summer neutrals

anyone else notices the days are getting shorter? this past week when i was walking with oscar it hit me that summer is fleeting. it was around eight o’clock in the evening, and the skies were beginning to turn gray. it’s almost imperceptible from day to day, but the sun is now distinctly lower in the sky come evening. it reminded me that oscar and i have to bump our schedule to seven o’clock if we want that long walk he loves around the neighborhood and still arrive home before dark. otherwise, mr. style makes us wear all sorts of gadgets and carry flashlights and bring all that bulky gear that doesn’t belong in those easy breezy summer months.

if time is fleeting, then i’m pulling out the summer neutrals while i can. and nothing beats monochromatic white with tan thrown in for good measure. there is something so crisp and clean about white. recently i purchased a pair of sandals from Tory Burch that are destined to become my ‘shoe crush.’ every season there’s bound to be one pair of shoes that i just can’t seem to wear enough. but i hadn’t zeroed in on anything this summer. until now. yesterday, i wore these sandals with a dress. today, it’s boardwalk shorts. tomorrow? well, you’ll just have to wait and see if i hit a three-day running streak. mr. style has a way of asking, “didn’t you just wear that?” um, yes! clothes and shoes are meant to be worn on repeat.

anyhoo, today’s ootd is sweet and simple. boardwalk shorts from Ann Taylor truly are a great length as they just skim the knee. and we all know i’m always on the hunt for the perfect white shirt and own at least a dozen. this shirt is a basic button-up from J.Crew that can be worn year round. roll the sleeves up come summer. tuck it underneath a sweater come winter. a tan leather belt from Talbots adds texture. love the white stitching around the edge. of course, my new favorite sandals from Tory Burch with metallic studs are effortlessly chic and perfect for this summer outfit. all you need is a fresh pedi, and you’re good to go! last, but not least is an old standby – a two-toned handbag from Ralph Lauren similar here.

several of you have written asking for recipes. there was a malfunction with the recipe plug-in we use with the blog. bear with us as we have to manually go back and re-enter each and every recipe… don’t you love technology? it’s always keeping me on my toes.

shorts | shirt | belt | sandals | similar handbag | watch | bangle | lip shade La Fascinante

shorts | shirt | belt | sandals | similar handbag | watch | bangle | lip shade La Fascinante

shorts | shirt | belt | sandals | similar handbag | watch | bangle | lip shade La Fascinante

shorts | shirt | belt | sandals | similar handbag | watch | bangle | lip shade La Fascinante

shorts | shirt | belt | sandals | similar handbag | watch | bangle | lip shade La Fascinante

happy wednesday, ladies. we’re halfway through another week. didn’t i say summer was fleeting?

Beth Djalali

is the Founder and CEO of Style at a Certain Age. She writes Sundays-Fridays on all topics ranging from fashion, health, wellness, home design and more.

She’s 63, 5’8, and size 8.

See author's posts