I have a go-to uniform for summer of long shorts/clam diggers/rolled BFs plus an oversized tee or dressier top. Sometimes the top is more casual for exercise or a jacket/cardi is added for AC. I usually wear ballet flats or flat sandals or loafers. For exercise or chores it's athletic flats.
Here are a few examples from this week, but you have often seen me in this uniform.
1. White Martin &Osa shorts fron San, Pleione red & navy striped buttondown, black thrifted belt, Seychelles sandals. Very cool and breezy for a hot day. I wore a navy Target tank under the rather sheer top.
2. Rolled Chico Capri pants with oversized Chico silky tee, ivory belt, pewter Cole Haan sandals. I like the color but is it too matchy?
3. Citizens of Humanity long shorts from San, purple silk Classiques Entiere top also from San, coral leather belt from Goodwill, Aerosoles coral flats. Worn to a meeting and shopping on a hot day
4. CofH shorts again, ancient now oversized ivory silk tee (AKA Eddie Bauer), ivory belt, Seychelles sandals.
5. White AT clams, striped oversized tee from consignment or thrift, coral belt thrifted, Aerosole flats.
6. Striped rolled Paige capri pants from San, Citron kimono print top over Target tank, same coral flats. I'm not sure you can see the pattern mixing.
You can see that I've become a big fan of the semi-tuck for it's structure-lending, leg-lengthening, muffin top hiding qualities. Some of these photos were taken in a hurry and the tuck was fixed later.
I plan to try to roll and tack to change straight short sleeves to diagonals. Has anyone tried this?
I welcome your comments for what is working and what is not, and for improvements.
WIW: My Summer Casual Uniform
29 Comments
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TraceyLiz65 replied 10 years ago
They all work so well, great formula!
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Ornella replied 10 years ago
When I grow up I want to look like you.
Great, great formula and even better executions. I especially love 5 of course, but 3 is equally awesome too.
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Makrame replied 10 years ago
Looks great! I am going to study your photos to try to finally figure out how to do the the semi-tuck. Very interesting kimono top in the last photo!
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pil replied 10 years ago
Joy, can you ever wear a pair of shorts :) !
I've been thinking of trying the same approach with the sleeves on a tee, but haven't gotten around to it. I have one tee with a ruched short sleeve - it looks like the gathering stitch was done on a puece of seam binding on the inside for reinforcement. They kind of look like JulieJohns sleeves in her flapper post.
I think I'm just going to tack a couple of pleats at the sleeve hem for my DIY version.
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Debbie replied 10 years ago
Joy you look amazing in your summer uniform. I love it all!
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rae replied 10 years ago
Love your uniform, and it is a favorite of my own, too! Had never thought about rolling to create diagonal sleeves; please share how it goes.
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Mo replied 10 years ago
I'm also a fan, and do this a lot myself in summer. Easy breezy, yet pulled together.
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rachylou replied 10 years ago
What a great uniform! It's funny after seeing all 6, #4 makes me feel kinda hot. The top is more covered...
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Lyn D. replied 10 years ago
This is a favourite Joy!
Exactly what I am planning for our Spring/Summer, and great inspiration! -
replied 10 years ago
Rock on, girlfriend! You are looking fab in your uniform!
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Lisa replied 10 years ago
I like where you see the little bit of belt peeking out. But #6 is my favorite, the print is lovely on you. You have a great formula that is working for you.
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Susie replied 10 years ago
These all look great! I was trying to pick a favorite...5, but wait I like the top in 3, and the color is nice in 1, but oh that lovely top in 6....aaaacccckkkk, I can't do it; they're all so good!
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Jjsloane replied 10 years ago
I can't pick a favorite and I'm totally taking notes for copying. This is your formula and yet they all look different.
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Joy replied 10 years ago
It was fun to come back to read all your comments. Thank you to all who took time to look and comment.
Makrame and Lisa, I like the semi or faux tuck best when the pants (or skirt) waistband is covered by the top but the front of the belt shows. It seems to work best for me when the pant waist is lower than my natural waist. I also try to form a diagonal line with the top from front to back as the most slenderizing option.
Pil, I especially got a chuckle out of your comment about wearing shorts. Most women over 65 are probably challenged by shorts and I'm one of them. Who knew that knees get wrinkles?! I plan to try tacking a rolled sleeve in a couple of places for what i hope is a diagonal look. I rolled the sleeves a couple of times on #2 and #4 and on a fuschia tee I'm wearing today and liked the look, but they didn't stay rolled. Rae, I'll let you know if it works.
LOL Susie. -
replied 10 years ago
This is my favourite summer uniform also -- these all look great on you Joy!
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Beth Ann replied 10 years ago
Summer seems made for a uniform! I actually rotate 3 or 4 different formulas, but the ease of "patterned top, bfs, cons" or "solid dress, statement necklace, gladiators" makes those rushed moments go so much more smoothly!
Love your uniform, and I'm think you've managed a short look that is exceedingly flattering. 2 and 3 are my favorites!
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Thistle replied 10 years ago
I am loving your summer uniform! Practical, stylish, and easy! Sideal for summer. It has that just thrown together chic I so like!
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qfbrenda replied 10 years ago
I want to look like you when I grow up. :)
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Carole replied 10 years ago
What a great formula, Joy! You look so chic and beautiful! I've sort of adopted a similar formula although I wish I could add some of the gorgeous tops like you have to my wardrobe. Killer!
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Runcarla replied 10 years ago
What a great set. All good, and hard to pick a favourite. #'s 5 and 6 are my choices. # 5 for the obvious classic colour scheme and striped T which is a personal fav, and which you do so very well. #6 for the delightful pattern mixing. What a lovely, lovely top, Joy!
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Karie replied 10 years ago
Great formula! I have been wearing this formula all summer myself. Chic, cool, and comfy!
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Joy replied 10 years ago
Ceit, Rae, Mo, and Carole and Karie, you have each inspired me with the way you style your versions of this uniform. Carole, I realized a year ago last spring that I needed different tops for hot weather and have been collecting. They include the VC cold shoulder top I've posted before. I avoid cotton and polyester unless very fine and breezy.
Rachylou, what keeps #4 cool is that the fabric is silk. I used to save this top for dressy outfits but have put it I to rotation to get more wear out of it.
Beth Ann, you look amazing in your wardrobe formulas. It's smart to have more than one.
Jj and Thistle, this is actually one of Angie's MOTG formulas adapted for hot weather. When the weather gets cool, shorts become jeans, tops have sleeves, and booties, oxfords or other closed flats replace sandals.
Brenda, LOL! You will be stylishly stunning in your 60's.
Thank you for the kind words, Carla. -
Day Vies replied 10 years ago
I love your uniform. I think the proportions work really well for you especially with the semi-tuck. I have no help to offer. If pressed I could suggest have more fun with prints -- I really like #6 because of the pinstripe bottoms with the printed top.
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Joy replied 10 years ago
That's an excellent suggestion, Day. My only patterned shorts are those in #6 but I have patterned dresses and skirts that I can play with, although more and more of those have been edited out recently. Maybe a wardrobe hole ;)
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Deborah replied 10 years ago
Joy your style just floors me! I love each of these. There is such an elegance and modernity about your outfits. The silhouette is so feminine and flattering but again modern. And you hair is looks just fabulous. I am taking note for our coming summer.
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Jaime replied 10 years ago
Love these! #1 might be my favorite but it is a close call. I also love your stripey shorts. Wow is what I say to your style!
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JennyAnne replied 10 years ago
Great formula! This cements the fact that I need more than one pair of long shorts. I like the extra coverage they give, but I have to get my husband on board! :-) Well, I don't have to, but it would be nice if he thought they were attractive.
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amiable replied 10 years ago
Great uniform! It woks just terrific for you - all of these are wonderful!
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ManidipaM replied 10 years ago
What a fab lesson in making a formula your very own! You *rock* the shorts.
A couple of cap sleeved dresses I got recently cam with the roll and tack you describe. So it certainly can work! Give it a shot!