How to elevate your tshirt & denim shorts outfit *summer edition*

A.k.a how to look more put together without getting all sweaty despite literally just rolling out of the house.

"Hey, wanna go out? NOW?"

Imagine being extremely sweaty, melting under a 40 degree heat.

*reaches for a nice-ER t-shirt & denim shorts*

---

"Ahh damn I'm late to pick up lunch!"

*T-shirt no.2 & shorts*

---

"Ok, my luggage is 80% ruffles and floral dresses.

There simply MUST be something more comfortable in here!"

*packs nicest t-shirt & shorts*

Trust me, I LOVE skirts, and occasionally, ruffles. But REALISTICALLY? I'd last a maximum of 2 days perhaps in girly clothes before craving my usual t-shirt/shorts getup.

I've seen people style denim shorts with a blazer. And I think it looks so chic on them! Unfortunately, I still don't own a proper blazer and I'd probably faint from the heat before I could step out of the house.

SO this post is geared towards upping that shorts game just with accessories & a liiitttlllee makeup without :

1. Too much effort as to minimise s w e a t o u t p o u r

2. When I'm running LAtE but feeling extra

3. Y'know, I just want to look a little different from when I'm at home.

Let's gooo!

---

- Playing with p R I n T s -

Oh ok, let's just start with the most extra outfit of this series.

Which also happens to be my favourite. Like the try-hard person I am.

Pairing the boho printed denim shorts with a plant-themed tee gave me tropical vibes.

As a breather between the prints, I opted for this ropey braided belt. And I thought that the leather wedged sandals complemented the rugged, textured feel of the belt well.

For accessories, I opted for a simple, layered necklace just to accent the wide neck area. And abstract floral drop earrings to keep to the tropical theme.

For hair, cute scrunchies and a ponytail are a must for me. IT IS TOO HOT to let my hair down! Just no. For a more dressy look, wear a cap!

---

- Accessorising n e u t r a l s -

Neutrals are like a basic latte that you can flavour however you like

depending on your choice of accessories!

Do you prefer minimalist or extravagant accessories? Korean-style perhaps? Or flamboyant colours? Beaded Moroccan earrings?

I have my 'moods' - I was obsessed with Korean jewellery for a while before vibrant feather earrings caught my attention. My daily choice of accessories reflect how I was feeling on that particular day, and what I wanted to express. Basically, I'm a cafe menu:

Minimal gold accents, finished with a pair of sandals - like the simple elegance of a Caramel Macchiato! This combination makes me feel more grown up and calm.

This is one of my most worn pair of earrings : a versatile pair that complements many outfits: from outings to the office. I wear it every time I want to look a little more mature and spruced up, especially when I have meetings or events to attend to.

They say, less is more. Sure. But once in a while, I crave some unnatural colours and clashing flavours like Starbucks' Matcha Black Sesame latte with Taro Foam. Which by the way, is quite delicious despite the colours.

These earrings are a statement unto themselves. Whenever I'm feeling very extra, I throw these on and bam! You're done. Unfortunately, they aren't as wearable for the every day. But a statement earring is nice to have if you need to instantly elevate any plain outfit.

With the whole boho vibe here, I opted for my strappy 4-inch gladiator-style wedges which ahem... I walk around with a pair of slippers in my bag in case my feet cries for help.

---

- Oversized c O m F o r T s -

I had to counterbalance all the frills in my luggage with a good old oversized graphic tee tucked into ripped denim shorts, and finished with sneakers. Gosh! A break from heels. A wholly comfortable outfit for... rock balancing.

Do it for the gram, eh?

For accessories : A pair of wooden drop earrings, and a butterfly clip to keep my hair off my face. During that short hair period of mine, I fantasised having those coveted beachy waves. Realistically, that happened like, twice? I ended up either tying my hair (yes, I did that. Even with short hair.) or just pinning one side up!

---

- Let's talk Makeup -

A little makeup can go a loooonnngg way.

1. Brows

The most essential of all! Wear your brows, and you're done!

No time? I suggest filling in the lower third of the brows first. Focus on getting the brow ends sharp because that is all you need.

Or for a more thorough tutorial, I actually learned how to style my brows from Michelle Phan.

2. Lip!

Again, a dab of lip gloss can go a really long way.

For a natural look, you could dab a bit of darker lipstick or lip tint on the centre of your lips. Smack your lips together to transfer the colour. And top with a lipgloss! This adds slightly more colour that just a natural lipgloss.

Want to look even more dressed up?

Dark lipstick is all you need. It can even turn your PJs into an outfit and make it look like you put in a whole lot more effort than the reality.

3. Eyeliner hacks

Makeup gurus will probably scream at me for this but honestly, you don't need to line the whole lash line if you're in a rush, or if you're not confident with eyeliner. All you need, is a flick of the brush at the end of your lash line. Or draw a tiny triangle at the end of your eye.

Another trick I like : line the bottom lash line with a bright colour. Not only does it add a fun pop of colour, it also makes the eyes look bigger.

For brown eyes : Using a bright blue/green brings out the brown.

I used this Urban Decay pencil liner in the shade Deep End.

---

So, what is your take on shorts?

Recently, I've noticed a biker shorts trend which I'm not very into simple because they look like the tights I used to wear to school under my pinafore for years. And it was NOT pleasant.

However, if you like biker shorts, Tina recently wrote a blog post on 6 Ways to Style The Biker Short which I really enjoyed.

Denim shorts are a staple of mine now, but it actually took me so many years to feel comfortable in them. I was an old-fashioned tomboy as a kid, and I wore nothing but sweatpants or jeans every day. How I managed to do that under this heat is beyond me. But after studying abroad, there is just no way I'm going to squeeze into jeans in this humid weather.

Anyway, if you enjoyed this or if you have any outfit suggestions, please leave a comment below!

Hope this helped!

-Sheryl