As promised a few weeks ago, I’m back with how I’m using clothes in my closet to style up some looks based on the summer trends I shared with you all! I was weirdly inspired by almost every trend, but only decided to go all out with a few: neon, white and vests. HOWEVER, you’ll notice I pulled several trends into one outfit - see if you can spot them all! I also revisited some looks I shared from my capsule wardrobe post that include some summer 2020 trends.

Neon - This is a trend you can be subtle with or go all out. I chose both - one outfit includes neon in a new band T-shirt I got as part of an album pre-order (but seriously folks, have you listened to the new Phantom Planet album? My 16-year-old heart swoons), and the other outfit includes an almost full neon suit. How would you wear neon?

I love a Canadian tuxedo (i.e. denim on denim), so it felt appropriate to pair these vintage Levi cut-offs with a thrifted jean jacket and my new band tee, with just a hint of neon for this first look.

Outfit details: Denim Jacket: Thrifted; Denim Cut-offs: Vintage via Highland Throwbacks; T-shirt: Phantom Planet; Belt: Swapped; Sunglasses: ReDress; Converse: DIY; Socks: Old Navy

I could tell I’d been on leave too long when this wasn’t immediately my favorite outfit. I used to live in business casual/suit separates, so taking that to the next level with a neon suit, should have been a slam dunk, but unfortunately, I had some trepidation about this look. That is, until I put it on - both versions, with heels and with lace-up sandals, brought me right back to my comfort zone.

Outfit Details: Blazer, Button-Down: Thrifted; Skirt: J Crew Factory; Green Heels: Urban Outfitters; Lace-up sandals: Swapped; Sunglasses: ReDress

All White - Get behind a classic - all white! This is one that would be easy to go easy on, but I went all out - another outfit based around the white dress I shared in my summer capsule wardrobe and a white suit (with underwear as outwear thrown in for good measure).

I loved the idea of “punking” up a white dress I saw on the runways (I think it was Alexander McQueen). So I explored my take on this concept with a white dress, a black harness and lace-up gladiator sandals (and peek-a-boo bralette).

Outfit Details: Dress: Swapped; Harness: SheIN; Bralette: For Love and Lemons; Lace-up Gladiator Sandals: Swapped; Sunglasses: H&M 

For an alt-take on all white (or almost all white), I drew inspiration from one of the underwear as outerwear looks from Jacquemus. I’ve had this vintage slip hanging around for literal YEARS, so loved the idea of pairing it with this vintage all white Emanuel Ungaro suit for a fun take on suit separates. 

Outfit Details: Suit: Thrifted; Slip: Secondhand via I can’t remember; Sandals: Gabriel Brothers; Necklaces and Flower Crown: DIY

Waist coat (i.e. vests) - As I continue to try to make vests a thing, I was glad to have some fresh vest styling ideas from the runways. The three piece suit, using a vest as a top, is one of my favorites, but below are two other options, both monochrome, because, when in doubt, go monochrome.

A long vest with a chambray sleeveless button-down and light wash denim made for a super causal, but elevated take on vests (at least I thought so).

Outfit Details: Vest: Noto; Button-down: Levi’s; Jeans, Sandals: Thrifted, DIY; Scarf: JCrew; Sunglasses: H&M

Bringing back the gladiator sandals from a previous look, I decided to pair them with a vest as a top and a long(er) vest for an all black double-vest look. Definitely one of my favorites.

Outfit Details: Long vest, necklaces: Maplewood Boutique; Vest as top: Thrifted; Trousers: H&M; Sandals: Swapped; Sunglasses: H&M 

As a quick refresher, the other trends spotted on the runways were:

Short Suits - I’m currently searching for the perfect pair of long “suit” shorts - if I can’t find them, there will likely be a DIY shared here.

Cut outs - the flower cut-out idea I shared two weeks ago is still heavy on my mind.

Trench coats - I couldn’t come up with any new, fun ways to wear my blue Back Rack trench coat for today’s post, so here’s a refresher on how I styled it in my Summer Capsule Wardrobe post.

Denim - what are some fun, new ways you are wearing denim/DIYs you are doing with denim this summer? I made a few pairs of cut-offs to kick off the summer and recently DIYed some jeans into a skirt, but other than that, at a loss for inspiration.

Tropical print - tropical print is so much more inspiring to me than floral print, so glad to keep an eye out for pieces that include it (like my button-down from The Back Rack above).

Underwear as outerwear - this one is a challenge for me, but looking forward to experimenting with it in more sophisticated, “adult” ways this summer.

Button-downs - same as denim: I wear button-downs probably every day, so finding new ways to style them is crucial.

Seventies - another challenge (at least for me) - if you are out and about thrifting, look for 70s style prints (think Pucci florals), or big collars. Unfortunately, authentic 70s pieces will likely be made out of polyester, which sounds like a nightmare on these hot days, but there’s always the likelihood of finding something in a silk.

Don’t forget - The Back Rack has so many great pieces that follow these trends (if that’s your thing) OR these are trends you like all the time!

What trend(s) are you most excited about this summer?

_Abby