Three pieces, three ways

Styling for de holidays

As you may remember, I’m a recent convert to capsule wardrobe packing. I love the calm it brings, knowing what outfits I’ll be wearing for a trip. I explored it earlier this year for a rainy but lovely UK city break.

This time I’m seeking hot sand, warm water, and cool decking - we’re heading to the south of France!

While this might sound glamorous, we all know (or can imagine) what a family holiday with 3 kids, an obligatory 6 hours of pool time a day, and a predominantly self catering getaway entails, and glamour it ain’t!

Regardless, I’m super excited and I want to dig out, style up and breeze around in some of my summer favourites. I’ve chosen three pieces from my own wardrobe* which, in my opinion, have excellent credentials, and I would even go as far as describing as summer wardrobe heroes. In line with last week’s focus on create, rather than consume, I’ve styled each of these pieces in three ways that I will be including in my planned outfits. See, you guys are helping me to pack!

Totême linen trousers

*I should say that these Totême linen blend trousers are on their way to my wardrobe, bought preloved and I’m banking on their brilliance. I mean, I paid £27 for them which is 1/10th of the retail price! If ever you needed another good news story to search for preloved items, this is it!

Outfit 1

I’ve paired the trousers firstly with a linen top from Posse, a great Australian brand, with a ‘less is more’ philosophy. You might remember than I had the Faithfull the Brand Antipas top on my wish list, and had actually purchased it. It’s a gorgeous top but ultimately I felt that the silhouette wasn’t for me. Short, boxy tops which sit at my waist work better for me as I’ve shorter legs and creating that higher waistline gives me length.

And Havaianas flip flops (my go to, I wear them almost exclusively over the summer months), and a much cherished basket bag from Piel de Mar, a beautiful artisan Spanish brand. These bags are unbelievably reasonable given the craftsmanship of them! Would highly recommend. I’ve had mine for about 5 years.

Outfit 2

Now this top from Lug Von Siga, a Turkish brand, really is a wardrobe standout piece. I spotted it on Emma Bigger and then miraculously found it reduced on Matches. When I wear it I feel so myself and so feminine (one of my 3 style words). More Havaianas, black this time, and my classic basket bag again. I feel like this is a really chic evening outfit that’s easy and breezy.

Outfit 3

I included this beach dress/ throw over in last weeks wish list and while I’m still waiting for it to arrive (I’m not sure where the OUTNET ship from but it takes a bit longer than usual), I think I’m going to love it. One of my Aussie friends saw it and bagsied it if it doesn’t work for me, so win win! According to her, Jets Australia is like the Rolls Royce of Aussie beachwear. So excited for it to arrive! I’m excited to wear it over swimwear and also over these linen trousers for evening. 90s style!

Suzie Kondi linen top

More linen, it feels like the ultimate in effortless summer style, doesn’t it? This time it’s a boxy top from Suzie Kondi. I was first introduced to this brand by

Monikh’s Substack

who has some of their beautiful cashmere jumpers and joggers (which are way out of my budget!). But this was reduced in the Net-a-Porter sale and I jumped to purchase it as it is such a simple, well made, soft, elegant piece. It’s got a gorgeous wide sleeve detail which elevates the silhouette. I’ve spotted it preloved here.

Outfit 1

More double linen here! These are high waisted linen blend shorts from H&M that sit really well and are a muted shade of green. I’ve added my Cos leather phone pouch, which also has room for bank cards, and which I tend to wear a lot during the summer (I still have the Celine version of this on my wish list 😍).

Outfit 2

I thought this could be a fun addition, throwing this top over my Cos tube dress and synched with this Zara circular leather belt which is very The Row-ish. And finished with a pop of raspberry pink from these old Havaianas.

Outfit 3

This is play on the very classic blue denim cut offs and white tee combo. These Re/Done cut offs are slightly longer which works well for me and fits with the Bermuda length I’m seeing this season.

Levi’s mint green sweatshirt

I appreciate this a bit niche but everyone will have a favourite summer sweatshirt or throw over, so I thought I’d include mine. I love this one as it’s a light jersey making it an easy throw over layer, the cool colour works for me, and the sleeves are a dolman shape which adds to its simple appeal.

Outfit 1

Yes, yes, didn’t we all want a square neck strappy black summer dress after watching Normal People?! Marianne aka Daisy Edgar Jones looked so effortlessly elegant in hers. This one is from Arket, but bought on their preloved marketplace 🙌🏻 I’d wear this with my usual summer accessories and this mint sweatshirt thrown over my shoulders. Feeling French girl chic already!

Outfit 2

The brown and mint green combo is a new one for me inspired by the Japanese Dictionary of Colour Combinations which I’m currently hunting down. Honestly I’ve heard so many people mention this little book -

Sam Preston

The Wardrobe Edit

Irene Kim (김애린)

. I’m excited to try this.

Outfit 3

I love a set so I have the matching shorts too - both bought preloved but separately! Love the simplicity and ease of this sweatshirt set teamed with my Onia swimsuit.

Inspiration

I’ve spied some inspiring outfits this week featuring neutral trousers with a barrel or a horseshoe silhouette - just love this shape for summer with a flip flop or strappy sandal. Similar to my COH Marcelle 😍 Inspiration here from

Lucy Alston

Natalie Borton

Sam Preston

.

Wish list pieces

I’ve added no wish list to my list this week - I’m feeling free as a bird! It’s a good place to be, especially before a holiday when it’s so easy to want. Personal growth, wuhoo! 🙌🏻 Plus these wish list beauties arrived this week and I have yet to take them off.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you next weekend, Jenny x