Style Bee - Look 2 - 10 x 10 - Spring

Spring ’16 10 x 10 – Look 2

04.19.16

Style Bee - Look 2 - 10 x 10 - Spring

Some days the words for a post come together so easily and other days it seems near impossible to complete a coherent sentence. Last night when I was writing this it was definitely the latter scenario. But then I got to thinking, some days a great outfit just comes together and other days it feels like you have nothing to wear. This outfit is one I hope to remember for those days. The ones when I’m low on creativity, I can’t be bothered to think about it, I just want to be super comfortable and still somehow manage to look like I’ve got it together (at least from a distance). So note to self: loose layers!

Style Bee - Look 2 - 10 x 10 - Spring

This little olive green raw silk crop top is one of my favourite additions this year (sorry it’s since sold out but there are 5 other colour options!). The colour is my absolute favourite shade of mossy, muted green and the shape is equally pleasing. Obviously, I kind of have a thing for this type of top seeing as yesterday’s look featured a very similar cut.
I rarely wear a crop top with the intent of any skin being exposed, it’s much more for the proportions that it creates. I love the illusion of length that they give the lower half of an outfit. Layering a top or sweater like this over another simple piece makes for a very wearable outfit that has lots of interest and elegance without any fuss. I’ll be wearing this look for all different occasion this season whether it’s a boozy birthday dinner or a morning spent strolling the antique market.

Style Bee - Look 2 - 10 x 10 - Spring Style Bee - Look 2 - 10 x 10 - Spring

You’ve probably come to know that I’m obsessed with my salt + pepper clutch by Primecut, so given the opportunity to test out one of Lizzie’s new envelope clutches I was all over it! I’d actively been looking for a lighter, slightly more compact option and this is officially my favourite clutch to date. It’s the perfect size to hold all the essentials (phone, credit cards, cash, keys and lip colour) and adds the perfect pop of pattern to an otherwise simple look. Plus the super minimal shape and tiny touch of brass hardware is freaking genius.

Style Bee - Look 2 - 10 x 10 - Spring

And last but not least I’ll touch on the Silk Tank Dress, which happens to be one of those rare staples that you don’t realize you’ve been missing until you have it. I love how it’s been designed with an elegant, flattering shape that helps the fabric fall loosely and away from the body. Even as such, it’s pretty darn wind proof, meaning, it doesn’t fly up and reveal your unmentionables at the slightest provocation from the breeze (and trust me it was windy when we shot these!). Not to mention the fact it has pockets and is machine washable (say what?). If you’re in the market for something slinky but not as sparing as a slip dress this is definitely a great option.

Style Bee - Look 2 - 10 x 10 - Spring
I’m so excited to see a few of you joining me in this little 10 x 10 Challenge! Andrea of Seasons + Salt and  Paige of Style This Life are a couple of truly lovely ladies and happen to also be fellow lean closet bloggers doing their own versions! Be sure to check out their blogs for tons of inspiration and styling ideas.

Blank Canvas Top Olive c/o Jamie + The Jones  (5 other colours avail. + a similar option in olive) | Silk Tank Dress EverlaneMars Boots Rachel Comey | Envelope Clutch c/o Primecut | Celine Sunglasses c/o SmartBuyGlasses | Plate Necklace + Wave Cuff c/o Young FrankkSplit Ring c/o Claus | Stacked Rings c/o Everli



Photography by Jacklyn Barber.

25 comments
04.19.16
Outfits

Leave me a comment here!

  1. Lia says:

    Not following care instructions is always “at your own risk” so this entirely my mistake. I’m mostly perplexed about the differing results. Maybe it’s something in the water here…

  2. Lia says:

    Yes it does, thank you! I’ve actually been meaning to ask if you would do a post on caring for clothes. I know it seems lame, but having fewer, more expensive clothes has made me want to treat them better so they last longer.

    • Lee the Bee says:

      That post is currently in the works! I don’t think it’s lame at all. I just want to make sure I have good advice to share 🙂 It’s so satisfying to feel like you can properly care for your stuff. Stay tuned! xo

  3. Jill says:

    Thanks! I have seen the post on Un-Fancy and it is good, I was just looking for more!! I would love you to do a post on your guy’s closet! I’m sure I’m not the only one…. I LOVE what you do! 🙂

  4. Jill says:

    Do you know of a blogger that does capsule or simple modern dressing like what you do for men? Would love to help my hubby do the same thing I’m doing — and I know it won’t happen unless I help him! 🙂 Thanks!

    • Lia says:

      Another reader here. Caroline from Unfancy posted her husbands capsule last spring I think. Obviously not a full time blog but it might be a useful resource to get started.

    • Lee the Bee says:

      Thanks Lia! That’s a great suggestion, I was totally stumped otherwise. xo

    • Lee the Bee says:

      Lia’s suggestion to check out the Un-Fancy Hubby post is a great one! Unfortunately I don’t know of any Men’s Capsule blogs. I’ve been meaning to do a post about my partner’s lean closet though. He puts my efforts to shame for sure. xo

  5. Laura says:

    Ah! I love me some olive green. And I love this look on you! 🙂 I just finished picking out my pieces today and will be sharing them on my blog Friday 😉 #fistbumps

    Seriously, thank you for inspiring this challenge!

    • Lee the Bee says:

      Thanks so much Laura! So thrilled that you’re joining in! So excited to see what you chose. You’ll have a blast I’m sure 🙂 xo

  6. Dawn Trosper says:

    So good to hear you wash this dress! It’s been on my list for a while now but the DCO made me nervous. What about wrinkling? I want to purchase it for a wedding I have coming up but don’t want to look all wrinkly all night!

    • Lee the Bee says:

      I used to dry clean all my silk stuff but it got to be that I’d never wear it because I didn’t want to deal with taking it to the cleaners. I’m very careful about it but so far so good! I would say it’s no more or less prone to wrinkling than any other silk I’ve experienced. I have gone for dinner in it and after an hour of sitting there was a few creases but nothing drastic. Hope that helps! xo

  7. Miriah says:

    Beautiful! I love the subtle nod to warmer weather and the layering. How do you find the sizing of the Everlane dress? I have been contemplating which size to order. Thank you, and as always you are lovely!

    • Lee the Bee says:

      Thank you so much Miriah! Beautiful name btw. I bought a size Small (my usual from Everlane) and love the fit. I was worried the arm holes would be too big and show my bra, but luckily they’re ok. Hope that helps! It’s a really lovely little dress 🙂 xo

  8. Andrea H says:

    I love the color of your top! It’s a great color to round out a neutral wardrobe. I can’t believe how well it works for a layering piece! I don’t think I would have thought of it before now. Well done!

    And thanks for the shout out. 😉

    • Lee the Bee says:

      Thanks Andrea! It’s my favourite little trick with looser crop tops! Earth tones are my favourite to add a pop of colour here and there. Absolutely my pleasure! I’m seriously so thrilled to have you joining me!! xoxo

  9. Paige says:

    I love how you wear the crop top as a layering piece – it adds such great lines to your dress. I also LOVE the color palette of this outfit – I’m a huge fan of cognac to warm up black!

    Thanks for the “shout out” and for hosting the challenge.

    • Lee the Bee says:

      Thanks so much Paige!! Adding a pop of warmth is one of my favourite tricks too! Thanks so much for joining me! I’m absolutely thrilled 🙂 xo

  10. kiki says:

    Oh! Do you machine was your Everlane dress? I’ve almost bought it a few times but am always deterred by the “dry clean only” instructions on the site.

    • Lee the Bee says:

      I know they say ‘DCO’ but I wash all my Everlane silk at home. I use mild (enzyme free) detergent and put it on delicate, cold. Then I hang dry and either steam or iron it to bring it back to it’s smooth state. So far so good and much less hassle and expense than taking it to the cleaners. You’ll love this dress, it’s so flattering and simple. xo

    • Lia says:

      I’m curious about this too! I did a water test on a small area of my Everlane silk tank and it got all..crunchy. You don’t have any issues with that? Or losing the luster?

      I hand washed a silk shirt a couple years ago and it totally ruined the fabric. I’ve been paranoid about hand washing since then, although I agree dry cleaning is a pain.

    • Lee the Bee says:

      I was totally paranoid about washing my silk at home and never used to before this year. I started with the Silk Tank from Everlane and it come out really well so I tried this dress too. When it get’s wet it does crinkle and I lay it flat to dry and the crinkles loosen but when I iron it with the steamer setting on high it all smooths out. I’m just very careful not to iron the same spot too long and I make sure there’s lots of steam when I do the seams. I will admit it’s not as perfect as dry cleaning but I’m happy with the result. Hope that helps! xo

    • Lia says:

      A couple months late, but I finally tried handwashing my Everlane silk tank and it was a total disaster. I’m so sorry I tried it. I wanted to warn other ladies in case they’re looking back through this post.

      I had two issues:
      1. Massive shrinkage – I used the Laundress delicate soap (safe for silk) and cold water. The tank shrunk noticeably from the bottom and more annoyingly, around the chest. It’s so tight I can’t wear it. I thought maybe I had somehow forgotten how it used to fit even though I just wore it a two weeks ago. But then I noticed that the sweat stains were in the wrong place – basically on the outside front of my chest instead of under my armpits (TMI, sorry). So I’m not imagining.
      2. Paper-y fabric – I steamed thoroughly after washing and hang-drying. There are no wrinkles, but the fabric feels totally different. It’s sort of scratchy like paper instead of…silky. Not nearly as nice against the skin.

      No idea why I would have such a bad outcome compared to Lee. Maybe Everlane changed fabrics? Or different colors are different? No idea.

      I rushed over to the dry cleaner to see if they could salvage it.

    • Lee the Bee says:

      Hi Lia, Thanks for sharing your experience. That’s so unfortunate that the shirt didn’t wash up well for you, sorry if you feel I led you astray! I really hope the dry cleaner was able to help.

      I’ve been washing my Everlane silk tank and tank dress all summer and it’s turned out well each time. I actually didn’t try it until a few readers mentioned that they wash all their silk at home. We have a great washing machine that’s designed for tough to care for items so when it’s set to delicate it really is very gentle on the items (almost like a hand wash). I use an enzyme free soap as well so it’s also very gentle. Maybe those are factors? I even just washed a couple silk items from Elizabeth Suzann and they came out fine too. I’m perplexed!

      I will say the silk feels a little bit stiffer after it’s been air dried but once I’ve ironed it and worn it for a bit it softens up.