Summer is in the air... and closets are getting stocked with all the newest trends. Whatever your personal style might be, I have a list of 7 must have items to get your wardrobe up to speed & ready for whatever vacation getaway you have planned.
1. Ankle Strap Flats: This season shoes are all about ankle straps. A lot of pumps have a fresh new take with ankle closures, but the same goes for flats. My personal favorite this year is from the Rachel Zoe collection. I saw these bad boys back in September and knew I couldn't live without them. I was definitely right, my life is much better now that we're together :) ... These sandals are incredibly versatile and can be worn with skinnies, shorts, skirts, you name it.
2. Flowy Maxi: My closet is a giant museum of Maxi dresses. Not only are they incredibly comfortable, but they look so elegant even when they are simple. Last year I wrote on this blog about the tail hem dresses (dresses that were longer in the back) and it took a little longer than I expected for it to catch on. Now however this Summer we are seeing a lot of Maxi's with this fresh take of having a tail hem. My favorite is still the traditional Maxi, but I think either style that suits you is a must have for your closet. You can throw it on and its so easy and effortless, but you look put together and elegant. There are skin tight Maxi's and there are loose flowy Maxi's. There is one for every body type that will flatter you & should be a staple in your closet.
3. Retro Bikini: Fun Geometric patterns & high waisted bottoms are back in style. I think it's a great excuse to wear funky prints and spice up the boring solid colors. I've always loved Missoni prints, so this season my bathing suit splurge was for one of their ultra cute print bikinis. They have a lot of styles,
4. Simple bangle: During the summer time we wear less clothes, more vibrant colors, and therefore need to learn to relax on giant flashy jewelry. Now is the time to layer thin pieces, or keep it simple. I think an important summer staple is a go-to bracelet you can wear day or night, that goes with anything, and you can even rock at the pool (yeah I'm that weirdo who wears a necklace to the pool too). If you feel like splurging I happen to adore the Cartier Love Bracelet which is simple, timeless, and on a lot of celebs. I also love the Hermes H bracelet. Its thin and sleek. Some mid-priced options are the David Yurman cable bracelets. All of these pieces will stand the test of time for years to come, and wont get ruined if it happens to get wet or you wear it constantly. It's a worthy investment, and in my case I was happy to find out that my H bracelet has a GREAT replacement policy when I took it out of the pouch to find it tarnished. Little perks like that make it worth it. A few of them are below...
5. Big all purpose bag: During the summer we are always on the go. Finding a bag that helps us transition from day to night, and carry all the stuff we need can be a challenge. More-so, we want it to look cute with everything so we don't have to switch bags every other day. I always say its crucial to have a trusty brown bag and a trusty black bag, they can't ever go wrong. There are lots of options for this kind of bag, I've been lusting over a Celine tote for a few years now. But just to be more reasonable, I also like a few other all purpose totes. Since everyone has their own personal style of bags I won't put up any specifics, but a few great places for bags are
Zara,
J. Crew,
Michael Kors, or check out the one day sale sites like
Haute Look,
Gilt,
Rue La La, or
Beyond The Rack.
6. Trusty Sunglasses: I love a good deal, and I don't always think designer everything is the way to go. However, when it comes to sunglasses I think they deserve a good splurge. For one, they come with warranties that last years so they can be replaced if anything happens. Secondly, they have great UVA and UVB protection on them. And lastly, they are made of sturdy material and won't break like some cheaper ones. A pair of go-to sunglasses for the summer-time are crucial. Everyone's face has a different shape and warrants a different style of sunglasses. It's always best to try on multiple pairs and see what suits you. My favorite style out right now is very Audrey Hepburn-esque black framed glasses. Dior has a great pair I got last year, and I know
Sunglass Hut has a variety too.
7. Floppy Beach Hat: We all love the sun, but what no one loves is when you feel your skin starting to burn and you have another hour by the pool/beach. My must have item for anytime I spend time outdoors is a floppy beach hat. It helps cover up your back and chest and keep you cool even on the hottest days. I make great use of mine every time I lay out or hit the beach. You don't need to splurge on these at all.
Forever 21 has a great selection, but so does
Shop Bop at a higher price point.
xoxo,
Christina
