What I Wore Lately: Rainy Days & Summer Layers

The next day, I wore this sleeveless polo sweater with trouser jeans to go see Chicago in downtown Philly. It felt a bit chilly for open-toe shoes, and rain was in the forecast, so I added leopard slingback pumps for a bit of fun. I’ve had these for a few years, and while I don’t wear them often, they’re perfect when I want to add a little personality to an outfit.

Also, PAIGE is still having their 25% off sale, so this sweater top is included! It’s a really nice quality piece—on trend, but also classic enough that I know I’ll be able to have it for a few seasons.

I added this cropped trench to have a light layer in case the theater was chilly, and also with the rain in mind. Thankfully, the rain held off until we were driving home, but it was nice to have a layer walking to and from the theater.

PAIGE Vesta Top c/o (M) (also at Nordstrom) // J.Crew Denim Trouser Jean (29) (option) // Sam Edelman Bianka (8.5) // Benny Cropped Trench (M) // Marlyn Schiff Ophelia Bracelet c/o

I kept things casual while working from home the next day in a linen tank and these old Athleta cargo pants.

Athleta Getaway Linen Blend Muscle Tank (M) // Brooklyn Heights High Rise Cargo Pants (6) // On Cloud 6 (9)

Later on, I changed to host the boyfriends for dinner. (It’s so nice having Becca back home for the summer!)

This look is so simple, but I love it. I feel like the combination of the raw hem wide-leg jeans with the rhinestone-embellished jelly flip flops is the perfect casual summer denim-and-shoe pairing. And the green tee is fresh and bright, but still fairly low-contrast against the mid-wash jeans, which makes the whole look feel really balanced. Something about it is just very pleasing to the eye.

I kept the accessories simple since I’d be cooking, but if I were wearing this out somewhere, I’d probably add a belt and maybe some kind of fun statement piece. Also, the PAIGE Anessa jeans are still on sale! They’re my favorite wide-leg style for pairing with flats.

EVEREVE Nora (M) // PAIGE Anessa (30) // Loeffler Randall flip flops (8)

I kept it casual for church the next day in this navy sweater tee and light wash jeans. I was in a rush, so I just grabbed the raffia bag from the night before and threw on these Veronica Beard slide sandals I had recently pulled up from storage in the basement. I got them last year, and I still love the strap design and stud detailing.

Splendid Christa sweater (S) // PAIGE Stevie (30) (also at Nordstrom) // Veronica Beard Via (8) // Rebecca Minkoff Edie // stretch bracelets // similar hoops /

I didn’t get around to taking a picture of my outfit until I got home, and as soon as I saw it, I realized these jeans are really too long with flat sandals. It isn’t terrible, but I threw on these Margaux block-heeled sandals to compare, and I feel like the difference is pretty noticeable. These jeans just look so much better with a low heel.

Also, the raffia bag is fine—it’s a neutral, of course, and it even has darker brown leather on the straps that ties into the color of the sandals. But I feel like a darker bag, closer to the color of the shoes, would work even better. Such minor details, but while we’re picking this outfit apart, we may as well go all the way!

And speaking of small differences, I also wish I’d added a necklace, maybe my larger Jane Win Hope coin pendant.

Then I decided to take it one step further and see how the Madewell Jules would look with the same sweater and the flat slides. Sure enough, they worked much better!

The difference is subtle, but the slightly slimmer silhouette, slightly shorter length, and maybe even the slightly darker wash (which creates less contrast) all work together to pair better with flats. Interesting how such small differences can make such a big impact.

Okay! Moving on… I hosted a friend at our backyard pool later that afternoon, so I threw on a tank top and shorts over my swimsuit.

Talbots swimsuit (M) // Lilla P tank (M) // PAIGE Olivia Short (30) // Madewell Iggy (8) c/o

I had a photo shoot the next day, and afterwards I went to a coffee shop to work for a bit. I just kept on the last outfit we photographed—the brown linen pants with the green ribbed top and Steve Madden jelly sandals.

Michael Stars Jinny (M) // KUT Meg Linen in Chocolate (8) // Steve Madden Tracie Jelly Sandals c/o (8) // EVEREVE Hudson belt (M/L) // Maison de Sabre tote c/o // Jenny Bird Doune Hoops c/o // Stella & Dot Multi Rondelle Necklace // Madewell cuff

I thought I liked the look, but the same thing happened as the day before, just in reverse! I took a photo when I got home and realized these pants look a bit short with the heels. I actually liked how the photos Alison took turned out, so maybe it works, but I tried them on with flat thong sandals just to compare, and sure enough, I like these pants better with flats.

I also think I prefer the simpler lines of the top untucked. These pants have a very high rise, and while I like the finishing touch of the matching brown belt, I feel like my proportions look better without the tuck.

Here’s a side-by-side to compare. What do you think?

After I got that all sorted out, I changed into a more casual, comfy outfit for the afternoon. These Ruti On The Loose Work Pants just arrived in the Walnut color, and I love them. I went up a size for this pair, since my black ones in the size 8 are snug at the waist and sometimes wrinkle a bit across the back.

Because of the volume in the leg, I feel like they need something more fitted and sleek on top, so I paired them with a simple black tank—the Lilla P slub scoopneck tank I found in Sarasota. It’s such a nice quality top, and even though the outfit is super simple, I feel like the quality and fit of both pieces work really well together.

Lilla P tank (M) // Ruti The On The Loose Work Pants (10) // Madewell Iggy (8) // Jenny Bird Doune Hoops c/o // Stella & Dot Multi Rondelle Necklace

Someone asked me for more ideas of things to wear with these pants other than a black or white top, and honestly, that’s how I like them best. I’m not one of those people who has to be able to wear something five different ways to justify its place in my closet. If I like it best with a black tank, I’ll probably wear it with a black tank 95% of the time.

In fact, same goes for olive! I almost always wear olive with a black top. Case in point… the next day, I wore the olive PAIGE Olivia cargo shorts (25% off!) with this black Free People ribbed henley tank to work from home all day after my morning workout.

This top would also be really cute with those walnut Ruti pants, by the way. Changing up the style of top is enough variety for me!

Free People Jamie tank (L) // PAIGE Olivia shorts (30) // Madewell Iggy flip flops (8)

The next day was another casual WFH day after a Pilates class that morning. My hair is piled on top of my head because I took a quick pool break that afternoon, and I threw on this graphic tee and denim shorts afterwards.

This tee is on sale, by the way! I think it’s so fun, and I love the MOTHER Goodie Goodie tees. They’re pricey, but they hold up really well. I always size up to a large, though, because they run small and tend to shrink a bit.

MOTHER Little Goodie Goodie Tee (L) // KUT from the Kloth Jane High Waist Denim Shorts (8) // TKEES Lily Nudes in Au Naturale c/o (8)

I have no photo evidence of last Saturday. It was cold and rainy, and we all hunkered down at home. I spent the day cleaning out and organizing my bedroom and bathroom.

On Sunday, I rallied and got dressed in a casual red, white, and blue outfit as a little nod to Memorial Day. This red-and-white striped sweater has been a favorite this spring—such a nice quality classic. I paired it with the Madewell Jules and added cognac shoes and a matching bag for a warm contrast. I topped it all off with my Sam Edelman trench because rain.

Sam Edelman trench (S) // Michael Stars Mikaela sweater (M) // Madewell Jules (29) // Jeffrey Campbell Fathom Flats (8.5) // Mulberry bag // Yurman hoops

Finally, I went back to the green ribbed top, olive linen pants, and rhinestone-embellished jelly sandals to host our church small group last evening. I really should have added a bolder necklace and a bracelet, but it was a casual gathering and a long day, lol! I do really like the overall colors and proportions of this outfit, though.

Michael Stars Jinny (M) // KUT Meg Linen in Chocolate (8) // Loeffler Randall Taryn Brown Jelly Flip Flop (8) // Yurman hoops

And that wraps up this round of everyday outfits. Thanks for following along!