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Home » Weekly Timeless Wardrobe #10 – short-sleeved textured top

Weekly Timeless Wardrobe #10 – short-sleeved textured top

May 17, 2021

I know that I describe this top as “textured” in order to be consistent with the way that I described things like cabled sweaters… What I’m looking for here is a warm-weather top with some visual interest – something more than just a tee shirt…

A print makes perfect sense for spring and summer, so don’t be terribly bound by the idea of texture!

Seersucker top – L.L.Bean; earrings – Sorelli; bag – H&M; white shorts – Banana Republic; sandals – Nine West

A simple pleated top in a pretty color can change the look of anything with which you wear it!

Coral glow plissé top – Halogen

I actually saw a man on the street the other day in a seersucker suit, white shirt, pink madras tie and pink pocket square. Pink socks and white bucks…. He looked amazing!

Earrings – Lonna & Lilly; ruby coral seersucker top – L.L.Bean; skirt – J.Crew; sandals – 27 Edit; bag – Nine West

 

Even if you’re wearing shorts, a sweater can be about a million times more dressy than a tee shirt:

Sweater – Banana Republic; horn earrings – Akola; bracelet – Ritual Intention; shorts – L.L.Bean; sandals – Free People

Smocking DEFINITELY counts as texture! And while maybe only 3 or 4 of us could wear this top successfully, I wanted you to see it because of the beautiful fabric!

If you like Liberty London fabrics, keeps an eye on J.Crew, because they often feature their fabrics…

Smocked top – J.Crew; earrings – Lauren Ralph Lauren; bag – Mali + Lili; sandals – Olukai; linen pants – J.Crew

Here’s another case of making shorts look just a wee bit more appropriate for a range of activities; this is the kind of thing that I would wear to a work-related outdoor function…

Silk-blend sweater – J.Crew; earrings – Kozakh; bracelet – Kendra Scott; denim shorts – L.L.Bean; sandals – Munro

And I really like this last outfit – it’s not complicated, but it has a lot of interesting things going on. The handbag is almost certainly intended for evening, but I would cheerfully carry it during the day!

Earrings – Akola; polo – Mango; black linen skirt – J.Crew; sandals – Toni Pons; convertible clutch bag – Steve Madden

For those of you who want a look at the master list – here you go!

I’m looking at the concept of using these first 10 garments (and of course the entire 13 for the season!) as a checklist for a travel capsule wardrobe…

love,

Janice

p.s. Seven years ago I shared with you a lengthy review of a French-language wardrobing book; I’m STILL confounded by how this book doesn’t really live up to its potential…

WEEKLY TIMELESS WARDROBE #10 – SHORT-SLEEVED TEXTURED TOP

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05.17.21 4 Comments

Tags: tops, warm weather, Weekly Timeless Wardrobe
<<Accessory Accent Colors – Pantone Fall 2021/22Start with Art: Girl with a Tinsel Scarf by William John Leech>>

Comments

  1. Book Goddess says

    May 17, 2021 at 8:06 am

    These are great suggestions for those of us who live in warm climates. When it’s too hot for a third piece or a scarf, which is most of the time where I live, it really helps if there is something interesting about your top. I like your necklace picks too – they definitely dress up a simple outfit and I almost always wear one.

    Reply
  2. Lizette says

    May 17, 2021 at 9:43 am

    Good morning VF friends. LL Bean has wonderfully cool seer sucker tops. The fabric is all cotton and the seer sucker lets the air flow through. I have had several of their variations. The perennial favourite year after year is my crisp blue/white striped 3/4 length shirt. It always looks and feels great. Later I bought the long sleeved version in beach glass/white stripe after seeing it here last summer. It now has mysterious yellowed areas and it has moved into gardening wear. I also bought a short sleeved yellow/white version and quickly gave it away because it was way too boxy for me. Not a good look on me. What’s my point? The fabric is great but pay careful attention to the dimensions and fit to get the one that’s great for you. IMHO :)

    Reply
  3. Beth T says

    May 18, 2021 at 1:28 am

    A greater proportion of my shirts, blouses, tops and tees are patterned. I’m more attracted to plain colours if they have texture, embellishment or embroidery. A decorative neckline or shaped hemline will be enough to make a plain garment attractive. I’m trying to minimise completely plain garments but they are useful for layering in winter or underneath a patterned cardigan or lacy top in the summer.

    Reply
  4. Linda P says

    May 22, 2021 at 5:20 pm

    Hi Janice and Everyone! I can definitely see the use for short-sleeved ‘sweater’ tops for temps in the 60s. I have a grey one similar to the one shown from Lands End (not silk).

    Reply

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