Three Spring-Summer Outfits: J.McLaughlin, Frances Valentine, Ralph Lauren, Longchamp Original Medium Tote, and More

(ABOVE) In this post and video I am showing three preppy outfits perfect for spring and summer 2026 and many summers thereafter.

---

For YouTube Video & Outfit/Makeup Details Scroll to Bottom of Page

(NOTE: Some links that I provide in this post are affiliate links, which means if you follow that link and make a purchase I may possibly earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. More information here.

April 22,  2026 / Video Post Notes

3 J.McLaughlin Outfits, and The Longchamp Original Le Pliage Medium Tote

Three Preppy Spring-Summer Looks

In this post and video I show three outfits featuring items I bought recently at J.McLauglin, Frances Valentine, and more.

One of my favorites is this Maxi Dress.  When I first saw it on line, I thought to myself, “This looks pretty…but a maxi?…I don’t know…”

Several weeks later I decided to try it on in one of our local boutiques and I can tell you the photographs on line do not do it justice.  I loved it.  And before any doubts could stop me I marched directly to the check-out desk, reminding myself I could always have it shortened.

The first day I wore it (to brunch at Bricktops), both my husband and our server at the restaurant commented on how pretty it was, and nearly three months and several wears later I still like the maxi length.  The print is gorgeous, and the fit is so comfortable and forgiving (I am in size XS).  My legs are covered–which is what I like about pants–but, I still have the feminine look of  a dress.  If you are interested, it is now on sale!

Also in this post and video is a pair of Pull-On Pants that are stretchy, lightweight, and as easy to wear as leggings but have the elevated look and style of pants.  They are a bright coral that makes me feel happy  when I wear them.  They are so fun.

I decided to size up to a 6–my typical pants size is 4–because I wanted more of a trouser look and feel, and I am really glad I did.  They are very comfy.  (By the way, these are now on sale, too.)

All three of the outfits are shown below, along with links to each item.  For the YouTube video and makeup and hair styling products I used, simply scroll to the bottom of this post.

Wishing you all a lovely week.

~ Janis

Janis Lyn Johnson
Classic-Style Lover. Happily Married. Born in 1960. Fan of Understated, Timeless Fashion and Healthy Living.
Editor
JLJ Back To Classic

* * *

Savings Codes

AllyShoes: For 10% off first purchase,  JANIS10.

Aynsley England Fine Bone China: For 30% off,  JANISLYNJOHNSON.

Gingiberi Jewelry: For 15% off,  Janis15.  Free shipping and free 30-day returns worldwide. (Some items in this post and video were gifted to me by Gingiberi.)

Goelia: For $10 off,  10JLJ;  buy 2, get 15% off, JLJ15;  buy 5, get 33% off, JLJ33.

Note: Check Goelia’s Refund Policy for “Buy 2 Get 15% Off | Buy 5 Get 33% Off” Code promotion before returning or contact customer service.

The Jacket Maker For 10% off, JLJ10.

LilySilk (excludes discounted products):  For 20% off, JLJ20; or 25% off over $/€/£480, JLJ25.

Pacifica Beauty: For 15% off,  JLJBACKTOCLASSIC.

* * *

Previous Posts

Herend Chinese Bouquet Breakfast Set and Bed Tray; Plus Ferragamo Vara Bow Bag and Pink Leather Jacket OOTD
Blog Post, YouTube Video

Healthy Hair, Skin & Nail Care, My A.M. and P.M. Routines
Blog Post, YouTube Video

New SPF 30 BB Cream; Longchamp Le Pliage Mini Pouch; and Ralph Lauren and Quince OOTDs
Blog Post, YouTube Video

Versace Medusa 95 Bag; Ralph Lauren Clutch; Two Jeans OOTDs
Blog Post, YouTube Video

Aynsley Coffee and Tea Set Unboxing; Longchamp Xtra XS Le Pliage; Lunch at a New Cafe; and Two Jeans OOTDs
Blog Post, YouTube Video

Annual Holiday Dinner in Downtown Naples, FL;  Prada Re-Edition 2005 & Two OOTDs
Blog Post, YouTube Video

Eight Elegant, Cozy Winter and Holiday Outfits Featuring Ralph Lauren, Goelia, Quince, and More
Blog Post, YouTube Video

Two New Christmas Books; Chanel Extra Mini Coco Handle Review; and Three OOTDs
Blog Post, YouTube Video

Jewelry Unboxing; Louis Vuitton Monogram Grand Tour Almaa BB 4-Year Review; and 2 Elegant Everyday Sweater and Jeans OOTDs
Blog Post, YouTube Video

Reviwing My 9-Year-Old Louis Vuitton Damier Azur Bandouliere Speedy 30; Shopping For a Chanel Mini Bag; My OOTD
Blog Post, YouTube Video

---

 

Scenes From The Video

Outfit #1

(ABOVE) Polo Shirt  /  Pants (I sized up from 4 to 6)   /  V-Neck Sweater  /  Sunglasses  /  14k Faceted Onyx-Bead  Bracelet  /  Wicker Handbag  /  Sandals.  

Dior Miss Dior Solid Perfume (I applied this to my wrists, then popped it into my handbag.)

Dior Miss Dior Eau de Parfum Spray (With arm outstretched, I sprayed this toward myself at chest level and walked into the spray–keeping it away from my neck and face.)

(ABOVE)  This 14k dragonfly pin was a gift from my mother in law about 20 or so years ago.  I think it looks pretty on sweaters and blazers in particular.  Here, I used it to camouflage the polo player logo.  I often wear pins over logos when I want to make a top a bit less sporty looking.  Although pins never have gone out of style, they happen to be trending right now.  You have to wonder, how does this happen?  How did this pin/brooch fashion trend suddenly begin when so many of us have been wearing them since we were young?  If any of you know, please leave a comment down below in the comment section.  I would appreciate your insight.

Talbots Bumble Bee Brooch

(ABOVE & BELOW)  I bought these Giorgio Armani Glasses with Clip-Ons about 25 or more years ago.  I still wear and love them because of their classic shape and versatility.  For sunglasses similar to mine, see the Warby Parker set below.

Warby Parker Tortoise Eyeglass Frames

Warby Parker Gold-Metal Sunglass Clip-Ons

 

Carfia Double-Bridge Sunglasses (See me wearing these here, here–in Outfit #5–and here.)

14k Faceted Onyx-Bead  Bracelet 

14k Engravable Disc Charm (Choice of 13mm, 15mm or 18mm size.)

14k 8mm Round Push-Gate Charm Connector (Connects charm to bracelet or necklace.)

David Yurman 18k Pave Diamond 11mm Chatelaine Earrings

David Yurman 18k Pave Diamond 14mm Chatelaine Ring

Frances Valentine Rooster Wicker Handbag, Black ($368; more colors available.)

Woven Rattan Bag ($28; more colors available.)

Marc Nolan Woven Leather Bag ($155; more colors available,)

 

Outfit #2

(ABOVE) I bought my dress at J.McLaughlin a number of years ago.  I am showing it in this post, because a navy-and-white-stripe dress, top or sweater never goes out of style; and, it pairs beautifully with a bright color like coral, red or pink.  Below are several cute items that are currently available.

(ABOVE) Red Jelly Bag  /  Striped Sweater Dress  /  Striped Polo Dress  /  Red Cable-Knit Sweater  /  Sandals  /  Striped Cable-Knit Sweater.

Le Pliage Original Medium Tote, Strawberry

Handbag Felt Insert/Organizer (I use a size small insert in the original small and medium Le Pliage bags and Louis Vuitton Speedy 25 bag.)

(ABOVE & BELOW) I love to wear black sunglasses with navy for a dressy look.  In this outfit, however, I wanted a more sporty feeling, so I wore Warby Parker Tortoise Butler Sunglasses to match the brown leather trim of my Le Pliage Original Medium Tote.

(ABOVE & BELOW) Warby Parker Butler Sunglasses, Butterscotch Tortoise.

 

Outfit #3

(ABOVE)  David Yurman 18k Pave Diamond 14mm Chatelaine Ring  /  Maxi Dress (I’m in XS)   /   Ray-Ban Custom Round Gold Double-Bridge Sunglasses  /  Slingback Pumps  (also here)  /  Pink Woven-Leather Shoulder Bag.

Amazon Button-Front Maxi Dress (Pink, Green or Blue print available.)

Amazon Full Maxi Dress (15 prints available.)

(ABOVE & BELOW) I bought this caviar-leather Pink Chanel Sac Divers Shoulder Bag in 2011 (and years later discovered it was the same color and style of Chanel bag carried by the character Charlotte in the final episode of the television series Sex and The City–Season 6, Episode 20.)  This was my first time buying a luxury handbag second-hand (now often called pre-loved).  Chanel prices increase every year, so I have never regretted a purchase.  My rule is to choose timeless, classic styles and silhouettes, as I know I will carry these the rest of my life.   For similar Chanel bags pre-loved, I recommend Fashionphile.

My Gold Bangle is about nine years old.  I bought it at Talbots, and I have worn it so much ever since.  Any of the costume jewelry I have purchased there still looks brand new today.  Some pieces are 20 or more years old. My necklace in this post is 14k gold, but the Talbots Gold Tri-Link Necklace is a pretty alternative–and the Talbots Gold Bamboo Bangle would look nice paired with it.  

Chanel Sac Divers Shoulder Bag, Pink Caviar Leather (Purchased in 2011, pre-loved.)

David Yurman 18k Pave Diamond 14mm Chatelaine Ring

Talbots Gold Bamboo Bangle

Talbots Gold Tri-Link Necklace

Chanel  Coco Mademoiselle Twist & Spray Perfume

Chanel Dual-Sided Mirror with Pouch

 Ray-Ban Custom Round Gold Double-Bridge Sunglasses

 

My Makeup & Hair

(ABOVE) Here, I filmed my makeup standing outside, in direct sunlight.  (BELOW) Here, I am in my car, out of the sun, five or 10 minutes earlier.  The first thing I notice about these two photographs is that when in direct lighting like sunlight, my skin looks a little shiny.  I don’t mind this. In fact,  I prefer it to matte. (I do not like my skin excessively shiny, however, and I talked about this in a recent post when I tried a new tinted bb cream that, when not powdered, does make my skin more shiny than I like.) When in the shade (or in my car), my skin looks less shiny, but it is still luminous.  The reason I prefer my skin a little shiny or, even better,  just luminous, is because when light bounces off of the skin like this, it softens the look of wrinkles and texture.  When my skin is matte and not reflective in any way, it can look rough, dry, and even parched. Note: I am wearing the same makeup throughout this post and video.  My lipstick in this outfit, Sandstorm (also Amazon), is the only item that is different.

(ABOVE) I wore the same makeup products throughout this post and video (only my lip color varies).  Each item is listed below and rates #3 or lower on the EWG (Environmental Working Group) Skin Deep Hazard/Toxicity Scale. EWG Skin Deep Hazard Scale Rating System: 1-2 low hazard; 3-6 moderate; 7-10 high hazard.

Outfits #1 & #3

 

Outfit #2

Lipstick, Sandstorm (Also Amazon.)

Lip Gloss, Crystal-Clear (Also Amazon.)

 

Outfits #1, #2 & #3

Dual-Sided, Retractable Lip Brush, Metallic Gold