It seems just a few days ago (four days ago) that I was harshing upon myself for posting uncomplicated ideas over the months of summer. Dress upon dress.
Layering is less natural in the summer because it’s one temperature outside: HOT. Of course, there is the need for a jacket or sweater indoors, in overly-cooled office environments, but that’s not quite the same thing.
Even though the weather is conspiring against me, I still have ideas.
Ultra-light layers! Wear a silk tank worn over a cotton lawn blouse, with a beloved safari style jacket over both for indoors.
Why is this safari jacket so beloved?
Perfect weight, buttery color, and most importantly, tabs at the waist for shape.
And that’s just the start.
We can build this outfit up further, with a summer scarf.
Here I will take a moment to marvel at the fact that there are an almost infinite number of colors in the universe and millions of pieces of clothing . . . and look at how perfectly this scarf and tank go together.
I’ve written rhapsodically about this scarf in the past. Here, the paisley works well with the foulard even though the cotton of the scarf is much less formal than the silk of the tank.
Adding a little more depth to the ensemble is a giraffe print. Ah, the genius of animal prints. The shoebox says these are black and white, but I actually think they are a very dark brown.
I have a pair of dark purple (aubergine) patent leather flats that would also work well, if I wanted closed-toe shoes instead of sandals.
For those who like to keep track, the color scheme is: white, apricot, fuschia, aubergine, and dark brown.
For those who, literally, want to get beneath the surface of things, I’ve included a photo without the jacket.
I found this tank while looking for a slip dress to wear under the Wonderful, Awful Idea. The front looks like it is pieced from two distinct fabrics, but it’s not; the two patterns (dots and foulard) are printed on one fabric; the back (which I should have photographed) combines two more menswear patterns (paisley and checkerboard).
The sides are sewn together just under the armscye; most of those side seams is actually not seamed at all. Thus, in the gentle evening breeze, you can see movement. So graceful . . . as long as you are wearing something underneath.
I’m not going to tell her how to live her life . . . but she really should be wearing something under that tank.
Unless she’s already sewn up the sides.
And before heading home, a quick double self-portrait.
Jacket: Benetton; Silk tank: Helmut Lang Pieced Scarf-Print Silk Camisole Top; White blouse: Jack Wills from ASOS; Pants: JCrew; Sandals: Donald J. Pliner Fifi; Bag: JCrew: Scarf: Tory Burch; Bracelet: Dina Mackney; Watch: Michele CSX
Really love this layering. Between this and the strapless dress the other day I think it’s time for me to find some white Directrice-style blouses expressly for wearing under other things. And I’ve been on the lookout for a similarly marvelous scarf ever since you introduced us to this one. Someday the universe will reward my diligence….
My gosh you have the best jackets. So well executed and informative and inspirational as always.
Great job with the backgrounds by your trusty Photographer.
I’m intrigued by this post and the next, and the idea of layering a blouse either over or under a spaghetti strap. My swimmers shoulders just don’t look good with spaghetti straps. I am going to start looking for appropriate blouses, but please dear Directrice, if during your online sartorial voyages you find something that might work, do let us know.
Adorable outfit! Color is so amazing – change the lighting and the jacket changes! In all the pics I see, it looks like a creamy off white. In the profile pic, it’s a sunny yellow! Thanks for showing what lies beneath. Love the sandals.