The versatility of summer t-shirts and tanks

How is your summer going? With camps canceled and a continued work from home scenario… there is a fair amount of juggling happening here. With all this juggling I am finding that a versatile wardrobe is a necessity this summer.

Two of the most popular items in my wardrobe are the t-shirt & tank. I am making the most of my summer t’s this season. Over the years, I’ve tried all different styles and found my favorites. I prefer a V-neck or a crewneck or any other neckline. These are both the most flattering and comfortable for my body type. I personally also prefer a tee that includes some embellishment… maybe a little lace or eyelet…maybe a ruffle sleeve. In my opinion, a little something extra goes a long way.

One of the keys to creating a versatile wardrobe, is finding items that fit your body type. When an item flatters your fit you will be much more likely to wear it regularly. You will naturally gravitate toward it. Try on different styles, colors, patterns, fabrics and necklines. Find what you love and stick with that.

The beauty of the t-shirt/tank is that it naturally pairs so well with other pieces. Wear it with jeans, chinos, shorts or a skirt… dress it up with jewelry or other accessories like a jacket, scarf or wrap. With so many options from so many retailers, you can find your perfect tee from your favorite retail shop fairly easily. And not to worry that the tee might go out of style… this item is always considered timeless.

J. Crew Vintage Cotton V-Neck T-shirt

J. Crew Eyelet Flutter-sleeve slub T-shirt

J. Crew Vintage Cotton Tank Top

BR Eyelet Ruffle T-shirt

BR Linen Flutter Sleeve Top

Loft Dot Embroidered Ruffle Apron Bank Tank

Loft Pleated Ruffle Shell

Step Up Your Weekend Wear

I was having dinner with some friends a couple weeks ago and a good friend of mine mentioned how she had unexpectedly run into her new boss on the weekend. Like many of us, she was running errands in her sweats and not exactly dressed to impress. She looked at me and said “I should listen to your advice and put on an outfit when I leave the house.” She said it in jest and I laughed because it’s almost inevitable that you’ll run into someone when you’re not ready.

So how do you “dress” for the weekend? Are you running your errands in leggings and sweatpants or your gym clothes? Are you living in leggings on the weekends? This isn’t necessarily a “bad” thing. The key to looking put together is knowing how to pair your items and adding structure to your outfit. Your pieces need to fit your body. Wearing oversized items can make you look “sloppy” on your weekend errands.

Now I get that it’s the weekend and all you really want to do is put on something comfortable. If you’re set on putting those leggings on then by all means please do! And if you want to look put together add a little structure to those leggings. How about a fitted tunic sweater and wedge sneakers? Layer on a quilted vest? How about a tank and long cardigan? You have options for how to pair leggings for a more structured weekend look.

Other options? Jeans are great for the weekend. They come in all kinds of styles and can be easily paired for whatever your weekend has in store. I’m a big fan of Athleta pants. These are comfortable, simple and easily paired. What about a pair of joggers or refined sweatpants? You have options ladies! Make them work for you!

Ok we focused on your bottoms, what about your tops? If you're wearing a tank, add a cardigan and a quilted vest or a t-shirt and a moto-jacket. Throw on a pullover sweater that fits your body. It’s less about what you wear and more about how it fits you. Add a structured jacket over a hooded sweatshirt. Whatever is in your closet can be layered and combined to create a great weekend look. Chances are you have something to build from and will not need to re-create your wardrobe just to get through the weekend.

Still unsure? Find a few inspirational pieces below.

J. Crew Striped Hoodie

Lou & Grey Signature Softblend Sweatpants

Spanx Look At Me Now Seamless Leggings

Athleta Brooklyn Ankle Pant

J. Crew Sophie Open-front Sweater Blazer

J. Crew Quilted Downtown Field Jacket

J. Crew Factory Button-collar Pullover Sweatshirt

J. Crew Excursion Vest

Linea Paolo Felicia Wedge Bootie

Cole Haan ZEROGRAND Zip Bootie

The Playground Question

I work with a lot of moms and one of the most common questions I am asked is "What should I wear to the playground?" We all struggle with this. I think our first instinct is to wear our gym clothes. But are yoga pants really playground attire? They are called "yoga" pants after all.

Turns out that there are probably more appropriate clothes to wear to the playground. These are the same clothes you might wear to a BBQ, playdate or house party. These are the outfits where you can both look cute and be comfortable. That would be key for playground attire.

Now, in the colder months jeans are an obvious answer. But what do you wear when it's too hot for jeans? A dress or skirt probably doesn't make sense if you're running after your toddler on the playground. But shorts, capris, joggers or cropped pants will totally work!

So how do you make this look cute? Here are a few ideas:

Inspiration #1:

Add a cute top and remember accessories: There are lots of cute t-shirt tops in stores now. Something fun with embellishment and/or details can go a long way to adding that little extra something to your outfit. Same goes for your accessories. Add a piece of jewelry or a crossbody bag that is both functional but also chic.

In this case, I paired a white t-shirt with a pair of linen joggers. This white cotton t-shirt from Banana Republic has ruffle sleeves that have been super popular this summer. It's light and breathable but has some extra detail that gives it that something extra and separates it from just another plain white t-shirt. These linen joggers from J.Crew are also light and easy to move in, not to mention trendy. The darker color is great for the playground. I added a little color in my necklace and embellishments on my flat sandals!

Inspiration #2:

Incorporate color: Color is a great way to add a little something extra to an outfit. Color used the right way can help a piece standout and bring attention to an outfit in a positive way. Color can be fun to play with so the playground seems like a perfect spot to wear it!

This outfit incorporates bright color in my cropped pants from Ann Taylor Loft. While these bottoms are built like jeans they are a light cotton fabric which makes them breathable and bearable in the summer. This top is actually from J.Crew last year. The chambray top has a little detail that incorporates just a hint of the bright coral from my pants. I kept the accessories to a minimum here so that the pants stand alone.

This is an easy outfit that can be worn to a number of different casual events. The versatility of these pieces is key! You don't want to invest in clothing that you're only going to wear to the playground. But you also don't want to wear your gym clothes or work clothes to the playground. So what's the answer to the playground question? Compile a couple of outfits that meet the criteria of "casual social". Whether you wear them to the park, zoo, museum, or field trip, trust me, they will be the answer to the question of what to wear when it's too hot for jeans!

Photography credit for this post: Beth O'Brien Photography