This week, we’re looking at four different ways to style this silk top by Elizabeth Suzann — and it’s time for look three!
ES pieces look amazing paired together and that’s how lots of people wear them — think flowy tops paired with silky wide leg pants, like this. But … that style that doesn’t feel entirely me. So I’ve been having fun coming up with different ways to style it.
This third look is all about playing with contrasting styles — pairing a refined silk top with something ultra casual and a little boho, like cutoff jean shorts and lace up sandals.
It’s funny, I go through phases with shorts. In early spring, I prefer longer shorts because I haven’t seen my legs in a while and shorty shorts are like a shock to the system. So right now, I’m mildly uncomfortable in these shorts, even though they’ve been with me since my very first capsule.
But usually by the end of the summer, I’m reaching for them regularly. At that point, I’m used to wearing shorts every day because the heat is real. So by that time, I don’t even really think about it — I just feel comfortable in ’em.
Last summer I was allllll about these shorts — I wore them three or four times a week. I’m curious if that’s how it’s going to go down this summer or if I’ve turned a new page — a longer shorts page. At the moment, I’m thinking I may have turned a new page because like I said, mildly uncomfortable. :) We’ll see.
Either way, I think it’s interesting to pair this refined top with something ultra casual, like cutoff jean shorts.
So tell me, what do you think of contrasting styles? What styles do you find yourself contrasting in your own outfits? Boho with tailored? Masculine with feminine? Share away in the comments section!
And I’ll see you tomorrow for part 4!
xo,
Photo Credit: Katie Jameson
Liked today’s outfit? You can shop it and support Unfancy at the same time by using these affiliate links:
01 | Silk tee by Elizabeth Suzann (made responsibly) Fit note: I’m wearing size “OS”. | similar button down (made responsibly) | similar with a ruffle sleeve | similar shape in a tee | similar in different colors | similar (under $50)
02 | Jean Shorts (old by American Eagle) | similar (made in USA) | similar | similar (under $50)
03 | Lace up sandals by Madewell | similar (made responsibly)
I think they look great, but I feel ya – I absolutely despise shorts! Skirts and dresses of any length are fine but no shorts please!!
So true about being mildly uncomfortable. It is a feeling that will either grow to full “Im ready to move on” or disappear with a little tweak. In this case, perhaps a bit of sun on our winter legs. This same feeling happens with our homes too. Acknowledging, and taking action to resolve one way or the other, prevents years of clutter. Being intelligently decisive is a good habit to develop. Good post. Got me thinking. -Laurel Bledsoe
Good point, Laurel! :)
Yes, I like your todays’s outfit and I really want to shop every single piece immediately :) Thank you!
xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
http://www.dressedwithsoul.com
Hi Caroline!
Your blog is inspiring to me in so many ways, one of those ways has been the sussing out of my style, SO helpful to only reach for things that feel truly “me” after several months of reading and culling. I LOVE your ethos, love your style, love your approach to sharing freely to help us fellow peeps out!
One of my realizations is that I just don’t like shorts! On myself that is, I think you look great in them and since I live in Austin I see people pulling off great short looks all the time. Anyways, this article (below) made me laugh so much…
http://www.manrepeller.com/2017/05/how-to-wear-shorts.html
Good to know I’m not alone, and my approach to “shorts anxiety” has been to carefully collect breezy summer dresses over the winter so hopefully I can just not wear shorts, I’ll see how it goes when we hit warmer temps.
Thanks for always keeping it real, love you!
Thank you for the link! I read the article & it really helped with my shorts anxiety. The only thing I wish is that they had links to some more realistically-priced shorts…although those designer items look really good, they are simply not in my budget :(
Haha! That’s a good one, Claire. And I’m glad to know I’m not alone in my skepticism! :)
those shorts aren’t too short! Trust me, I see a lot of booty shorts and those aren’t it!
-Kirsten // http://www.porkandcookies.com
Haha, Kirsten! Phew! :D
I personally have a really hard time with contrasting styles. The way most people feel about wearing a hat (when they’ve never worn hats) is the way I feel about wearing contrast most of the time. I wear a lot of bookend looks and versatile clothes that could fit in many contexts. I feel like your look is easier because of that versatility. It’s probably because of my discomfort mixing styles that I have two capsules: one for work and one for casual. Some items can cross over, but a blazer is a blazer and a t-shirt is a t-shirt. I don’t know why I’m this way. I don’t really feel a need to expand in that direction, but I can see the appeal.
Anyway, your outfit looks like the coolest, breeziest, most comfortable summer outfit ever! Was it warm today in Texas? (It was zero degrees Celsius this morning where I am! That’s 32 Fahrenheit, apparently.)
Hey Katharine, Yes, it was pretty warm today, in the 70’s. Can’t complain! And I don’t see any reason to change what works for you. :)
This is super fascinating – you look fantastic, as always, but I’m personally not feeling this particular outfit. I think it would feel different if the styles weren’t separated at the waist. From the waist up, this outfit is all elegance. From the waist down, it’s all boho. I’m wondering if I’d feel differently if you had visually mixed up the styles more, like having a boho necklace or earrings up top? It would be fun to play with ratios too, like here I feel like you’re 2:2 – two super elegant pieces with two super boho/casual pieces. What would a 3:1 ratio look like?
I mostly feel like my closet is a little bit girl-next-door tees and jeans, a little bit tailored business casual, and a little bit feminine vintage. Recently I’ve been bringing more of my vintage look into my work wardrobe, and it makes me feel happy and more unique – plus it broadens the mixing and matching I can do!
https://everydayjoys.blog/
Hi Caroline, love your post as always! I have a question about your silk pieces. I recently splashed out on a silk top and a silk dress but find them quite static. Do you have that problem? Or a solution?
Thanks!
Chloe
Hey Chloe, do you know what type of silk the tops are? I think for typical silk, that problem is pretty common. You can try a fabric spray like Static Guard or even run a dryer sheet across the inside of the fabric before you leave the house to cut down on the cling factor.
My particular top is more of a textured silk (silk crepe), so I don’t run into that problem too often. Hope that helps, though! :)
I think this outfit looks great in photos, but I wonder…. where would you wear this? Is it for meeting friends at dinner or going to the grocery store or what? I always struggle with these high/low looks. And I think maybe my days of cutoff shorts in public are just passed. hahahah.
Hey Tara, that’s understandable. Cut-offs aren’t for everyone! I wear this as a daytime look — running errands, meeting friends, grabbing coffee, or just hanging around. :)
Great outfit as always! Love your blog <3
https://www.myblackcloset.com/
If anyone can pull off short-shorts, you can! I like the look a lot but struggle with whether or not a person can reach an age where they don’t look cute anymore. I don’t really like “mature” styles, but sometimes these short inseams don’t seem right either. I usually hang out in the 4-5″ inseam neighborhood. Thoughts? I just turned 34 by the way ;)
Hey Christy, I hear you! Maybe it’s my age giving me away. ;) I’m not opposed to a longer short, the 4-5 inch inseam sounds good, but I think I’ll come around to these as it gets hotter too. So we’ll see where I end up.
Hi Caroline,
Loving the laid back look of this outfit! I used to work at AE (for 5 years!) and if memory serves me right, those are their midi shorts. Am I right? I feel super uncomfortable in shorts too because I carry alot of muscle in my quads but the midi shorts from AE make me feel at ease! Not too short that my bootie is hanging out but not too long that I can show off my hard work in the gym :) I hope you have a great day!
xo EK
I think you’re right, Ela! :)
I struggle with short shorts, too, but because I’m petite, Bermuda/board-short lengths tend to cut me off and mess up my proportions! I have a pair of ripped jean shorts that I’ve had since high school that are my go-to’s, but they’re so worn at this point that they’ve become my “work in the yard” or “paint the house” shorts. I bought another pair last year that I’m not as comfortable in but I hope that changes this year! I think your outfit is cute — that top is so versatile!
Hey Kendal, I hear you on the bermuda shorts. I just tell myself I haven’t found the perfect length YET. ;)
I know what you mean about wearing shorts early in the year, and I would add vest/sleeveless tops to that too. The summer is so variable here in the UK, that sometimes it’s almost over before I am ready for shorts!
I like this look, I feel the necklace balances out the top and bottom, but I love mixing up styles, as long as they still feel like me.
I am obsessed with those shoes! I have loved every single way you’ve styled this shirt. Amazing!! Can’t wait to see more!!
K A T E L A T E L Y || Fashion & Lifestyle Blog
http://www.katelately.co/2017/05/04/denim-days/
I love shorts and I think legs look great non-tanned / pale– I never understood the mania to be tan! Lovely outfit, Carolyn!
Cheers to that, Jane! :)
I am also uncomfortable in shorts. I wear them when it’s hot…I live in WA so luckily it is never really, truly hot like Texas, but I prefer a skirt or dress.
I had some longer, business-casual shorts (that I actually wore to work!) in the past, but they got old & I have not replaced them with anything new.
I don’t know why I am so uncomfortable with shorts, but I am glad I am not alone! I guess I don’t really like my legs, I feel frumpy…the recent trend of short-shorts is not for me! I’m 40, and I have no business showing my booty anywhere in public LOL!
In high school, my best friend’s mom had a pair of cut-off Levi’s that were absolutely perfect. They fit me like a glove, they were comfortable, they were stylish for the time (mid-90’s, they would be back in style NOW!) and I loved them. Unfortunately my friend would not let me keep them, and I have never found another pair that were as perfect as those.
I guess I just have a case of shorts-regret.
Good shorts are hard to find, Beth! That’s a bummer! Hopefully there will be perfect shorts in your future. :)
I like all pieces of your outfit individually but I think the cut off short-shorts are more of a picnic/beach/farmers market/ backyard item and paired with a tshirt or tank top.
Your silt t and necklace would look wonderful with a slightly longer pair of shorts or even a white or denim short skirt… still super casual but a bit more polished.
Cute ideas, Mary-Ellen! Do you ever wear polished shorts with heels for a nighttime look?
I must be in the minority here because I love shorts. I also had to read this twice because I didn’t realize these were your shorter shorts. But I live in a beach town so in the summer there is booty everywhere. When it comes to denim and stiffer fabrics, I think around mid-thigh is more flattering on most people than going longer. Unless you work at a golf course or a yacht club I just don’t find that bermuda style to look good on anyone, plus they are hot and kind of negate the comfort factor of wearing shorts. (No offense to anyone to likes bermuda shorts LOL) . I’ve been trying to find a good pair of vintage style, natural wasit, looser fit jean shorts. I just ordered a pair of Levis on Poshmark and I’m hoping they fit right. I also love fabric shorts as they can be worn with bare legs in the summer or with tights in the winter.
Hey Gabby, if I lived in a beach town, I’d wear these day and night! :)
I have always heard that after 35, you can’t wear short skirts or shorts anymore. But as a 38 year old, I reject this rule!! Haha! It’s hard to find the “perfect” length for sure, but we only live once. ;)
Hi Caroline,
I’m relatively new to your blog but I love your style and your perspective on things. I wanted to introduce you to Moorea Seal (https://www.mooreaseal.com/pages/about-us), a store in Seattle. You may already know about them, but they stock their shelves with handmade and/or local products and their “aesthetic” is right on the money for you. Hope you enjoy!
Speaking of things from previous capsules, I have often wondered what happened to your hobo backpack that was similarly colored to your baggu bag. And also the maxi dress and the silver Madewell sandals, and a few other things that I really loved. Perhaps a postidea could be to revisit things that your readers loved on you that you no longer wear? Cheers to you!! Samantha
I’d enjoy hearing about items that are no longer around as well.
And the cheetah print clutch!
Love the length and relaxed fit of these shorts – I need to find a pair like this for the summer!
http://www.wonderlandsam.com
Hey Caroline!
A little late to the game here, but I’ve been catching up and I love this outfit!
I actually realized this season that I don’t have to wear denim shorts if I don’t want to… why had I felt the need to wear them when I never feel comfortable in them? If I’m being honest, I’ve never found a pair that didn’t you know… give me a wedgie! I even tried sizing up, too. So there’s that…
BUT there is hope! I love that looser shorts are more popular now. I have a pair of black loose shorts from Madewell that I LOVE (I think they came back this year too!) and I recently tried a pair of silk shorts from Grana – and let me just say, they are INCREDIBLE. I may never wear jean shorts again.
That being said, I popped in a gap the other day to return something, and a pair of vintage looking denim shorts caught my eye. I read that they were 100% cotton (which for some reason always draws me in) and tried them on. I have literally NEVER fit so perfectly into a pair of jean shorts. They are high waisted, cuffed, and long enough that I’m comfortable.
So, sounds like these three shorts will have to do when it gets hot here in Lexington :) Just felt the need to share this with someone ;)