Summer Shrugs For Light Summertime Coverage

Have you been to a store lately? What will it take for retailers to finally sell things with sleeves on them? Really?! Nothing sucks more than finding the perfect top or dress only to be straddled finding something to layer over it.

Be it because it is colder than Pluto indoors in the summer or the idea of baring your arms in public feels about as uncomfortable as sleeping on a bed of nails, most women today don't want to go sleeveless. These women aren't necessarily looking for a ton of layers or to detract from their outfits, they just want light simple coverage. This is what has made shrugs so popular.

Summer Shrugs For Light Summertime Coverage

After a client purchased several shrugs last week I decided to post about having these little pieces on hand for work, casual and even dressier events. Take a look at some of the outfits I put together below and shop for more shrugs at the end of this post.

Outfit #1

Having shrugs for dresses, be them dressy dresses, work dresses, casual dresses, etc., can be very helpful. As we have already discussed, finding dresses with sleeves can be near impossible. With workplaces becoming more casual, jackets aren't always necessary, but arm coverage is. Shrugs and cropped cardigans create a softer look. For events where a wrap seems too cumbersome, shrugs can be worn instead. Need I go on?

For a dressy event, I styled this dress from L.K. Bennett with a shrug from Michael Kors. This shrug is not inexpensive, however, it's pretty much like the most perfect shrug on the planet. Whether it's perfect enough to warrant the price is personal. I have some clients who love them despite the fact that their hearts hurt a little bit to plunk down the money. They definitely get their money's worth from them. For a pop, I added these hot pink pumps from Cole Haan, Pedro Garcia clutch and Ben Amun chunky wooden necklace.

Outfit #2

This has been another popular cardigan with clients from Theory. In fact, one client loves it so much when she left one at a hotel while on a business trip she bought another. It's a perfect length to wear with a variety of things in your closet. It will even work with tops that hang longer.

I styled this cardigan for work using a top from Reiss, navy BOSS Hugo Boss skirt and coral pumps from Louise et Cie. I finished the outfit with a white bag from Frances Valentine and long necklace from Gorjana.

Outfit #3

This last look I styled with pants. Shrugs aren't just good for dresses and skirts. They can look great styled with a longer top over leaner pants.

I styled this monochromatic look with skinny ankle pants and drapey tank from J. Crew. To keep the navy's the same it's smart to shop pieces from the same retailer. Over the look I added this shrug from Elie Tahari and finished the outfit with Vince sandals in cognac, navy tote from Banana Republic and pendant from Nordstrom.

Shop for shrugs

Looking to add some shrugs to your wardrobe? Check out these additional styles.