Red, White, and Blue Separates from Lane Bryant

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Lane Bryant. All opinions are 100% mine. These photos were taken socially distanced. Wear a mask!

Hi, friends! I'm currently sitting here in shock that it's July. Obviously we know where the year went (thanks, COVID), but being well into summer when it feels like it should be March is something else.

This is the first of 3 summer outfit ideas that I'm bringing you from Lane Bryant. I picked these styles because I thought they would be great individually or together

Scoop Neck Swing Tank
White Denim Jacket
Striped Crepe Midi Skirt
Espadrille Platform Sandals
Pave Star Hoop Earrings

Let's break down the separates!

First, it was humid as blazes outside, so this white denim jacket was a great idea, but the wrong day for it! I do love it though for other cooler days as it's lightweight denim with some stretch, and can be layered on top of nearly anything. I'm wearing the 26/28.

As someone with a long torso, the red scoop neck swing tank is a favorite as it's longer and wider at the bottom hem so it can be worn out or tucked in. Since there is a little extra length to the top, you can even put a knot in the front or on the side for a cropped look. For any tank during the summer, I always look for wide straps so I don't have to fool with a strapless bra. Bonus is that as I am writing this post, it's on sale for $10, and comes in eight colors. I'm wearing the 26/28.

Let's talk about the striped skirt: Can you tell I was feeling the pockets?! Everything is better with pockets. The skirt is a super comfortable and stretchy matte jersey material, and the button detail down the front is great because they're not functional. Believe me, I've worn a functional button skirt before and it can do the same thing a button down shirt does on your chest – no peek-a-boo worries here. In addition to wearing it casually like I am with a tank, I think it'd be really cute with a button down chambray top, tied in the center. I'm wearing the 26/28. It's currently on sale for less than $30!

These sandals were really cute and actually fit! This is a big deal for me as I buy and return a lot of shoes that don't fit or support properly. I have wide feet and ever since my ankle surgery years ago I'm not super steady on heels. These platform espadrilles are actually really comfortable and fit my wide feet. I did size up in them 1 size, so I wasn't spilling out the back. I'd rather an open back sandal be too large than too small. It worked out well. They will be a staple this summer. Like nearly everything else right now at Lane Bryant, they're 50% off – less than $30.

About the 4th of July: As much as I want to get out and about with a lot of people, I am going to be at home instead. The more we can contain the spread, the faster we'll all be able to move forward. If you are going out and into crowds, wear a mask, wash your hands, and practice social distancing.

I'd also encourage you to do some reading to learn about why for many in BIPOC communities, the 4th of July isn't the Independence Day we may all have been taught to celebrate. To learn more, this is a great read from WBUR. You can read more about “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” by Frederick Douglass on the website for the National Museum of African American History & Culture. Also, consider learning about Juneteenth if you aren't familiar with it. I am sorry to say that I didn't know much about it until this year. About Juneteenth and Fourth of July: “The two holidays, less than a month apart, ask us to think about what freedom means, who has it, and how institutions, laws, and policies continue to deny true freedom to certain individuals.” – Read more from the Center for the Study of Social Policy.

Have a safe and socially distanced long weekend. Wear your mask!

Photos by Jess Amburgey