Inspired by Aquamarina Style: Cute Summer Top for Casual Days
Summer feels like it is coming to a screeching halt as our nighttime temperatures are now dipping into the 40’s. It is that time of year when we start to see the temperatures swinging 30 degrees in either direction throughout the course of a day. Is it hot? Is it cold? What should I wear to be comfortable? There is sort of a sartorial art form involved in getting transitional outfits right.
In the season of strategic layering, it is important to ensure that your outfit is complete and coordinated even as you add or shed layers throughout the day. Lightweight cardigans and sleeveless tops seem to make the most sense right now. By the time the noon sun rises high in the sky, the sweat will start beading on my brow and layers need to go. When the sun begins its decent into the western horizon, a downright chill sets in upon us and then we are back to our layers to keep from freezing.
The art of layering seems to have been perfected by Darlene of Aquamarina Style who featured a similar outfit back in the blazing heat of mid-July in her post, Cute Summer Tops for Casual Days. Even though she wore this outfit during midsummer, the combination still works now at the beginning of September. You just need to wear the top layer for more hours than you would in July.
I wore this outfit yesterday for our first day of virtual school. Since I am acting as teacher (or at least as teacher’s aide) on the virtual days, I suppose a cute casual outfit is in order to keep me on task. If I can’t stay motivated, I will never keep these boys of mine motivated. And one way to start the day with some motivation is by getting dressed!
When I saw Darlene style this outfit in July, her tank top reminded me of the cut and the color palette of my patchwork top. Jean shorts were easy enough to replicate. And the rest was carefully chosen to match the specific colors in my top using what I already have in my closet. That is the best part about recreating a style…shopping my closet and making it work.
But enough of all this outfit prattle. Let’s get to the really good stuff. And that would be Darlene herself! Do you know her? Well, you need to. Because she is one fabulous woman!
Darlene lives in southern California with her husband and son and focuses her blog content on her passion for travel and her love of fashion. As a retired educational administrator, she began her blog as a way to explore new styles that are better suited for retired life. But her style is not just for retirees. Darlene’s classic casual fashion is suitable for any woman at any age.
But more important than great style, Darlene is one of the kindest, most encouraging and supportive women I have met on this blogging journey. Always quick with a friendly comment or a sincere compliment, her positive energy and light just radiate in everything that she shares. Her enthusiasm for encouraging and empowering other women to live their best lives, to wear what they love, and to accept themselves unconditionally is wonderfully contagious. Plus she uses words like coddiwomple. And that kind of stuff really just wins my heart!
Darlene is definitely one of the good ones! And I am blessed to include her in my group of blogging friends. That is really what this whole blogging thing is about…finding communities of like minded people to connect with and to support and empower one another. I simply cannot imagine my life without it.
If you do not already follow Darlene, you can subscribe to her blog, Aquamarina Style, or you can find her on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.
Who has you inspired these days?
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
Linking up with these Fabulous Link Parties.
Shop my look…
Outfit Details: Cardigan-Charlotte Russe / Top-Torrid /Shorts-Kohl’s / Sandals-Old Navy / Necklace-c/o Happiness Boutique / Earrings-Burlington Coat Factory
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
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.
24 Comments
Tamar A Strauss-Benjamin
Such a fun top – for sure could be a dressy top with slacks in the winter with a blazer!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Tamar, thanks so much! You know, I have only ever worn this top with shorts. I never thought to dress it up! Thanks for the inspiration. Have a wonderful day!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jennifer
You did great! I love that pattern on your top!
Jennifer
Curated by Jennifer
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Jennifer, thanks so much! I do love the 70’s vibe of this tank top. And the colors are so perfect to transition into fall. Have a fabulous day!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jacqui Berry
Very cute and a great copy Shelbee. Hope you’ll join my #link party. Jacqui x
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Jacqui, thanks so much! This was a fun style steal because it is not an exact copy! I have linked up with you, my friend. Have a fabulous day!
xoxo
Shelbee
Heather
I love that top and how you styled it.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Heather! I hope you are having a wonderful week!
xoxo
Shelbee
mireille
Your silly pics are the best! I love this one! What a fun time that is very you! I love how you are able to explore your closet to recreate all of these different styles! I love Darlene’s style and have one of her outfits I plan to recreate soon.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Mireille, thanks so much! I have to act silly otherwise I start to break down if I take things too seriously! I am so glad that you enjoyed my silliness! It is so fun to take the inspiration from someone else and see what you can create. I look forward to seeing your interpretation of one of Darlene’s outfits!
xoxo
Shelbee
Patrick Weseman
Looking very nice there. Like the colors.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Patrick! I hope you are having a great day!
xoxo
Shelbee
Mariann Yip
I love the print on you 🙂
https://www.mariannyc.com/book-review-indestructible-by-krista-nerestant/
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Mariann! It is a really fun print and I love the color palette as well. Have a fabulous day!
xoxo
Shelbee
Michelle
Fun, fun, post! I love your top! And it’s a fantastic outfit overall. I am a fairly consistent reader of Darlene’s blog. She does have a fabulous style, and is so sweet.
I know it’s got to be difficult to play teacher. Teachers have always amazed me with their ability to keep more than one kid on track. (My mom was a teacher.) While I know a lot of parents appreciate teachers, hopefully those that took them for granted in the past are getting some insight into what the job actually takes.
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Michelle! Darlene really is a sweetheart! And I absolutely appreciate teachers. I always have. I was a substitute teacher and a classroom aide for a few years way back a long time ago. And it is seriously stressful work! So after getting that first hand experience in a classroom filled with rambunctious children, I totally respect and appreciate what teachers are up against. And more so now!
xoxo
Shelbee
Darlene
OMG!!! Shelbee, I am so honored and touched beyond words. I always look forward to your thinking, your ideas, your style–and our back-and-forth comments. So to be featured by you with such kind words touches my heart and honestly, brought tears!! And hey, your top is SO great!! I love your version and the long sweater is great with it!! SOO VERY touched. Thank you, dear friend. As you say, the best part of this blogging journey is the ladies we meet–like you.
xx Darlene
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Aw, Darlene, now you have brought me to tears! Thank you so much for your kind words and for all of your support and most importantly for your friendship in this giant blogging world. I feel a kinship with so many of you wonderful bloggers and it has uplifted on more occasions than I can count. It was my pleasure to feature you this week! I hope you have a lovely weekend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Yvonne Chase
Love the color blocking in your top and I love the flowing cape. The picture of you walking away with the cape flowing in the background is gorgeous. You look so happy and free.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Yvonne, thank you so much! I did feel happy and free taking these photos! Which is ironic right now since I still feel so trapped in my house all the time with this pandemic. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Kathrine Eldridge
Love the patchwork top Shelbee! The cardigan is a nice layering piece with it. Darlene has amazing style and I need to check her site out!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Kathrine! I really love patchwork and patchwork prints but they are kind of hard to find. This cardigan is super light weight which is great this time of year. Definitely check out Darlene’s blog. She is so wonderful! Have a lovely weekend.
xoxo
Shelbee
lorena
What a pretty top. I like the idea of wearing it with shorts and then adding a longer layer: the cardi.
Looks like you had fun taking these pics !
Here we are in the midst of rainy season which is our winter.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Lorena, thanks so much! I love combining unlikely pieces such as short shorts and a longer cardigan. And we definitely try to make it fun when we go out for photos! I hope you stay warm and dry during your cold rainy season!
xoxo
Shelbee