June No Buy Style Challenge: Navy Monochrome Summer Outfit

Hi friends! I’m back today with the June installment of the No Buy Style Challenge series that I’m doing with a few blogger friends. Normally I don’t publish blog posts two days in a row. But we had already set June 10 as the date for the next post in this series. And I wanted to go ahead and get my May 2020 Favorites post up yesterday since I had delayed it for a week. Anyways, if you’re just now tuning into the No Buy Style Challenge, here’s how it works: Each month, one blogger shares an outfit photo with the rest of the group. Then, the other three bloggers each use that photo as inspiration to put together an outfit from pieces already in their closet. The original inspiration photo is open to interpretation. The only rule is that you can’t buy anything new!

The Inspiration Photo

This month it was Charlene’s turn to provide the inspiration photo. She shared this picture of a casual denim romper that she would typically wear to outdoor summer festivals and events. Although coronavirus has cancelled many local summer events, it’s still fun to brainstorm casual outfits for low key social distancing summer 2020 activities. Charlene blogs at Enduring All Things, and you can check out her post here.

My Interpretation

Now, here’s the look I pulled together from my closet using Charlene’s inspiration photo:

I actually don’t own any rompers, so I went with my denim shorts to incorporate denim, and a sleeveless navy top to make the look somewhat monochromatic. Here’s some real talk right here: I think rompers are really cute. But I honestly worry about using the bathroom in them. You can’t wait too long to use the restroom since it takes a bit longer to undo a romper. And the germaphobe in me especially worries about having to use a public restroom while wearing a romper. I would be paranoid about the romper falling onto the ground and then having to put it back on. Anyways, maybe one day I will get over these hesitations and get a romper. But since this is a No Buy Challenge, that wasn’t even an option this time!

For my accessories, I added a seersucker headband, and simple dainty jewelry (Anthropologie initial necklace and Tory Burch studs). Charlene is wearing Chacos in her photo, but I went with Birkenstocks since I don’t have any Chacos. I’ve actually had these Birkenstocks since college, but haven’t worn them much since I graduated. When Birkenstocks recently made a comeback, I wasn’t sure I could pull them off anymore since I’m definitely more hardcore preppy than I was in college. But Birks have a more similar vibe to Chacos than Jack Rogers or Tory Burch Millers, so I went with them. And to be honest, Birkenstocks are more comfortable for walking around for extended periods if I were to wear this outfit to a summer festival during non-COVID life.

Am I too preppy for Birkentocks, or can I pull them off? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

Although this look is mostly monochromatic navy, I added a red bangle and reddish lipstick to give the ensemble some 4th of July vibes! PSA: If you’re like me and not into super bright red lipstick, I highly recommend Beautycounter Sheer Lipstick in “Poppy.” Feel free to email me for more info.

See How the Others Wore It

Now see how my other blogger friends styled their looks based on Charlene’s Inspiration photo:

Brita from BelleBrita Blog
Callie from Hot Pink & Glitter

I hope you’ve enjoyed this No Buy Style Challenge series, and that it has helped you get creative with shopping your closet. We will be back in July for the final installment in this series!

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-xoxo Liz