Hey, girls! Happy Monday!
You know that I’m all about casual vibes around here. Most days you’ll find me in denim shorts or jeans with a cute top. However, some days call for more than denim shorts and a regular ol’ tee.
Today I’m partnering up with LOFT to bring you a handful of outfits that I’m going to call ELEVATED CASUAL (#imadeitup). These outfits are perfect for occasions where shorts are perfectly appropriate, but distressed denim just won’t cut it. The outfits today are comfy and cute, and of course still casual…..but they are nicer than just a pair of cut offs.
Here’s what you need to know about LOFT. Every Spring they always roll out an awesome selection of shorts, and they continue to add new styles throughout the summer. If you are looking for 4″ inseam, 6″ inseam, 8″ inseam, and even 10″ options…they have you covered!
They also have a great denim shorts selection of varying colors, lengths, and styles (which you know I love). You know what else they do so well? Drawstring waist shorts! I love the drawstring options because they are obviously crazy comfortable, but lots of them are embellished and a little special. SO CUTE! And they didn’t have these in store, but these striped tie waist shorts caught my eye when I was browsing online.
Okay, so let’s get started with my ELEVATED CASUAL shorts outfits.
I fell in love with these embroidered shorts , and then I built the outfit around them. They caught my eye across the store because they are definitely special with the gorgeous colors and embroidery.
knot back sweater / rainbow embroidered shorts /sunglasses / hoop earrings / turquoise ecklace
I mean, LOOK HOW DARLING these shorts are! I dressed these up with the sweater and the jewelry, but they would also be so cute with just a basic tee and minimal jewelry. The shorts would make the outfit! For size reference, I’m wearing a 4, which is true to size for me. If between sizes, definitely size down.
This light weight sweater is a classic cut with a little extra sass in the back with the knot at the top. I love the vibrant coral, but it also comes in white and a very pale blue. For size reference, I sized down to an x-small in this sweater and it still has plenty of room.
I think it’s great how the turquoise in the necklace picks up on the color in the shorts, and then I went with some simple hammered hoops to finish off the look. The wrap around bracelet is totally comfortable on the wrist (best for small wrists), and it’s great alone as well as stacked with other pieces.
Don’t you think this totally embodies ELEVATED CASUAL? 😉 Let’s make it a thing.
Get The Look For Yourself Here:
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With this outfit, I found the sweater first. I liked the low key nautical style with the the wide set stripes. I also love that the sweater is slouchy and has a relaxed vibe, but pairing it with the navy shorts and gold jewelry dressed it up a bit.
striped slouchy sweater / navy shorts / sunglasses / brushed brass necklace / brushed brass earrings
Love.
And when denim shorts are appropriate, you can be assured that I’ll be wearing this sweater more casually with distressed denim and Converse. For size reference, I’m wearing a small and it’s perfectly roomy.
The shorts are a great closet basic. Every year I buy at least 1 pair of Riviera shorts (I prefer the 4″ inseam), and this year it was this navy pair! I think it was last year they changed the fabric and the shorts now have a good bit of stretch WHICH I LOVE. They are flattering, stretchy, and comfy as all get out…but they don’t lose their shape during the day! As mentioned before, they also come in 6″, 8″, and even 10″ lengths. Some colors include light khaki, dark khaki, white, a light coral, a dark coral, black, white, and grey. They have great reviews. I wear my regular size 4s, but size down if between sizes.
In addition to cute clothes for both work and weekend wear, LOFT has seriously upped their jewelry game in the last couple of years. They always have a great selection, and if I’m in store, I almost always throw something on the counter while I’m checking out. I’m thrilled to add this polished brass jewelry to my collection.
I don’t normally like matchy matchy sets, but I love these two pieces together. I know I’ll be wearing them both together and separately all year long.
And ladies. If you haven’t checked out LOFT’s sunglasses collection, you need to do that immediately! They always have tons of styles and colors, and they are never more than $24.50. I mean, these look like designer sunnies!
The frames on this particular pair are a great size and shape. Notice the tortoise coloring on the frames and the sleek metallic arms. These sunglasses are very chic.
I love the entire outfit, but I’ll definitely be wearing all of these pieces (clothes and jewelry) mixed and matched with different outfits as well.
Get The Look For Yourself Here:
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This final outfit was something I picked up as I was checking out. The sweet sales ladies were bringing new arrivals out of the back to put them on the floor, and I kept oohing and ahhing with each item they pulled out. But when they pulled out these shorts, I immediately headed back to the dressing room. They had me at drawstring. I first paired them with this adorable SEA sweater, but I was wanting something a bit lighter.
When I asked for ideas, they went in the back again and returned with this red/coral striped sweater that was perfect!
textural elbow sleeve sweater (similar long sleeve sweater )/ drawstring shorts / yellow beaded earrings
I was so comfy and relaxed in this outfit, but I still looked totally put together.
This sweater is light, airy, and perfectly appropriate even for hot summer days. The sleeves are a little bit longer than a typical short sleeve, and I love that. For size reference, I’m wearing my regular small, and it’s still a relaxed fit. It also comes in a navy stripe. Again, you can find a long sleeve version HERE.
The shorts are light and breezy with an elastic drawstring waist (WooHoo!) and pockets. I was drawn to the dark wash, and I have no doubt these are going to be on repeat all summer long. They just look like summer to me! For size reference, I sized down to a 26 in these because the 27s were too wide. I’ll be pairing lots of different brightly colored solid tees with these as well.
The whole outfit is perfectly slouchy, and I love how the pieces still remain flattering because they aren’t baggy.
The earrings are a sunshine yellow beaded tassel, and they are gorgeous. They come in a multicolor too that are so much fun. They aren’t too heavy, they aren’t too long, and they are definitely eye catching!
This outfit just makes me happy.
Get The Look For Yourself Here:
I hope you saw some shorts you liked today! Sometimes an occasion just calls for more than denim, and LOFT definitely has an incredible selection to choose from. A huge thank you to LOFT for sponsoring this post and for helping me up my shorts game!
