endless Summer

While many declare Labor Day the END of Summer, I recognize the symbolic end of Summer/start of school, but always wear my "summer" styles until the official transition to Fall - Friday September 22nd in case you want to put it in your planner :)

In fact, like many in Game of Thrones, us here in Colorado, know that Winter is indeed coming, & I plan to wear my warm weather pieces until I can't for the remainder of the year, + well into 2018!

I declare this transitional time of year "buy-Summer-clothes-on-sale-&-wear-the-heck-out-of-them" season! Treat yo self & take advantage of businesses already putting all their eggs in the Fall basket. I have recently discovered the brand Boohoo, & can't get enough of their flower child dresses. I feel like maybe I let a little of my free spirit style of dressing behind when I left Music City Nashville, & found myself in Denver - where most people think the idea of dressing up is putting on their best Patagonia jacket (only kind of kidding...).

I felt so comfortable wearing this outfit for a day of exploring in our current neighborhood - RiNo in Denver - before it isn't our neighborhood any more (1 month until we move into our first HOUSE!). We have so many spots left to explore in the area we have called home for the past 14 months, but somehow we always find ourselves right back at our favorite brewery - Epic. 

And for those of you who just can't wait for Fall, I will be styling this same dress for a Fall look later this week! Are you team endless-Summer or early-Fall?

P.S. There are 2 giveaways going on right now. Check out the Newk's giveaway here & head over to my Instagram to see today's giveaway with August Mae - a new favorite boutique here in Colorado!

dress: Boohoo cold shoulder maxi dress

hat: Boater Hat from Sole Society - currently sold out, but I love this similar style for only $15! Looking for boater hat inspiration, see how I've styled this piece previously here.

shoes: Nisolo slides (now on sale!)

All Photos | Walnut Street Photography

{shop these pieces + similar styles}

basics

Ok, let's see how many of my usual buzz words I can fit into my post today.

We are moving (I know, I said I was going to try to not mention it for a while... whoops), & I'm clearing out my closet (find some of the pieces on Poshmark!) - not surprisingly the pieces that made it easily through the first round of cuts were the basic pieces - my black wrap dress, solid Summer dresses, neutral shoes that go with everything... you catch my drift.

The thing is, I really can't remember a time that I've regretting purchasing a foundational wardrobe item. And you'll never hear me say, "This straightforward black dress doesn't go with anything!". Sure, the basics are not going to necessarily wow on their own, but they provide the backdrop for everything else! The more I focus on starting outfits with my favorite basic pieces, the less I find myself standing in front of my jam-packed closet with the "I have nothing to wear" complaint.

When I saw this black swing dress I loved that it was one of my favorite cuts (see how I styled a similar swing dress 3 ways last Summer), but it has a fun back detail to give it an extra something something.

I had already worn this hat + sandals combo with another dress recently, so they were the first accessories to pop into my head, but this dress can literally be styled so many different ways for this Summer & I can't wait to get it next to some color!

dress: cross back shift dress  (also available in stripes)

Fit tip: I got the size small, & almost wish that I had gotten a size medium for an extra swingy loose fit.

hat: boater hat c/o Sole Society

shoes: lace up sandals c/o Sole Society

purse: Coach wristlet

sunglasses: similar from Warby Parker

necklace: tassel necklace c/o francesca's (also loving this one with semi-precious stones)

All Photos | Catherine Truman Photography

boaters

Last Summer it was all about the Panama Hat (I wore mine to death - see the outfits here), but 2016 is the year of the boater hat! I just picked up this one from Sole Society & I'm confident you will be seeing it on the blog many times in the coming months. I like how it adds a touch of French gamine to my favorite warm weather dresses!

One feature I didn't expect about this hat - it has a hidden adjustable drawstring that allows it to be perfectly fitted to most any head size… my weirdly sized head much appreciates it!

dress: Wayf floral midi dress

hat: boater hat c/o Sole Society

shoes: lace up sandals c/o Sole Society

You know those ridiculous "stranded on a deserted island" questions? Well, if I was stranded on a deserted island, and could only purchase 1 brand of shoes, I would easily pick Sole Society! Also loving these platform espadrilles from Sole Society (like an unreasonable amount of love for these shoes!)

purse: Rebecca Minkoff 5 zip crossbody

All Photos | Catherine Truman Photography

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