|

|

What to Wear to an End-of-Summer BBQ

Today I’m back with the last installment in our Coast-to-Coast Summer Survival series. It’s hard to believe it is, indeed, the end of summer. It still feels very summery outside, but the kids started back to school yesterday, and all signs point to fall.

Meanwhile, we still have our last big summer weekend ahead of us. Here in the States, we will be celebrating Labor Day next Monday, creating a long weekend that usually means one final summer BBQ.

We usually keep it casual and get together with friends in the neighborhood, but a lot of people have big parties. I shopped my closet to come up with a simple end-of-summer outfit that is along the lines of what I’d wear if I had a BBQ to attend.

Fashion Over 40: What to Wear to an End-of-Summer BBQ

Here in the ‘hood, the dress code is usually jean shorts and t-shirts, but for this post I wanted to feature something a little more dressed up for those who might have something more formal to attend. I chose a bold color palette since we’re all thinking ahead to fall.

Fashion Over 40: What to Wear to an End-of-Summer BBQ

This cold shoulder top has been a favorite of mine this summer. It’s basically an elevated t-shirt, so I can wear it with jeans and flats or dress it up with pants and heels. It might also be cute tucked into a pencil skirt, but I don’t tuck. LOL!

The red is gone, but it is still available in blue and black, AND it is on sale for $35! Definitely size down in this. I wish I had.

Fashion Over 40: What to Wear to an End-of-Summer BBQ

These are my Ann Taylor City Shorts. They’re a classic short that I’ve had for a few years. They still sell them, and right now they’re on sale plus an additional 40% off. They come in several colors and prints. I went with flat sandals because they’re the most practical choice for a backyard BBQ, but I’d probably like this outfit more with a wedge.

These are the Sam Edelman Greta, and they are a great basic sandal. I’ve enjoyed having them in my wardrobe this summer. They come in black, brown, caramel, and a pretty metallic. While they’re not on sale, they’re priced reasonably for a quality leather sandal at $85.

A friend has a perfect dupe from Target, but I can’t find them on the website so maybe they’re gone. The Merona Jana Thong is a cute black sandal for a more budget-friendly version.

Fashion Over 40: What to Wear to an End-of-Summer BBQ

I carried my brown leather hobo because there is some brown in the sandals and a black bag seemed too expected. Plus this is the bag I carry almost every day so it is natural for me to grab it when I’m running out the door. It was an investment, so I have to get my money’s worth!

Fashion Over 40: What to Wear to an End-of-Summer BBQ

A similar hobo style bag that isn’t quite as spendy but still a GORGEOUS bag (and yes, still an investment at $295) is the R Minkoff Isobel Hobo. The only reason I chose the TB Thea Hobo instead is because the tassels on the RM bag annoy me, the way one has to cross over the opening of the bag. I actually ordered it in white at the beginning of the summer and returned it for that reason. That said, it is a stunning bag for everyday use, and I love how the tassels take center stage.

If you have your eye on this bag, I would advise waiting for a sale. I’ve seen it on sale before, and I know it will go on sale again. I’ll let you know when it does.

R Minkoff 'Isobel' Tassel Leather Hobo

Another good handbag option for this outfit would be my black and white tote. If I was going to an all-day BBQ, I’d want a bag I could stuff with all the essentials as well as any extras I might need. In fact, now that I think about it, I wish I’d photographed it with this one. My striped tote is old and no longer available, so I always link to this Sole Society Oversize Millie. I like it so much that I am tempted to buy one. At $65, it won’t break the bank, and it’s a fabulous summer carryall.

Sole Society 'Oversize Millie' Stripe Print Tote

I kept my jewelry simple. This Luna Pendant Necklace is one of my new favorites. Since I tend to wear mostly V-neck and open neck tops, I like to have a pendant to fill in the neckline, and this one is perfect for casual outfits. It makes a great layering piece as well. Because it is mixed metal, it goes with almost anything.

Fashion Over 40: What to Wear to an End-of-Summer BBQ

shop the post

 

Vince Camuto Chiffon Cold Shoulder Top ($35!!!) // Ann Taylor City Shorts (40% off already reduced prices!) // TB Thea Hobo (I also love the RM Isobel Hobo; budget option: Merona Hobo) // my Stella & Dot Luna Pendant Necklace // sunnies c/o Maui Jim // Sam Edelman Greta Sandals (budget option: Merona Jana Thong)

Coast to Coast Summer Survival

CCSummerSurvivalWeek5 Rachelle || Caryl || Gina || Jo-Lynne || Cyndi

This has been a fun little series to help me survive my last month of summer. I hope you enjoyed it!

August is a tough month to blog fashion because we’re already thinking fall while still trying to enjoy the last vestiges of summer, so this was a fun way to hold onto summer just a little bit longer.

If you missed any, you can see all of my posts in our Coast-to-Coast Summer Survival series HERE. Then follow through our coast-to-coast blog hop by heading to to the South for Cyndi’s take on this week’s theme, or simply use the links above to meet each blogger in this series.

Did you like this post?

Sign up for my Daily Emails, and you’ll never miss a thing! You can also follow along on Instagram for my daily outfits and sneak peeks of what’s to come on the blog. Be sure to register with LIKEtoKNOW.it so you can shop my outfits first! 

This post contains affiliate links. For more information on what that means, see my About Page: Blog Monetization and Disclosure.

Join The Conversation

21 Responses

  1. Me again…opps…I see the sandals are sold in stores only…and sadly to say they are out at all three of my stores!! 🙁

  2. Recently I saw someone wearing a pair of cute casual corduroy shorts. I thought perfect for pre fall evenings. What are your thoughts?

  3. I love that look! I have similar shorts in a lighter denim shade, so I may try to work something similar with what I have. I do have sandal envy, though! Have a wonderful weekend!

  4. Love this look! Are you wearing a camisole? The sleeves in the pictures on the website look sheer, so I’m questioning what bra to wear.

  5. Love this outfit, super cute! I have a tee that color and similar shorts, sandals, and bag, think I’ll copy this outfit this weekend! ????

  6. This outfit is perfect for a Labor Day BBQ! Just a little bit dressed up but not so much that you feel over the top. Love the gorgeous shade of your top! (And just added your permalink to my post! Sorry for not having it up sooner!)

    Gina || On the Daily Express

  7. Jolynne, I love your outfit as usual, especially the bag which is $1000.00 dollars in my money here in the Caribbean. Well today is my birthday so maybe I’ll just say pretty please
    .lol!!

  8. Hey Jo-Lynne, quick question about pairing a bag with shoes. I seem to struggle with this. I realize you mentioned you chose this bag as you do have brown in the sandal. As a general rule, should your bag match your shoe color? You look terrific and I always enjoy the details you share in your daily post. Thanks ☺

    1. Hey Michele. I just realized I was referencing a different shoe and handbag combo in that last comment so I deleted it. Sorry! Having trouble keeping up. 🙂 Here it is again… same answer, different example.

      There are no rules anymore, and it is definitely not necessary to match your shoes to your bag. As Stacey and Clinton used to say on What Not To Wear, “It doesn’t have to match, it has to go.”

      For a few years, I almost never carried the same color shoes and bag, I thought it was out of style to do so, but I notice a lot of fashion bloggers do carry the same color bag and shoes a lot of the time — it still doesn’t Match, as in, it’s not the exact same brand and shade, but they are often close. I like how it looks so I do a little of both.

      It depends on the outfit and what the focal point is. If there is no focal point, a different color handbag can serve that purpose. But if the shoes and bag are supporting actors (ha!) then I often do shoes and bag in neutrals that are similar.

      In this instance, the sandals are technically black, but they have the brown leather sole, so either a black or brown handbag would work. Or I could have introduced another fun color that contrasts with the orange-red of the top, like yellow… but that’s pretty wild and crazy for me. Haha!

      I hope that helps!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *