Economy of Style
A notebook on evolving trends, fashion sense and cents

Fall’s Not-So-Boring Neutral Trend

From creamy tones to shades of grey, no surprise, neutral hues are going to dominate fall trends. As someone who loves brighter hues, I’m here for the neutrals too. Neutrals, especially when worn head-to-toe, can so easily evoke a sophisticated, timeless style. So, today, I’m sharing a look you can wear now that captures the fall neutral trend.

fall neutral trend

What I’m wearing:

White blazer (similar) | Crop tube top | Stripe shorts | Sneakers | Earrings

fall neutral trend

Before we go any further, I must rave about these Target shorts. I may or may not own them in 3 different colors. Okay, I do. They’re high-waisted, midi length shorts. While I own them in the brighter options (an orange pair and a pink seersucker stripe option), this tan stripe pair is the one I bought first. It’s the sharpest, most sophisticated option.

P.S. I’m wearing the shorts without a belt (my preferred styling here), but they do come with a self-tie belt.

fall neutral trend

I gravitated to this tan/white pair of shorts because I knew they would look so crisp with white pieces, like the blazer I added. For a little summer flavor, I’m wearing my blazer over a white cropped tube top (only $2.99 and available in several colors). My Kendra Scott earrings (now on sale) in Ivory Mother of Pearl tease out the creamy hues in this neutral ensemble as well.

To add even more cool vibes to the combination, I’m wearing my Nike sneakers (available in the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale).

fall neutral trend

So, are you feeling the fall neutral trend? I’m looking forward to playing with creamy hues, shades of brown, and shades of grey.

Fall Neutral Trend:

Fresh-For-Summer Color Blocking

Coming at you with a color boost today. I’m so excited about summer 2020 color trends. The hues are happy and bright. And, as an added bonus, they pair well with each other (summer color blocking). Today, I’m color blocking a couple of my favorite colors, giving a brand new look to an old suit.

summer color blocking

What I’m Wearing:

Gap shirt(old) | Shorts (same style new colors) | Blazer (same style new colors)

Fendi sunglasess (sold out, designer sunnies for less here) | Earrings | Sandals | Bag

summer color blocking

You’ve seen this yellow shorts suit before (here and here). I wear it often, but I like to style it differently each time. One cool way, I get more wear out of my standout bright pieces is by color blocking. So, no, we don’t all need wardrobes filled with neutrals to achieve styling versatility. Brights can be mixed and matched too.

My paled turquoise shirt pops with the neon yellow shorts and blazer.

My sandals are from Zara. Gosh…with no where to go, I don’t know why I keep buying sandals from Zara this summer. The styles are so interesting, and the price point is low. This print pair, for example, is under $40, but looks quite luxurious.

Of course, I had to coordinate my mask with the overall look. This one is by a local St. Louis designer–Olivia Rae Designs.

summer color blocking

Essentials for summer color blocking:

How To Always Find The Perfect Bermuda Shorts

Bermuda length shorts are all the rage for 2020. If you have a hard time finding the perfect length for you, I have an easy solution. DIY Bermuda shorts! It’s so easy. I swear.

DIY Bermuda shorts

What I’m wearing:

Top | DIY Bermuda shorts | Houndstooth tights | Trench coat | Combat boots (similar, option)

Bag | Sunglasses (option) | Pearl hoop earrings | Lip: Pat McGrath “Elson”

I’m only 5’4″, so Bermuda shorts at the wrong length make my legs look non-existent. I’m very particular, then, about where I like the bottom of my Bermudas to hit my leg (right at the knee).

DIY Bermuda shorts

After searching with no luck for a pair in black, I decided to get crafty with an old pair pants. I decided on a length and simply cut the pants off with some sharp scissors. Since I like the look of rough edges, I opted not to hem the pants, so my job was done. Of course, if you want a more tailored look, hem them for sure.

DIY Bermuda shorts

Deciding on a length was easy this time around because I already had a perfect pair (see the jeans I cut off here). So, I just lined them up and cut my black pair to the exact same length.

By the way, if you’re on the market for some fun tights to jazz up your winter outfits, check Target. I’ve been loving the options by A New Day, and each pair is $10. I’ve purchased the featured houndstooth pair as well as some striking floral back tights.

DIY Bermuda shorts

Location: South Grand, St. Louis

Just Add A Belt To Elevate The Look

I have a few reliable styling tricks I can reach for when I need to step it up a bit. One of those is simply adding a belt to a look. I was wearing a white shorts suit during the day last week, and I needed to transition the look for a celebratory event at night. I threw on my Gucci web belt, and the rest is history.

gucci web belt

What I’m wearing:

Blazer (similar) | Tank | Shorts (similar) | Gucci belt | Sandals (similar, option)

It’s no secret. This Gucci belt is one of my favorites. You’ve seen it transform outfits here, here, and here. One of my favorite ways to wear it is over a blazer (kinda like this). This time around, though, I belted my shorts for a different styling option. The result was the same–it made the outfit better.

gucci web belt

To complete the look, I added some red sandals with round wooden heels. Aren’t you just loving the sculptural heels trend? My pair is from Zara (sorry, they sold out quickly during the summer sale). They remind of a few styles I’d been eying from Cult Gaia (see those sandals here).

Location: Mission Taco, Soulard, St. Louis

Find your fabulous belt:

Like Mother, Like Daughter: Tropical Vacation Styles

She’s back! You all really enjoy style posts with my mom. And, we love creating them. So, on my recent trip home to St. Kitts, we got together and as always, a little style magic ensued. In today’s post, we’re styling Lilly Pulitzer’s Blue Haven Little Flamenco print in our personal favorite selections. The print holds down the best tropical vacation styles. Be sure to browse the widget at the end of this post to see the many styles available in the print.

Lilly Pulitzer tropical vacation styles

What we’re wearing:

Mom: Lilly Pulitzer Taryn Maxi c/o | Prada sunglasses | Sandals (similar) | Kendra Scott earrings

Me: Lilly Pulitzer 5″ Buttercup Stretch Short c/o | V-neck tee (similar) | Fendi sunglasses | Sandals (similar, similar)

tropical vacation styles

My mom and I are fond of similar silhouettes. So, I wasn’t surprised when she chose the Taryn Maxi dress. It has a flattering fit-and-flare silhouette with a deep v-neckline. It’s a comfy knit dress made super elegant by its banded neckline and waist. For reference, she is wearing the dress in a size 8.

tropical vacation styles

This print really pops, so you can keep accessories minimal. My mom wore turquoise Kendra Scott drop earrings to complement the pink, blue and white in the print. She’s also wearing flat white sandals.

tropical vacation styles

For me? I went with scalloped shorts. This particular pair of shorts is a Lilly classic (available in a few other prints). I’m wearing a size 4, and they fit perfectly because of the stretch poplin fabric. They’re a must-have for me because they’re such an essential for vacay style. They can be dressed up with a shirt/blouse, worn casually with a tee, and even be worn as a swimsuit cover-up.

tropical vacation styles

I’m wearing a my shorts with another season must-have–platform sandals. My exact pair is sold out, but this other style is quite popular.

What’s your favorite style in this print? Browse all of them in the widget at the end of this post. See more looks in the Like Mother, Like Daughter series.

Location: Port Zante, St. Kitts

Shop tropical vacation styles in this print: