The Long and Short of it

I finally found them: the perfect summer shorts. In all honestly, tiny little cut-offs always made me feel over-exposed, I usually felt like I had to pair them with an over-sized or draped tee, and all of that extra fabric was no good in the heat. I'm a bit obsessed with vintage high-rise cut of these pleated chambray shorts. They're loose and lightweight, and the paper bag waist makes them feel quite modern as well. My brother tried to tell me I was wearing "mom" pants, a comment I simply ignored. I'll be frank; perhaps they're not the most flattering, especially on a figure like my own where my hips are the widest part of my body, but I'll wear them simply because I like them! 

I still can't get over this top and the way it buttons down the back. I bought it back in February at one of Urban's end-of-the-season sales, even though I didn't know exactly what to wear it with. With jeans it looked like just another blouse, but I think the black ribbon on my shorts bring out details like the peter pan collar and button on my top. I swapped out my green satchel for this floral print bag that I had almost forgotten about.

Shorts - Gap; $8

Blouse - Urban Outfitters; $10

Bow flats - Urban Outfitters

Rose ring - Charlotte Russe; $4

Floral bag - thrifted; $6

1969

I picked up some really great finds at Gap this weekend, and incidentally every piece I bought was denim. Gap jeans are unquestionably the best quality jeans one could hope to find in a mall store. Denim itself has such an iconic presence in American style, so while certain washes or cuts may come and go,  denim will remain a classic.

I was lucky enough to find this stunning tie-back dress on sale. It was hidden in the back of a dress rack and was apparently the only one of its kind at that particular store; they hadn't carried it originally but this one came into their possession when a customer returned it. I don't often like smocking, but it works on this dress and helps it sit at my natural waist. The length of the skirt looks a bit strange for my proportions too, only because it's straight rather than full, but it's nothing a bit of hemming can't fix.

Let's talk about the perfect jean shorts. They're not your run-of-the-mill frayed and bleached cut-off shorts, but instead they're impeccably detailed with a paper bag waist, ribbon belt, and a double hem. I neglected to iron them and therefore this photo barely does them justice, but they're made of a lightweight chambray in a fresh blue color and they sit at my natural waist. They have all the perks of a high-waisted skirt, but as shorts they offer more versatility and movement.

I also found the greatest full denim skirt. It also sits at my natural waistline (notice a pattern?) and has the best details: pockets and little belt loops. I can't wait to wear it with a skinny leather belt and a tucked-in blouse.

Additionally, I picked up a great pair of dark wash denim trousers. They have a bit of a stretch and a wide leg which is coming back in a huge way. Then again, trousers never really go out, and even if they did I'd still love these pants. I did find one thing that wasn't denim, a black chiffon maxi skirt. Not only was it exactly what I had been looking for but it was less than $6! I'd highly suggest shopping the sales going on now, because stores are already rolling in their fall and pre-fall collections.

Sleeveless

It's the first day of August, and I'll say it definitely feels like it. The rising heat indexes convinced me it was finally time to cut the sleeves off of this Limited dress I thrifted back in the fall. I just wasn't in love with the sleeves, even after I took the shoulder pads out. That's right: shoulder pads. Could this dress be any more nineties? I like it much more in its newly altered state and I know I'll be wearing it more often. It's bit on the short side, but I've taken to wearing bike shorts underneath most of my dresses so I should be in the clear.

My favorite detail? The crazy little buttons that go all the way down the front.

Button front dress - The Limited, thrifted; $6

Braided wedge sandals - Ross; $16

Brown leather braided belt - vintage

Brown jeweled ring - Forever 21; $3