HIWWI: DKNY Striped Crew Neck

{DKNY Striped Crew Neck, $175}

The other day as I was pulling up to a red light, I saw a woman walking on the sidewalk wearing a black and white striped crew neck with coral-ish shorts. 

"Super cute," I thought. When I finally slammed on my brakes came to a complete stop, I was able to get a better look. Girlfriend was a HOT MESS: sloppy top, ill-fitting shorts, and frizzy hair. Obviously, the concept was a 10, but the execution was a 3.7, at best (and that's excluding the Russian judges scores). Well, she can be a hot mess all she wants, but I know a good idea when I see one, so today I'm HIWWI'ing this classic B&W DKNY striped crew neck. 

Stripes are highly underrated in my opinion, which, by the way, is the only one that counts. They take an otherwise basic staple and fancy it up. And contrary to popular belief, they don't make you look wide. You know what makes you look wide? Being wide! Fortunately, stripes are getting their come-uppance this season, which makes them the perfect focal point to a casual summer get-up.

'Member that hot mess of a girl I saw the other day? Well, like I said, she was wearing these coral shorts. I liked that idea, but I thought I'd do one better and pair this top with these hot pink chino shorts:

{J.Crew chino shorts, $42.50}

The idea here is to be casual, so no belt. Just buy a pair that fit you right!

I envision myself wearing this outfit for the picnic I'm forcing Kyle to go on with me. That is, of course, unless I'm invited to a last-minute polo match or yacht brunch party. What I'm getting at is that flats are really the best option here. I love these strappy, nude patent leather sandals:

{Sam Edelman Gigi sandals, $60}

This look is venturing into preppy douchebaggery territory, so to keep things from getting to waspy, I would have to add some funky accessories to the mix. This clever and colorful babushka ring is effing hilarious and makes sure to tell the world "Hey world, I am NOT a douche!":

{nOir Natasha Babushka ring, $190}

Also, you should throw this on. Because it's pretty, that's why!!!!

{Ettika Braided Bracelet, $55}

I've made a lot of progress, but for some reason I still can't push out the image of that hot mess girl that served as the inspiration for this look!

{Essie Barbados Blue polish, $7.50}

Methinks a swipe of shimmery blue polish adds the much needed razzle-dazzle element to this look. The memory of frizzy haired, droopy shorts, hot mess girl is fading fast, leaving only the remnants of this now fabulous look to prove she ever existed at all.