Outfit Remix: The Minimalist Casual Safari Style

MINIMALIST OUTFIT REMIX IV:

The Casual Safari Style

There is something wonderful about a casual outfit that still has touches of luxury here and there, most notably in the hardware.

You may not be a hat person, but I am totally a hat person especially during the summer and the whole look hinges on wandering around your own hometown at a local street festival, eating an ice cream cone or a fried something-or-another snack, sipping on an icy lemonade and feeling the energy.

Here are all of my previous Outfit Remixes.

JACKET

There’s something really reassuringly casual in a rumpled chic way about a field jacket, and this Freeport Jacket by L.L.Bean for $80 (on sale) hits all the right notes for me – not too many pockets, a drawstring cord to cinch the waist and the perfect shade of army green. If you want, it also comes in a lined version for $99 – $104.

If that’s too rich for your blood, or sold out in your size, this makeitmint field jacket for under $30 is just as fantastic with a slightly deeper, forest-toned shade of green.

T-SHIRT

I own and love the Le Petit Prince tank top, which has unfortunately been sold out, but the same printed t-shirt in a light blue for $30 looks just as good.

Psst — you can even score the matching Le Petit Prince socks for $13.

JEANS

I would normally post my favourite AG Farrah High-Rise Jeans but I thought I’d switch it up and add a straight-legged jean from another of my favourite brands – Citizens of Humanity, in the Vera High-Rise style for $284 on sale.

SHOES

The shoes are something I once owned in my wardrobe but have since gotten rid of because I simply never wore them — a classic pair of Converse sneakers for $67.

Obviously there are tons of other options like these raved-about Toms Slip-Ons for $48.

…but if you want to wear what the cool Parisiennes are wearing, it is these Bensimon Tennis Elastiques for $55.

BAG

I came across the brand Filson & Sons and in particular fell in love with this Filson Open-Top Tote for $175 when I was browsing a men’s shop and I wondered why they didn’t make practical, beautiful bags for women like this…. only to realize I could just buy MEN’S bags instead, and it would look understated, chic and classic.

HAT

I used to never wear a hat but a fedora has entered my summer, and spring repertoire as of late. This fedora by Melissa Odabash in Raffia is light and summery for $175, and I own one just like it.

If going darker is more your style, there is no brand I recommend more highly than Tilley Hats and I own this exact raffia fedora for $120 which I alternate with my white one and have worn to death during the summer.

Every time I put it on, I get lots of: “Where did you buy that!?” questions because it is the perfect tea-stained shade of brown and the quality is unbeatable (you can clearly see it).

SUNGLASSES

I have made mental notes to buy mirrored sunglasses, and when I do, it will be these blue Ray-Ban mirrored sunglasses for $175.

WATCH

I was surprised when I was browsing the other day and came across the most beautiful watches by ASOS of all brands, namely this Lifestyle Clean Dial watch for only $31!!!

Who knew?! It looks way more luxe than its price tag.

BRACELET

A ribbed rose gold buckled bangle by Michael Kors for $95 (my favourite metal thus far) adds a little touch of insouciance to the look without being too twee.

You could forego jewellery altogether in my opinion, but whenever I wear a watch and nothing else (no necklace or earrings), I always feel the need to add at least a bangle or a ring. I rarely wear two pieces of jewellery at once unless I plan on going for the maximalist look because my outfit is so plain and neutral.

Glam it up for Date Night

There’s no need to retire that casual jacket even though you’re going on a date – use it to your advantage and tone down the glam of the night by covering up at first, then taking it off to show more skin (or cool off!) as the hot night wears on.

I normally don’t bother with clutches except for nights out because you don’t have any other things to lug around like a diaper bag, laptop or whatever errands you happen to be running.

When you’re free to carry what you like, a clutch works, especially when you’re wearing high heels.

JACKET

Push up the sleeves on this Freeport Jacket by L.L.Bean for $80 (on sale) and then cuff it for a more casual style.

When you get too cold, just pull it down, or wear the lined version for $99 – $104.

If that’s too rich for your blood, or sold out in your size, this makeitmint field jacket for under $30 is just as fantastic with a slightly deeper, forest-toned shade of green.

TOP

A lace-trimmed silk camisole hits the right note of sweetness (and a touch of sexy) for the contrast between such a utilitarian jacket. I like the lace-trimmed silk camisole by The Kooples for $90 but if they’re sold out of your size & colour, the exact cami is here for $117 as well and is also on sale for $157.50 in the cutest black-lace trim on ivory silk.

If you want to turn up the sparkle factor, I love this Free People Sequinned cami on sale for $48, and if it’s all still too rich for you, try this $10 blue silk camisole by Juniors which also comes in red with black trim for $10.

JEANS

Going for a darker rinse is a surefire way to make something feel more formal, which is why I went back to my beloved AG Farrah High-Rise Jeans, and if you like a straight-legged and cheaper version, Lucky Brand makes it for $109 with a plus-sized version I love for $99.

Need to go even cheaper? Try the H&M pairs for $20.

Note: If you can’t understand why anyone would ever shell out that kind of money for premium denim, read this post where I explain why good jeans are so dang expensive.

HEELS

The black patent heels add a little gloss to the entire look without being too over the top, my favourite brand for heels is obviously the Manolo Blahnik BB pumps for $595 (for sheer comfort especially at a high heel height).

If that’s too rich for your blood, check out these

If stilettos in general are not your thing and you want a shorter heel with a round toe, then I love these L.K. Bennett’s for $325, a favourite staple of Kate Middleton who regularly wears and re-wears her favourite items over and over again (like me!)

Hate the idea of heels altogether because they aren’t comfortable?

Then try these black sculpted patent wedges by Cole Haan, the ultimate in avoiding the potted-foot look while still looking stylish.

CLUTCH

I hate holding little tiny clutches that can’t be tucked anywhere under your arm (how impractical is that?), so when I saw this large metallic gold clutch on the Banana Republic website for $58 and swooned.

It is exactly the right size to tuck under your arm, it has a nice bit of glam flash in the gold (not trashy gold, mind you) and zippered compartments!

If you hate the idea of gold (or think it’s too flash), try this rosy blush pink vegan foldover clutch with the cutest knot for $45.

SUNGLASSES

I’ve gone back to my favourite tortoiseshell look by Maui Jim in the Roadtrip version for $229 for this look because it’s easier to prop them on top of your head than aviators!

NECKLACE

It looks like a plain pendant necklace by Taner Dagger for $75, but if you look at it closely, it looks hand-sculpted.

If you like the dagger look but want something with more bling, this multi-row set is $37.

WATCH

I found an even more affordable watch at H&M for $20, and this one has a double strap this time, in the style of Hermès.

BRACELET

A ribbed rose gold buckled bangle by Michael Kors for $95 (my favourite metal thus far) adds a little touch of insouciance to the look without being too twee.

If you want something with a little more sparkle, this $12 set by So Sleek fits the bill and I love the knot on this Kate Spade version for $78.

You could forego jewellery altogether in my opinion as well.

For that office meeting

When you work in a business casual environment, blazers are not necessary. You can put a topper on like this field jacket instead.

It is a nice mix between masculine (jacket & boots) and feminine (flouncy dress and pretty, delicate rose gold hardware).

JACKET

For this look, I’d roll up the sleeves past the elbows on the Freeport Jacket by L.L.Bean for $80 (on sale).

Remember, it also comes in a lined version for $99 – $104.

If that’s too rich for your blood, or sold out in your size, this makeitmint field jacket for under $30 is just as fantastic with a slightly deeper, forest-toned shade of green.

DRESS

This black flounce dress from Banana Republic is on sale for $94 (also comes in a stunning royal blue if black is not your thing) and adds a nice feminine touch to an otherwise rugged look with its flouncy hem and v-neck neckline that isn’t too deep.

If that is too girly for you, Banana Republic also has this gorgeous white shirt-dress on sale for $78, which also comes in a light blue with a scalloped hem, or my ultimate favourite, this peplum sheath dress that is all sorts of pretty.

I also really like this Ann Taylor wrap dress in black for $98 which also comes in blue, or a leaf print.

If you need a pretty simple print, is everything I want in a dress. Stripes, trench-detailing and a wrap.

BOOTS

These Frye Melissa knotted boots are chic without being too prim, and are on sale for $200 and goes well with the look to keep it more casual.

If your size is sold out, you can try to find your size here, or here. You could wear that outfit with boots out to a literal “field meeting” if you plan on being outside and walking a lot.

Inside the office, you could always wear heels instead of boots, like this black patent Nine West pair flex-heel for $68, which my friend swears by because she says it is VERY comfortable for a pair of heels, and the black patent will make it more formal and glam against that casual, rugged jacket.

SUNGLASSES

Maui Jim in the Roadtrip version for $229 FTW for this look because it’s easier to prop them on top of your head than aviators.

WATCH

I still love that H&M watch for $20, in the style of Hermès with that double wrap.

NECKLACE

It makes me think a little of Mad Men, and with Joan’s pen pendant, Taner Dagger for $75… it still looks great because it looks hand-sculpted. H&M has a feather pendant for $7.

I have to say though, this one from INC with its gorgeous triple circled pendant and fringed tassel is on point for $35.

BRACELET

A ribbed rose gold buckled bangle by Michael Kors for $95 (my favourite metal thus far) adds a little touch of insouciance to the look without being too twee.

If you want something with a little more sparkle, this $12 set by So Sleek fits the bill and I love the knot on this Kate Spade version for $78.

Or if you don’t want a bracelet because you’re at the office, try a nice sleek cone ring for $29.

Love this?

All of my previous Outfit Remixes can be found here.

I also have a whole series of posts on Parisian Fashion starting with Bon Chic, Bon Genre, Part I for you to peruse.