Fashionista friends, welcome to Ageless Style 07.2024. Today’s prompt comes to us from Mireille at Chez Mireille who suggested a summer whites – a dress or skirt – accessorized with with summer brights. I knew instantly what I was going to wear. But here’s where I messed up. I pulled my white eyelet dress out of the closet, figured out the brights I would pair with it and then set it aside.
Imagine my surprise when I put on the dress today to take photos and it was almost too tight across the bust. And not only that, but the elastic in the smocking across the back has about given up the ghost. So, this will be the last time I wear this favorite summer go-to. It has been a very versatile piece so I hope to replace it when summer sales begin. Have been eyeing this dropped waist eyelet skirt at Old Navy and it’s on sale!! In fact, I might have just slipped it into my online shopping bag. But don’t tell PC. I am supposed to be scaling back my clothes spending.
Ageless Style 07.2024
You might remember, I am a huge fan of kimonos. LOVE THEM!! I have them for all seasons, even a Buffalo plaid kimono that I can wear in the early weeks of winter, here in El Paso. They are the perfect wrap for our hot, hot summer days where every office, store and restaurant has the AC going full blast.
For this challenge, I just had to decide which of my kimonos I wanted to showcase. And this bright colored one was just the ticket. I paired it with some acrylic hoop earrings with a splash of the same bright colors as in my kimono. Then sprang for a pair of new Madden Girl HeyThere rhinestone slides from Kohl’s to carry the ‘bright’ all the way down to my tootsies. Here’s how it all came together.
Looks kind of busy when you see the sandals right up against the kimono. But I think they were enough apart on me that they worked together.
Not too crazy, right? The shoes and kimono. Not me…I already know that answer.
How ’bout that snug-fitting bodice? Hate to retire this Dressbarn white eyelet dress but it’s time. I think it is about 15 years old so it has had a good run. Here is picture from one of the first times I wore it. Is Dressbarn even still in business?
Summer Whites and Summer Brights
Last summer in El Paso was the hottest on record. I think we had over 70 triple-digit days. This summer we have hovered between 95-102* everyday. So not as hot but this year we have humidity. El Pasoans don’t do humidity well at all.
Many of the AC systems in the desert southwest are evaporative coolers that rely on evaporating water in the AC unit to cool the air. But when we have high (30-40*+) humidity, the water in the ‘swamp’ coolers doesn’t evaporate as fast and the air conditioners are almost worthless. Thank goodness, we have central AC in this house, but I had evaporative cooling in my little house. This time of year – also known as monsoon season around here – was very uncomfortable in that house. All of this to say, I always have a wrap with me because I never know if the AC where I am going is going to be working or not. Kimonos are the perfect solution.
So, you know yesterday and the day before were Amazon Prime Days, right? I decided to pull the trigger and replace this old, faithful white dress. Shopped the sale, finally deciding on this one. Looking forward to receiving it and wearing it at the beach the end of the month. It is cut a lot like the dress I wore to my brother’s wedding so I hope I will love it.
Summer of the Swimming Pool
If we have been buddies for awhile, you will probably remember the disastrous mess we had when we built our pool the spring of 2017. The deck cracked in 32 places immediately once water was added to the pool. The cracks were the width of the deck and continued down the pool’s edge to the tile. And that was just one of the problems!!
Spring of 2023, we were awarded a settlement from the original pool company and used the money to hire someone to replaster the pool, replace the tile and repair the cracks. This year we are using the pool every day. Swimming laps and then floating under the shade of our pool sails above.
Summer of 2024 will go down as the summer of the swimming pool.
Your Turn
Do you have a favorite white dress or skirt you reach for time and again during the summer months? I hope my new dress will serve me as long and as well as this old one did. Will share some photos once I get it.
Because I had 2 posts go live today, I am a little late getting this one out. I’ve already had a sneak peek at the summer whites and brights my Ageless Style friends are styling. You are in for a treat!! Let’s check out the looks they are featuring today.
Amy ~ Amy’s Creative Pursuits
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
Bo ~ Bo’s Bodacious Blog
Blog / Instagram /Pinterest / Bloglovin’
Joanne ~ My Slice of Life
Jodie ~ Jodie’s Touch of Style
Leslie ~ Once Upon a Time and Happily Ever After
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
Marsha~ Marsha in the Middle
Mireille ~ Chez Mireille Fashion Travel Mom
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
Rosemary ~ Distinctly Southern Style
Blog / Instagram / Pinterest / Facebook
Thank you, sweet friends, for stopping by. I am dashing upstairs to brush my teeth before I head to the dentist. Anyone else really floss and brush big time right before their dental appointments?? Fingers crossed, I will get a good report.
Hugs and kisses,
15 years is a long run for your dress. I am sure you will find something! I know belt has different white dresses, I just bought one last week that I plan to wear to the lavender fields next week. I still would like to find a maxi one to replace one I donated this past week. Love your sandals and kimono: perfect! And I am so glad you all have been finally able to enjoy your pool to its fullest!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
That’s impressive that you’ve had this dress for so long. And I just LOVE the print mixing with the kimono and shoes. Such a fabulous look, Leslie,
XOOX
Jodie
This is such a fabulous summer outfit! Those shoes are so cute and are perfect with the colorful kimono topper. I love the new white dress you ordered!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Even though this will be the last time you wear it this was a fabulous outfit. I love that bright kimono!! Your shoes are fabulous.
Aww, thank you! Those shoes were very affordable and comfortable, too!!
Me and white clothes are not a winning combination! I can guarantee that dirt will throw itself onto me, coffee will drip and bolognese sauce will splash, so much as I love white on other people it is simply not practical for me. Love the combination of the colourful kimono on top of the dress – perfect! I’m pleased you managed to find a replacement for your dress and bet you can’t wait to wear it.
I love that kimono with your dress. It looks great! Isn’t it funny how our busts get larger when we age? Why? We don’t need them to feed children anymore. It makes no sense. ha ha.
You look lovely and very summery in that combo! Glad to learn your pool problems were resolved and you are enjoying it daily. I don’t think anyone does humidity well. When we lived in Atlanta I concluded that when one was outside you just had to embrace being damp and hot and remember to drink lots of water lol. I also gave daily thanks for air conditioning.
I think having the perfect white dress in the closet is just as good as having the perfect LBD! I have a sleeveless white dress from Express that I’ve had for many years and it just checks all the boxes for me. Being sleeveless, I have DEF. added a kimono to it for a little warmth in the a/c and it always looks great. But, man I am loving those cuuuuute colorful shoes with yours!! I need some fun shoes like that for my white dress!!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
You are so right!! I hope my new white dress will be as comfortable and versatile as my old one. Glad you have an old favorite go-to white dress. I haven’t been in Express in a while but I always liked their things. Just get stuck shopping the same old places. Thank you for the compliment on the slides. I was not going to keep them but PC asked me if they were comfy, and they are, so I kept them and tossed a very old pair of silver thong sandals.
Now, I’m impressed! Fifteen years? Wow! I think you look lovely even if the bust is tight (I don’t see that). I’m glad you found a replacement which is gorgeous! I love the kimono, and those slides are fabulous! You always look wonderful, Leslie! I am so jealous of your pool (now that it’s fixed). I have always, always, always wanted an inground pool. I don’t see that ever happening now…but, my motto has become never say never!
Our AC has been running a lot, but we know humidity here in Central Indiana! We have also had really hot days, but not as many in a row. Luckily, next week is supposed to be a nice one!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
Glad you have pleasant weather in store for the coming week. We are pinching ourselves tonight. Rain. And a high of 88* tomorrow. Delightful!!
Thank you for the kind words. I am sure the only reason I could get my old white dress on at all was that the elastic in the smocking on the sides of the bodice had gone kaput. Glad the dress held up long enough for me to get a few pics and get my post written and up.
Your white dress is lovely Leslie and the bright kimono and sandals go perfectly! I love your style and envy you the pool days and summer as we are in the depths of winter down here!
Thank you!! You made me feel much more confident about my white dress look. I am just not a fashionista. And that is okay. I do have fun playing dress up with my Ageless Style friends once a month.
This is so cute! I love those sandals!
Thank you, sugar plum.
Everything is beautifully matched, bravo! I like such airy stylizations, which is why in the summer I often wear my cashmere dresses, which are perfect for hot weather.
Can’t imagine cashmere in hot weather. Thank you, though!!