capsule wardrobe

what to wear from summer to fall -- easy transitional weather outfits to try /  by Candice Tay

I feel like fall is going to be here in no time, so before the cold weather settles in for good, here are a couple of easy transitional weather outfit ideas. I think I’ll be referring back to these ideas myself because I often find this weather tricky to figure out. The temperature changes are so drastic and can be so cold in the morning but feel like a hot summer day by noon. Anyway I hope these outfits give you some inspiration for the next few weeks we have left of transitional weather.

Outfit 1 | Monochromatic, All black

When in doubt, I always go with a monochrome look. It’s so simple to put together and looks really elevated. One way to make a monchromatic outfit more interesting is playing with texture. Here I’ve paired a knit tank with some dressier pleated shorts and because I’m usually running out the door chasing after the kids I threw on a pair of crocs (I have been LIVING in these all summer long). For accessories, I went with a delicate gold pendant to highlight the v-neckline of the tank and some fun chunky silver hoops.

A moment for the knit tank: The Murmur Knit Tank from Harly Jae is new to me this summer and I just love how feminine it is while still be really understated. It pairs perfectly with these long pleated shorts but also goes so well with many other things in my wardrobe. The cotton material is great for the early transitional weather days.

Shop the look: Murmur Knit Tank, Black pleated shorts (similar option 1), Black pleated shorts (similar option 2), All Terrain Crocs Sandal, Chunky Silver Hoops

Outfit 2 | Olive Toned 2 Ways

Next is more of like a few variations of outfit one playing with that same knit tank top. This time I’ve paired the top with some cream, barrel leg jeans. I love the contrast of the black with the cream. I think it really makes the top pop. In the fall in particular, I really enjoy bringing out the earth tones in my wardrobe like these olive coloured mules. Mules are such a perfect fall weather slip on shoe. It’s so elegant looking but also so practical and easy to pop on and head out the door. I kind of created a bit of an olive sandwich by throwing on a light jacket. I basically live in this jacket during transitional periods because it is SO comfy and just pulls outfits together so well.

I experimented a bit with a simple change up of the shoes to show you how easy it is to change the vibe of an outfit. With the mules, the outfit looks more sophisticated and refined, while with the chunky crocs, it’s the perfect casual outfit for every day.

Shop the look: Murmur Knit Tank, Cream Barrel Leg Jeans (similar option 1), Cream Barrel Leg Jeans (similar option 2), Olive Mules (similar option), All Terrain Crocs Sandal, Chunky Silver Hoops

Outfit 3 | Long layers

Fall is the best time for knit vests and I find I get the most use out of them during the early fall days so here are two more ways to style a knit vest. This one is a wool one so it’s a tad warmer than the cotton one styled above. I wanted to explore longer layers in these two outfits even though I typically love to tuck things in to create the illusion of longer legs. For this first look, I wanted the knit vest to be the star of the outfit so I kept everything paired back with the black pleated shorts, black crocs, and leather purse. I also went with a set of minimal gold hoops.

For a much more dramatic look with the vest, I paired it with some relaxed, wide leg pleated jeans. I just love the super dark wash of these jeans and the billowy silhouette. I went for a more casual vibe and kept the weight of the look more bottom heavy with my new balance sneakers.

Shop the look: Black pleated shorts (similar option 1), Black pleated shorts (similar option 2), Wide leg Pleated Denim, All Terrain Crocs Sandal, New Balance 530s, Gold Hoops, Black Sling Purse

Outfit 4 |Classic with a twist

I love a classic and timeless wardrobe so I thought I’d style a very classic outfit with a bit of a twist. Here is a fun take on a white button up and jeans look. I’m wearing this button up shirt from Power of my People. I love the subtle striped detailing in it that elevates the classic white shirt. It’s also not a shirt that is super oversized so I went with something more oversized on the bottom. I’m wearing a pair of dark wash, pleated wide leg jeans for that bit of a twist on this classic combination. Again, I’m sticking with some chunky sneakers to keep things casual but also give me a bit of added height. I stuck with chunky silver hoops and a black leather purse to complete the look!

So there you have it — a few transitional weather outfits to inspire you through the next few weeks! I hope you give these a try and let me know if you do. If you enjoyed this post, please let me know in the comments :) I’d love to hear from you.

4 ways to style a minimal black dress -- late summer to early fall /  by Candice Tay

Oh hey, it’s been a while since I’ve written a long form blog post. I’m slowly making my way back here and sharing some fun styled photos of a cute dress I received recently from slow fashion brand, Tradlands. They are an ethical, sustainable brand that I’ve had the pleasure of working with since the very early beginnings of my time as a creator on the internet. Today, I’m sharing 3 very easy ways to style the Birdie Dress for late summer days to early fall because I’m tired of summer weather and am so ready for fall fashion. I am itching to pull out my cozy sweaters again.

I have tried many Tradlands dresses in the past, like the coveted Nico Dress and the super fun Nell Dress and I can attest that their dresses are so comfortable, easy, and low maintenance. The Birdie Dress is no different. I love the easy-to-care for crinkle cotton material that can be machined washed and does not need to be ironed, because I’m at a stage in life where if I have clothing that needs to be ironed, I will most likely not be wearing it often. It’s also reversible and like all the other Tradlands dresses, it has pockets!

*This post is not sponsored but does feature gifted product and affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, when you shop some of the links, I earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Thank you for your support of this blog!

Look 1

Here is look one — styled simply, as is, with the ties in the front. I threw on a beige baseball cap and matching beige socks (like a little sandwich) and then I did the socks and crocs thing. It’s comfortable, perfect for a summer day and easy enough to chase my kids around in.

Shop Look 1:

Black Birdie Dress (Size XS), All-Terrain Crocs Sandal, Le Bon Shop Ribbed Socks, Beige Baseball Cap (similar linked)

Look 2

When the weather starts to cool down, all you need is a good cardigan. That added layer just pulls together an outfit so easily. Another wonderful staple from Tradlands, is this beige cardigan that I’ve had for so many years. I love a ribbed, cotton cardigan that has just the right about of warmth for those early fall days. I kept the crocs for ease and I’ve really been liking that chunkier footwear style lately.

Shop Look 2:

Black Birdie Dress (Size XS), Cream Shelter Cardigan (Size S), All-Terrain Crocs Sandal

Look 3

I feel like early fall is the best time to wear knitted vests because it’s not too cold yet and just warm enough to have bare arms. I opted for this cozy knitted vest from Christy Dawn with the most beautiful button details and intricate knit pattern. To keep things casual with the footwear — crocs again. There’s a trend here.

Shop Look 3:

Black Birdie Dress (Size XS), Christy Dawn Dagny Vest (use code “CDCANDICE_TAY15” to save), All-Terrain Crocs Sandal

Look 4

I’m actually really excited to sport this look when it’s cold enough. I love the casual, laidback vibe but still really delicate and feminine with the dress and layered cropped blouse on top from Harly Jae. I love the different waffle texture it adds to the outfit even though it’s also a black piece. I went with the same beige ribbed socks and comfy New Balance 530s.

Thanks for reading my first post in a long time. I hope it offers some ideas for the next time you’re styling a black dress or maybe it’s getting you excited for fall?

Review: Everlane 90s Cheeky Straight Jean /  by Candice Tay

Today I’m putting my 90s Cheeky Straight Jeans to the test. I’ve had my original pair for over two years now so let’s see how they’re holding up. These are my most frequently asked about jeans and my most worn pair as well. I will be comparing my original pair to a new pair, which I received postpartum, that’s in a different size and wash.

Quick Thoughts

As a quick overview, you might have guessed it, but yes, I still love these jeans. They have held up so well and I love the overall vintage feel of them. I think the straight-leg fit is a very classic cut and will definitely be a staple in my closet for years to come. There are a variety of washes to fit your style as well as two different length options which contribute to an overall better fit.

Fit & Sizing

I get questions regarding fit and sizing the most, and understandably so. Buying anything online is hard and we want to make sure that we have the right size, especially when it comes to denim. I think these jeans fit quite true to size but with wear, like most jeans, they do stretch out a bit and mould to your body, giving off that “lived-in” look. If you’re looking for a more figure-hugging fit, I would size down. For my original pair, I went for my usual size, which is a size 24 and went with the ankle crop length. For height reference, I am about 5’5”. I have a longer torso compared to my legs so I do love the high-waisted fit of these jeans which make me look visually taller when worn with tops that are tucked in. Postpartum I was gifted a new pair of these jeans and this time around I sized up to a size 25 and kept the same ankle crop length. My new pair definitely runs a touch larger than I prefer, as I think I am currently in between sizes. It gives off a baggier fit than the 24 but is definitely more comfortable for me around the hips. Length-wise I think the cropped length is perfect for me because they hit me right at the ankle and pair nicely with boots, sneakers, and sandals. See the two images below for a side-by-side comparison.

Fabric

Let’s talk fabric! I love that these jeans are 100% cotton which really gives off that vintage-inspired denim look. The feel of the fabric is a nice rigid denim that gets softer with time and wear. I did notice that my newer pair are 100% organic cotton, but the original pair I have only say 100% cotton. So if that is something that is important to you, I would look out for that when purchasing. I’m not sure why it’s different, but it may be different depending on the wash you select. I also find that the pair that is 100% organic cotton has a softer feel to it.

Wash

I think it’s great that there are so many different washes — five blues, one black and one white. They’ve pretty much covered all your staple denim washes. My original pair are the Medium Blue wash, which I think is a great classic jean wash. It has really filled my closet gap as my go-to classic denim. I do find that the wash is more blue in person than displayed on the website. For my second pair, I went with the Vintage Mid Blue which is captured pretty true to colour on their site. Take a look at the side-by-side comparison to see the difference in the washes.

Design Details

Some other fun design details I love are the button-fly and the overall minimalistic look of the denim — no stitching on the butt pockets and the leather patch at the back is very simple and clean.

Have they held up?

After wearing my original pair consistently for over two years, I can confidently say that they have held up and I’m really excited to have a second pair of these jeans. The only kind of wear and tear I can see are in high touchpoint areas like the belt loops and button holes where there is a bit of fraying in the material. Styling-wise, I personally find that this style of denim pairs seamlessly with many of the pieces in my closet and I have found them to be a really versatile piece.

Style Ideas

Here are a few ways I’ve styled these jeans in the past and I hope it inspires you and gives you a good idea of how these jeans might work in your wardrobe.

Outfit Details

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