A casual maxi dress is the next addition to my shopping list for this summer. I love these beautiful and dramatically long dresses that elongate and flatter the body. Even though you could rock a mini skirt to beat the impending heat, you can also keep cool in full-length, light-weight, loose-fitting skirts and dresses too. Here are some of my favorites, with alluring details or bold, all-over graphics that really make a statement.
Floral prints are truly the hallmark of the Spring Fashion season. They bring a natural beauty and classic femininity into the city that will never go out of style.
There’s nothing I love more than mixing contrasting elements in an outfit in unexpected ways. I wore my new favorite leggings under this sweet, button-up dress to brunch with Matthew this past Sunday at Jack n’ Jill’s. The faux leather vertical paneling brings a chic edge to any outfit.
Today, I wanted to share some of the best floral pieces I’ve come across lately. This Antipodium “House Rules” dress (above) and this Elizabeth and James “Marissa” dress (below) are my favorite dresses so far this season.
The trick to this first dress is all in the construction. It is a tailored shirt-dress, with a flattering peplum and sea foam green color-blocking. Modeled (below on the left) by my favorite fashion blogger, Emily Schuman, this flowy frock has almost all my favorite feminine elements: ruffles, flutter sleeves, a high-low skirt, an open scoop neckline, a well-defined waist, and a surprising detail – check out how the straps change from front to back!
From large, non-repetitive graphics to intricate tableaus, there is no end to the kinds of floral patterns you can find. This season is all about mixing prints – many I grew up thinking could never work together – so try a bold statement with pieces or outfits that combine different florals. Use color scheme and print scale to create edgy, aesthetically pleasing looks.
Humor and playfulness are important elements of fashion and design. Quirky, kitschy and whimsical prints always bring a smile to my face, especially when a garment’s cut and fit are also flattering.
The intricacy and whimsy of these wildlife graphics have really been catching my fancy lately. Each piece can inject life into an everyday look, like this Jill Stuart mod dress or these nautical Daughters of the Liberation shorts.
Try to avoid creating “theme” outfits surrounding items like these. Just because you’re wearing jelly fish on your shorts doesn’t mean you have to wear boat shoes. These pieces just add a wink and a smile to your already chic looks.
From fruits and flowers to postage stamps and umbrellas, these prints take ordinary items and create graphic statements. You say, “A camel?” Well, I say, “Why not a camel? It makes me smile.”
Another of my wonderful finds from Letters from LA! When I was just getting ready to leave with my Dolce Vita “Cheri” Romper and my Odette NY Totem Ring, the boutique’s owner, Sasha, suggested I try this Myne dress. I snagged it seriously on sale, with the belt featured in some of my past posts.
With this all-over, electric coral print, this dress really stands out against these neutral brown leathers and olive green tweed.
Don’t worry about matching the colors of your metals and leathers. If you’re going for a super-polished, minimalist look, then matching might be the way to go for you. However, I usually go for a more laid back, eclectic look.
Thoughtfully mixing neutrals, textures and metallics creates texture and interest in an outfit. The leathers range from light greyish-tan boots to a medium tawny purse to a dark chocolate brown belt. While my rings and earrings are both silver, I have golden hardware on my purse and a tarnished gold buckle on my thrift store belt.
I love that bright and neon colors have been so big for designers this season. Bright colors, like a shock of reddest-red, hot pink or highlighter yellow, pop unlike ordinary colors. Color-block different fluorescent colors in the same outfit for a look that’s full of energy, or let one bright make a chic statement against a neutral – even monochromatic – outfit.
Just as every woman should have a little black dress for the evening, every woman should have a clean white dress for summer. Free People has the light and easy white dress covered for the festival season.
Look for fringe, lace, embroidery and crocheted details to create a Romantic, free-spirited vibe. Go for a casual, down-to-earth twist with leathers, feathers, woods and beads in your accessories. Or, create an edgy-chic contrast with black, neon and metallics.
Even a simpler, more work appropriate, dress can retain a summer festival attitude with natural linen, raw edges and bohemian accessories, like this Koto Bolofo frock worn with beaded bracelets and these Gretchen or Kaelin Boots.
To create a truly dynamic look, try to balance out your look with masculine and feminine, dark and light, bright and neutral, hard and soft. I love the combination of these dark leather and studded boots with a flirty white dress.
And, always have a little fun with your accessories…
