the skirt i'd run through fire for

The ultimate feel-good skirt I’d literally protect at all costs.

I often speak in hyperbole. A very Traci-coded phrase is: “I would run through a fire for __________.” (Insert: rescue dog, item [or person] I really love, etc.)

And then I wore something to work on Friday and realized — this is my ultimate feel-good fashion move. Yes, I would literally run through the fire to protect it.
(Obviously, that’s after all family, pets, and nostalgic items have been rescued first.)

It’s my absolute favorite wrap skirt — I own it in three colors (hyperfixation much???). It’s versatile, it can be dressed up or down, and most importantly… it makes me feel GOOD.

I find it to run TTS (true to size). I actually own the skirt in a size above what I’m wearing right now and due to it’s adjustability I am able to still wear it with ease.

1. Wrap Skirt in Black

2. Wrap Skirt in Beige

3. Wrap Skirt in Brown

Knot Your Average Fashion Statement

I personally LOVE a good wrap detail in any outfit during ANY season! I love it because when I wear it, I feel good. I feel comfortable, I feel adjustable, and I feel weirdly in control.

Want it tight on the waist? Pull harder. Want it looser and more relaxed? Do an easy knot.

But as a constant reminder — various styles are about what make YOU feel good. What make YOU feel empowered and good in your own skin.

Me wearing my most favorite wrap skirt o fall time.

Untying Societies Expectations

I also think it’s important to note that — you don’t need to cinch your waist to feel good.

Buying something because it’s marketed as “flattering” to emphasize your waist suggests that an hourglass figure is something we should all be aspiring to. Our bust, hips, and waist do not need to fall into a certain ratio.

Whether our waist is cinched or not — our bodies are perfect the way they are.

The Wrap Skirt

One thing I’ve heard all the lovely ladies in my life talk about is investing in pieces that can be styled more than one way. VALID. We want to invest in an item and feel like it’s worth the price tag. We want the versatility, but sometimes we need to visualize it before we pull the trigger.

I’ve come up with three categories to style each color of the wrap skirt:

• Professional Look: Wear to the office, meetings, conferences, etc.

• Casual Look: Wear while running errands, on coffee/lunch dates, daytime travel, sightseeing, etc.

• Evening Look: Wear on dinner dates, to cocktail parties, girls’ nights out, vacation dinners, etc.

I tried to reuse as many of the same products as possible to really show you the versatility of these pieces.

A lot of my strategy is splurge on a staple item (wrap skirt) + enhance it in a more low-cost way (ex: Target shoes, Amazon accessories, etc.)

I also included an all-time favorite bonus item with each look—something I love dearly that somehow just clicks with the vibe. I hope you love them as much as I do.

The Brown Wrap Skirt

1. Brown Wrap Skirt – Linen, adjustable, favorite.

2. White Linen Shirt – I have and love this shirt. It’s super affordable and can be worn across seasons. I would tuck this into the skirt when wearing it.

3. CZ Diamond Earrings – I love these. I like wearing them when I’m pairing them with a bolder piece (like the necklace).

4. Mixed Media Necklace – I’m seriously eyeing this one. I love that bold, chunky necklaces are back—just no bauble necklaces, please. My millennial heart can’t handle it.

5. Gladiator Sandals – So cute and affordable.

6. Nail Polish – This is the best in between manicures. It gives this weird milky-fresh, just-done manicure vibe that I can’t really explain—but I love it. Don’t believe me? Read the reviews.

1. Brown Wrap Skirt – Linen, adjustable, favorite.

2. Straw Hat - I am loving the straw bucket hat this Summer. I am also going to link this less expensive version that I’m eyeing. (Shout out to Priscila Smith for introducing me to this one!)

3. Baseball Hat - Looks great with this outfit and any other look you’ll put together this summer. I have it in red!

4. CZ Diamond Earrings - Easy simple flare to any look. The price tag up front may be more than you want to spend - but these last forever. And let’s be real, when does a “diamond” earring go out of style?

5. Crossbody Bag - Amazon find! Love the woven texture and color. I imagine myself one day walking in Spain rocking this look. I’ll keep dreaming.

6. White Tee Shirt - Sime white tee that will never let you down.

7. Brown Sandals - Comfy chunky sandals that give this look a casual feel.

8. Face Roller - No better way to soak up excess oil on your face than taking out this quick roller and reducing that shine.

1. Brown Wrap Skirt – Linen, adjustable, favorite.

2. Brown Tank Top - Love this brown ribbed tank to give yet another monochromatic look!

3. Gold Orb Earrings - I wear these all the time. Always on Sale recently at J.Crew.

4. Brown Tortoise Clutch Bag - When it comes to my bag I don’t really have much to hide. It’s a cell phone, keys, lip gloss, and maybe gum?

5. Gold Cuff Bracelet - Easy accessory to dress up a look. I love that it’s adjustable. I’ve learned recently in life I have very large wrists.

6. Brown Gladiator Sandal - Target find, ‘nuff said.

7. Beaded Drop Earrings - These have been on sale a lot lately, too. I really like this pair. Not my usual gold chunky earring - a more subtle beaded drop earrings adds some fun to any look.

8. Charlotte Tilbury Cream Eyeshadow - It’s the smoky eye for people who can’t do a smoky eye. I just take a little bit on my finger and smudge it along my eyelid. I do find it works better when I layer a powder shadow on top to set it, so it doesn’t move. (Color: Champagne)

The Beige Wrap Skirt

1. Beige Wrap Skirt – Linen, adjustable, favorite.

2. White Puff Sleeve Top - Cute simple top with fun sleeves.

3. Brown Tote Bag - It’s a splurge. I love this rich color and look of this tote! A Meghan Markle fav.

4. Brown Strappy Sandal - Wear them almost everyday to work (on my feet ~8 hours) and I love them!

5. Fish Dangle Earrings - Fish-everything is very in this summer. I love this tiny little detail to add fun to a work-appropriate outfit.

6. Gold Cuff Bracelet - Fun easy Amazon find.

7. Bobbi Brown Face Base Primer - The best for keeping your makeup in place during the summer. I wear this in place of my moisturizer in the AM if it’s a makeup day. However, many summer days are in fact NOT a makeup day.

1. Beige Wrap Skirt – Linen, adjustable, favorite.

2. Blue Linen Button-Up - I love a crisp blue linen shirt with this look! I love the H&M shirts— good price, good quality. Dryers beware! Do not put these in the dryer or they will shrink.

3. Brown Tote Bag - (See above)

4. Ursa Major Face Wipes - If the Neutrogena wipes of my youth came in a less-burning better for your face version! These are them.

5. Gold Shell Earrings - My Amazon ride or die shell earrings. I’ve had them for years and they continue to not fail me.

6. Gold Cuff Bracelet - (See above)

7. Brown Strappy Sandal - Favs.

1. Beige Wrap Skirt – Linen, adjustable, favorite.

2. Graphic Tee Shirt - Adorable H&M find. I love the pop of red.

3. Woven Cross Body Bag - Such a cute Amazon find!

4. Tan Luxe “The Butter” - It gives J.Lo glow. Sometimes I put this on at night and weak up with a nice subtle (but noticeable glow) — or I will put it on before an event and by the afternoon/evening I am a lightly bronzed goddess. **DISCLAIMER: I do use a tanning mitt for this application!

5. Brown Sandals - J.Crew Factory find! If you zoom in there are Croc details.

6. Gold Hoop Earrings - Amazon find with solid reviews.

1. Beige Wrap Skirt – Linen, adjustable, favorite.

2. Black Strappy Tank Top - I love a sleek thin strapped tank to make an outfit look very fancy.

3. Black Woven Clutch/Bag - Super dynamic- wear it in clutch mode or over the shoulder mode with a chain strap.

4. Block Heel Sandal - Target sandals are very underrated. I love getting their sandals like this with the chunky block heel. Easier to walk around, comfortable…. win-win for everyone.

5. Woven Statement Earring - Rattan earrings are so fun in the summer!

6. Gold Cuff Bracelet - (See above… I will save you my rambling)

7. Smashbox Face Palette - Highlighting and contouring GOAT. It has a blush that I love and a light bronzer + dark bronzer. There are two gorgeous highlighters as well. I’ve had mine forever and am happy to report it lasts a very long time.

The Black Wrap Skirt

1. Black Wrap Skirt – Linen, adjustable, favorite.

2. Grey Tee Shirt - Perfect comfortable yet relaxed tee from Cos.

3. Black Oversized Sunglasses - I love the Celine version of these. Fun fact: my Celine ones are actually prescription, so insurance covered a large chunk of them. I’m linking the Amazon version that’s just as good—trust me, I know because I owned it for years before upgrading!

4. Block Heel Sandal - See above :)

5. Statement Colorful Clutch - When I’m looking for something unique and different, I always turn to Etsy. This clutch is an absolute conversation starter—which, for this introvert, sounds a little terrifying. But honestly? It’s too adorable to pass up.

6. Supergoop! Play Sunscreen - I have the big jug of this sunscreen. I love it on m face for a day where I know I’ll be outside for a while.

7. Silver Earrings - Love these. Just like their gold counterparts are usually always on sale. I wear them through all four seasons.

1. Black Wrap Skirt – Linen, adjustable, favorite.

2. Blue Linen Button-Up - The one I linked here is my favorite (own it) from Anthropologie. You can also hit up H&M and find a similar style for less!

3. Gold Shell Earrings - Best Amazon earrings.

4. Stila All-Day Liquid Eye Liner - In the summer heat wave this eyeliner will. not. move.

5. Gold Cat-Eye Sunglasses - I love the ones from J.Crew that I usually talk about, but I just couldn’t keep waiting for the price to drop. I grabbed these Amazon versions instead, and I really like them! The J.Crew pair is a bit wider and more oversized, but these are super fun and the price was right.

6. Silk Scarf - Bold statement about to be made - I think that Anthropologie’s summer scarf selection is the best out there. They have the most fun resort/summer-style scarves in the game right now. Wear it as a neck tie or a cute little cape/shawl look.

7. White Sneakers - I don’t own this exact pair - but they look super cute! I love to wear these white sneakers personally.

8. White Tank Top - White racer-back tank is never wasted during the summer.

1. Black Wrap Skirt – Linen, adjustable, favorite.

2. Black Tank Top – (See above)

3. Gold Statement Earrings –Another solid Amazon find.

4. Mixed-Bead Necklace – I love the colors in this necklace. Can be worn with so many different looks. Adds a pop of fun to any look (basic tee, white button down, solid color dress, etc.)

5. Turquoise Rattan Clutch – Amazon find! Love the color.

6. Black Block Heel Sandal – (See above)

7. Summer Fridays Lip Gloss –My favorite lip gloss for on the go!

If you’ve made it this far, you deserve a gold star. I hope this gives you some inspiration for your summer looks in the months ahead! Let’s rock our favorite pieces — but let’s also get the absolute most out of them. No more one-trick ponies… we want pieces that can be worn and re-worn in all kinds of settings.

The Mango linen skirt is a total MVP in my closet—I hope you love it just as much!

Let’s Chat - What was your favorite look or piece from the options above? Does anyone else have a piece of clothing they would run into a fire to protect at all costs? Tell me I’m not alone………..please.

Love you guys! xo,

Stop the Scroll: Substacks You Can’t Miss

I loved this one by Evonne Sturm (Evonne Sturm) in her publication Musings of a Merchandiser. Learning about the “boom boom” era, self reflecting about my style choices all while singing Jimmy Buffett. Win Win!

Cheeseburgers in Paradise

If you know me, you know my summer consists of a lot of Lake Time. I recently discovered Priscilla Smith’s (Priscila Smith) Substack (Put Together By Priscilla Smith), and I can’t stop going back to her posts for inspiration. This post on what she wore for a week at the lake left me feeling very excited to dress myself this summer!

Everything I wore for a week at the lake

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