6 Pinterest Looks To Recreate This Summer That Are Gorgeous For 40+ Women
And they’re all very, very easy.
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by The Candidly Team
We see tons of “looks” online that we’d die to recreate. But like with 50K kitchen renos and titillating pear tartine recipes, we really only have the time, energy, and attention to flick it off to a Pinterest board.
And on that board, it shall wait for a day that never comes, a day when we’ll actually use it as inspiration when either shopping or getting dressed.
This whole cycle of unrequited outfits is a bit of a let down. So in our quest to make dressing the way we want to on our Pinterest boards much more realistic in actual life, we found 6 of the top pins we’ve been lusting after for summer. And they’re NOT the outfits that only work on size 2, 6ft, 22-year-old models. They’re clothes we can really and truly see ourselves in.
We recreated each one to give the same chic, confident, put together vibes we love in photos in pieces that are deeply, deeply flattering on our bodies.
Ready to (finally) make Pinterest come to life?
1. THIS CLASSIC COASTAL LOOK
WHY IT WORKS:
It’s a cross between coastal grandmother and French-lady chic, so a bit like you just stepped off a sailboat in St. Tropez.
Stripes are a very easy hack for looking elevated and luxe.
It’s really just a tee or tank with a comfy wide-leg pant, and yet, you look more put together than ever.
Madewell The Perfect Crewneck Tee in Cotton
Gap × DÔEN High Rise Pleated Trousers
We have to stop being afraid of white pants. We own these soft white Gap x Doën pants, and the fit is gorgeous on our curves. We have space just where we want it, and the high waist makes our legs look 2 inches longer.
For a cropped version, we always, always choose THESE.
Price: $98
Beek Pelican Leather Platform Sandal
Before you get mad at us about the price, a disclaimer. We spend more on our shoes because
1. We want them to last and last and look stunning doing it.
2. WE WILL NOT DO FOOT PAIN!
These are the most cushioned, comfortable, meticulously constructed slides out there, and they make every $20 thing we wear from Target look luxury.
Use the code CANDIDLY10 to get 10% off.
Price: $280
The Accessories
The Tan Belt: There are. many out there. This is the one we choose to wear every time.
The Aviators: A classic and only $50!
The Basket Bag: From our favorite French brand, of course.
And here is one of us, putting this look together:
2. This Effortlessly Chic Skirt Ensemble
WHY IT WORKS:
We get to have that sleek, elongated, gazelle-like look of a fitted column skirt but with a whisper of coverage from the button-down.
It feels like pajamas but looks like Carolyn Bessette Kennedy.
The Bennet Buttondown Shirt by Maeve: Linen Edition
We wrote a whole article about the magical fit of this button-down, but the linen version is perfect for warmer months. And the stripe/ color combos are all perfection. As is the size range.
Price: $80
Z Supply Gail Midi Skirt
We keep writing about the stretchy yet structured and smooooooothing effects of this skirt, but we know you’re probably still nervous about wearing something fitted. But when we do fitted on the bottom, we can do loose at the top without looking like slobs. The proportions are just right, and that magic button down above does wonders to skim our hips and bellies.
Price: $68
Quince Cotton Modal Double Scoop Neck Tank
A buttery soft tank with the single most flattering neckline. At this price, we recommend getting it in both white and black.
Price: $15
Everlane The Day Crossover Sandal
These are the shoe we own in slip on most days of summer and own in multiple colors because the comfort is surreal. And the leather is even butterier in person.
Price: $98
3. ThIS WARM-WEATHER WORK GET UP
WHY IT WORKS:
It’s simplicity itself but by combining these exact elements: whispery tee, wide-leg cropped pant, comfy platform, we look understated and quite “quiet luxury.”
Proportions! Tuck the tee into a high-waisted, slightly flared pant, and the hourglass will be commanding.
Z Supply Modern Slub tee
It’s very easy to get it wrong with a t-shirt and just look like a frumpy rectangle. This one is just cut … better. For starters, it’s so soft so no stiffness. The length is long enough to tuck but to not look sloppy untucked. And there’s almost a slight swoop-like shape to it that makes our waists look smaller. In an endless pile of plain black or white tees, this is the one we reach for.
And HERE is a black tank we also love for this look on hotter days.
Price: $39
ASTR The Label Rowen Pleated Culotte Pants
A cropped palazzo trouser is kind of genius. We adore this pair from ASTR but if you prefer a pair without pleats go HERE.
Price: $128
Dolce Vita Talisa Wedges Black Leather
Look, we will not do a heel most of the time because of that babies about foot pain thing. But this shoe has loads of support. So we get the long, lithe, lifted look of heels without discomfort.
Price: $90
The Accessories
The Bag: We’re just gonna link you to our favorite petite black bag of all time that still fits all we need.
The Scarf: Tie it onto anything basic and poof, you’re chic.
The Long Necklace: Jenny Bird has some pieces that are a perfect fusion of minimalist and statement.
And here’s another example of our own recent spin on this where we used a tank and just rolled up a wide-leg trouser we already owned:
4. ThIS FOOLPROOF SHIRT DRESS LOOK
WHY IT WORKS:
We fell in love with this as a vacation look when we saw THIS look from Rachel McAdams in Midnight In Paris.
It’s leggy and waist-nipping without being too tight or needing adjusting.
It’s the perfect way to wear something shorter after 40 that doesn’t feel like you’re gonna give everyone a show when you drop your keys.
J.Crew Utility shirtdress in linen
Nip, nip, nipped. And with that arm coverage. Bliss!
Price: $80
Petit Moments Loop Wrap Belt
We get lost in that little knot. Looks luxury but costs $30.
Price: $30
Margaux The Wrap Sandal
These shoes are the epitome of summertime chicness. But be warned, they sell out constantly so be swift.
Price: $255
5. THIS GOING-OUT-TO-DINNER OUTFIT
WHY IT WORKS:
There is no more elegant, Grace Kelly-esque combination than black and white, but it really, really takes full effect with black on top. We wrote a whole ridiculous thing about why this is HERE.
Once again, we must mention proportions. The vest keeps everything smoothed and structured and the skirt flows beautifully.
Madewell Scoopneck Cutaway Vest in Drapey Twill
If you’ve been wanting to dip a toe in the sculpted world of vests, this is where to start. It’s even more flattering than most because the scoop neck frames your upper body beautifully (especially great for us broad shouldered ladies).
Price: $90
Jenni Kayne Pleated Skirt
We had to include this skirt because it is the prettiest pleated skirt of all time, but if you’re not ready to invest in a lifetime heirloom piece such as this, THIS airy poplin midi skirt is probably the one you’ve been looking for.
Price: $395
By Anthropologie The Blake Skinny Belt
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Price: $48
Everlane The Studio Slingback Heel
That Prada shape at a very non-Prada price.
Price: $79
6. This “COLOR OF THE SUMMER” LOOK
WHY IT WORKS:
We’re not trend people. We prefer classic and timeless clothes. But a “moment” of color can be a thrill, and so, we are definitely on board with the butter yellow trend, especially in the form of pants!
By taking a simple, really flattering silhouette and just adding a color, you create something elevated and exciting and still feel like you.
The Colette Beachy Linen Full-Length Wide-Leg Pants by Maeve
We write, probably too much, about the Colette pants from Anthropologie, but they look amazing on every woman and each year, they come out with more colors and lengths and fabrics and patterns and so, how are we expected to stop? And how are we expected to not purchase this soft, yellow, linen pair that fits like sorcery and screams of summer?
Price: $100
Artfish Women's Sleeveless Tank Top
The ribbing, sleeve width, and scoop neck do indeed equate to the most flattering tank. And don’t forget to add this little yellow cardi* over it on chilly evenings.
Price: $19
Balzac Laeticia natural raffia basket
We discovered this brand beloved in France, and now we can’t stop perusing their site for incredibly joyful finds like this basket bag.
Price: $305
Soludos The Ibiza Classic Sneaker
The winner in the minimalist white sneak category. These go with everything, including skirts and dresses.
And you can use the code THECANDIDLY20 to get 20% off.
Price: $139
* Gifted product
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
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