At last, blue skies and sunshine have replaced gray drizzle and chilly temperatures, and long pants and those hideous foam clown shoes known as Crocs are making way for cute sundresses and sandals. In short, summer is here, and fashionable people everywhere are taking a look into their closets so see what’s what. If you’re looking to upgrade your wardrobe and get in on the summer fashion trends of celebrities and celebrity stylists, look no further. Here’s a peek at the styles that are hot this season; and the good news is that, because many of these picks are classics, you probably already own a piece or two (meaning you’ll be able to splurge on a few extras.) We’ve got the top picks for clothes, shoes and even accessories that no A-list celeb or self-respecting fashionista will want to be without this summer. Read away, figure out what looks you can rock, and get shopping! Fun!
Choose it:
Jean shorts . Kate Moss, Jessica Simpson and Lindsay Lohan are fans of the jean short, which they can dress up or down. Choose a pair in a dark wash that fits well, meaning the shorts don’t ride up in the crotch and don’t sit too high on the waist. Opt for a pair that falls mid-thigh for the most flattering look. Do like Nicky Hilton does and pair shorts with flats, a chic jacket and an oversize bag; the Britney Spears faded cutoff short-short look is so tacky.
Tie espadrilles . Eva Longoria and Carmen Electra rock this look, which calls attention to your ankles and is flattering on most everyone. Pair your tie espadrilles with skirts, or cropped pants or jeans. (If you’re wearing a mini, though, it’s best to stick with flats; the shoe should be the focus of the outfit, and a mini is just too much.) And keep the ties to a minimum, meaning if your shoes have ties, don’t choose pants or a top that does too.
Thong sandals. Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Moss and Reese Witherspoon are fans of this chic style, which looks great with jeans, shorts and minidresses. Opt for a natural material, or get in on the metallic trend by choosing silver sandals. J. Crew, Nine West, Banana Republic, Mia, Miu Miu and Gucci all make great, classic styles.
Oversize sunglasses . Think Victoria Beckham, Katie Holmes, Sienna Miller, Lauren Conrad and Kylie Minogue. Styles we like: Try Roger Vivier specs in hot fuchsia for $445, or glossy plastic oversize sunglasses from Dior, although be warned: Though gorgeous, these babies retail for $260. If you can’t afford to splurge, Forever 21 makes a similar pair for $4.80. I also picked up a great pair of white oversize glasses with rhinestone detail from Old Navy for $8. Now, if my puppy chews on them, I won’t be that upset (unless they cause an intestinal blockage that costs, say $2000 to fix). Don’t laugh, it’s happened.
Straw or canvas tote. Stash your sunscreen and beach reads in the must-have summer accessory: the classic tote. Of course, LL Bean makes the ultimate canvas beach bag (add your initials or your name for fun and practical purposes), or try J Crew, Lilly Pulitzer or Land’s End . Want to add poochie? Wagwear’s doggy bag has a cut out for his head. Straw totes are great too. Just type ‘straw tote’ into any search engine and take your pick.
Pink pearls . What better way to accessorize casual beachwear than with the sea’s own gemstone? White pearls are classic and elegant, but natural pink pearl jewelry, with its softly flattering rosy luster, are perfect against summer skin (Ciara is a fan.) Choose classic looks like pink pearl studs, a pink pearl pendant (a pink pearl strand might be a bit too stuffy for the beach, although it’s great for the office), or a pink pearl ankle bracelet to work the look. Simple yet elegant, pink pearls go with everything. They’re a no-brainer accessory, they’re timeless, and, since natural pink pearls come from freshwater mussels, they won’t break the bank. Search for “pink pearls" or “pink pearl jewelry" online to find a variety of affordable styles. Just be sure to check return policies before ordering online.
Minidresses . Popsicle-inspired colors and simple, flattering patterns make these carefree dresses a no-brainer option for summer dressing. Kirsten Dunst, Katherine Heigl, Molly Sims and Kate Hudson are fans of the minidress, which can go from beach to dinner effortlessly. Three to try: Michael Kors’ jersey A-line tunic dress ($65), Gap striped terry sweatshirt dress ($45) and Ella Moss sleeveless dress with button detail ($178).
Also in for summer:
Cute, non-fussy beach cover-ups . The look is simple and functional; don’t overdo. Think a simple cotton tank in one cheerful color (steer clear of black or brown!) or a graphic floral print. It’s very European to wear a matching swimsuit and coverup combo; only sport this look if you want attention.
Lavender pearl jewelry . We already said that luminous freshwater pink pearls go great with summer fashions and sun-kissed skin. Equally hot? Metallic lavender pearls. They’re a new twist on classic white and they flatter every skin tone.
Shell jewelry . Toss on a shell cuff bracelet or mother-of-pearl pendant for chic summer style. Natural materials look gorgeous against summer skin (the kind that comes from self-tanner, natch).
Straw hats. Find a big, floppy hat with a wide brim that will cover your head completely (save your skin now; it will thank you later). A black ribbon, straw flowers or some sort of simple accent is always cute. (Jessica Alba is a fan of the straw hat, and sports one in InStyle.)
Metallic nails . Keep nails short to rock this trend, of which Mischa Barton is a fan. Two polishes to try: Maybelline Express Finish Advanced Wear Fast-Dry Nail Enamel in Silver Speed, available in drugstores, and Essie Loophole, available in salons.
Waterproof mascara . A must-have summer accessory, waterproof mascara will have you looking chic après swimming without the dreaded raccoon eye. Almay, Bourjois, Clinique and Max Factor all make great waterproof mascaras. Tip: Lighten up for summer by trying something other than basic black. Brown mascara, green mascara and blue mascara are al unexpected eye-poppers.
Last but certainly not least (my derm made me include this): Don’t forget the ultimate summer accessory: sunscreen.
Lose it:
French pedicures . So over. Choose universally flattering coral or a berry pink instead. Even the natural look is better than the dreaded French pedicure. (Ditto for the French manicure.)
Crocs : C’mon, you don’t honestly think they look good, do you? Only Bozo and Kinko should have these in their closets.
Denim short-shorts : They don’t work for Britney, and they won’t work for you.
Cropped tops : Exposing your belly is passé. Give it up.
Extreme low-rise jeans: So over.
Layered chains : While the look is still in, it’s far too heavy for summer. Stick to simple jewelry in natural materials, like pearls, mother-of-pearl, coral, shell and wood.
Clothes that must be constantly tugged, pulled at and fussed with . Guess what, girlfriend? They don’t fit. Toss them to your little sis, or get thee to a tailor.
Now that you know what to wear (and what not to wear), it’s time to evaluate your closet and get shopping. Remember, though, that you don’t have to adopt every trend. Styles come and go and they’re definitely not trendy if they’re stuck in your closet never to be seen. Instead, pick a few pieces that work for you (I love all these summer trends, but the ones that really work for me are straw hats, lavender pearls, minidresses and tie espadrilles) and make summer 2007 your season to shine.
A graduate of the Gemological Institute of America ’s Graduate Pearls program, Amy Drescher is a fashion and lifestyle writer and accessories buyer for http://www.moonriverpearls.com. She welcomes your questions. Reach her at adrescher@moonriverpearls.com.
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» left by Lindsey from Cambridge, MA (2 years 111 days ago.)
Very enjoyable article and so well written. Thank you Amy Drescher! Respond to this comment
» left by Pauline from Fairfiled (2 years 111 days ago.)
Great stuff Amy...you are always "on target"! Respond to this comment
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