whenever i’m short on time, i always reach for my style uniform. if you are new to the blog, you might be scratching your head wondering what a style uniform is all about. to put it simply, a style uniform consists of wardrobe staples that you can pull together at a moment’s notice and step out the door feeling confident and looking great. today, it’s all about my updated style uniform summer 2021.
updated style uniform summer 2021
everyone needs a great pair of jeans. my favorite brands are J.Crew, Talbots, Sofia Vergara, Ralph Lauren, Wit & Wisdom, Madewell, or Frame. i do my best to share jeans from a variety of price points. if you haven’t found your perfect pair of jeans quite yet, devote an afternoon to try on every brand known to mankind. you’ll find one, i promise. here’s a hint. before heading to the dressing room, wrap the waist around your neck. if it fits nicely, then you’ve found the right size to try on. dark rinse is perfect for evening as it’s dressier than a light rinse. and a light rinse, as well as white denim, will visually add pounds. but i love wearing white denim year-round. black denim too. a lighter rinse is perfect come summer. take note that jeans this season are trending with a looser fit than years gone by. today, i’m wearing vintage straight white denim from Madewell with a raw hem. it’s modern and fresh and keeps my outfit firmly rooted in 2021.
next on my style uniform list is a go-to blazer. start with black or navy, then add any color to your heart’s content. personally, nothing beats a tweed blazer for instant elegance. it’s classic coco chanel. take heart; these days, you can find a tweed blazer at a price point that won’t break your bank. mid-priced brands typically trot out a tweed blazer every year. keep your eyes peeled ’til you find the one you love. today, i’m wearing the cutest cropped summer-weight blazer (similar here) from Talbots. for summer, i look for a white blazer. navy is a good choice too. but don’t forget to put some fun into your style uniform with a plaid linen blazer or a seersucker blazer. both just scream summer. a pinstripe blazer can go from work to the weekend with ease. and a double-breasted blazer looks fantastic with a dress, skirt, or even blue jeans.
a silk blouse or a cotton or poplin button-up in a neutral color is always part of my style uniform. it’s a hard-working wardrobe staple. start with black, navy, or ivory. a silk blouse is an investment piece, so don’t be afraid to splurge. look for quality that will give you longevity. for an updated style uniform summer 2021, i chose a white tee. but not just any white tee. this cotton tee from Ralph Lauren has an American flag stitched with madras on top. it’s adorable! plus, i love the subtle infusion of color.
shoes and handbags make or break an outfit, so choose wisely. a variety of heel heights find a home in my closet. nude or black pumps or flats are the most versatile shoes. but look for neutrals in gray, brown, navy, gold, or silver. block heels are comfortable and add support, as do wedges. for summer, a slingback is sexy and comfy. that’s a win/win! but white sneakers are a wardrobe staple that’s on repeat all summer long. they look fantastic with dresses or skirts as well as blue jeans.
denim | tee | similar blazer | sneakers | similar belt | sunglasses
shop blazers
denim | tee | similar blazer | sneakers | similar belt | sunglasses
it’s Wednesday, ladies, time to put a smile on someone’s face, including yours.
About The Author
Jeans, tee, tennis shoes. The all American girl look for as long as I can remember and I’m 79. Colors change with the season, I like light colors in summer, but it always works. Throw on a blazer if you can, we can’t, it’s too hot, but a lightweight button up can replace it here on the Coast. Sometimes sandals.
You look great Beth and I do love your graphic tee.
thanks sweet friend! i just thought the madras flag tee was the perfect summer tee.
Wow! Now that’s an outfit!
thanks so much! can’t beat a blazer and blue jeans!
Hi Beth
It’s 101^ where I live in CA so your OOTD is refreshing! Clean, classic, fabulous. You always inspire and you always look like a Ralph Lauren model. Have a great day!
thank you! there’s something crisp and clean about white during those hot summer months.
Beth, that combination is very pretty!!
it looks super on you!!
I am 5’2 and I think the white runners will
not look that good.
Thank you
i think a pair of white sneakers look good in every size. and there are so many white sneakers to choose from.
Hi Beth, I love this outfit but the prices, not so much. What you are wearing totals up to more than $500! I really appreciated it when you showed some stylish but less expensive clothing a few weeks or so ago.
Thanks for the inso even if i can’t afford most of the pieces you show.
Nancy
yes, i show a variety of price points on any given day. but the outfit totals $280. the sunglasses were my Nordstrom Anniversary splurge. but, honestly, when i prorate them out over their lifespan it’s truly pennies to the dollar. that’s how i view style and my shopping habits. sometimes, the bargain scored at Target only lasts a season or two then is thrown into the rubbish bin. but when i pay a bit more at a retailer with quality garments the item will last for years and years. blazers are also an investment piece to me so i’m happy to pay more. style is always about personal preference and what you feel comfortable with spending.
Hi Beth,
Just love this outfit! It is so fresh and cool. The flag tee is wonderful!
You look great in your style uniform!
Julie
isn’t the flag tee adorable?! love the subtle color palette.
Beth, I love this outfit! What size blazer and tee are you wearing? Do all of the items run true to size?
Diane
the blazer is a size 8 tts. the tee is a medium but it’s a slim cut. not much wiggle room but it’s a nice fit. beautiful fabric.
How do you wrap the waist of jeans around your neck? I can’t picture how to do it.
here’s a video that gives a visual for the jean trick.
https://youtu.be/pCEcbLO7Awg
Your “Style Uniform” is perfect for your trip across “Abbey Road” metaphorically speaking! The Beatles would love it too!
what a cute reference! next time i walk across the street i’ll have to go barefoot.
This outfit it totally my style. Regarding the price point of clothing. Quality always pays for itself. When I was still working, I eyed a beautiful taupe blazer and pants for a few weeks before pulling the trigger. It was pricey, but I figured out how many ways I could wear it over a period of time and it came out to pennies! I bought a white Ralph Lauren blazer about 14 years ago, expensive, yes, but I still have it and wear it frequently. I worked with someone who hit the mall 2-3 times a week, buying whatever was on sale. Nothing worked and things were soon discarded. It was like she didn’t know what to wear to work the next day so she went out and bought something.
thanks for sharing! yes, when we shop the sales or shop without a plan in place that’s when we stand in our closet and think “I’ve nothing to wear”there’s nothing worse than a closet full of clothes with that nagging thought.