4 style tips for summer outfits from a Talbots stylist

38 Comments

1. Thanks for sharing these tips — we have a longer trip out west in summer due to a wedding, and a mix of climates from western mountains to southwest heat of 100-plus likely — so trying not to overpack as we fly out. Very helpful to look at column dressing again when we shop our closet, but means we can add some new pieces to achieve easy travel. The green crop jacket and your outfit is beautiful – you look fantastic!

2. Thank you, Catherine. So glad this gave you some new travel outfit inspiration. Have fun getting ready!

3. I’m like you, Pam…tucking in shirts is uncomfortable but I am aware that it makes me look smaller. I’ve found that if I wear a short blouse or tee shirt, it has a similar effect without the discomfort of tucking in long shirt tails. You’ve shown us some cute looks today and logical advice from Lindsey. Now to look at my closet and put together some outfits with more forethought.

4. Hmmm on the tummy tuck. I agree, the tuck was more flattering in the posed shots. How did you feel it looked when moving through your day (says the woman still scared to try it :))? I agreed with her tips, except the travel one re jeans, as I find them heavy, bulky, and not versatile enough for travel. I loved how she stacked and layered necklaces and bracelets, especially those summery pearls. I’m not super into necklaces at the moment, but have been frequently swapping my signature bold, bead embroidered cuffs for a huge stack of bangles. I tried on scarves yesterday, and decided they are just too fussy for my current style. I also read one of -those- articles that said they were dated. I think I will wait till cooler weather, and if I still agree they are not for me, I will box up most for the consignment store. They are hard to part with; my old self wore them almost every day, but I’ve reached for them maybe twice since retirement.

5. Don’t toss them too quickly, Linda, just because someone said they are dated. Scarves are always in style. If they were dated, you would not see them still selling at top retailers.
   I understand that fear. I live with it. After I step out to practice this for a time, I promise to honestly report back.

6. That is why I love style tips it helps us look at our current clothes with a different eye.

7. Pam it was such a pleasure to work with you! I am so glad I was able to push you out of your comfort zone and get you try new things!! That’s what Fashion encourages all of us to do! Try something new! You never know you could be missing your new favorite piece! Happy Styling!!! Until next time ❤️

8. Thanks for all of the help, Lindsey! Working with you was so much fun!

9. The shirt untucked visually shortens your legs, Pam. I was never a shirt tucker either but I do it now all the time and sometimes add a belt. If the shirt has long tails you can experiment with tying, there are a lot of ways to do that. I agree with others and think the tucked in look with jacket on top is way more polished. And the color is great on you. Wish I could wear the greens!

10. Thanks Susan…it will just take me some getting use to. When you have lived with the pesky middle and disappointed to have it return yet again, not tucking seems like a way to hide. But, I also see that it can go in the opposite directions. I am going to be bold and try to live with this more. And, of course, green is me!

11. Generally good advice, and I wear jeans to travel — BUT, the black petite jeans are 29″ long, which would mean wearing heels, so definitely not travel jeans for us shorter women.
    To LindaLM, I was reading a blog where someone said scarves are out, and two other women said they just came back from Paris, and scarves are everywhere. I just bought a beautiful one from Talbots that I’m wearing on the plane and on vacation.

12. You look fabulous in the double breasted blazer outfit! (and the tucked top). Talbots tend to be a bit “buttoned up” for me, but I like using the robe as a duster idea.

13. A very fun and enlightening post! The crop jacket is really nice, but I resist buying a double breasted jacket (or coat) that won’t button even if I never intend to actually wear it buttoned — I feel like it makes me look bottom heavy. This jacket looks like it fits properly in the shoulders (always important!) but it doesn’t look like it will button on anyone (looking at yesterday’s post as well). So maybe this will encourage me to look at double-breasted jackets differently. I particularly liked the jacket with the white cropped pants and the tucked-in top. Who knew that tucked in could look slimming!?! (well, the stylist did….) Adding the necklaces in that look also helped because it draws the eye up. Thanks for the discussions and these tips and especially the pictures.

14. I agree with you, Maeve! Don’t toss scarves too quickly. I watched a Paris street style and scarves were worn.

15. I thought some of you might and that is why I included it!

16. You are welcome, Kim. This jacket design is not meant to button, but I find the design to be very flattering. You should try them on!

17. What great advice to tuck in your shirt. I have been told it also makes me look slimmer and believe it or not taller. I do feel uncomfortable but I’m working on this. I might check out the local Talbots to see if they have a similar trunk show in my area. I’m attending my granddaughter’s high school graduation in El Paso Texas in June and I’m getting ideas from you for an outfit that is cool for the hot time of year there. I’m used to Wisconsin weather in June. So I might head to Talbots.

18. We can work on the tuck together, Paula. El Paso is a little drier climate than where I am but still toasty. I would go with either washable silk or one of the nicer linens.

19. Great post. I agree with the consensus that tucking a top in when you are wearing a jacket is slimming. Just looking at the 2 photos you can see how much difference it makes. I also resisted this for a long time. I only tuck when I wear a jacket. I haven’t had any luck tucking into pull-on pants but do like the look of a belt on pants with belt loops but always with a jacket or cardi. I find so many tops too long so I often tuck them under to shorten the look. I also really like the stars on the blue top of your patriotic outfit which create a great vertical line. I hope you bought that top. Its very cute on you. The one tip I personally disagree with though is that black denim is a “must”. I don’t believe that there is any one thing that is a “must” for every woman. Other than that I think these tips are great. Mixing casual with polished is a great idea. Happy Tuesday.

20. Thanks Kathie! I did not purchase that top because it is a sweater. Our 100 degree heat is forecast to begin at the end of next week. I do love the top though.

21. You look so pretty in this outfit! This is my ideal for how I want to look when I arrive at a Mexican resort. 🪇

22. My son lives in Paris and he brings me back scarves. I have quite a collection. I frequently get compliments when I wear them. That said, I don’t feel 100% confident in them. Perhaps my neck is too short? The blue/green/white color scheme is very fresh looking for Spring. All of the models look fashionable. I’m definitely in the tucking camp. I feel like blousing over your top is excellent camouflage. Is it tummy or fabric?

23. I am headed to one early next year…so I will remember what you said, Connie!

24. Thanks for sharing, Lily!

25. I have a terrible time tucking in a top as my waist is thick and now after a five pound weight gain, I have a round tummy again! Being disabled with limited mobility, it is very hard to address these issues. But I have to say, you look terrific in your tucked outfit. Both the color and style look great on you. I have black denim, but rarely wear them. It gets hot here too and black just absorbs the heat. White or light colors reflect the heat of the sun. I will stick to my white or pale blue bottoms and bring color with my tops. I do like some of the print tops in the trunk show.

26. Thank you, Sydney!

27. Ah, to tuck or not to tuck! That is the question. So I tucked my top into my brown jeans this morning after reading your post, put on an open cardigan, and I thought it did look good. I ended up blousing it a bit because I knew I would take the sweater off at the hair salon. Great tips to review. Lindsey is a gem. I like the 2-2 rule. As far as travel goes, we are going to London next week for 8 days. I have had my base colors with coordinating tops on a bed for about 10 days. I will make final decision on the tops and 3rd pieces when I can see the 10 day forecast. I am definitely taking 3 scarfs of varying weights. I use them as neck warmers as well as accessories. I don’t do anything tricky with them. I just keep them simple. I can’t agree with black jeans. My deep olive and deep brown jeans are my black. You looked fantastic in that double breasted green jacket outfit!

28. Thanks, Deborah! I love my brown jeans as well and I got them at Talbots!

29. Scarves have always been my thing and have many that are well over 50 years old. When I pull them out, I go back in time to who, where and when I received it. I’m jealous of Lily having a son in Paris who sends scarves!! I have been on the hunt for a black denim jacket (are you listening Talbots?); the ones I have seen from other retailers this year are too boxy and/or heavy. In June I will celebrate 6 years of retirement and I finally feel my closet reflects my new lifestyle thanks to you, Pam, and Talbots!

30. I am also jealous of the son in Paris!! So cool! Happy to help with that retirement wardrobe, Linda!

31. I sure hope that green jacket is in your closet now. It looks great. I love the shorter length. I’m a bit fluffy but have found that longer jackets just increase my size. I’m trying to add more shorter layers for better proportions.

32. Yes! It came home with me! Doing my best to do some shorter/tucked in looks! Thanks Jane.

33. I agree with Lindsey that the outfit looks better with the top tucked in. Like you, I haven’t usually been a tucker, but lately I’ve been trying it and have found that I sometimes like the look.

34. Thanks for sharing, Elaine. My new style goal is to tuck more!

35. Late to the party, but I loved these style tips, other than black denim for summer, which could kill us in Texas! For Kim, you might try a trick I use with double-breasted jackets. I remove the decorative buttons on both sides above the waistline, leaving the two at the waist that actually button, and sometimes any buttons below the waist. It then looks fine left open. Double-breasted styles will never be my go-to, but sometimes an item I otherwise love has that feature, so I work with it. I appreciate the encouragement to tuck tops in. I had a very trim waistline into my 50’s and always wore tops tucked in with higher waisted pants. When menopause rearranged my body shape (no matter my weight,) stole my waistline and left a tummy in its place, I had to learn to choose tops with a more flattering cut and drape; not voluminous, just slightly more generous at the hem. JJill does this well at a reasonable price point. I am gradually finding a few pieces that seem to work better with the body I have right now, and I’m wearing those in heavy rotation. Thanks to Pam for once again leading the way to change old habits well into our 50’s, 60’s and 70’s!

36. This old dog is learning new tricks! And I am always happy to share what I learn

37. Next thing you know you’ll be adding a belt to that tucked in look!

38. Woa! Now let’s not get crazy! Lol!! Actually I would love to be confident enough to do
    Just that!

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