I love the summertime! I’m a July birthday and I always feel I/things/life always come good come the warmer, brighter months. I guess all a state of mind – but I eat better, exercise more, look more positively on things and also feel more comfortable in my clothes…
Less cumbersome clothes is an easier drill for me – I like to feel unimpeded by what I’m wearing, less layers, less heavy jumpers and shoes! And with that lighter vibe, I feel more creative with what I wear and how I style things; heatwave days aside when it really is just vest and shorts, lol!
I love this outfit because it feels fun, summery and perfect for summer in the city. A proud lighbulb moment (ha!) when I realised the Ganni dress I’d bought for a party, which looked a little too school-marmishly generous on the shoulders might give off much more relaxed vibes worn loose. Sort of like a daywear kimono type thing – am sure there is an official term for this! And I’ve noticed & Other Stories is using on this styling trick on their wrap dresses – which I think because of their wear-to-work history can look & feel a little too prim! So yes, love this approach!
The top is another summer trick I’ve been seeing in action – wearing a swimsuit as a body (just sans the buttons which frankly is no big loss as that was one 90s time-waster that does not need revisiting!). Just yank it all down, pur-leese! This is one of those lovely Hunzas which comes in one size and fit stretchily and perfectly to you. So brilliant!
So those were the new bits. Now for the old/new! The jeans are without a doubt my holy grail of denim. I’ve been wearing a lot of Levi’s this past year (as you probably know) – finding great waist shape & fit in the Wedgie Straights and 501s skinny. This week I popped into Levi’s showroom to check out the new Authorised Vintage collection – these are handpicked vintage jeans which have been reworked to be slightly more modern but still keeping the best bits! For me, the waist and a slightly snugger fit (vintage sizes do come up smaller!). What I love about the tailored waist as that there’s no sag at the back, the buttoned fly is snug to my belly and no need for a fiddly belt to keep things looking neat! Not online, but you can find these jeans in the Levi’s Carnaby Street store if you are in London.
And finalement, the bag. One that is quite a few years old for me now, an APC classic if you will – the demi lune bag, fully restocked & available! Which according to WhoWhatWear is back on the wanted list. So that’s quite refreshing and quelled my need this month (at least!) for something new, eek, yes, I have a problem. But what was interesting about this was that the day before apropos of nothing but the need for something other than a summer basket (was feeling peak basket reached, lol!) I pulled out an old Jerome Dreyfuss (husband to La Marant no less) heavy leather & studded boho bag to make a summer look at bit edgier.
And so, there you have it! Outfit deets below…
Dress (as kimono) | Ganni (sold out, but all their dresses are heaven!)
Swimming costume (as top) | Hunza G (also sold out, bought in sale!)
Jeans* | Levi’s Authorised Vintage (available Carnaby Street store)
Bag | APC
Espadrilles | Manebi
Necklaces | Bianca x Stylonylon baby compass, Bear Brookbank vintage, Wald Berlin shell
Headscarf | Lucy Williams x Love Stories
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