tie dye dress, backyard barbecue outfit, Stylish Monday, Shelbee on the Edge

Sizzling Styles for a Backyard Barbecue | July Stylish Monday Link Up

July 12, 2021 / 40 Comments
tie dye dress, backyard barbecue outfit, Stylish Monday, Shelbee on the Edge
tie dye dress, backyard barbecue outfit, Stylish Monday, Shelbee on the Edge
tie dye dress, backyard barbecue outfit, Stylish Monday, Shelbee on the Edge
tie dye dress, backyard barbecue outfit, Stylish Monday, Shelbee on the Edge
tie dye dress, backyard barbecue outfit, Stylish Monday, Shelbee on the Edge
tie dye dress, backyard barbecue outfit, Stylish Monday, Shelbee on the Edge
tie dye dress, backyard barbecue outfit, Stylish Monday, Shelbee on the Edge

Backyard barbecues are one of our favorite summer traditions. Amongst our friend group, we are the frequent hosts of small gatherings that revolve around food. While food planning and preparation can take lots of time and energy, I also like to put some extra time and effort into my outfits. You know, so I can fill that role of hostess with the mostest!

As much as we enjoy hosting these little (and sometimes big) social gatherings, it is nice sometimes to be a guest with no hosting duties at all. Two weeks ago, we joined my wonderful neighbor and friend, Dani, for a little backyard barbecue at her house. We tend to get together with Dani and her wife, Fong, about once a week, alternating between their house and ours. They live right across the street from us making it easy to use both kitchens for food preparation if necessary.

We were experiencing a minor heat wave in the northeast United States and since Dani and Fong have a pool, we decided to cook some food at our house and grill the rest at their house so that we could all jump into the refreshing water when necessary to cool down.

It was also the perfect opportunity to take photos for this month’s Stylish Monday theme. So this is exactly and actually what I wore to a backyard barbecue.

tie dye dress, backyard barbecue outfit, Stylish Monday, Shelbee on the Edge
tie dye dress, backyard barbecue outfit, Stylish Monday, Shelbee on the Edge
tie dye dress, backyard barbecue outfit, Stylish Monday, Shelbee on the Edge
tie dye dress, backyard barbecue outfit, Stylish Monday, Shelbee on the Edge
tie dye dress, backyard barbecue outfit, Stylish Monday, Shelbee on the Edge
tie dye dress, backyard barbecue outfit, Stylish Monday, Shelbee on the Edge
tie dye dress, backyard barbecue outfit, Stylish Monday, Shelbee on the Edge

Like I said, it was super hot so I grabbed my new tie dye dress from my new favorite clothing store, Rainbow Zen. It is 100% cotton and very airy and breezy, perfect for a super hot and humid summer day. And it only cost $25. I have worn it at least 4 times already since purchasing it only about 6 weeks ago. I really cannot emphasize enough the wonderful collection of hippie styles offered by Rainbow Zen. And their price points are incredibly reasonable for boutique clothing. I also picked up these amazing cotton palazzo pants in 3 colorways, Jeff’s Grateful Dead hoodie, and a few other pieces that I will share soon!

Because it was so stinking hot this day, I kept my accessories to a minimum with these fun star earrings from Torrid and my blue nebula necklace that Jeff brought home from his trip to Utah and Yellowstone National Park in May. My silver footbed sandals are practical and work with just about every summer outfit I could create.

blue nebula necklace, Shelbee on the Edge, Stylish Monday
tie dye dress, backyard barbecue outfit, Stylish Monday, Shelbee on the Edge
tie dye dress, backyard barbecue outfit, Stylish Monday, Shelbee on the Edge
tie dye dress, backyard barbecue outfit, Stylish Monday, Shelbee on the Edge

But it was even too hot for all that so after taking some photos of my dress, I quickly shed the jewelry and changed into my swimsuit. This time I went for my old kitty cat suit because the cuteness factor is just too hard to resist.

I received this swimsuit with another one two years ago as part of a collaboration with Rosegal. The two suits mix and match perfectly together. You can see how I have mixed them here and here.

kitty swim suit, fashion over 40, Stylish Monday, Shelbee on the Edge

I even talked Jeff into purchasing a swimsuit for himself this year. He doesn’t go swimming often and he has not owned a swimsuit in the 13 years that I have known him. On the rare occasion that he would go swimming, he would just wear basketball shorts which kind of drove me crazy because they get all droopy and saggy when they are waterlogged. I was so proud of him for stepping way outside of his comfort zone and choosing a swimsuit with vibrantly colored birds in shades of pink and purple. Soldier Jeff would have never worn anything with pink and purple! Civilian Jeff is much more relaxed and open to trying new things.

kitty swim suit, fashion over 40, Stylish Monday, Shelbee on the Edge
kitty swim suit, fashion over 40, Stylish Monday, Shelbee on the Edge
kitty swim suit, fashion over 40, Stylish Monday, Shelbee on the Edge

The boys have been really enjoying Dani and Fong’s pool this summer!

Shelbee on the Edge

Ralph was helping at the grill…goggles and all…in his new shark print swimsuit from Old Navy.

Radical Ralphie, Shelbee on the Edge

And here are some photos of my beautiful friend, Dani, without Fong. I will have to capture some photos of the two of them together next time!

Shelbee on the Edge, Backyard BBQ
Shelbee on the Edge, Backyard BBQ
Shelbee on the Edge, Backyard BBQ
Shelbee on the Edge, Backyard BBQ

The last big backyard barbecue that we hosted previous to this casual eat, talk, and swim gathering was on May 1 when we celebrated all of our May birthdays and Jeff’s retirement. It was a particularly cold day, that first day of May, but I was damn determined to wear shorts! So I winterfied my denim short overalls with a turtleneck, a long cardigan, over the knee socks and cozy boots for a cool weather backyard barbecue look.

Do you need some more outfit inspiration for your upcoming summer barbecues? Do check out what my stylish friends would wear!

Stylish Monday is a monthly series published in collaboration with a group of 14 international fashion and lifestyle bloggers. It is another opportunity to be creative with our personal style as we join together each month with a style prompt or theme. We also host a link party where anyone is welcome to add their personal style posts. Scroll to the bottom of the post for the party.

Amy of Amy’s Creative Pursuits

Amy's Creative Pursuits
Amy of Amy’s Creative Pursuits

“This year the 4th of July fell on a Sunday, so I created this patriotic look to wear both to church and then a Backyard BBQ. “

Amy

Andy of Pearls and Pantsuits

Pearls and Pantsuits
Andy of Pearls and Pantsuits

“The hubs and I grill out every single weekend in the summer…heck, we grill out almost all year long! My typical backyard barbecue outfit usually consists of a swimsuit & cover-up, but just in case we have actual company over I would probably wear my fav Bermuda shorts and a cute top, like this one from Old Navy…I love the smocking detail.”

Andy

Emma of Style Splash

Style Splash
Emma of Style Splash

“This cotton jumpsuit is super comfortable and looks quite basic…until you see the back! The sequin parrot gives guests something to look at while I’m tending to the BBQ!”

Emma

Gwen of Gwen Lives Well

Gwen Lives Well
Gwen of Gwen Lives Well

“Nothing screams summer more than barbecuing with family and friends. ‘Tis the season for hot dogs, hamburgers, and yummy side dishes. So much fun! And you know what’s even more fun? Deciding on what to wear to a barbecue – yes, it’s a thing. Just ask my fashionable fashionistas because this is what we chose as this month’s style collab. Backyard barbecue-style apparently is a real thing – who knew? So let’s see what backyard barbecue-style means to these stylish sisters. This should be interesting!!”

Gwen

Julie of Fashion Trends and Friends

Fashion Trends and Friends
Julie of Fashion Trends and Friends

“Serving up some white scalloped shorts and a gingham top with ruffled shoulders for some backyard BBQ fun! Shorts over 50 (well I actually just turned 60)…why not? Gingham is always a great choice in the summer and says backyard summer fun! Wear what you love and feel confident in and you’ll always look amazing!”

Julie

Lucy of Lucy Bertoldi

Lucy Bertoldi
Lucy of Lucy Bertoldi

“This month’s Stylish Mondays calls for BBQ attire-and this is exactly what I’d style up for enjoying a cook out amongst friends and family. Summer and sunshine want me in bright yellow! Love me some bright happy colour under a large brim hat, cool drinks, great company and delicious food-I’m ready!”

Lucy

Michele of @seechele_styles

@seechele_styles
Michele of @seechele_styles

“BBQ style to me means a thrifted striped dress and plaid bag that is thrifted, too. Sneakers are a must too while at a BBQ.”

Michele

Nancy of Nancy’s Fashion Style

Nancy's Fashion Style
Nancy of Nancy’s Fashion Style

“I myself often wear a long dress for such an evening. Firstly, you have less chance of being stung by the mosquitoes. And in the evening it usually cools down a bit and then a long dress is very nice. Preferably also a slightly wider dress or one that is a bit forgiving, because well, with a bbq I always eat too much! This pre loved dress is really great. Very elastic but also quite thick, so ideal for a person who is always feeling cold like me.”

Nancy

Nicole of High Latitude Style

High Latitude Style
Nicole of High Latitude Style

“Backyard BBQ in Alaska means potluck and all meat and fish you eat was killed by one of your friends. When you are not a hunter or into fishing you bring whatever grows in your yard. Dressing wise it means combat or hiking boots, jeans and a tightly woven shirt to not become dinner for the mosquitoes when the BBQ  is in the evening. When the event is in the afternoon, a skirt like I wear in the photo is fine.”

Nicole

Nina of Sharing a Journey

Sharing a Journey
Nina of Sharing a Journey

“Hosting a summer BBQ is one of the joys of summer. From choosing just the right recipes, tableware and what to wear. Today I am sharing BBQ favorites including an airy hostess dress everyone looks great in.”

Nina

Suzanne of Ask Suzanne Bell

Ask Suzanne Bell
Suzanne of Ask Suzanne Bell

“Even in the summertime, California evenings can get chilly, which is why for every sundress I own, there must be a coordinating piece to layer on when the sun goes down. See more on how I style one of my favorite maxi dresses, for a day-to-night backyard BBQ ready look, on the blog.”

Suzanne

Featured Favorites (from last month’s Feeling Fresh and Fruity theme)

Just an FYI…for my featured posts on collaboration posts like this, I only feature posts that were not part of the original collaboration. I find it is a better way to give extra exposure to my blogger friends who are not part of the group. This month I have two featured favorites for fruity outfits.

Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish shared her fresh and fruity style with a Lemon Print Top with White Denim Skirt.

Elegantly Dressed and Stylish
Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish

Rena of Fine Whatever shared her fresh and fruity style with an adorable sequined pineapple tee in Hello, Yellow!-Magnificent 8 Collaboration.

Fine Whatever
Rena of Fine Whatever

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

What are your favorite backyard barbecue outfits? What style do you prefer for these casual summer gatherings?

Keeping it on the edge,

Shelbee

Joining these Fabulous Link Parties.

Outfit Details: Dress-Rainbow Zen / Shoes-Circus by Sam Edelman / Necklace-Gift from husband / Earrings-Torrid / Swimsuit-c/o Rosegal

I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.

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