Is it just me or does summer need to bring some sophistication back? Unlike the uninspiring circumstances that drags on with the winter, Summer has that bewildering effect of wanting to spend your days practically naked. Just the thought of putting on a strapless top, a sundress, or some summer prints turns me on a little. Can you all relate?

Dressing for work during these hot summer days hasn’t been easy. BUT Banana Republic has nailed the simply sophisticated look for all the summer days spent at work with the appropriate amount of nakedness.

I’ve recently come down with an obsessive behavior to flaunt bare shoulders. Like the spread of an apocalyptic virus, my closet is flooded with strapless pieces and off-the-shoulder tops. It’s a wonderful trend that I don’t want to ever end. Watching and galavanting my sun-kissed shoulders brings a smile to my face. Is it safe to assume that the whole off-the-shoulder trend has become a little overwhelming? Quite frankly, I’ve grown a little tired of keeping my arms locked to my sides and having to deal with the sleeve’s lack of sophistication. Those elastic sleeves just can’t seem to keep their head in the game.

What happened to strapless tops? Did we toss those out like we did gluten?

I wore to work something I would have possibly never thought to wear before. A striped strapless top from Banana Republic with pineapple printed pants. Had it been the weekend, this top would have been worn with a pair of white denim cut-offs and a pair of flats. But it was a Monday and I had to go into work and had to grab after-office drinks to deal with the dreadfulness that lingers on with all Mondays.

Side note: sunny skies and my eagerness to drink a beer have a positive correlation.  This correlation seems to excel whenever I’m wearing an outfit that gets me more excited than frosty beer.

That said, it was Monday and my day would consist of work, after-office drinks and an outfit that even the guy at my usual Pho place complimented me on.

Back to my beer and sunny skies correlation, simplicity and sophistication also go hand in hand. Would you agree? What better way to make this summer simply sophisticated than with ruffles, stripes, and only the coolest straw clutch made.

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The clutch and top are from Banana Republic. They currently have a 40% discount on almost all their pieces! Hurry before the sale ends!