4 Ways I'm Styling My New Summer Statement Top
1 impulse buy, 0 regrets.
Impulse fashion buys are more endorphin-boosting for me than cardio. But I rarely buy things on a whim because in nine out of ten of these adrenaline-spiked shopping instances, I feel so guilty post-purchase that I can’t even enjoy it!
But thanks to the benevolent style gods above, Dear Reader, this was not one of those times.
Last week, I became the lucky new owner of a summer statement top, Tombolo’s ‘Sand Dollar Stimulus’ Shirt, and it was purchased with 100 percent total sartorial spontaneity — and zero regret. But you see, I had a couple compelling reasons to break my usual “no impulse buy” rule for this special piece.
For one, the timing couldn’t have been better. (Canonically, summer has always been my season to thrive.) Life slows down, saturation dials up, and the pleasantly pervasive laissez-faire mindset reminds me to stop overthinking and get out of my own way. If my gut tells me I need a sand dollar-bra shirt, who am I to question it?
The other reason? Just look how cool this top is! Breezy boxy fit, dropped shoulders, and hand-sewn cowrie shells designed to look like bikini strings. The summer statement top outfit ideas practically form themselves! I can hear you saying, “That can’t be machine-washable,” and you’d be right. But guess what? I don’t own a washing machine, so convenience is already off the table.
Plus, I’m more than a little obsessed with Tombolo in general. I love everything from their cleverly worded marketing emails (I once replied to one just to praise the copy and got the sweetest real-human response back), to the “maximalist inactivewear” ethos of the brand. They also donate to causes that leave the planet better than they found it, like the Billion Oyster Project, which works to restore NYC’s waterways. What’s not to love?
What I Look For In A Summer Statement Top:
✅ Can handle sweaty subway platforms and outdoor hangs alike, but easily layers when office ACs are set to ‘Arctic’ mode
✅ Unmistakable summer-coded (she’s not pretending to be a fall or spring piece)
✅ Feels delightfully effervescent in a metaphorical way, not literally (but effervescence can be literal, if that’s what floats your boat! Emphasis on boat. ⛵)
✅ Bonus points if I can picture three ways to style it with pieces I already own
Without further ado, here’s how I’m styling my new top for the kinds of summer adventures I want a lot more of in the days ahead:
*Please Note: I may earn a commission on some products purchased through links in this article.
Golden-Hour Happy Hour
It is a CRIME that offices don’t let out early in the summer so you can catch happy hour while the lighting is still good. But that’s what the fun summer statement shirt is for — making the best of each moment, even ones spent behind a desk. I’d add in some kitten heels with iridescent sequins (still subway- and office-appropriate), a fishing net-inspired bag, and some glittery gold body oil because ‘tis the season (and hydration is always in style).
Note: For tips on squeezing more summer out of your work week, highly recommend Kate Citron’s ‘False Start’ post detailing 21 ways to sneak summer into your 9-5.
Lobster-Roll Lunches
Lunch dates are already a bright spot, so let your outfit match the vibe. If you’re eating lobster rolls (lucky you!) lean into the sweet escape with an on-the-nose printed pant, checkered slides reminiscent of a gingham summer tablecloth, and an SPF-loaded lip gloss.
Sea Glass Scouting
Who would I be if I had a summer style round-up that didn’t include a sea-glass scouting look? Though the Sea Bright shores have offered up bupkis as of late (where oh where has all the sea glass gone?), my hopes remain high for the rest of the season.
Enter: adorable dangly fish earrings, a denim bucket hat, a very laid-back luxe strapless one-piece from A&F, and fun jelly fisherman sandals. I have to shout out Neutrogena’s ‘Beach Defense’ sunscreen, too, because it smells delicious and keeps the burns at bay (truly, this sunscreen is the quintessential summer scent to me. It has to be what Vacation based their cult-favorite sunscreen-inspired perfume on.).
Summer Sale Shopping
An afternoon reeling in summer deals is my kind of essential errand. The heat won’t quit and neither will you, in this comfortably chic look. Roomy shorts, colorful glass bead earrings, and playfully preppy ballet flats ensure you can hit every last clearance rack, while a cheeky (pun intended) beaded shoulder bag keeps you looking polished for that mid-shop coffee run. Can’t forget that color-coordinating sunscreen, either.
Have a summer statement piece you’re excited to style? Hit reply and tell me, or leave it in the comments.
Yours In Making Mermaid Bra Tops Daytime-Appropriate (and in cheering on your summer impulse buys),
Elly
*Please Note: I may earn a commission on some products purchased through links in this article.
Love clothes that already have food on them! These picks are all adorable!!