I need to confess something: I’m having trouble dressing myself.
I wake up. I get Sloane dressed. We argue about which shoes and which bow and which dress she will wear. I explain for the 90th time that it’s cold outside and her gold sparkle shoes are only for summer. I style her hair. I restyle her hair when she doesn’t like it that way. AND THEN…I get to go dress myself.
As you might imagine, this progression of events creates both a lack of time and a lack of creative energy. Most mornings, I fall into put on jeans, put on sweater, put on Chord cap, run out the door while tying shoes mode. But sometimes, I have 2-extra-minutes to actually style my hair and choose something from my closet. And on those mornings, I find myself reaching for this shirt.
AYR made its incredible Tate Shirt in this moody, steel blue stripe and I am obsessed with it. I have worn it three times since it arrived 12 days ago. A comfy jean, an easy sneaker, some simple earrings, and somehow, the look still feels so cool. And it doesn’t look at all like I was scrubbing cinnamon sugar dust off of a child’s face 15-seconds ago.
AYR has the best shirts on the market right now. And they also have an incredible deep ocean-colored silk button down with a tonal stripe that you can wear with navy pants and channel your inner Katharine Hepburn.
In this shirt, I am pulled together Mom. And, for some reason, the stripe makes it look more relaxed and also, somehow, cooler and dressier than the all white. I can’t explain it. But it feels more pulled together and more chill when you put it on.
Not prepared to spend $225 on a shirt? Don’t worry, I got you. Universal Standard always has a cool stripe or two in their inclusively-sized collection — the bright red is my current fave. H&M has a cool burgundy stripe on offer. And this mauvy-pink Marine Layer shirt is worth your time.
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Ok, I need help styling shirts like this. I’m 5’3 and a size 10/12, so I just always feel like I’m sluppy and dumpy when I wear a button up. It’s a look I adore but I never get it right. And then in my brain it becomes “well, only 5’9 size 6 women with no curves can wear that.” Help!
I agree – this style is VERY hard for petites of any size. Too long = messy looking, the opposite of chic. I think the key to styling is finding a petite size, But rare indeed is the petite button up. GAP and Banana Republic used to have a good selection but I haven’t seen much lately.
I also look for “cropped” styles. Vince has had some very nice ones.
Also – don’t do what I did and have a regular one shortened. It never looked right.
ooh that shirt is gorgeous. And yep, right there with you. It’s so hard to get ready when you’re trying to get a family out the door. Nowadays I crave easy but stylish pieces that I can just throw on and still look relatively thoughtful…with or without actually doing my hair. And to give yourself a few extra minutes, maybe try hiding her summer shoes and let her surprise you with her own outfit! That could save you some time, plus you get to see what adorable creativity is in that head of hers. (-: