5 Ways to Make Your Casual Summer Outfits More Polished
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If there's a singular challenge to summer dressing that rises above them all, it's how to wear stylish looks that are casual enough to be seasonally on-trend—without looking sloppy.
It can be especially tricky nowadays, when the undone look is very in. Our resident style expert, Banana Republic creative director Marissa Webb, tends to excel at achieving a perfectly polished casual summer look—so, naturally, we consulted her.
"You have to be able to adjust according to your lifestyle," Webb told us. "I'm in a business where I'm running around being very physical and the next minute in a serious meeting where I need to look polished. It gets a little tricky at times. Most importantly, keep the words contrast, contradiction, and opposites in mind when pulling together your casual yet polished look."
Keep scrolling for Marissa Webb's tricks for making your favourite casual looks super-polished!
Toss a well-tailored blazer over your casual jeans and T-shirt to add polish to a casual outfit.
Banana Republic Cream Boyfriend Blazer ($165)
Anine Bing Classic Fit Blazer, Black ($300)
Vince Swing Tee, Black ($85)
Wilt Lux Slub Rolled Cuff Tee ($132)
Re/Done High Rise Cropped Jean ($253)
Create a simple formula that works for you. For example, if you know you want to wear comfortable denim, try to find something a bit dressier on the top. If you know you want to wear your favourite "get it done" T-shirt, pick something more tailored to wear over it.
Oak Rider Leather Jacket, Black ($630)
Zara Denim 70s Jeans ($36)
Adam Lippes Lace-Paneled Silk Top ($255)
Free People high Rise Chambray Gaucho Pant ($128)
Current/Elliot The Newsboy Pant, Ice Blue ($238)
I like the contrast of heels with casual bottoms. I'll often style my easy cargo pants, denim, or soft lounge pants with a heel.
Joe's Jeans Giddy Buckle Pumps, Black ($150)
Three Dots Cargo Pants, Picholine ($148)
Loop Knot Ankle Tie Heels
Zimmermann Loop Knot Ankle Tie Heels ($420) in Nude
Rag & Bone/JEAN Pajama Jean, Grimsby ($225)
Joie Pippi Heel, Black ($285)
Mix it up with something dressy and something casual, like a feminine lace blouse with cargo pants or denim. I find the contrast more interesting, and it's also a great way to not be over- or under-dressed.
Nightcap Caribbean Crochet Cropped Blouse ($242)
Ellery Marine Silk-Organza Peplum Top ($610)
Greylin Kellie Eyelet Top, White ($107)
Denim x Alexander Wang Relaxed Jean, Medium Indigo ($285)
Hudson Jeans Rowan Slouchy Cargo Pant, Juniper ($235)
J Brand Maria Straight Crop ($238)
Have fun with your accessories and don't underestimate them. Stack up your necklaces or bracelets with your favourite easy T-shirt for the right mix of polished casual.
BaubleBar The Minimalist Gift Set ($52)
Aesa Reeves Cuff ($714)
Jennifer Zeuner Pippa Gold Vermeil Moon Layered Necklace ($220)
Aurélie Bidermann Double-Band Cuff ($330)
Odette Silver Signet Ring ($198)What are your tricks for staying polished during the summer? Tell us below!
Hailing from the heart of the South and cutting her teeth on the mean streets of New York, Meghan has six years of experience covering fashion, style, celebrities, culture, and human behavior. A longtime devotee of rap music, tacos, and generally perfect weather, she is excited to put down roots in Los Angeles. Her top three style staples are a good pair of cutoff shorts, virtually any kind of colorful digi-print, and a solid set of shades.
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