I have a confession to make. I used to be someone who NEVER dressed casually. In high school, when one should be sneaking a few sips of something under the bleachers in jeans and a t-shirt, I was wearing trousers & blazers from The Limited and always (always) heels. Did I also mention I’m from a small town farming community? Yeahhhhh.

When I think back on me clicking through the hallways in my prissy pumps with my sweats-and-low-rise-jeans classmates, part of me is like, “Damn, girl! You really had some gumption and confidence to be your own person.” But another part of me face palms at how frickin’ tone deaf I was. I specifically remember being called “coddled” by a classmate’s mom one time. If only she knew I worked my ass off at the local Dairy Queen to earn every piece of clothing I had outside of a few back-to-school staples from Walmart. My mom was one of those “You’ve-gotta-earn-what-you-want” kinda ladies.

I guess I have two points to make here. The first being that what you wear sends out a message to everyone, so it’s good to be aware of what your surroundings will be when choosing your outfit. The second being, fuck that, and wear what you want. Express!! (And no, I don’t mean the mall chain.)

These days, I love my jeans. Especially a good high waisted one. On days when I’m feeling a casual vibe, I’ve been wearing this cropped and frayed pair with a cotton wrap poplin top that ties in the front. I love that I can take the blouse from super chill to more dressed up (see here) by just switching out a couple pieces. But for summer afternoons in the city, a pair of slides and my go-to striped cross body bag–something I’ve worn so much you’re probably getting tired of seeing on my Instagram–feel effortless.

Check out some of my other current outfit staples here.

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Photos by Rebeca Photography

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