Sharp, Modest, and Elevated Shorts Outfits For Fashionable Moms Over 40

I have a love-hate relationship with the July 4th holiday. On the bright side, I love the Summer energy that surrounds it: time at the lake for those of us in the Midwest, concerts, fireworks, and all the barbecuing. It just feels like a big community party! On the flip side, I feel like Summer goes really fast after that holiday. It's like it's July 4th, and then it's back to school. Anyhoo, I'm still excited for it and can't wait to rock all kinds of patriotic red, white, and blue outfits that bring out the Americana spirit. Americana style has been around for a long time and is all about celebrating the United States heritage and history. The aesthetic has leaned more utilitarian but has also been spun into more modern looks. My take on this fashion core is simple: mix and match the red, blue, and white pieces in my closet to create looks I can wear to work, after-work, coffee runs, and patio lunches. Here is some modern Americana inspo that will make you love the red, white, and blue combo even more:

White Shorts With A Striped Red Shirt

It's not Summer until you have worn white shorts! For an easy yet elevated casual outfit, I wore white linen Summer shorts with an oversized red striped shirt. I added a large red leather tote and a blue neckerchief to really play up the color-blocking. The colors and stripes give this outfit a nautical vibe which goes well with Summer outdoor and beachside feats.

Baggy Cargo Jeans With A White Shirt

Well, it looks like I can't let go of my red tote! It's such a good one all-around, for work and casual, and is perfect for color-blocking! I built this outfit around my oversized white shirt which I've been wearing non-stop lately. I love how crisp and versatile it is. And mind you, it's currently only $20 so I wouldn't wait on snatching one! To contrast in color and style with the sharp white shirt, I went for baggy blue jeans. Nothing balances a sleek top like jeans! I finished the look with a wide leather belt for a little definition and added dressy pointy heels to elevate the jeans. This is a chic and elevated casual look with some edge that would work perfectly for non-corporate work meetings and some weekend feats too.

White Maxi Dress With Red and Blue Accessories

When you find a good white linen dress, you take it! It was love at first sight with this Meshki maxi linen dress! I love that it has structure, looks modern, and the quality of that linen fabric! It's a dress that can multitask from work to weekend with the right accessories. For this laid-back out-of-office look, I paired the dress with flat strappy sandals, a red handbag, and blue bangle bracelets. I wanted to accessorize the look without taking away from the white dress hence the minimal pops of color.

This outfit proves that getting into the swing of Americana doesn't have to be limited to the usual casual pieces. You can get creative and play with your more elevated dresses to create classic yet fun patriotic looks.

Blue Jeans With A Striped Shirt

You guys know I love to wear jeans! They are versatile, seasonless, and pair well with just about every closet staple, from oversized shirts to blazers and tank tops. For an easy weekend look, I opted for my Levi's baggy jeans and an oversized striped linen shirt (similar here). For a more elevated take, I went for a navy shade of blue that matched perfectly between the shirt and the jeans. Navy blue makes such a great canvas to build upon! I added a chunky ivory white necklace, ivory leather pumps, and a red handbag to stay true to the color theme – even though I went more off-white than white but it's still close! The accessories give the look an alluring balance of relaxed casual and classic chic.

For a dandier spin on the jeans and oversized shirt combo, try adding a red tie, red slingback pumps, and an oversized cropped denim blazer. This look is edgy and creates even more beautiful contrast between the red, blue and off white.

Are you into red, white, and blue? And which look is your fave? Let me know in the comments!

Yes, we tend to think of baggy jeans as casual pieces but who says you can't zhuzh them up for the office? If you follow me, you know that I love jeans, whether they be barrel, straight, or wide-leg! And I also love a baggier silhouette for a super comfy fit and modern allure. Loose-fitting clothing has been in vogue for a few years and we've seen that trend manifest with a lot of our closet staples – think oversized shirts, oversized blazers, and looser tees. And jeans have not been spared from this craze! Boyfriend jeans were mainstream at some point, and now, we see classic fits being adapted into more ample cuts. Even for those of us who are into more tailored and fitted outfits, it's hard to resist the ease and laid-back vibe that comes with a baggy pair of jeans, especially when it's one you can pair with a lot of your closet items. The key to ensuring that a pair of baggy jeans is versatile is to go for a simple silhouette and a classic wash such as a dark indigo blue hue. I scored these Levi's jeans last year and have worn them a lot on the weekends. But they also work well with an office outfit, if smart casual is your thing! 

Elevating baggy jeans for the office is as easy as pairing them with a structured blazer, dressy pumps, and sharp accessories. I chose a longline green blazer because I absolutely love a dark blue and green combo! To add polish to the look, I wore my green Sergio Hudson leather belt.

Shop the look

Matching the belt to the blazer creates shape without distracting from the bold green hue. For accessories, I did a metallic gold bag and metallic gold shoes for a luxe touch. This look is super easy to pull off and I have shared some pieces if you'd like to recreate it! I went for green, but any colorful blazer would do. 

So as you can see, a baggy pair of jeans is not just for casual feats! It can go places, you just have to pair it with the right pieces.