pants because I liked the contrast with the blue. This top is by Repeat Cashmere, a 40 year old clothing company based in Holland that I was familiar with because I love their winter sweaters and cotton blazers. Continue reading
Lug-soled fashion shoes have been around for the last couple of years and for good reason: they’re sturdy, comfortable, and now come in many styles and options. 
It’s summer and wearing white jeans seems, well, so obvious. But, this wasn’t the case for me until last summer. I used to think white jeans were impractical, meaning hard to keep clean and just too ‘fancy’ for every day wear.
There is something about mesh clothing that I’ve always liked. It’s sexy while trying to appear conservative. It’s interesting to the eye. Long sleeved pieces appear lighter with mesh. And, it feels cool and breathable to wear. By mesh, I mean clothing made of material that is see-through, finely woven, or netted. You see a lot of it in stores and in magazines. Take a look:
