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Casual Summer Church {or Dining Out} Looks

Good morning! I’ve been asked if I could round up some casual summer church looks. If you don’t go to church, these outfits are also perfect for dining out, and maybe even work wear for those who have more casual dress codes.

I share my summer church looks regularly in What I Wore Lately, but sometimes it’s nice to see a category of outfits all in one place, and these days I’m all for ideas that allow me to repurpose old pictures, so let’s go!

Casual Summer Church (or Dinner Out) Looks

Let’s start with yesterday’s casual church outfit — and this is a new dress I haven’t shared yet!

#1. Navy Swing Dress + Neutral Sandals

I actually had this Daily Ritual Women’s Jersey Muscle Swing Dress last year in black, and I just ordered this one in navy. Navy is softer and more casual than black, and it’s a great neutral for those who don’t like such harsh colors against their skin.

Before I left the house, I tried this dress with both gold and brown shoes, but I ended up going for the Miller sandals in Light Makeup because I like how they blend in with my skin tone and elongate the legs. Depending on your skin tone, you might prefer a darker neutral, but the idea here is to wear a shoe with low contrast to your skintone.

Flats keep the look casual and comfortable, but you could wear a wedge if you wanted to dress it up a bit.

#2. Floral Blouse + White Jeans

This floral blouse is gorgeous paired with white jeans, and in this case, I bookended the look with strappy black sandals.

These jeans are on the more casual side for church. I’d probably wear a pair that isn’t distressed, but I’ve been known to wear a pair of distressed jeans to church once or twice. I guess it depends on the culture of your area and how formal your services are. I would definitely wear this out to dinner with friends or my hubby.

#3. Printed Dress + White Tank & Denim Jacket

This daisy midi skirt from LOFT is the focal point of this chic and casual summer look, but any printed skirt of any length or style would work with this outfit.

There’s nothing new or inventive about a bold patterned skirt with a white top and denim jacket, but I feel like this classic combination always looks fresh and modern.

In this case, I like how the white sandals repeat the white from the skirt and tee, but a neutral sandal in a color that complements your skin tone would elongate the legs and make you look longer and leaner.

#4. Bright Short Sleeve Sweater + White Jeans

Pretty much any bold or bright colored blouse or sweater paired with white jeans will create a crisp summer look that you can dress up or down with shoes and accessories.

This elevated cap sleeve sweater from Talbots has clean, modern lines and feminine knit details around the bateau neckline. It’s true to size, or you can size down for a more body con fit. I’m wearing the small.

Typically I’d wear a wedge sandal with this outfit, but I guess I was feeling pretty casual the week I wore this because I went for my nude slides.

Yes, I have these Nine West slides in two colors. This year’s version is updated with metallic discs that lend a slightly edgy vibe to this classic slide.

#5. Black Midi Dress + Gold Sandals

You can’t go wrong with a LBD, and this seamed tank dress from Everlane is made of the lightest cotton fabric that is polished yet still casual, and perfect for this hot summer weather we’ve been having lately.

I dressed this up with gold heeled sandals and some blingy jewelry for my birthday dinner out, but for church, I like to tone it down with gold slides and more minimal jewelry.

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15 Responses

  1. Thank you for this post!  Anytime you do a round up, it helps to refresh my memory of your past looks. 😍 Have a lovely day & thanks again!

  2. I love Old Navy swing dresses. I have a couple of them as they are so easy to wear, and in so many ways. A coverup around the pool, running errands, dinner out (well, in years past), and work (I can dress very casual for work.) Flats or wedges. Jewelry, depending on the occasion.

  3. JoLynne—love the navy muscle dress.  What size are you in and is it running true to size?  On Amazon’s website someone mentioned the armholes were a bit big.  I know you sometimes have that problem and wondering if you felt that way with this dress.   Is is see through and did you feel the need to wear any shaper under it?

    1. It is true to size, I’m wearing the small. And I thought the arms were okay. I do have more pix of it – I took some for a try-on haul but I haven’t had enough other pieces to make a hole post. It doesn’t show my bra, although the arms are deeper than some. There is no gaping. It’s thin but not see-through, and I wore this. I wear this under all my dresses: https://shopstyle.it/l/bkIPH

  4. Hey JoLynne!! Thank you for this post. I’ve been wearing just about the same things to church as you. My dresses are shaped the same but I wear a little short sleeved summer sweater with mine because if the air on my shoulders and my Preacher gets a little bit by the middle if the service! Haha!! I really didn’t think about my blue Jean jacket. But I’ll try it. But yes, I love all your ideas. Only problem I have with slides, I have a problem keeping them on my feet. Of course I haven’t bought any in a long time. I am either backing out if them or my toes go on through. Do you have this problem or are there certain ones you like better than others in that respect? Love your Blog!! Hope you have a Great Day!!
    ,,,Linda W.

  5. I ordered the Daily Ritual dress today.  I remember you styling is last year.  I can’t wait to get it.  I am hopeful that I will have somewhere to wear it in a few weeks!  I love your blog and group!

  6. Thank you! What is the necklace you’re wearing in the first photo with the navy dress? I know the Kendra Scott Rue necklace linked below is similar, but I’d be curious to know the exact necklace. Many thanks!

    1. It’s from Loft, and it’s sold out. I actually wanted to wear the Kendra Scott and I can’t find it!! I am so upset. I need to comb through my car. Maybe I left it in there b/c I had it during that last photo shoot.

  7. These are great outfits—thank you.  I work in public education so I could definitely see some of these working for me.  But, I’ve got a question about a topper to go with the Daily Ritual dress in your first picture.  Any suggestions besides a denim jacket (which I have & wear frequently)? I’m not comfortable being sleeveless at work, but that dress seems like such a great option as I prepare to return to work in this Covid time. 

    1. Yeah, it is really begging for a denim jacket. You could do a bomber or some sort of casual blazer maybe, but I can’t really visualize that. A longline cardigan could be cute, if it had a slim fit.

      1. It is begging for a denim jacket—lol! I went ahead & ordered it. I’ll play around with some longer cardigans I have & see how that works. Thank you! 

  8. Great post. I wore almost that exact navy swing dress yesterday while my kids were all here. It was sooooo hot and shorts didn’t sound cool enough.  I was behind on reading your Sunday Coffee talk and just read it.  I don’t envy those of you with school age kids and all the decisions to make.  But, you have a very good perspective.  All kids are different and there really is no right or wrong to getting an education now and especially with Caroline and college coming up in a year.  Even like you said in one post, if she decides to take a gap year, its okay.  College is so expensive and she may need time to figure out what interest her and what she wants to do. That is so good you girls are content to stay home and do schooling.  Will Becca do online school through her High School she may attend or do the charter school like Caroline does?  

    1. I asked her if she wanted to consider it, but she wants to stay in her school district so she can talk about classes with her friends and basically stay in the loop, and I get that. At this point, I’m letting her decide what she wants to do because I don’t think it’s going to matter academically.

  9. I really like how you put this post together.  It may be the same format you normally follow, but something seemed different to me.  All of your looks are spot on!  I hope that you are having a good day!

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