Summer Dreams…

I am trying to buy less this year. I brought down my summer clothes from the attic and I have enough of everything (except maybe an interesting summer top per my staples for grown women). But with this job, I am always looking to see trends, themes, and inspiration and there are so many good things this summer. Not buying, just admiring…

This dress from Marimekko

I love awesome prints, and I have always loved Marimekko. I had Marimekko for Target lampshades in my bedroom for the longest time, and then moved one to my office. As a bachelorette, I had Marimekko bedding. I have a silk tee from Marimekko that I adore, a Uniqlo collab dress I got on Poshmark, and a single Marimekko bowl that is my favorite for ice cream. And gosh, I love this dress.

The price is utterly ridiculous for a linen/cotton blend. And I would have to do a strapless bra (this one isn't uncomfortable). But I would LIVE in this breezy yet badass dress. Birkenstocks, bold silver jewelry, a fresh dewy face with a swipe of lime green liquid liner and some orangey-red lip gloss… so fun.

This linen vest and pants set from Toast

I love the concept of sustainable fashion, but it's so often in colors and fabrics that do not bring me any comfort or joy. I just am not a muted neutrals kind of gal. But there's something about this vest and these pants that calls to me. The blue color reads denim, which is my jam.

Again, I'd be brightening and modernizing it with accessories and makeup. Again, chunky silver pieces, and maybe a bit of smudgy kohl and a bright lip: hot pink, vermilion, orange. I think some fisherman sandals would go well; these Aerosoles ones are the first to come to mind (hello wide widths!).

This leather and raffia handbag/crossbody from HEREU

When crafting my piece on closed-toe summer shoes, I found the Spanish brand HEREU, and I am now a fan. I am pretty sure their sandals will be too narrow for my feet, but HEREU also carries bags.

I want a straw or raffia bag for the summer that is a handbag or crossbody. I don't need a tote, and this one from HEREU is so darn chic yet also really timeless. And you know I love luxury without logos. There is also a crossbody strap so it's chic and practical and ethically manufactured!

This raffia and leather tote from Mar Y Sol

That being said, I am also jonseing for this bag from Mar Y Sol, in the Natural color. This bag is sold at many retailers, but I could only find it solid natural at Garnet Hill and the Mar Y Sol site. Steve Madden, Nina, and of course Amazon sellers carry dupes, but again, they're not the plain natural color and I don't trust those brands' quality to Mar Y Sol.

I don't need it. I have an orange raffia tote about the same size I got at Talbots a few years ago, and have a tan leather tote from ABLE. But I can't get the Palermo Bag off my mind and love how it's classic but not boring and looks elevated but not specific to a trend or label.

This statement-making jumpsuit from Banana Republic

I need another jumpsuit like I need a hole in my head. Additionally, I have no formal events or weddings scheduled on my summer social calendar yet. And I definitely feel my best with a proper bra holding up my girls. But I can't get this badass jumpsuit out of my head. And it comes in petite and tall!

With a jumpsuit so cool, it could be worn with a subtle kitten heel strappy sandal (like these also from Banana) or a pointed-toe dressy flat like these. I'd do this bag in white, a pair of diamond (or CZ) solitaires, and lots of mascara and bronzer.

These Sézane sandals I really don't need

I don't need shoes like this in my closet. I can no longer comfortably wear shoes like this. But gosh darn it, these shoes are so pretty! And I surprisingly have had luck in the past with Sézane shoes fitting me.

I want to wear these heeled sandals with flared jeans and midi-length linen skirts and chambray dresses and drapey wide-legged pants that swish against my ankles. That color combo is so random, they can go with most anything too.

This retro yet elevated camp shirt and shorts from Johnny Was

I love a matched set; it's such an easy way to look polished even if you're sweating your butt off. It's my summer go-to look. And I love the retro vibe of this top and shorts set from Johnny Was.

It's also a rayon/silk blend, so it will have gorgeous drape and look more elevated than my cotton and linen sets. The cream can be worn with my ecru big buckle Birk Arizonas and a straw tote or glammed up with gold metallic sandals and a clutch. It's funny, I am usually drawn to something like this with a much bolder print or color, but the subtlety and how it feels like what a guy would wear to Palm Springs in the '60s but with a feminine twist is why I actually like this set so much.

This linen shirt from J. Crew

I love a breezy top like this but they're always white, or cream, or beige. Okay, maybe blush or a pale blue. But it's always some color that is begging for a splash of coffee or a smudge of lipstick. So when I saw this Garçon shirt in linen, with eyelet trim, and in red, I was psyched.

I don't need it. I have Chico's linen shirts in blue, green, and pink. But the eyelet is so pretty and the red is so lovely to wear on the 4th with denim shorts and out to dinner tucked into white linen trousers and all casual with navy or pink or orange linen shorts and I have a red bathing suit so it could be a coverup… I'd go up one size because linen can shrink and I also want this to be breezy and look good rumpled.

These Lele Sadoughi earrings

Now that I have a mullet, my ears can be better seen. I always relied on shiny/metal earrings to draw attention as my ears were covered by curls, but now I like wearing colored earrings to switch up a vibe. And these earrings are an aqua color that looks great with blues, but is stellar with red, coral, orange, and hot pink… essentially 75% of my summer closet.

These earrings are discontinued and on sale; Shopbop has some (which means Amazon too), and Nordstrom says they have two left but they're still full price. Other places like QVC and St. Bernard has them, but everywhere else has orange or white. And I dig the aqua. But I don't neeeeeed them so I'll hold off.

This pretty blue Lands' End swimsuit

I don't need any more swimsuits. But this swimsuit from Lands' End has been haunting me all spring. The color is fantastic, I love that it's ribbed and double-layer, and it gets stellar reviews. I want a suit that isn't all underwires and tummy sucking but can still have me feel cute and I can dive into water and swim laps without the whole thing going wonky.

But I have a navy whittling boob-supporting suit from Lands' End, and a perfectly servicable black tank suit (also Lands' End), and a boobalicious orange Universal Standard suit and a red Universal Standard two-piece that lets me swim and looks cute. That's enough swimsuits. But I do love this blue…

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Okay, I need to get back to REAL work. But don't be surprised if you see any of these pieces in upcoming capsule wardrobes. It's my way of virtually owning the pieces. And if you own any of these, let me know so I can live vicariously through your stylish self!