Wearever Jade Went
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Styling the Striped Poplin Set (Without Looking Like You Just Rolled Out of Bed)

There’s a renaissance underway: striped poplin is evolving to a polished wardrobe essential and with the right styling, this look featured in coordinated co‑ords channels a high-impact editorial energy that feels more sunlit terraces in Saint‑Tropez, than snooze-button mornings. Here’s how I recently styled this look for a relaxed weekend meetup with a friend and made it look polished and intentional.

I Broke the Matchy-Matchy RULE OF THE MATCHING SET

Surprise, surprise, you don’t have to wear the full set as-is. I repeat, put down the matching set. I realized that some of my favorite looks came from mixing stripe patterns within the same tonal family. Here, I paired a soft pinstriped button-down with bolder, sailor-striped shorts and it gave the whole look unexpected dimension. It felt curated, not coordinated. Quick tip: Stick to a unified color palette so the contrast feels intentional, not chaotic.

I Sculpted the Silhouette (Even if Oversized)

I’ve found there’s power in embracing proportion. Instead of reaching for a tailored top to match my mid-thigh poplin shorts, I went the opposite direction: a full, oversized striped shirt with exaggerated cuffs and a slightly boxy shape. At first, I thought it might drown me out, but I left it unbuttoned and rolled the sleeves up to give the look movement and intent. That unexpected volume-on-volume pairing actually made the outfit feel more modern. It didn’t need to be cinched or tucked tight. It just needed to look like I chose it, not like I defaulted to it.

Accessories Did the Work for Me

An effortless way I elevated this look was by adding structured accessories. These sleek Liberté leather sandals and this Dagne Dover boxy crossbody have become my go-tos. I’ve also found that wearing bold, modern sunglasses makes a massive difference like punctuation at the end of a minimalist sentence. Quick tip: Opt for kitten heels and a silk neck scarf and suddenly this look will go from backyard chic to borderline editorial or pair with loafers and socks for a downtown aesthetic.

I LayerED with Intention

Sets are great, but they’re even better when you treat them like a styling playground. I wore the striped shirt open over a neutral fitted tank, rolled the sleeves and paired it with shorts, which gave the vibe of “accidentally put-together,” which we all know is never actually accidental. Quick tip: In cooler weather, you can layer under a long trench for added dimension.

I Always Steam… Always

Let me be honest: wrinkled poplin is a betrayal. I retired my iron eons ago and keep a steamer on deck and ready because it changes everything. The same shirt, steamed versus rumpled, tells two entirely different stories and only one of them belongs outside.

SHOP THE LOOK: Striped Poplin Sets (or Separates) for This Summer

Here are a few pieces you can rotate in and out of your warm-weather wardrobe:

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