Getting more mileage out of your summer dresses

The weather is getting warmer here in Minnesota, and I'm definitely ready to start wearing all my favorite summer dresses. The fact is, weather here is very unpredictable. One day it's 85 and sunny... the next day it dips down to the high 60's. Minnesota summers feel short at times, and cooler months can drag on. One thing that I've grown accustomed to is layering. This not only keeps me warm or cool during the unpredictable weather, it also helps me get more mileage out of those fun summer wardrobe pieces.

Today on the blog, I want to show you three easy ways to layer up your favorite summer dress.

Add A Denim Jacket

Throwing on a demin jacket is an easy way to layer up and add warmth to any summer outfit. When styling my outfit, I make sure everything works with or without my jacket... that way I have options when I'm out and about. Play around with different washes and styles and change up your shoes to get that perfect look.

Adding a T-shirt

Throwing on a t-shirt over your summer dress is so easy and gives your look an edgy effortless vibe. I knotted my T to show off my waist and threw on a pair of Golden Goose sneaks. Having my shoulders covered is sometimes just enough to keep the chill off. Play around with different colors and graphics and let your personality shine through. Whether its an awesome band tee, fun caption, or favorite designer, I love this look because it's perfectly tailored to you. No two looks are ever the same... and I love that!!!

Layer a Shirt Underneath

Finally, it is not uncommon for fall to come around a little too soon. Don't pack those summer dresses away just yet. Try layering a fitted top underneath. My closet always has fitted turtle necks in black, navy, and white so I can layer up my dresses when the weather turns chilly. Here, I threw on a fitted turtleneck and put on a pair of combat boots. A good rule of thumb here - make sure your top is fitted for a clean look. Warm weather dresses are often times thin, so you want to make sure it lays nicely over your layered piece.

All of these looks work with practically any warm weather dress. Play around with what you have in your closet, and make sure our personality shines through your outfit. Happy styling!

Remember to check out my Instagram @smalltownme and TikTok @small_town_me

Love Emily.

Can you ever have too many denim jackets?

If you're like me, you have a pile of jeans in your closet, each fitting you a different way. You have those jeans you can dress up, ones that look so good with a pair of heels, and others you like to rock with your favorite kicks. Light wash, dark wash, cropped, skinny, torn, and the list goes on and on. Have you ever considered the same goes for denim jackets? There are so many different cuts, styles, and washes. The right denim jacket could turn your casual outfit to dressy. Or it could mean elevating your shoes from Golden Goose to Louboutin heels.

Today on the blog, I want to show you how easy it is to change up your look just by switching out your denim jacket.

Oversized Denim Jacket

Putting on an oversized denim jacket instantly brings a cool laid-back vibe to any outfit. Having an oversized jacket is such a beneficial addition to your wardrobe. Not only is the oversized slouchy look cool over fitted dresses and tops, it can easily be worn over bulkier items like oversized tees and sweatshirts. I wear my oversized denim weekly as a layering piece. From sweats to dresses, styling options are endless. Here, I threw on a pair of trendy sneakers and grabbed a tote. Wanting my look to be effortless, I made sure my shoes and bag were easy, but polished.

Traditional Denim Jacket

I love my traditional denim jacket. Mine happens to be a True Religion that I've had FOREVER! It's a great medium wash, hits me right at my waist, and is not at all distressed, so it has always paired well with every dress I own. In addition to wearing this jacket with dresses, I throw it on over my workout clothes and sweats for errands. In the fall, I'll button it up over my Kate Spade and Tory Burch dresses and throw on a scarf. This jacket has also come with me on countless vacations - I just throw it on over summer dresses and tanks when I get chilled at night.

Knowing this jacket brings a polished look to my outfits, I put on a flirty pair of mary janes and a fun coordinating bag. You could wear this to church, brunch, a shower, bookclub, a lunch date... Make sure your closet ALWAYS has that traditional go-to denim jacket.

Cropped Denim Jacket

A fun addition to your denim jacket wardrobe is a cropped jean jacket. Mine is quite thin, so it lays really nicely over dresses and tanks. Also, I love the frayed edge along the bottom... this brings an edgy feel to my looks. Even though this jacket is distressed, the cropped length makes it easy to dress up. Here, I paired my cropped denim with my YSL Tributes and handbag. Dressy enough for date night! My rule of thumb for a cropped denim jacket - I always make sure whatever I'm wearing underneath is fitted. That way, the cropped length will not compete with your overall look.

Patterned Denim Jacket

No denim jacket collection is complete without a fun print. This jacket brings a little unexpected edge to my outfits, so I like to pair it with trendier pieces in my closet. Here, I put on my metallic sandals to bring out the star print and grabbed my eggplant Burberry clutch. I love how the silver hardware brings everything together. My jacket happens to be stamped with metallic stars, but there are so many cute possibilities out there (floral, leopard, graphics), I know I'll be adding more patterned denim in the future.

The next time you go shopping, don't pass up that cute denim jacket... add it to your collection because there is no such thing as too many jean jackets. I've linked a couple fun options below - so many cute jackets are out there just waiting to be nabbed. Happy styling!

Remember to check out my Instagram @smalltownme and TikTok @small_town_me

Love Emily.

AG Denim Jacket

AG Stone Wash Jacket

Rag & Bone Belted Jacket

Raw Hem Cropped Jacket

Ways To Style Basic Black Bikers

Have you hopped on the biker short tend yet? I broke down a couple weeks ago and bought a pair after seeing countless bloggers modeling their biker shorts with tees and sweatshirts ... and I am so glad I did. Not only are they comfortable and perfect for summer (hello - short leggings!), but they can be super edgy and right on trend. On today's blog, I'm sharing a few easy ways you can rock a pair of biker shorts.

Pair with an oversized button up

This look turned out so classy chic. I threw on an oversized button down shirt. I kept the top half unbuttoned and put on a bralette underneath to show just a little lace. I tied a knot at my waist and put on a pair of cute sandals - and I have an outfit perfect for a lunch date, errands, or even brunch.

Wear with a jacket or blazer

For an edgy polished look, try pairing with a blazer or structured jacket. I put on a dressy utility coat, cinched my waist with a belt bag, and threw on a pair of dressy sandals. A good rule of thumb for this look: make sure your jacket hits below your crotch line, hitting about midway down your bikers.

Graphic Tee and a Denim Jacket

For an easy go-anywhere look, throw on an oversized graphic tee and denim jacket. I put on a pair of trendy sneakers to give this outfit a little more of an edgy look. Again - I like to keep my t-shirt hitting me below my crotch line, about midway down my biker shorts. If your t-shirt is on the shorter side, try knotting it or doing a half tuck. I would wear this outfit for so many things... a movie, to the park with my kids, the coffee shop with friends, or even for a Target run!

A Tank Top and Cardi

To style your bikers cute and comfy, throw on a tank top and oversized cardigan. I put on a white, but any color would work. My tank hits right at my waist, but still totally works with the biker shorts and longer cardi. I also put on a lacy bralette underneath my tank for a little contrast. I threw on a pair of tennies, but how cute would fuzzy slippers be with this outfit - perfect for working from home.

Sweatshirt

Finally, I threw on a cute sweatshirt because... east and effortless! Your sweatshirt could be your favorite college hoodie, athletic sweatshirt, or trendy hoodie. Whether it's oversized or cropped like mine, a sweatshirt with biker shorts screams spring time!

The only new item I purchased for all of these looks was my biker shorts. Everything else I had already hanging in my closet. Take a stroll through your closet and I bet you'll be surprised at just how many looks you'll come up with. Happy styling!

Remember to check out my Instagram @smalltownme and TikTok @small_town_me

Love Emily.

Spanx

American Eagle