I always feel so elegant in light monochrome outfits, whether its varying shades of beige, or a soft cream paired with white. Express has some beautiful light neutral pieces that I’ve mixed and matched together to form these looks below. You can watch my outfit video on Instagram to see each look in a little more detail!
Sweater Tank + Midi Sweater Skirt
In 3 colors
These matching sweater knit coordinates are new arrivals fully stocked in both petite and regular – options include a midi skirt, a shell tank top, and a cardigan sweater all in the same “sandshell” color. If you prefer darker colors, it’s also available in “Agatha,” a deep plum. The quality of this knit is very nice and thick, knit in a tight and smooth weave that feels elevated.
For the midi skirt I sized up in the skirt to XS petite for more room at the lower belly area, but as a result the waistband is a tad loose on me. The sweater tank in xxs is a perfect fit and SUCH a good basic in either black or sandshell! It’s a shorter length without being cropped, very shapely with slight contouring power, and is just a beautiful neutral color that is easy to pair with denim, white, and more colorful bottoms too.
There’s also a cropped dolman cardigan in the same colorways as the midi skirt, which make a chic set that can also get a lot of wear separately!
Super High Waisted Flare Pant
Also in black. Regular, long, petite & short inseams.
A trend I’ve been obsessed with this year is loose high waisted trousers paired simply with a racerback tank or sweater knit top. It feels so effortless yet tailored, especially when dressed down with more casual shoes like sneakers or chunky sandals.
I really like the cut and drape of these pants, but heads up, the Short inseam (which usually works for me) is VERY long! I measured the 00 Short I got which has a 30 inch inseam. I’m showing the full length here worn with nearly 4 inch heels (I’m 5 feet tall, for reference), and will be shortening them myself with some hemming tape to wear with lower heeled shoes.
High Neck Bodysuit
In 15 colors
The 700+ reviews here did not steer me wrong! This is a great basic bodysuit cut in a way that’s very flattering on the shoulders and upper arms, and looks very chic simply worn with denim or dressed up a bit with trousers or a skirt. The fabric has a silky soft feel and a thong bottom for no VPL under more fitted items or knits. The length of the xxs bodysuit is not too long on my torso.
Like the sweater tank I have on above , this bodysuit is also part of the Body Contour collection with light shaping power. Note that this piece is double layered in the front but single layered in the back, so I do find the white to be a little sheer at the backside. For less sheerness concerns, I’d stick with a darker color – this in black will be an always classic closet staple.
Thank you to Express for partnering on this post.
I’m 5’2″ 54 years old going to a winter wedding in Birmingham, AL in Dec.
I’m fit, between an XS and S size.
I’d love something fun, sexy, but appropriate for my age and season. Any suggestions?
May be a silly question, but how do people navigate the bathroom facilities with a bodysuit? Do you have to strip down before using the facilities?? I love the sleek look of bodysuits but don’t know if they would be practical for me in a bathroom stall at work.
This bodysuit actually has a snap closure at the bottom which makes bathroom breaks easy!
Beautiful outfit.Thank you for sharing.
I LOVE that first monochrome look on you! That skirt looks so seamless and figure-skimming without clinging, I’ve been searching for something just like that with the slits. How would you describe the weight? It’s August so I imagine it’s lighterweight, but it just looks so thick and sturdy! Best of both worlds. Too bad you already sold it out with this post, I’ll have to keep an eye out. If you’re interested in a thicker version with a back slit, I have the Aritzia Johan wool pencil skirt that runs VERY tight at the waist for petites (I’m 24.5″ and XS was more like a 00, so XXS would be great for 000) and is so good for winter.
I tried the body contour line from Express in a t-shirt style and felt so matronly. This is so much more flattering and makes me want to give them another try.
The super high waisted flare pants you linked come in “short” and “petite”. What is the difference? If petite has better dimensions overall, is it additionally short compared to the “short” or are the hem lengths the same and just the knee break, pockets etc proportionally smaller?
Thanks for sharing. Hope you’re enjoying the rest of summer!
Thank you for such a thoughtful note! To answer your questions, I would say the skirt is a medium weight, maybe on the slightly thicker side if I had to choose.
With Express inseams, I’ve ordered both short and petite before in the same styles to compare and it was almost exactly the same – no difference even in the proportions or rise. So I always order either short or petite at Express interchangeably!
Thank you so much for your reply! Have a great long weekend!
What are the aviator sunglasses you are wearing, love them!
Thanks! They’re an old Vince Camuto pair
Hi Jean! What undergarment do you wear with the high neck bodysuit? Love a good monochromatic looks – it’s my go-to!
Hi Jean, I’ve read this article and recommend just doing whatever you’re most comfortable with!
love your website
Thank you xx
YES!!! Love the cream and white monochrome!! Love that jacket too, the tweed is beautiful, too bad it’s sold out I might pick up that bodysuit, it looks like a great staple. Thanks Jean!!!
Thank you, April!!