Cheryl Shops

Hi, remember me? I feel like I've been slacking a lot on this blog, and literally the last thing I want to do is turn into that blogger who tapers off into nothingness. (Um, like when I ended up taking a three-year break awhile back.) The truth is that I have been working my heinie off, partly because we're neck-deep in holiday at the moment, and partly because I'm about to take the longest vacation I've had in probably 7 years. So to give you fair warning, I am going to take the first two weeks of September off and really unplug—like, not-take-my-laptop unplug. But in the meantime, I've got a few posts planned, and in the spirit of vacations, this one is all about the caftan. Caftan? Kaftan? I'm going with a C for Cheryl. Caftan it is! Here's my favorite one and how I'm wearing it. 

Greek Archaic Kori dress

I've featured this dress here before—you last saw it about a year ago in Hawaii—and while its loose, flowy shape and airy linen fabric make it perfect for warm-weather vacations, I actually end up wearing it a lot when I'm at home. It's super comfortable and yet the metallic embroidery makes it feel kind of glamorous. Even the name of the brand makes you feel like a goddess. So if there's anyone out there who thinks caftans are frumpy, I'd like to counter with this caftan. This is (so far) the only piece I own from this brand, but I've found it to run a bit large—I'm in a size small and as you can see, it's very loose on me. Expect to see some gratuitous photos of it on my upcoming vacation that, if you can't tell already, I am very, very excited for.

JW Anderson sandals

It's been a mere month since I last featured these JW Anderson sandals with a cutout dress, but they're currently in first place for my favorite shoes of the summer. I love that they're like a Birkenstock with a cork footbed, but the oversized chain-link detail makes them feel extra and fun. They work with the caftan because they feel a little fancy but also casual, and while we shot these photos in Mendocino, it's a combination that would work very well in Europe, where there are cobblestones galore. (I am packing these and three other pairs of entirely flat shoes for my trip.) These sandals run true to size—I'm in a 39, which is my go-to for European shoes (I'm consistently an 8.5 US). 

Mango straw bag 

This one has also been in heavy rotation this year; you last saw it at the beginning of summer, however we've now reached the point where it's sold out, so much like when that nighttime chill starts to set it at the end of August, it's a sign that it's almost time to put it away for the season. (Fret not, I'm sure Mango will be back with a similar version next year.) I love this bag—the shape is so simple but the leather trim makes it feel a little more luxurious, and nothing says summer vacation like a straw tote. I can't imagine carrying any other bag with a caftan like this, except maybe a bigger, more glamorous tote, like a Goyard bag for the beach. In the meantime, I've got this one, and it's just right. 

OUTFIT DETAILS: Greek Archaic Kori dress (also love this one) | Mango straw bag | JW Anderson sandals