Nautical

I love a classic nautical style for Summer. It can make you feel like you're in Nantucket, on a yacht or at least that you should be! 

There's a few key elements that make this timeless look beautiful ...

NAVY & CRISP WHITE

Sailor Shorts & Here - Pants

A color palette of navy and white is sharp! 

Navy is actually my preferred neutral (as it is my Mamma's & was my Grandma's)

STRIPES

Sweater Jacket

These clean lines add pattern in a timeless simple way.

GOLD BUTTONS & ACCESSORIES

The shiny buttons in a sailor design really give a nautical aesthetic! 

Add gold jewelry like knot earrings or a link bracelet to really tie it all together.

RATTAN BAG

A wicker handbag is quintessential for Summer and there are so many unique designs.

My basket bag is vintage and one I carry the most.

It also adds texture & a natural element to your look.

TOROISE SUNGLASSES

These sunglasses give an old school look that also adds a natural element and chic shade!

SILK SCARVES & AMERICANA

Consider a printed silk scarf around your neck, hair or handbag for added color & print.

I proudly enjoy wearing a touch of Americana during the Summer & this sweater has been on my wish list for two years!

Dress Beautifully in Nautical Style

XOXO Sarah Louise

Nautical

You don't have to be at sea or on a ship to rock a nautical look. You need navy, white, light fabrics, rattan accessories, brass buttons, stripes and maybe even some red! You could get really specific and have a piece with printed sea accessories (I'm thinking a scarf).  These are all sharp coastal elements. 

I'm partial being married to a prior sailor (Ryan was a US Navy medical officer) but there's something about the coastal look that makes you want to escape to somewhere new and fun.  Like you should be on a vacation escape to New England or better yet Italy ... I'm going to have to settle for North & South Carolina beaches :)

For this outfit I paired a classic navy striped collared dress shirt (I've had for many many years!) and knotted it at the waist for a causal look. A crisp white maxi skirt and rattan accessories tie in the Summer style and add texture.

Striped Dress Shirt | White Maxi Skirt (9 colors available)|

 Rattan Heels | Gold Hoops |

Dress Beautifully in a Nautical Style

XOXO Sarah Louise

Friday Favorites: Blue & White Motif

Good Friday blessings to you! May we remember, we are saved not by what we do but by what Christ has done. 

It is finished!

Spend today and this Easter weekend enjoying the blessings God has generously given you. Soak up the joy with the people you do have around you to help diminish the sadness of missing those you can not see. Gracious, I'm heartbroken to not be worshiping in our church, hugging on my Mamma and watching Vivian hunt eggs with her cousins. But praise for technology that allows us to video and love that knows no distance. 

This Outfit Post

On a colorful note, I love a blue and white motif.  I mean, I live in it as it's the design palette of our home. It's a cool and calm contrasting pairing and it's something Ryan and I both agree on. He's a UNC Chapel Hill alum so Carolina blue is his favorite.

There something refreshing and very classic about blue and white.  It's truly my favorite combination!

Here are several beautiful blue and white pieces I'm loving ... 

Landscape Long Sleeve Dress

Striped Tiered Midi Dress

Daisy Trim Dress

Striped Jumpsuit

Ruffle One Shoulder Jumpsuit

Stripe Wrap Dress

Tiered Dress

Gingham Sequins

Mini Wrap Dress

Blue Eyelet Top

Stripe Ruffle Top

Puff Sleeve Top

White Bow Top

Denim Trouser Short

Tie Waist Short

Sailor Pant

Straight Jean

Button Linen Midi Skirt

Ruffle Wrap Skirt

Embroidered Maxi Skirt

Seersucker One Piece

Seersucker Top & Bottom

I shared this Jumpsuit (still available) on this post last year

Dress Beautifully in Blue and White

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Bold Stripes

Be Bold.  Tomorrow I turn 34 and I've decided to enter into this year of life with boldness.  To trust, to be faithful and most of all to be grateful.  In all of these things I'm going to do so boldly.

I mean who wants to be so-so or half way with a mediocre attitude.  Be bold gals.

Everyone loves stripes because they're classic and go with everything.  As we enter into Spring I love to embrace a nautical vibe because who doesn't want to be on the water?! Nothing says nautical like white and navy stripes.

This top is bold. Big wide stripes. Yes!  I may just wear this tomorrow.  This top is actually designed to be worn off the shoulder but I prefer it up on my shoulders. I can move my arms with ease and honestly it creates an eye catching chic collar!

Fashion is what you buy, Style is what you do with it 

I paired it with navy trousers and ladylike slides to keep the focus on the top.

I was talking with my Mamma yesterday about how the basket bag is making a come back.  I remember her caring a rattan bag and I would play dress up with it.  Funny how things come right back around.  While I like the new modern styles I decided to see if I could find a vintage bag that would resemble the one my Mamma carried.  I love adding vintage pieces to my look. They have a story and it's true, they just don't make things like they used to. I found this one on etsy and love it!

Off the Shoulder Stripe Top  ||  Navy Trousers  ||  Navy Slides  ||

Vintage Rattan Bag - Similar  ||  Bangle  ||

Dress Beautifully in Bold Stripes

XOXO Sarah Louise

Seas the Day

I've always had an affection for nautical style from my days in college by the beach to now as a Naval Officer's wife.  The stripes, anchors, and gold buttons take you to a place of bright sunny days and sandy warm beaches.

Typically nautical pieces are casual because let's face it sailing on a boat or strolling along the shore calls for cool cotton and bare feet.   So when I find skirts, pants or dresses that incorporate nautical elements appropriate for the office I'm headed straight to the dressing room.

I was quite excited at the sight of these shiny gold buttons on this tailored pencil skirt.  Slightly surprised at the black color (I prefer navy) but I suppose a gal does have to have some black in her closet and contrasted against lighter shades it is quite sharp!

I didn't want to distract or take attention away from the gold button detail but I wasn't quite in the mood for my normal solid top so I went with a pinstriped shirt.  When prints are so small you can't see them from far away you can style them as a solid.

Pair this skirt with a denim top,  printed top or brightly colored top.  Swap out pumps for wedges for a more casual look.

Sailor Skirt: Loft || Pinstripe Shirt: J Crew || Pumps: Nine West || 

More Nautical Options: Here - Here & Here

Dress Beautifully in a Sailor Skirt

XOXO Sarah Louise