laid-back

hi, friends!
i’m back! had to take last week off due to my work schedule. it was cma music festival in nashville, which is a very busy time in the city! as the buyer for a store downtown, i was needed on the front lines to run the shop and help customers for the entire week and weekend. it’s crazy and fun but also a little tiring, so i figured i’d just take the week off from the blog. i really am committed to being consistent, but i also do not want the blog to feel like a chore or one more thing i have to do…it’s supposed to be fun!

this week’s post is all about go-to casual looks for summer nights out. nashville is a very casual town and most people dress in a laid-back style even for nights out. when you hit the bars on a saturday night in music city, you’ll see most people in jeans, tees, cutoff shorts, and dresses. shoes are casual, too — boots of all varieties, flat sandals, or wedges are the go-to. now that i’m older, my style is very consistent in that what i wear for daytime activities and what i wear for nighttime activities are pretty similar. part of that is nashville’s influence, but i also just am not into wearing bodycon dresses or sky-high platforms (unless they’re 70’s inspired) when i head out with my friends.

hat – janessa leone via council studio; sunglasses – free people; tee – free people; chevron necklace – madewell; bag – chanel; jeans – madewell {on sale!}; heels – zara {similar here}

personally, i love the idea of a casual pair of distressed jeans paired with fancy shoes and a tee. there’s just something about that juxtaposition of casual clothing with a sexier shoe (lace-up sandals are extremely trendy right now) that feels very modern. that balance of casual fabrics with something dressy, and the tomboy vibes of a ripped pair of jeans with über-feminine heels, lends a contemporary feel to your style. these days, it’s not about matching, it’s about complimenting. this billowy tee is one of my old standbys that always adds a little something special to an otherwise basic look. your favorite tee (basic or with a twist!) with pretty delicate jewelry (or a statement bib if that’s your thing), beautiful shoes, and your favorite jeans is a no-fuss, low-key look suitable for a birthday dinner, brunch, or a night out. not all outfits have to be complicated in order to be stylish!

style tip
even if they aren’t distressed, a ligher-wash jean reads more casual than your dark-wash pairs. if you’re not into jeans with holes, you definitely should consider adding a great pair of lighter wash denim, or one with more whiskering and fading, to your wardrobe. the key is getting a pair that fits in a way you love and that has modern detailing.