From land to sea: the last stripes of summer

striped skirt

DIY top and skirtAnn Taylor clutch (30% off accessories) 
Target sandals (similar from their cute collab. w/ Sam & Libby starting in sz 5.5+, on sale)

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. Work has unfortunately picked up for me, but just wanted to pop in with a quick hello and some forgotten photos. This striped set has worked hard this summer both separately and together, from serving as a beach cover-up, to dinner wear, to something fun for the office. If you’re not big on sewing, this similar affordable skirt and peplum top are back in stock (listings say they run small).
striped peplum top2

H&M; swing jacket and shorts (old), DIY top, Warby Parker sunglasses c/o, clutch from the Philippinesstriped skirt 1

A few of you asked for a tutorial on this top, which was more of an accidental creation using scraps than a well-planned, quality piece…

I unfortunately don’t have any in-process photos, but started with two long and wide rectangular pieces of stretchy fabric. Standing in front of a mirror, I crisscrossed the pieces in front of my neck and tied a knot behind my neck. I then wrapped the other ends of the rectangles around my sides snugly until they met in the back. Secure by having a friend pin down the back center. Take off the garment, turn it inside-out, and sew the back center together from the inside. Lastly, I put the top back on and tied a small knot in the front right where my belly button is. This was to keep the hem from riding up and showing too much skin. If the straps around the neck get too bulky, you can taper down the shape.
striped skirt 2

^Pose inspired by every Chinese child’s favorite monkey king.

striped peplum top1

Stella & Dot ever after necklace c/o, and a neat aerial map of Boston thanks to Kelly!

striped peplum top

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42 Comments

  1. Lydia Chew wrote:

    I love your style! And the 2 necklaces are gorgeous 🙂

    Lydia
    doubleescapades.blogspot.com
    Malaysia

    Posted 9.12.13 Reply
  2. Anonymous wrote:

    will you come back to youtube? xx

    Posted 9.11.13 Reply
  3. Kai-Li wrote:

    i really love the peplum top!
    and the prada sandals are amazing!

    http://www.StylingFun.blogspot.com

    Posted 9.11.13 Reply
  4. rodelmalopez wrote:

    summer is almost over, even at beach you look fabulous, reminds of home when I saw the beach

    Posted 9.11.13 Reply
  5. Nandar wrote:

    Thank you for the reply, Jean. Love seeing your pics at Loft stores in Orange County.

    Posted 9.11.13 Reply
  6. Kim wrote:

    OMG, I LOVE the outfit in the first photo!!! I need to learn how to mix prints.

    Posted 9.11.13 Reply
  7. ....... wrote:

    I love stripes and you did it so perfectly here! thanks for sharing some outfit inspiration! xx. gigi. http://www.gigikkitchen.blogspot.com

    Posted 9.11.13 Reply
  8. Maggie Adofo wrote:

    I am absolutely LOVING how you are paring these outfit pieces! 🙂 You look amazing as usual.

    xo
    Maggie A
    Love Mavin

    Posted 9.11.13 Reply
  9. Jean wrote:

    Thank you, Nandar! They are Prada from eBay.

    Posted 9.11.13 Reply
  10. Jean wrote:

    Hi Christine, I did this old post with some tips and photos, but the swing jacket is just something tricky that you need to try on more of before finding a 'right' one. Good luck!

    https://www.extrapetite.com/2011/08/not-just-for-halloween-tribute-to-swing.html

    Posted 9.11.13 Reply
  11. Jean wrote:

    Hi Elizabeth – I can't remember here as I do wear false lashes in some posts, but don't think I did at the beach. I've been using Benefit "They're real" mascara with about 2-3 coats – it's awesome! Just make sure to curl your lashes really well before hand b/c the mascara tends to straighten them out a little.

    Posted 9.11.13 Reply
  12. Jean wrote:

    Aw thank you, Dice! The last look is the same as my last 'loose waves' post but I just have my bangs secured back with 2 bobby pins : )

    Posted 9.11.13 Reply
  13. Jean wrote:

    Hi there – sorry about that, here's the link: http://www.warbyparker.com/sunglasses/women/evelyn#whiskey-tortoise

    I love these, but please note that the lens on this style are not totally opaque. I wish they were just a little darker!

    Posted 9.11.13 Reply
  14. Jean wrote:

    Hi Joliene – they are old Prada sandals from eBay : )

    Posted 9.11.13 Reply
  15. Jean wrote:

    Hi Sonya – thank you! They are old Prada sandals I got on eBay.

    Posted 9.11.13 Reply
  16. Sonya wrote:

    Hi Jean,
    I love all the outfits and was wondering where there orange shoes in the last picture come from. Thanks!
    Sonya

    Posted 9.10.13 Reply
  17. Natasha Bernard wrote:

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    Posted 9.10.13 Reply
  18. Michelle wrote:

    Your photos make me want to breath in salty air right now! The scenery is gorgeous. And the aerial map necklace Kelly sent you was so thoughtful!

    Posted 9.10.13 Reply
  19. TaraMixandMatch wrote:

    Gorgeous as always Jean 🙂

    Posted 9.10.13 Reply
  20. joliene wade wrote:

    I lovelovelove the orange shoes you are wearing in the last picture. If you have details on those, I would love to know where to get them!

    Thanks,
    Joliene

    Posted 9.10.13 Reply
  21. joliene wade wrote:

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    Posted 9.10.13 Reply
  22. Franziska wrote:

    that boston necklace is amazing!!!!! I wish they made them for every major city 🙂

    Posted 9.10.13 Reply
  23. pretty little things wrote:

    the second is my favorite — so chic! xo

    http://allthingsprettyandlittle.blogspot.com

    Posted 9.10.13 Reply
  24. Anonymous wrote:

    Hello Jean! How much are the sunnies? The link didn't take me to it, unfortunately!

    Posted 9.10.13 Reply
  25. Dice wrote:

    Hi Jean,

    Love the look on you! Love the striped peplum and white shorts. Can you do a tutorial on how you did your hair in the last photo?

    Thanks.

    Posted 9.10.13 Reply
  26. the-glitter-life.com wrote:
    Posted 9.10.13 Reply
  27. Celyx Lim wrote:

    You don't even look petite in these pictures! You look so pretty! xx

    Celyx Lim
    http://www.celyx.blogspot.com

    Posted 9.10.13 Reply
  28. Elizabeth wrote:

    your eyelashes are amazingly long! Are those natural? or what mascara do you use?

    Posted 9.10.13 Reply
  29. Style-Squared wrote:
    Posted 9.10.13 Reply
  30. Özge wrote:

    Very cure and nice looks 🙂

    Posted 9.10.13 Reply
  31. k come karolina wrote:

    so cute!

    xoxo from rome
    K.
    kcomekarolina.com

    Posted 9.10.13 Reply
  32. Le monde des petites wrote:

    Love your second outfit! Very nice peplum top!!! The best is DIY… Peplum tops found in regular shops don't fit to Petites… (just too long on me!!!)
    Have a nice day!

    Le monde des petites
    http://www.lemondedespetites.com/

    Posted 9.10.13 Reply
  33. Alterations Needed wrote:

    Hi Suzie! The necklace is by Aminimal & I left the link upthread. =)

    Posted 9.10.13 Reply
  34. Alterations Needed wrote:

    Hi Fauxionista! The necklace is by Aminimal & can be found here: http://shop.aminimalstudio.com/category/urban-gridded-collection

    Posted 9.10.13 Reply
  35. Suzie Q wrote:

    I have the same question as the commenter above, Fauxionista. I would love to find out where that aerial map necklace was purchased! That's amazing that your DIY peplum top was actually an accidental creation!

    Suzie Q
    http://www.StyleCueBySuzieQ.com

    Posted 9.10.13 Reply
  36. kileen wrote:

    this look is beautiful on you, Jean!! I'm loving the striped paplum top with white shorts. you transitioned the look perfectly into Fall with with jacket!

    Posted 9.10.13 Reply
  37. Fauxionista wrote:

    Love the last outfit and such an adorable necklace from Kelly! Would it be possible to find out where she purchased it from?

    Posted 9.10.13 Reply
  38. Ann wrote:

    Hehe, the mischievous monkey king!

    Posted 9.10.13 Reply
  39. Jackie wrote:

    I hate to see summer coming to an end!

    I love the way you paired that jacket with the striped top. Very nautical and chic.

    xoxo Jackie
    somethingaboutthatthing.blogspot.com/

    Posted 9.9.13 Reply
  40. Olyvia wrote:

    love the 2nd outfit with the orange jacket!

    Posted 9.9.13 Reply
  41. Nandar wrote:

    Perfect. Where did you get the sandal with your orange jacket?

    Posted 9.9.13 Reply
  42. Petite Hues wrote:

    So sad to see Summer coming to an end so quickly, but I have to ask, do you have any tips for petites wearing a swing jacket? I like the idea of a swing jacket but I feel like every time I try one on, it flares out on the bottom for me and makes me look stumpy.

    Posted 9.9.13 Reply

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