Story by Ashley White of Le Stylo Rouge / Photos by Sabrina Osborn
Summer brights are a given come July and August, but don’t count out those summer neutrals when you’re building an outfit. They can be fun, too!
One trend to play with is the corset – yes, you heard that right, the corset! This romantic top style has made a huge comeback in recent years, and with options at every price point, anyone can dip their toe in the trend.
I’m wearing a jacquard corset here with a cool horse print theme. Neutral, desert tones, a few splashes of baby blue, and a zipper feature in the back. (Don’t feel like you need to go traditional when you try a corset; look for boning but you can opt for a zipper closure over a lace-up and still get an excellent effect.)
I wanted to lean into those neutral vibes (which would also help that printed corset pop), so I chose a pair of simple light khaki wide-leg jeans. Keys to keep this look polished: the corset is cropped, so if I wanted to avoid showing my midriff, I needed a high-waist pant option. These jeans break right at the top of the foot, which is a flattering cut for both heels and flats. (I split the difference with a kitten heel; more on that in a second.) And no front pockets means a more streamlined, tailored vibe. This resulted in clean lines and elongation, making me look a lot taller (always a plus).
I pulled a tan braided kitten heel sandal from the closet as the shoe of choice. It pulled in a warmer tone found in the corset and added some textural interest with the braid across the toe. Also very easy to walk in!
Simple gold jewelry in the form of a herringbone chain, diamond hoops, and a dainty gold bracelet. One thing to avoid in the heat and humidity of a KC summer: heavy jewelry! You can wear the breeziest strappy sundress, but pile on a statement necklace or too many jewelry layers, and you’ll break a sweat in no time. Lightweight is the way to go!
Hope you’re having a fun summer so far, Kansas City!
