As you may have gathered from yesterday’s post, I spent most of my weekends in Houston this summer exploring the city. Between walking through giant museums, rocking out at local concerts, eating my way through new restaurants, and shopping until I was dropping, I had lots of fun soaking up as much of the Houston culture as I could.
One of the questions I was faced with constantly, was how to dress for different kinds of events/venues–the trickiest of which was deciding what to wear to a nicer museum in the heat of summer. So today I thought I would share with you the outfit I wore to the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston and why I think it was the perfect pick! (You can see all of what I did at the MFAH in this post if you’re interested.)
Fine arts museums tend to bring with them an air of nicety that other museums may or may not. Do you agree? I guess that’s why they call it fine art, no? At any rate, I wanted to look and feel really polished while there, but also knew I would be on my feet for most of the day and so wanted to be comfortable too.
Enter a fun, flowy printed skirt from Madewell. I’ve talked about it before, but Madewell has so many great classic pieces that can be mixed and matched to create the perfect casual or dressy outfit. And while they have some beautifully colorful pieces (my favorite tailored tee), I’m always so impressed with how they can take simple pieces in a neutral color palatte and make them fun! Whether it’s with the addition of a ruffle detail to the classic button up, or a fun print added to a classic skirt, Madewell knows how to take a piece, make it feel fresh, and give it personality.
I’ve linked this skirt and tons of other options at the very end of the post! Many of these skirt would also be perfect for work too.
Madewell is also where I found this cute cotton crop top. Two things I love about this top… Firstly, I love that it is the perfect length for high-waisted skirts. While most other tops have to be tucked into the skirt, this one sits perfectly on top. No bunching here! And secondly, the material of this top is nice and thick. So unlike a silk cami, it adds nice texture and overall variety to the ensemble. Love it!
Since I purchased it this summer, there’s only a few sizes left. But I’ve managed to find a couple other options here and here that are similar! Also love this textured mockneck sweater for fall.
For a fun pop of color I paired this primarily neutral outfit with a bright orange crossbody purse. Crossbody purses are my favorites because I don’t have to worry about carrying them around and/or setting them down somewhere and leaving them behind. A hands-free purse makes perusing the museum so much easier. And with this one, fashion doesn’t have to come at the price of function. You can have both!
As for shoes, comfort is key. I love wearing these Steve Madden sandals (last seen here) that are chic AND comfy. I could walk hours in these puppies. And yet the slightly elevated heel gives them just a touch of dressiness over their flatter counterpart (which would also be a great option if you aren’t into heels!). Also, love these cognac mules for an on-trend fall option! How many shoes is too many for one girl? (Whatever the number, I don’t think I’ve reached it yet. 😛 )
For accessories, I layered lots of simple gold jewelry–like this bracelet with this bracelet, and these rings–with a classic black leather watch.
This necklace would also be a beautiful addition to the outfit! I love necklaces that look layered without being separate necklaces. They take the guess work out of choosing which ones to pair together. …Not to mention the hassle of keeping them untangled. The struggle! Am I right?
P.S. – How cool is this bracelet!?
And those were the finishing touches to the perfect outfit to wear to the Fine Arts Museum. For a fall variation, I might add a simple black cardigan and swap out the skirt for these black jeans. But all the simple gold accessories and the overall neutral color palette would stay the same!
What about you? Do you have a go-to outfit for nicer museums?
You might also like…A Day at the Fine Arts Museum and My Favorite Madewell Pieces Last Fall.
Photos by Dang Nguyen
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Get the Look…
Top: Madewell (similar here, here) | Skirt: Madewell | Shoes: Steve Madden (similar here, here, love these for fall!) | Purse: Target (similar here, here, here) | Necklace: Francesca’s (similar) | Bracelets: J. Crew Factory, J. Crew (similar here, here)| Rings: Topshop (similar)
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