Dressing for transitional weather is all about balancing practicality with modishness, and finding the line between being comfortable and looking shapeless.
I am partnering with Ann Taylor today to share a few new favorites that will take me through the scorching summer heat and into crisp fall weather.
I shared some travel-ready pieces last month, and my recommendations today are a continuation of that theme. To travel light, and without sacrificing style, one should pack pieces that easily mix and match; and a matching set perfectly meets that criterion.
As I will be taking several short bleisure trips in the coming weeks, the pieces featured here are all coming along: What makes the Puppytooth Sleeveless Peplum Sweater and Stitched Sweater Skirt set so versatile is that they look as great together as they do styled separately with other pieces. Furthermore, these light- to medium-weight knit (62/63% Viscose, 35/36% Nylon, and 2% Spandex) pieces are wrinkle-resistant and machine washable, making them perfect travel companions.
I have been wearing this peplum sweater with the Straight Leg Pant (runs half a size small; size up if you are more bottom heavy), and the sweater skirt with silk blouses in muted colors. While the combinations described here are not remarkable, they are exceedingly comfortable and unfailingly flattering.
All styles featured here are currently 40% off with code READYSETSALE. You can use the same code to take an extra 50% off sale styles, which now include my beloved Wide Leg Marina Pant (see on me here) and Rosalyn Suede Leaf Heeled Sandals (additional colorway here).
Here are my picks from the new arrivals section:
Tie Waist Midi Wrap Skirt (from this post) I have been loving all things midi length of late, so this skirt naturally caught my attention. I really like the two colors that the skirt is offered in (a “plum” purple and a non-neon yellow), the medium-weight, wrinkle-resistant fabric, and the waist strap which is long enough to allow for a perfect bow or any number of knots. The fit is true to size.
Pearlized Cuff Bracelet I don’t wear (and consequently don’t buy) much jewelry, but loved this bracelet right away, finding it tasteful, rather affordable on sale, and luxe-looking.
Tie Front Midi Dress This dress flew off the racks at my local store, so I ordered it online. The textured, crepe-like material is beautiful and drapes well in person. While there are a number of negative reviews online, they mostly take issue with the too-high cut of the crossover skirt; fortunately that is a problem that can be easily remedied on one’s own.
Bette Houndstooth Flannel Block Heel Pumps Even the most heel-adverse person could be turned on to these block-heel pumps. The 2″ block heels are very manageable, making these heels (almost) as comfortable as flats to me (who has moderate arches). The metallic finish on the block heel contrasts nicely with the houndstooth flannel upper. This shoe fits true to size for Ann Taylor (if you have narrow feet, try half a size smaller than your designer shoe size).
Knit Twill Moto Jacket Depending on where you work, you may be able to work this into your work wardrobe, but I find it best saved for the weekend, worn with a plain tee and jeans. As I like moto jackets to fit snugly, I thought the cut here was somewhat generous for the kind of fit I expected; if you are looking for a close fit, order a size down. The material is medium- to heavy-weight, though quite thick and resilient.
Plaid Square Neck Sheath Dress I ordered this dress online after trying it on in stores. The plaid print is understated but still interesting, and the timeless square neckline and sheath silhouette will ensure that the style remains wearable for many seasons. I like that the material is soft, has stretch, and is thick enough to disguise any visible undergarment lines.
Thank you Ann Taylor for partnering on this post!
