American Honey

It always surprises me to read, in survey after survey, that the majority of men prefer their significant others in “a t-shirt and jeans” rather than high heels and a cocktail dress.  Mr. Magpie may be a stark exception to the rule — he enjoys dress-up events, likes me in high heels, and is more commonly seen in a bowtie and oxford than he is in a t-shirt and jeans.  (He has also been known to wear polo shirts to bed / while doing yardwork.)  And even though I’m not much of a dressed-down kinda girl (I’d have no problem wearing a dress every day of my life), there is something Very American about the jeans-and-tee-shirt ideal, and today, I’m seriously coveting the easy-breeziness of the look, especially with Memorial Day right around the corner.  Nothing simpler, less pretentious, and yet enduringly classic than a broken-in white tee ($40, LoomState Organic), a pair of jeans (currently interested in resurrecting my flared styles — Current/Elliott, $240, Net-A-Porter), and some aviators (D&G, $260, Saks):

A well worn handbag (you can have your initials embossed on the flap! — $370, J.W. Hulme) with a navy-on-white scarf ($45, Robindira) tied to the buckle/strap and a pair of stacked heels (Rupert Sanderson, $578, Boutique1) are the perfect accents:

Hair should be worn loose/flowy/I-don’t-care.  Tan preferred. Very supermodel off-duty.  A must: some sort of statement-making necklace to let the world know that you may appear carefree, but that you’re actually a well-heeled fashionista.  I sort of like the rocker-chic appeal of this Fiona Paxton necklace ($260, Fiona Paxton):

Or look for denim in dress form — check out this amazing fitted bustier style ($248, StevenAlan):

Ideal with high espadrilles (PourLaVictoire, $270, Shopbop) and an oversized clutch ($88, Scoop)

Because the shoes are so heavy-looking, I like the idea of dainty jewelry — a pair of simple wire studs ($75, ByBoe) and a couple of layered charm necklaces (maybe a monogram disk — $176, JenniferZeuner, and a sign of the zodiac charm — $110, Max and Chloe):

For something a bit more dressed down, try this Adam shirtdress ($260, Net-A-Porter) with a statement necklace layered beneath ($135, Nathan and Moe):

I like it with some rope-accented sandals ($69, Heels) and an interestingly-shaped tote (Blake Lively loves this line — $445, Foley + Corinna):

There’s also nothing more American than fresh-looking eyelet.  How about this dress ($325, MyTheresa) with a wood-accented necklace ($165, Jigsaw)?

I’d add super-high wedge heels ($135, TopShop) and a little rattan roll clutch ($178, Michael Kors):

A stack of lucite-and-taupe bangles ($34 apiece, Nine West) finish the look:

Or how about this breezy dress (on sale for $169, Calypso) —

— paired with stack denim-and-brown-leather wedges (Paloma Barcelo, $315, Net-A-Porter) and an oversized envelope clutch (this is so rich-looking — dSquared, $715, Ssense):

And how about an amazing leather-and-gold cuff ($110, Leighelena) as the finishing touch?!

If you’re bored to tears of the oversized clutch trend, I’ve been duh-rooling over this affordable Zara tote ($149, Zara) in both brown shades —

…especially since Olivia Palermo was spotted sporting it around (must.have. — she makes it look so expensive!):

{images from vogue diaries}

Colored jeans are big this season, but the only color I’d seriously contemplate wearing is red.  Love.  I’d wear my pair (Current/Elliott, $185, Net-A-Porter) with a simple white tee (the LoomState above) and a cheery necklace ($95, Calypso):

I’d wear them with these awesome flat sandals (Pour La Victoire, $228, Nordstrom) and a woven leather bag in an unfussy neutral (love this affordable style — $150, DeuxLux):

Here’s to easy breezy!