Primary colors, sheer dresses, and subtle surprises
A hearty mix of summer vintage
Hi and happy Friday!
I know I’ve been promising the third installment of “In conversation with…” with Harling Ross Anton today, but it’s being pushed just one week! So, since I already published a bonus free newsletter on Tuesday, I decided to publish the usual end-of-the-month free newsletter today! A true free-for-all this week. Next week will be our chat with Harling and you will definitely want to read and shop what we’ve got cooking.
Today I’ve built up two very bold “Vintage Copycat” looks and a 26-piece “Things I Like” featuring striking primary colors. My little neutral brain was clearly trying to tell me something. Sometimes when color wants to be seen, it wants to be made known, and who am I to fight it? Alongside the bright dresses and sets are sheer pieces, some odd jewelry, and (I can’t help myself) a little smattering of neutrals. Let’s get to it!
*Don’t forget items marked with an asterisk received a discount after adding to “liked” item*
Sometimes, like the below dresses, I just provide a similar vibe to an original inspiration photo, and sometimes, like the above outfit, I just find the most perfect replicas. Just wear the mock neck over the waist of the skirt and baboom you’ve got a runway look. The skirt can be worn the rest of summer and then the top can make its triumphant return come fall!
I just really loved the simple striking yellow of this Calvin Klein dress (go figure CK does minimalism well). While none of these dresses are *exact* matches, all are punchy yellows for a variety of occasions. Some more formal (the last one being very Andie Anderson-coded), but some are just great everyday wears for summer. If you can’t beat the sun, might as well join him!
1. B&W satin striped skirt with attached mini shorts, $125***. It already won me over with the stripes and belt but ah! secret shorts! You could frolic and dance your little heart away without any fear of exposure.
2. Hogan Bolas fish brooch, $75. Imagine this running the lapel of your blazer, or across your waist as a faux belt with a ribbon, or attached to a purse? Instant elevation.
3. Halston red jersey knit skirt set, $138. Jersey is worming its way back (easily) back into my heart, especially a drapey, sexy, fire engine red like this one! Vintage Halston knows sex appeal and the fact that you can mix and match these pieces is icing on the cake.
4. DKNY yellow silk trapeze top, $25 (I featured the dress version in this newsletter). Love the trapeze shape, the color, and the stiffness of the fabric. Would be excellent with something unexpected like #12.
5. Oops! I skipped this number when making the collage apparently. Let’s move along…
6. Black crinkle button-front dress, $49. This will hug without squeezing, and the two slits up the legs allow for maximum movement, breeze, and leg-showing-off. Win, win, win.
7. Speckled tan knit vest, $35*. So cute! Just a great top to throw on, perhaps with #8?
8. Multipocket tan jeans, $45*. These have a great shape but what really sets them apart are the pockets! Deep hip pockets AND thigh pockets? So strange and special.
9. Nike swoosh ring, $26. Every now and again I come across these and have to share. They’re so fun and fake and great for stacking.
10. Bill Blass Picasso-esque shorts, $14. Just some cute shorts in a cute print.
11. Royal blue crinkle button-side dress, $22. Like #6, this will skim your bod while expertly showing everything off. Also, this color? It’s my friend Alexa’s power color so now I just think of it as a power color for all because who wouldn’t feel more powerful in this striking blue?
12. Tan linen tea length skirt, $29. It could be a midi/maxi/tea length depending on your height, but this skirt ended up being a back-up for this newsletter so click and read if you need some skirt styling inspiration.
13. Black sheer bias cut dress, $50*. Just add black mini slip and keep the heads turning.
14. Sonia Rykiel red tank & short set, $65. Obsessed. The short length is so on-trend for this summer, the tank is perfectly cropped, and it’s all a bright, bold, RED.
15. Resin cicada brooch, $25. In honor of this spring’s plague ;) (if you can’t beat em, join em).
16. Yellow linen blend minidress, $19. A perfect summer dress. Stunning color, breathable fabric, mini length. And a deal.
17. Black mesh dress with yellow flowers, $30*. The layering opportunities here abound. Over a little slip dress, of course, but how cute over a black bralette and some jeans? Or with a black tank under it but a black pleated midi skirt over it?
18. David Warren yellow double zip dress, $38. Like if Beatrix Kiddo wanted to party at 10 and assassinate at midnight.
19. Red orange tie-front dress + wide leg pant set, $25*. Click this link! I probably wouldn’t wear these together, but if the size is right you get a really cute summer dress with tie-fronts and pockets AND a spare pair of wide leg pants, also with great pockets.
20. Striped linen vest set, $30. Divine. I’ll brook no arguments against it.
21. Emporio Armani tan silk dress, $60*. Such good swing and buttons. Would be a great candidate for twirling.
22. B&W cut out embroidered puff sleeve dress, $55. From the embroidered flowers in stark white to the cut-out sleeve and hem, what can’t this dress do? Would look equally at home amongst some skyscrapers or bougainvillea.
23. Backless turquoise knit top, $60. I can’t help myself, honestly. The siren song of backless/open back/any back detail is too strong for me. But can you blame me? It’s such a fun surprise!
24. Red quilted floral box purse, $46. Sweet and petite little punch of color and textile.
25. Black sheer strip tank, $33*. This encompasses my entire style ethos: classic with a twist. Not anything gimmicky or silly, but something well-made and well-trod with just a little something special to set it apart. That sheer little strip of fabric would speak volumes without ever having to raise its voice.
26. Black scallop linen tank, $38. Ditto above but for a linen top! A classic piece with just a touch of something special.
27. Mondi sheer-top top, $8*. Really driving this point home, aren’t I? So simple, (so well-cut), and such a stunner!
Thanks as always for being here, let me know if you buy anything <3, and I’ll see you next week for our chat-and-shop with Harling! xx Maggie
Cicada brooch!!!