This Simple Outfit Template Might Scare You At First But It’s All We’re Wearing This Summer
Hint: Décolletage
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by The Candidly Team
Getting dressed and liking how we look really boils down to one thing: silhouette.
But achieving our best silhouette in the season of skimpy clothes can be a very unfun little puzzle. There’s only so much we can do with weird length shorts and schlumpy tees, and most of it we sort of hate.
If we add layers, we feel suffocated by the heat. If we don’t, we feel naked.
So what to do?
Well, there’s this very simple outfit formula that gives us a lovely hourglass. It’s summery and classic, a dash romantic, and oh yeah, will probably terrify you.
It scared us a little at first, too, but we tried it, and now…
we are wearing it ALL the time.
On weekends to run errands:
On sun-centered vacations:
There is, of course, a less scary way to do it:
But we really believe going all in with the tube top might surprise you.
WHAT IT IS:
Ok, so by now you get the gist of what we’re talking about here.
Smoothing strapless (or skinny strapped tank) top.
Full, high-waisted skirt.
WHY IT WORKS:
The top holds you in, making you feel supported and smoothed. Then the bottom skims your hips, butt, and lower belly before gently floating out, which gives you loads of coverage with a Grace Kelly silhouette.
That in and out, fit and flare - whatever you want to call it is ultra-flattering on everyone. It gives you curves where you don’t have them and skims curves where you do.
Because the top is fitted, you don’t look frumpy. You feel cool in temperature, and maybe a teeeeeensy bit hot (or at least, hot-adjacent) with your décolletage on display.
Now, a word about the tube top, the scary-seeming part of this equation, which might already have sent some of you fleeing. But since you’re still here, bless you, we’ll give you our quick pitch. Tops without sleeves can actually make wide shoulders look less wide. They frame your upper body beautifully and nip the waist. Yes, you can get a lot of this effect from a tank with skinny straps, good ribbing, and a scoop neck, which is definitely an option with this template. But we urge you to try the tube top. It’s a bit of magic.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
It’s soooooo simple. That’s the beauty of it. Two easy pieces and you look completely put together. Here’s what to shop for if you don’t already have it:
1. THE SKIRTS
1. Free People Lowen Midi Skirt
We’ve written entire articles about this airy skirt, which comes in too many colors we love. The back is elastic but there’s an even little band in the fron that makes it look “smart,” as they say in the U.K. Needless to say, we reach for it instead of shorts on tons of summer days.
Price: $60
FP One Brynn Printed Maxi Skirt
A floral maxi equals instant loveliness and pure, unadulterated joy.
Price: $148
Doën Sebastiane Skirt
Perhaps, the prettiest skirt we ever longed for in black and white and one other color, because there’s no way to not look chic in this skirt.
Price: $228
Hill House The Delphine Nap Skirt
That elastic band at the waist, and the way the skirt falls without being too poofy makes us want it in every pretty print it comes in.
Price: $150
Banana Republic Factory Pleated Eyelet Midi Skirt
The eyelet is wildly pretty in person, and the quality feels like it could have cost 4x the price. We wear it with a black tube (as pictured) or with the matching cami as part of a set.
Price: $50
2. THE TOPS
Free People The Carrie Tube
It’s called the Carrie tube very likely after Sex and the City, because she did indeed know how to style a tube top. It also fits like a glove. Of course, it also comes in TONS of colors.
Price: $30
6. Anrabess Tube Top
Such a pretty, stretchy, structured bodice that’s thick enough to hold you in. And the colors are beyond.
Price: $17
Banana Republic Factory Strapless Soft Stretch Top
Another staple option at an insane price.
Price: $12.50
AYR The Sexy Flexy
We did find a budget option on Amazon that’s very good, but if you’re over 40 and serious about looking striking in a tank, we believe that this is the one to invest in. It’s sooooo flattering, the kind of tank that makes you think, “By God, why does this particular tank look soooo. good on me?!”
Price: $78
3. THE EXTRAS
The Strappy Sandals
Reformation Ludo Toe Ring Strappy Flat Sandal
A strappy, minimalist sandal is the perfect finishing touch to this ensemble. And we’ve been wearing this one everywhere of late. 17X chicer than a flip flop.
Price: $128
The Strapless Bra
Buttery soft, breathable, and supportive. And zero pain from wires.
Price: $28
A Little Bit Of Coverage
Madewell Straight-Hem Shirt in Cotton Dobby
If you want the option of something light to cover your arms without loosing that nipped silhouette, we love this cropped, linen button down from Madewell.
Price: $98
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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