Everything I wore last week | 23
Summer looks I’m loving right now, a standout preloved jacket that I couldn’t stop wearing last week, and a cosy yet stylish date night outfit for staying in.
Hello lovely people!
Crikey, what a week—it’s safe to say we’re deep into the silly season! Between all the festive fun, it was a whirlwind of events, giving me plenty of chances to dress up a little.
Last week’s lineup included:
Work events
Christmas drinks with friends
My eldest son’s graduation (proud mum moment!)
A date night with my hubby
And, of course, a few kids’ sporting events
It was definitely go, go, go! So, without further ado, let’s dive straight into the outfits from the week!
MONDAY
OUTFIT FORMULA = BARREL JEANS ➕ KNITTED TEE ➕ BARN JACKET ➕ SANDALS
outfit links, Orvis barn coat (bought Preloved via eBay)
Outfit Details…Monday was a day full of all the feels. My eldest had his first orientation day at high school, and goodness, I’m so proud of him! With his final days of primary school looming, I knew I’d be emotional—and there have already been tears (mine, not his!). I may have had a tear in my eye walking home after dropping him off, but at least I got some joy from my outfit!
These barrel jeans are literally the best—I’ve had so many compliments! I paired them with a simple knitted tee for a slightly elevated, effortless look. And I was secretly thrilled it was cooler in the morning because it gave me a chance to wear my new preloved Orvis barn coat—I’m completely obsessed with it. For a fun twist, I leaned into Allison Bornstein’s “wrong shoe theory” and styled the look with my brown Assembly Label sandals. A little unexpected, but it worked!
TUESDAY
OUTFIT FORMULA = SLIP SKIRT ➕TEE ➕ DENIM JACKET ➕ SNEAKERS
outfit links, sunnies, tee bought in Bali
Outfit Details…Tuesday was an office day, so I decided to switch things up and step away from denim. I started with one key piece—my black satin silk skirt—and built the outfit around it. When I’m feeling a bit stuck for outfit inspiration, this trick always helps me pull something together!
While the skirt could have gone quite dressy, I opted for a more casual, laid-back vibe. I paired it with an olive green graphic tee I picked up in Bali, topped it with a denim jacket, and finished the look with my white Veja sneakers. The result? Effortless and office-ready with a touch of personality!
WEDNESDAY DAY
OUTFIT FORMULA = WIDE LEG JEANS ➕KNITTED VEST ➕THONGS
Outfit Details… If you’ve already read my Substack on my Spring Wish List, you’ll know I’ve been on the hunt for a knitted vest for a while. A couple of months ago, I spotted a grey buttoned version at Dissh and loved it when I tried it on. I decided to hold out for the Black Friday sales, but honestly, the overwhelming noise of all the sales got the better of me, and I didn’t end up purchasing.
Instead, I found the exact same vest (in almost-new condition) for less than the sale price! When it arrived last week, I couldn’t wait to style it, so I kept Wednesday’s look super casual for a work-from-home day. I paired it with wide-leg jeans and thongs—my square-toe Havaianas, which are such a vibe and feel just that little bit more elevated than a standard thong.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT
OUTFIT FORMULA = DRESS➕SANDALS
outfit details, Saint & Sofia Ivy dress (previously gifted)
Outfit Details…here in Australia, we’re nearing the end of the school year (yes, I know—it’s completely different to the rest of the world!), and it’s a big milestone for our family as my eldest is finishing primary school! Honestly, I’ve been so emotional about the whole thing (meanwhile, my son seems completely unfazed, which I’m so grateful for).
Wednesday evening was his graduation, and seeing him up there with his gorgeous classmates singing their Grade 6 song… well, I tried really hard to keep it together, but as you can imagine, I ended up a sobbing mess! My son couldn’t quite understand why I was crying—it’s hard to explain that mix of pride and nostalgia!
Anyway, despite the tears, my outfit came through. This black dress from Saint & Sofia (previously gifted) is such a go-to—it always makes me feel special. It’s also super easy to style, which was exactly what I needed. I paired it with some cute wedge heels, a little boho-style bag for texture, and my statement earrings from Mingled*. And that was it—I was good to go!
THURSDAY
OUTFIT FORMULA = DENIM SHORTS ➕TEE ➕ KNITTED SWEATER ➕ BARN COAT ➕ CONVERSE
outfit details, Orvis barn coat (bought Preloved via eBay), earrings
Outfit Details…I knew Thursday was going to be a hot one, so without overthinking, I threw on a pair of denim shorts and a black tee for a day working from home. At the last minute, though, my hubby and I decided to grab coffee together after dropping the kids off at school—but it was still pretty chilly out!
Luckily, I’m all about layering (is it just me, or does adding a layer or two instantly make an outfit feel more elevated and polished?). I grabbed two preloved pieces: my Zulu & Zephyr knitted sweater and, of course, my Orvis Barn coat—I’ll take any excuse to bring that out (both of these items were taken off once the sun came out!) Paired with my natural Converse high-tops, the outfit felt a little unconventional, and I absolutely loved it!
What do you think?
FRIDAY
OUTFIT FORMULA = LINEN MINI DRESS ➕ SANDALS
Outfit Details…I spent the day at an offsite work meeting overlooking the beautiful Port Phillip Bay (seriously, I live in one of the best places!). For the relatively casual day, I was determined to wear my favourite black linen mini dress. It’s such a versatile piece, and I paired it with my Assembly Label brown sandals—easily one of my best purchases this year! Thankfully, I grabbed my denim shacket at the last minute because the venue was freezing. I did consider my trusty Levi’s denim jacket, but it felt a little too predictable. The shacket, on the other hand, gave the outfit a slightly edgier vibe, which I loved!
I love a simple outfit formula, especially when the dress is as cute as this one. At 40, I’m fully embracing a mini dress moment—I couldn’t care less if anyone thinks I’m “too old” for it. My motto? Wear what makes you feel amazing.
SATURDAY DAY
OUTFIT FORMULA = DENIM SHORTS ➕ TANK ➕DENIM SHACKET ➕ GUM
BOOTS
Outfit Details…most of Saturday was spent either wandering the aisles of Bunnings (Australia’s go-to hardware store) picking out plants or tidying up the back garden to get it ready for summer. Safe to say, my outfit was ultra-casual and practical for a day of gardening: denim shorts, a green tank, my trusty denim shacket, and the best gum boots ever—my Merry People boots. Functional and stylish, they’re an absolute game-changer for days like this!
SATURDAY NIGHT
OUTFIT FORMULA = BARREL JEANS ➕ ONE SHOULDER TANK ➕CARDIGAN ➕ MULES
Outfit Details…after spending most of the day covered in dirt, I treated myself to a long soak in the bath (honestly, I never do this!) and caught up on an episode of Queer Eye—I absolutely love that show. Anyone else a fan?
Despite being together for over 21 years, my husband and I still make time for date nights, and on Saturday, we decided to have one at home. We lit the fire outside, cooked a delicious steak, and poured a G&T—it was just perfect!
I don’t need much of an excuse to dress up, and date nights are something we’ve always made a little effort for. This time, I wore my Everlane Barrel black jeans and a one-shoulder tank from Dissh that I found on Depop but hadn’t had a chance to wear yet. I loved how the outfit came together, with a cosy cardigan and mules adding a practical yet polished touch.
I also filmed a reel showing this look and created a second version styled for a night out using the same base pieces. Let me know which one you prefer!
SUNDAY
OUTFIT FORMULA = DENIM SHORTS ➕WHITE LINEN SHIRT
outfit links, Not Perfect Linen white button up shirt (previously gifted)
Outfit details…we were in full Christmas mode on Sunday! We finally got around to making mince pies and Christmas bark with the kids, and it was so much fun. This time of year always feels so hectic—with end-of-school-year celebrations, Christmas festivities, and summer social events, it’s go, go, go. But taking time to slow down and do something simple like baking with the kids was just wonderful.
In the afternoon, we had our lovely friends over for bubbles and mince pies, and it was so nice to just relax and enjoy the sunshine. I kept it super casual in my ecru denim shorts from Dissh and a simple white linen button-up shirt, tucked in on one side for that effortless hot-weather look. No shoes required—we didn’t leave the house!
Another week wrapped up! I hope you’ve enjoyed this outfit roundup and that it’s sparked some inspiration for your looks in the week ahead. Thank you so much for reading my Substack and following along—it truly means the world to me.
If you have any questions or just want to say hi, feel free to drop me a note below. And if you know someone who could use a little wardrobe inspiration, I’d love it if you shared this post with them.
Until next time!
Julia x
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Love them all! Especially into Wednesday's day time look. That vest is lovely.