Fashionistas and clothes-wearing friends, thank you for visiting for this Ageless Style 07.2022: White for Summer. It’s the third Thursday which means the Ageless Style gang is back together again. This month we are styling white for summer. And it just so happens I recently bought a white blazer that became the centerpiece for this month’s looks. Channeling my sweet friend Kellyann from This Blonde’s Shopping Bag as she is the Queen of Blazers. And inspired this blazer purchase.
Ageless Style Link Up
The Ageless Style linkup is hosted by a stylish group of fashion bloggers and me. Not sure how I fit in exactly. Maybe comic relief?? Had stepped away from blogging and this series in particular because LIFE just felt out of control and some days just getting dressed in anything was a big accomplishment. I mean, I always – even sick with Covid always – get dressed but when things are falling apart, I throw on workout clothes. With very little intention of working out!!
But before we get to that, hope you will check out my last Ageless Style post featuring some of my favorite sweatshirts, here. In February there was this wrap look. And we kicked off the year sharing something in that particular shade of blue called periwinkle. See my French terry veri peri sweatshirt, here.
Just a reminder: Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After occasionally uses affiliate links which are usually italicized. If you click or make a purchase from an italicized link provided I may receive a very small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for your support.
AGELESS STYLE 07.2022
While I admire the monotone looks my blogging buddies put together, I rarely wear them myself. The crazy (perfectionist) in me needs the black of my top to be the exact same black of my bottoms, my shoes, my cardi, my accessories. And that is hard to make happen. Was so glad when Rosemary at Distinctly Souther Style clarified that we didn’t have to go with a completely white look for today’s post.
Decided to scour Pinterest for some ‘summer whites’ inspiration. Here are a couple of the looks I love. The first is the look I attempted to copycat for today. In my estimation, Lisa at Midlife in Bloom is darn near perfect in this outfit from her gently distressed denim to her animal print blouse, and simple accessories.
Then I came across this pin of Anna Tokarska wearing a column of white for a photo shoot for NY magazine. So chic. Check out those classy shoes, the white bag tied with a scarf. Even white sunglasses.
My Summer Whites
Here’s what I put together. One is more a daytime look. Shopping, running errands, lunch with the gals. And in my case, taking the grandbabies to daycare, too!!
From head-to-toe, straw Panama hat, Banana Republic Factory white linen-blend blazer (sold out but this is similar), Banana Republic Factory boxy striped tee (similar), Loft cropped jeans, Tommy Hilfiger cognac-black-animal print sandals.
I am not at all confident wearing a hat of any sort. But want to change that. In looking back at these pictures, something about the way I am wearing this Panama hat makes me look like Old McDonald (had a farm…ee i ee i o). Just missing the blade of grass hanging out of my mouth.
Love the way my friend Marsha (and fellow Ageless Stylist) at Marsha in the Middle shares close up photos of her accessories with each outfit post. Going to borrow that idea. Here are my accessories for this look.
Even my boho stacked bracelets feature some summer white. The clip-on pom-poms add some fun color to my white cross-body bag – don’t want white? It’s available in over 20 colors. There’s something for everyone!!
Taking it on the Road
My first stop today was dropping off these fashionistas at Kindercare.
Had to pick up a top at Banana Republic Factory that I ordered online but had 45 minutes til the store opened so I popped into Target. I carried this white cross-body bag today but played dress-up with some of the new fall bags Target is showing for the upcoming season.
Which do you like best?
Grabbed some cat food and then headed to the checkout via the jewelry department. Just last night, I read a post by Liz Klebba at Closet Play Image about trends for fall and winter 2022. One of the things she mentioned was bracelets galore. Check out these cute bangles and stacks of pearl bracelets.
Had to turn in some paperwork at the VA, picked up a grocery order and headed home. Felt trendy and fun all morning in my summer white!!
Summer White from Day to Night
And that ^^^ rhymes!! Call me Mother Goose just don’t call me late to supper. Haha!!
Once I got the groceries unloaded and put up, I had a couple of minutes before my dog walking gigs. Decided to try to “up” my daytime summer white look to something more appropriate for date night. Here’s what I came up with for that.
My whites aren’t exactly the same shade but close enough for government work, as PC always says. Wearing the same Banana Republic Factory blazer but this time with a BR cami and Loft cropped skinny white denim. And boy were they skinny. And apparently, I am not!!
Threw on my BCBG hand-me down animal print heels from Brennyn. They elevate this look from day to night, I think. Love them so much but can only hobble around in them for short stints. Like from upstairs to downstairs!!
Added a belt this time, swapped out my cross-body bag for a gold clutch and traded the tassel earrings for some blingy ones. I give you my evening accessories, a la Marsha.
I think this just might be my next date night look. Now to persuade PC to take me out on the town. Charming Charlie gold clutch, Alison&Aubrey blingy statement earrings, el cheapo Amazon belt, BCBG Generation d’orsay pumps (very similar, here).
After I snapped these photos, it was time to go walk Lucas and visit with him and his feline brother Wizard for an hour, followed by a drop-in visit and quick walk with Katy.
Scrambled into my workout and dog-walking clothes and was back out the door. Busy, busy day. But enjoyed dressing up, feeling like a fancy lady for a few minutes. Summer whites for the win.
Your Turn
How do you feel about wearing white? Are you a bit reticent like I am about monotone looks? Or can you squelch those perfectionist tendencies to have your column of color match exactly? For me, breaking up the solid monotone with just a bit of color helps.
I worry about wearing white also because I can be a bit of a pig-pen. Dribbling sauces and beverages from my mouth onto my clothes, dragging sticky two-year grandbaby’s tennies across my white pants. Can’t take me anywhere!! But I learned the neatest trick about keeping whites whiter from Liz at Closet Play Image. Check it out and her other tips for wearing white, here. I’ll give you a little hint…
chalk to the rescue!!
Wow, this whole post has been all about copycating (is that a word?) others!! But why reinvent the wheel?? Hope you will join me in visiting the blogs of my Ageless Style friends to check out their summer white looks.
Amy ~ Amy’s Creative Pursuits
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
Bo ~ Bo’s Bodacious Blog
Blog / Instagram /Pinterest / Bloglovin’
Joanne ~ My Slice of Life
Blog
Jodie ~ Jodie’s Touch of Style
Blog | Instagram | Facebook |
Leslie ~ Once Upon a Time and Happily Ever After
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
Marsha~ Marsha in the Middle
Blog /Instagram
Mireille ~ Chez Mireille Fashion Travel Mom
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
Rosemary ~ Distinctly Southern Style
Blog / Instagram / Pinterest / Facebook
And join us by linking up a summer outfit post below.
Spring cleaning is calling. Then some exercise and blog reading to follow. Will be stopping by to visit YOU very soon. Thanks for popping in.
Hugs and kisses,
You look amazing! Very cute and fun in the first outfit: I need to copy that outfit but I have not blazers and the second one, oh la la! I think the issue with your hat is maybe how you placed it on your head: try it more forward vs the back of your head. I have the exact same hat and just pull it lower in front. So glad you were able to join us this month!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom
I am going to try adjusting the hat and see if it looks better. Thank you so much for the tip.
And thank you for the kind words. Try a cheap blazer…Kellyann loves the Walmart ones. They are very
versatile and can carry you through several seasons.
Thank you for welcoming me back. XO
I absolutely love your white blazer with the white leggings and heels. It’s a super, jazzed-up, summer look for a date night or special occasion. Thanks for hosting the link-up!
Carol
http://www.scribblingboomer.com
Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving such a sweet comment. Heading over to your house now. I love your blog name. I am a wannabe scribbler, too.
I just love both looks Leslie. I think white can be so crisp and beautiful any time of year, and you showed it for casual and dressy. I think that’s perfect.
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Thank you, my dear friend. You are an inspiration to me.
Love both the outfits. They look so different, but both great. I wish I could wear white. I’m such a clutz – and the older I get the more so I am. But, I can admire it from afar I guess.
Iris
LOL, I love you. You couldn’t be klutzier than I. Believe me!! Thank you for the giggle. Break out the white!! Maybe
just a tee shirt or a white scarf!!
Summer White looks fabulous on you, Leslie. Thank you for sharing these inspiring ideas!
I like both these looks! Though I am most apt to pair my blazers with jeans and also feel like my whites/ black/ blues/ etc. have to match. I did try pairing two different shades of blue together today and pulled the look together by wearing jewelry that had multiple shades of blue in it.
Thank you!! I am not the only one who likes colors to match exactly. I have branched out a little like you, in that I can wear two very different shades or tones of the same color and not get too anxious!!
Wowza!!! Leslie, you are stunning in that second look! The first is fabulous, too! I love the look of blazers, but I just don’t like messing with them! Don’t tell Kellyann! Your accessories are all pretty doggone fabulous, too!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
LOL, you are the cutest thing. Thank you for the laugh. Your secret is safe with me.
Love the summer white! And it looks great on you! I don’t know how anybody can wear a blazer in the summer heat, though! I suppose I’m just too practical to be stylish. It does look lovely.
Thank you, sweet friend. It was a mild 104* the day I wore that blazer. Ha!! But I get very cold in AC. Confession – I pealed it off as soon as I snapped the last pic.
You look adorable in the hat!
Aww, you are a sweetie. Thank you!
You look so amazingly sophisticated in that blazer, and the two outfits you created are incredible! I have that same photo pinned…it’s so old. I pinned it ages ago…the one with the white and khaki. That just shows what a classic ensemble that it is that the pin is still so popular
Thank you!! Isn’t that an elegant look we both pinned. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that she’s a gorgeous model. She certainly wears it well.
Little bb, I really like that evening outfit. YOU let me know when and where we’re going out! You are such a good writer. You need to finish your bestseller already!
Thank you, darling Prince C. I love you!!
You are too cute in your hat! I cannot pull off a hat to save my life! I truly do have a big head…which does not need to be accentuated. The truth. My favorite is your evening look. The accessories -um, those shoes!! – are the cat’s meow (as my mama used to say)!! I do not wear white often (especially in the summer) but your outfits are inspiring!! Have a wonderful weekend friend!
I love that white blazer! They seem to be coming back in style. You did a great job accessorizing it from day wear to evening. I like to wear white but like you, I need a patterned top to go with it. In fact I’m wearing white skinny jeans as I type this! My top is a black background with pink and white flowers. I was a greeter at a women’s event once and the leader had us wear all white, with gold accessories. We all moaned and groaned about it but when they took a photo of all of us together, it really looked stunning! But I doubt I would ever wear it again. 🙂
Isn’t that funny…everyone moaned and groaned about the all-white and then you guys all looked smashing in your photos. I bet it did create a very put-together look having everyone dressed in monochromatic looks with gold jewelry. I haven’t tried this all white look again since I posted it here but maybe I will break it out for church tomorrow. Thank you for visiting.
You wear white very well! Especially with the leopard prints!!
Thank you, my fashion-forward friend.
Love both of these looks but that second one of my fave! The skinny pants and blazer and so amazing together. Thanks for the link up!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Leslie, you look AMAZING in that all white outfit! So seriously chic! I absolutely love it on you. I think my jaw actually dropped. The casual look is super cute too! I always feel like a doctor in a white blazer, but why have I not paired it with white denim?! Must go try now!
You look great!
Thank you so much. I appreciate the comment and kind words.
Knock out Leslie in that white ensemble! You can wear that cami and it looks wonderful with the white blazer. I love the leopard shoes with it too. There are so many shades of white – I realize this when I go look for paint! The casual look is lovely as well and the hat is darling. I have a small head, so hats don’t look great on me. I think those bags are cute, Id probably go with the first one as it looks most structured and I tend to go for structured bags. I do love wearing white and have quite a few white pieces in my closet for summer
Have a wonderful week!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
You look so cute! Love the hat!
I will wear white pants in the summer but that is the extent of my white wearing. I always feel super weird in a white shirt or top and I have no idea why! I tend to gravitate to black and greens and grays.
Hi Leslie, you have such a cute blog here, and a great writing style as well as a sense of style in dressing. I love the little fashionistas, LOL. Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving such kind words. We will have fun getting better acquainted. We are both friends with Jodie, and you probably saw my post featuring her and her visit to Prescott. http://alwayswrite.blog/2022/10/02/wqw-37-september-needs-31-days/ The big person on the right is me. Have a great week. 🙂 Marsha Not In The Middle – Always Write! 🙂
Thank you so much.