Getting Dressed | Soft Summer Launch
three outfits, three cities, and one very worn gold sandal
Hi! It’s been a little while. The end of the school year spilled right into summer, and I’ve been figuring out our rhythm (although I swear summer is now almost over). Still, it feels good to be back in this space.
The past month has been a soft ease into summer: a few short trips, lots of local wandering, reading with Josephine, and long evening walks along the Battery. Nothing too grand, but it’s been blissful in that slow, everyday way. I’m grateful to live in a place this beautiful, surrounded by people I love.
A quick update: starting this week, I’ll be linking everything I mention in each post over on ShopMy, so it’s all easy to browse in one place.
And now, on to a few highlights from getting dressed over the past month.
Outfit 1 | Multi-generational Theme Girl
Worn on the 4th of July in Charleston. We spent the day hotel-hopping with friends and family—starting with brunch at Hotel Emeline’s Frannie & the Fox, then to The Dewberry’s Living Room for an afternoon lounge, and ending the night watching fireworks along the Battery.
I come from a long line of theme-loving, deliberate women. Any excuse to dress (or decorate) with intention is met with unfettered enthusiasm.
A few years before my grandmother passed, she asked my mom to take her to The Legacy Sites in Montgomery, Alabama. Developed by the Equal Justice Initiative, the sites explore our country’s history of racial injustice. Do you know what she wore? An American flag t-shirt (that she probably ordered via phone from a catalogue, or picked up at the Demopolis Wal-Mart). I still chuckle at the irony, but I know she knew exactly what she was doing. Despite growing up in the segregated Deep South, she always held a sense of pride for her country—a belief in its possibility, even when its promises felt distant. I’m reminded of this quote from James Baldwin:
“I love America more than any other country in the world and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually.”
— “Notes of a Native Son,” 1955
I felt something similar this year. This Hunter Bell dress was a last minute find when I decided I actually did want to feel patriotic. I paired it with this American flag sweater and let myself lean into the spirit of it all—not blindly, but deliberately.
There’s power in choosing to show up with both pride and perspective. For me, that’s what patriotism looks like: honoring the promise of this country while being unafraid to challenge it to do better.
Outfit 2 | One Skirt, Two Cities
On the left, worn for my soon-to-be sister-in-law’s pink-and-orange-themed bridal shower in Atlanta. On the right, reworn the next week for day one exploring Beaufort, SC—Kazoo Museum (a family hit), dinner at Saltus River Grill, and checking in to Anchorage 1770.
I’m always playing with proportion and scale—both in fashion and interiors. As someone petite, pieces rarely hit exactly where they’re designed to. I usually avoid silhouettes without volume; they tend to make me feel a bit shapeless or even childlike. Prepubescent boy is not the vibe I’m going for. This Zimmerman skirt had a straight cut I’d typically steer clear of, but I made a game-time decision to buy it for the bridal shower.
I could say a lot about trusting your instincts and shopping your own closet (I had this now sold out Wiggy Kit dress in my closet that I wished I’d worn instead—my outfit felt a bit muted for such a vibrant occasion), but once the skirt was mine, I committed to styling it in ways that felt most like me.
For the shower, I paired it with a Staud top I’ve already worn constantly this summer, plus a pair of simple gold heels. The skirt has beautiful detailing at the waist, so this top let that shine. For a day of exploring Beaufort, I wore this Zara shirt (sold out but similar ones here and here)—it actually came with matching pants (which I ordered but returned immediately). The top itself has turned out to be surprisingly versatile.
Unless I’m in a caftan (which, we all know I love), I gravitate toward silhouettes that define or at least suggest a waist: A-line, gathered, flared. A friend (hi, Tyler!) recently said, “You love a belt”—and it’s true. I reach for one often to add structure or a little flair, which is exactly what I did here.
Outfit 3 | Summer Whites + Southern Heat
On the left, worn on day two exploring Beaufort, SC—walking down Bay Street, a golf cart tour (in 95+ degree heat), and lots of cold drinks. On the right, worn on a more typical Charleston day for me. Morning spent working from Second State (while Josephine was in dance camp), midday camp pickup, and an afternoon J.McLaughlin brand event.
Walking the streets of Beaufort felt a bit like stepping back in time. Perhaps I dressed for the occasion? I wore this Zara dress I love, though the armholes cut a bit tight on me and I felt like I was perpetually checking for armpit sweat stains. I’ve found a few similar options (hopefully with more room to breathe and gracefully perspire) here, here and here.
The city itself was incredibly charming: a single main street framed by water and surrounded by historic antebellum homes. We took a golf cart tour (fascinating, though Josephine and I nearly passed out from the heat), and I appreciated that our guide acknowledged the impact African-Americans have had on the city’s history. In today’s political climate, it often feels too easy to gloss over or erase the contributions of those who came before us.
In the second photo, I’m wearing a J.McLaughlin dress, layered with an old Zara jacket and a fish necklace I found on sale at Mango a few years ago. I’ll admit—I hadn’t always been bullish on J.McLaughlin; it used to feel a bit too stiff. But lately, I’ve come across some standout pieces, and it’s clear they’ve been making an effort to refresh both their styles and overall brand identity. I’m curious to see how they continue to evolve.
Notes from the Closet
We’re officially, officially in summer—and my accessories reflect it. A few themes have emerged:
Hats on repeat: Humidity and I have never been friends, so wide brims reign supreme. This one and this one are on heavy rotation.
Statement necklace(s): I’ve always loved bold, borderline-costume jewelry, so the current wave of layered, colorful necklaces feels right at home. Don’t let me pull out my pre-social media pics from college.
The gold sandal MVP: Not these infamous Loeffler Randall sandals taking over the internet right now, but a simple gold pair I bought a couple months ago. I’ve worn them no less than four times a week since.
That’s it for now! I’m looking forward to more evening walks, time with my people, and, glamorous as ever, replacing my roof.
If you’re looking for links or just feel like browsing, everything mentioned here is saved over on ShopMy.
As always, I’m grateful you’re here!
x Jasmine
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Great article! My favorite part was the sequin American flag blouse.
GMA would love this!