My attire varies widely from day to day. Some days, if I don’t have Zoom meetings, I’ll wear a cool sweatshirt and jeans. Other days, I need a button up shirt or a knit jacket. When I visit my office, I need real work clothes. So if I buy a piece of clothing, I need to be able to wear it in multiple situations.

The Blouse // I love blouses that can stand on their own.  Just throw on a pair of jeans, a skirt, or shorts and call it good.  No layering or styling needed to look good.  This clip dot shirt from J.Crew is such a top.    The red and white color way is my favorite, but the navy with white is also lovely.  Here’s how to style it for work or weekend.

(J.Crew is also having a big Memorial Day sale, so now is a great time to snap up some summer pieces.  I also snagged this cobalt skirt and this great knit jacket.)

Outfit One.  Red Skirt // White Cardigan // Beige Mules // Gold Earrings // Satchel 

For work, I love this cotton top with a red separate.  This pencil skirt from Boden (runs to size 22) is a wonderful piece.  In summer, wear it with this blouse.  In winter, grab a camel sweater.  Such a statement.  Prefer pants?  These $78 pants from Aqua are fantastic.  I may buy the whole suit.  

These Marc Fisher mules are a great shoe for summer because they have the look of a heel, but they’re comfortable.  Plus, the strap across the foot helps them stay on, and not slap the ground when you walk.  Prefer a flat? These Stuart Weitzman Mary Janes are the dream.  For something more affordable, these Dolce Vita square toes are just chic.

I added a simple white cardigan from Factory to this look, it doesn’t need it though.  The shirt stands on its own.  Want a more summery cardigan?  This pointelle, open work cardigan is a great choice.

Lastly, I added these fantastic hoop earrings.  I cannot believe they are $15.  Add the bag from this morning, and you’re ready to go.

To style this look, I prefer it with the hair down to lighten the look.  Add a sheer red lip and a decent amount of mascara and you’re ready to go.

Outfit Two. Jean Shorts // Gold Sandals // Straw Bag // Belt // Bracelets // Sunglasses

This top drops straight into your casual wardrobe with ease. Pair it with these cool shorts from Kut from the Kloth (also in plus) for an easy weekend look. This outfit is perfect for any situation where you want to look nice but casual — birthday parties, brunch, backyard BBQ. Prefer full-length jeans? Try this Pilcro pair from Anthropologie with a dramatic cuff.

To jazz up the look, add these strappy sandals from Factory. They seamlessly transfer from casual wear with shorts to nicer summer dresses. Such a great under-$50 sandal, also available in brown.

I added an easy, simple belt and paired the look with these cool sunglasses. But the heroes of this look are the bangles and bag.

These J.Crew bracelets are so chic. They would make a fabulous gift. Need bracelets that don’t make noise? These BuDha Girl Bracelets are made from a softer plastic material and are an influencer favorite. No noise, super light, and you can get them wet without issue.

As for the bag, it’s Fossil. Hello, 1996, I’m surprised to see you here. But I adore the twisted knot handles and the simple shape and look. Big, but not too big. Awesome. Forever21 has a similar tote for a more affordable price.

For this look, I’m probably wearing my hair up. If I’m going to be outside for a long period, I don’t want to be worried about wind or humidity crushing my hair. Also, I need a little sculpting and this bronzer stick with SPF is my number one choice.

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