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Summer Sweater Challenge: Fashionable & UV Protective

I planned 5 adventures in my favorite summer sweater over 2 weeks. It was so much fun!
September 1, 2022
By Victoria Vitale

Best Summer Sweater For A Capsule Wardrobe

Welcome to my 3-part blog series that starts with the Oliver Charles Summer Sweater Challenge. I’ll take you on some of my favorite summer adventures.

Sweaters don’t have to only be for the fall and winter months. The summer sweater I wore on my adventures is made from a seaweed-based material called SeaCell. SeaCell is lightweight and perfect for summer.

My summer sweater is the perfect addition to my spring and summer capsule. Creating a meaningful capsule wardrobe is important to me - I only want to own staple items that will last a long time.

Finding the right items to include in a selective capsule wardrobe might be overwhelming, but it is worth it.

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Nothing is better than getting a package in the mail; it feels like Christmas every time. I always know when my Oliver Charles sweater arrives because of the unique paper tube package.

I think this is so cool and unique because no other brand does this. I was excited to open it up and see what was printed on the tube since it is made from a SeaCell material.

I loved the minimal line art of the sweater on the tube; it is classic, just like the sweater. The color of the sweater is lovely and completely gives off summer vibes. I was so excited to try it on and start incorporating it into my wardrobe.

Follow along as I take the Summer Sweater Challenge. I planned 5 adventures in my favorite summer sweater over 2 weeks. It was so much fun! I became a tourist in my hometown, exploring new places and some of my favorite local gems.

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DIY Accessories Are Easy And Fun To Make

I love arts and crafts from the bottom of my heart, so I decided to make a smiley face bracelet.

Months ago, I decided to make these bracelets for my website and figured it was time to make some more. They are made from elastic, flat clay beads, gold beads, and smiley face beads.

They are an easy way to add something to your everyday outfit. After work, I threw my hair up in a ponytail and got to crafting.

I wore my Oliver Charles sweater with some comfy jeans because I would be sitting down putting the bracelet together.

What I love most about crafts like this is that it is so easy to sit down and put Netflix on and crank out a ton of them.

I like how it turned out, and I’ll continue making them and changing the beads' color to match different outfits.

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Farmers Market Outing Wearing UPF Clothing

I can count on one hand the number of farmer's markets I have been to, which is exactly why I wanted to check one out and see if it is something I should do more often.

Going in, I really wanted to find a table or truck selling flower bouquets; fresh flowers are a little thing in life that brings me happiness.

It was hot this day, but even with a sweater on, I wasn’t any hotter than I would’ve been in a t-shirt (only fashionable and UV protective). The natural minerals in SeaCell protect against the sun with a rating of up to UPF 50+.

SeaCell is one of the world's most breathable fabrics. This sweater is also thin, which kept me feeling comfortable even in the heat.

For this outing, I wore my Oliver Charles sweater under a pair of overalls I thrifted a while ago. Whenever I think of farmer's markets, I always think of overalls, so I’m glad I pulled this out of my closet.

I kept it simple for jewelry and wore my rings, silver huggie earrings, and a silver ankle bracelet. I wore white sneakers because I knew I’d be doing some walking, and I wore my black fanny pack so I was hands-free and could quickly look at items on the tables.

I ended up finding a lot of flowers to choose from and even ended up getting a small bouquet in a soda can.

Overall it was a success, and I’ll definitely go to more in the future. It is incredible to see everyone’s talents and the items they sell.

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How I Thrift Accessories For My Sweater

Thrifting is my happy place; it brings me joy, knowing that when I find something to add to my wardrobe, I give it another life.

It won’t end up in a landfill, and I repeatedly get something cute to wear.

Thrift shopping is a bonding experience in my family. We always go with my grandma, and it was something my sisters and I did all the time growing up. I went out with my mom this day, and it was equally fun.

I had a mission this thrift trip: to find a fun new accessory to match my Oliver Charles sweater.

There are so many things that I could’ve gone looking for; a hat, some jewelry, a belt, or a purse.

I had no expectations going into the store; I was going to let the perfect accessory find me.

I started by looking through the bags. The color of the sweater made me want to find some sort of straw accessory; this material also just screams summer to me.

I found a slouchy bag that went along perfectly with my outfit. I then looked at hats to see if I found something I liked, and I found this sunhat. It matched the sweater vibe and the idea I had in my head.

I’m happy I was able to find an accessory to compliment my outfit and enhance my Oliver Charles sweater.

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What I Wear For Happy Hour, I Wear To Work

I am a big fan of good happy hours, let me tell you. One of my favorite places for happy hour near me is Bar Louie. They have some of the best half-priced apps and discounted drinks I have tried; it is also during a time that is easy to get to after work.

I decided to have a midweek family outing, eat some yummy food, and hang out outside the house. It is quite a casual place, so I also kept my outfit simple.

I decided to wear my Oliver Charles Sweater, of course, with some wide-leg jeans that are super comfortable to sit and eat in.

I wore my hair in a ponytail with my bangs down because that’s how I wore it to work, and it went along with the casual vibe of the night. I sped it up a little by adding gold hoops, and I tied a floral scarf around my head as a headband.

One of the best parts about the sweater is it's a classic style that's easy to wear to both work and out with friends. I had a fun night, and I ate a lot of good food!

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Staying Comfortable While Stargazing

I love sunsets and pretty scenery during the summer months.

My sister and I went to a dog park close to our house. It was very serene and a great way to spend an evening, not to mention we got to see cute pups running around!

I wanted to be comfortable, so I wore my athletic dress and tied my sweater over the top of it. I wore high ankle socks and my Nike Air Force Ones for accessories.

It was an extremely comfortable outfit for all the walking, and it was great to sit and look up at the stars after walking.

The weather was great, and it was amazing to spend time outside after work instead of staying inside.

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What I Needed In My  Capsule Wardrobe

My new SeaCell sweater was the perfect addition to my summer wardrobe. I loved the opportunity to tour the town I grew up in and make new memories.

The Summer Sweater Challenge was a lot of fun! I didn't expect to enjoy being a "tourist" in my hometown so much. However, it was a great reminder to embrace the spirit of adventure whenever and wherever I am.

Victoria Vitale has a degree in fashion communication and enjoys sharing her experiences. Victoria is here to help you learn and grow your fashion knowledge.

If you believe that every good wardrobe starts with owning less and owning better, consider buying yourself an OLIVER CHARLES sweater.
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