3 Summer Basics Every Woman Should Own: Ageless Style Show Episode 1

Today is the premiere of my Ageless Style Show! I am so excited to be introducing this new format for my Tuesday YouTube videos and blog posts. Each episode will feature:

• Outfit or Member Makeover
• Viewer Question of the Week
• Buzzworthy Pick

In addition to these segments, I’ll also be featuring a regular YouTube topic in each of these videos. For this first episode, I talk about 3 summer basics every woman needs to own.

3 Summer Basics Every Woman Should Own

We are fully in summer here in Florida, as evidenced by my extra fluffy hair in this video. Sigh. The topic of this video is inspired by the hot days of summer, and the essentials we reach for over and over again to get us through the season in style. I’ve done essentials videos before, but this time, I wanted to find staples that are truly problem-solving, unique, and worth checking out. Here, 3 summer basics that will change the way you get dressed this summer.

The White Tee

Don’t get too excited. I mean, I know a white tee is revolutionary and all, but really. Contain yourself. 🙂 Seriously though. This staple seems so ho-hum, until you try to find the perfect one. Suddenly, it becomes the holy grail item that you can’t live without. Fortunately, I’ve found 3 near-perfect, problem-solving white tees for you right here. And you can shop them all in my essentials catalog.

The Hot Flash Friendly Tee: Uniqlo, $14.90. Part of the company’s Airism collection, this tee is lightweight and feels like you’re wearing nothing at all.

The Non-See-Through Tee: This ingenious design from Sexy Modest adds an opaque inner layer without making the tee bulky or warm.

The Elbow-Length Tee: Cover your upper arms with this chic tee with a flattering elbow-length sleeve. (Shown in black but available in white and other colors).

White tees are great basics for pairing with jeans and shorts, of course, but their real versatility comes through in their ability to turn a hard-to-style printed piece into a cool outfit.

The Chic Shorts (Or Alternative)

Shorts can be chic. I promise. And it’s not impossible to find a flattering pair if you know where to look. Keep them simple and tailored, and choose a length that ends at a pretty spot on your leg. I love J. Crew shorts because they are available in different inseam lengths, and the Nic & Zoe shorts are elegant and flattering, but great shorts can be found from Old Navy to Nordstrom. Here, two of my favorites.

You can find these and other options right here: https://hueandstripe.com/catalog/306H&SZr83

Still haven’t convinced you to wear shorts? No worries! I’ve got other options. Let me introduce you to my new wardrobe BFF, the culotte. Hey! Where you going? You know I promise not to steer you wrong, right?

Culottes are cool. I promise. They offer the breeziness of a short with the coverage of a pant. But the best part about them? They’re not capris.

I just quoted myself on that. And I recommend that you do the same. 🙂

The key to a flattering culotte is to keep hip and waist embellishments to a minimum and to choose the right length, one that hits at a flattering spot on your leg. Seeing may be believing in this case, because you won’t really know if you love them or loathe them until you’ve tried them on. So you should totally do that. Just as soon as you’re done reading this post. (Use code NADAM for a discount on your order from Brass Clothing).

Here, some of my favorite culottes, from the always reliable Brass Clothing and Carve Designs.

I also love an easy flowy pull on skirt or a chic-yet-comfy palazzo pant as an alternative to shorts in the summer.

Both of these and other styles can be found here: https://hueandstripe.com/catalog/306H&SZr83

The Go-Anywhere Dress

If you want my real secret for summer style that looks polished but is truly effortless, it would half to be saying yes to the dress. It’s one and done and cool and breezy.

If thigh rub is an issue, check out the Wardrobe Helpers section in this catalog, or try an effortless jumpsuit instead. Either way, the single piece can make summer dressing truly simple.

My favorite option for this summer staple is a dress that checks the following boxes:

• Comfortable
• Doesn’t wrinkle easily (or at all!)
• Has pockets
• Is bra and underwear-friendly
• Is flattering to the tummy area, either with a defined waist or a straight fit and substantial fabric

Here are two options that I am currently loving from Loft and Summersalt.

Makeover Minute

In this segment, I help a member of Nada Manley Style VIP restyle an outfit that isn’t working for them. This look, submitted by Kath, a member from Australia, is fine but possibly a little boring for her personal style. The chunky sweater, longish skirt and flats amounted to an outfit that needed a bit of excitement. The before outfit could be improved in the following ways:

• Hemming the skirt to mid-knee or just above the knee
• Adding a long coat on top to create a more vertical line
• Adding a long necklace
• Adding knee-high boots to lengthen the leg line
• Wearing the sweater with the sleeves pushed up and the hem a bit higher

Kath has fun adventurous style, so she was up for trying a little pattern mixing. We added an animal print top, and then tied the pieces together with a solid navy blazer. Nude pumps complete the look, and a red baguette bag adds a trendy touch.

Question of the Week

Jody, 46, is overweight but in the middle of a weight loss journey. Her stomach is her challenge area, and she’s afraid that the shirts she wears to conceal it are making her look frumpy. Here, my tips for helping Jody to conceal her tummy without the frump factor:

Consider everyday shapewear

Comfortable everyday shapewear can provide moderate control and a smooth foundation to all of your outfits. Consider trying a shaping cami under tops with thin fabrics, and shaping shorts or high-waisted underwear under fitted dresses and pants.

Try a structured top

A top with some structure and a substantial fabric is going to be much more flattering than a drapey or flimsy top. Make sure it’s tailored and not too long for maximum flattery. A peplum that starts just above the belly area is a great way to artfully conceal a tummy.

Add an outer layer in a dark color

A long dark jacket or coat can visually erase the sides of your silhouette, making you appear longer and leaner. The lighter jacket, at the left, is short, fluffy, and has full sleeves, making it less elongating and flattering. (Both jackets are from Eloquii and available here).

Buzzworthy Pick of the Week

I am so excited to be able to partner with Filippo Loreti, an Italian maker of fine, but affordable, watches! They sent me the Jane watch that I wore in this video, and I have been wearing it nonstop. The quality is beautiful and the style is contemporary yet classic! It’s really the perfect watch! They have offered a discount code of 15% off. Just use coupon code NADAMANLEY15 at checkout.

Click here to shop these watches, and don’t forget to use code NADAMANLEY15 for a 15% discount!