School is almost out, and the snow may be gone for good. It is time to ditch the sweats for adorable summer duds seven days a week.
Think beyond the typical tank top and shorts, and experiment with some of the season's most unique items. The warm weather brings bright colors and patterns, new cuts and lengths all with a hint of fashion's past.
It's a season of dichotomy — whether you're strolling the city streets in tight, form-fitting skinny jeans of the '80s or high-waisted, wide-leg linen pants reminiscent of screen legend Katharine Hepburn or you're hitting the beach in a loose-fitting trapeze dress or a form-fitting shirt dress, opposites attract this summer. No matter what your style, there's something for everyone.
Chic chemises
Go with the flow with summer's blouses and tees in tunics, kimonos, babydolls and trapeze-style tops.
Tops stay at the hip or lower for summer, extending the classic tank and dropping the hem on other fashion stapleh as polo and button-up blouse.
The Kimchi & Blue Crochet and Applique Tunic, $48, can be found at Urban Outfitters in black, watermelon and mint shades adorned with bird appliqués and a delicate crocheted neckline for a unique touch.
Lacoste adds a feminine detail to its signature polos for summer. The new Lacoste Longer, Stretch Pique Polo is available at Bloomingdale's in fun summer hues like cherry blossom pink, citronelle yellow and tropical green for $75.
Guys can take a note from grandpa for summer nights. Sweater vests and cardigans finish off a classic tee and are great to lend to a chilly date. The Cotton Cashmere Cardigan from J. Crew in navy is a perfect complement piece at $88.
For a more simple, clean look, try the Unisex Sheer Jersey Short Sleeve Deep V-Neck from American Apparel. Available in 19 colors for $18, women can layer it with a tank and leggings, while guys can pair it with their favorite shorts or slim jeans.
Finishing touches
For summer's vintage-inspired looks, stilettos need not apply. Swap out the spikes for chunky stacked heels and dangerously high wedges.
Espadrilles are a casual alternative to heels but are still dressed up enough for a summer soiree. Mossimo for Target offers the Patty Espadrilles in red, white and blue for $24.99. The wedges tie around the ankle with a matching ribbon. Hint: If the ribbon keeps coming untied or shifting, try spraying the knot with some hairspray. It will stay in place and stay tight.
Ballet flats remain dominant for summer footwear, and with endless colors and varieties to choose from, comfort has a whole new style.
When returning to summer basics, men and women can explore the rainbow with flip-flops and sneakers in bold colors and patterns. Old Navy sells a variety of colored and patterned flip-flops for everyone from the color cautious to the hue crazed. At $3.50 a pair or two pairs for $5, they are perfect to stock up on. Nike offers range of bright sneakers in to fit any budget, and the classic Keds gets a makeover with new jazzed up styles for men and women.
To finish the look, it is about classic touches in bold colors for a polished complete look.
Head scarves and headbands keep uncooperative hair in check while adding a punch of color and style. Pick up a headband from Forever 21 to finish the ensemble. Prices range from $2.80 for satin to $5.80 for an animal print head wrap or braided headbands.
For gentlemen, fidel caps are replacing the baseball cap in assorted fabrics and colors. Try the Diesel Worker Cap in solid black with button details, $30, or the Triple Five Soul Crystal Springs Fidel in blue, beige and gray stripes, $32 — both are available at www.urbanoutfitters.com.
Necklaces with long chains complement longer tops and make a basic white tee all dressed up. The Coral Reef Necklace, $6.80, at Forever 21 has a 30-inch, gold chain and a pink coral cutout.
Bangles can be layered for a bohemian touch, in different colors, textures and widths.
The ear makes a statement this summer with striking shapes and designs. Try the eye-catching Angel Wing earrings by Betsey Johnson. The rose gold wings are adorned with delicate blue jewels for $35.
Sweet swimwear
This summer, you'll be seeing more than just moms wearing one-piece bathing suits. After about 50 years on the frumpy list, the one-piece is being reinvented in a stylish, 1950s-Marilyn Monroe way, complete with brief-cut bottoms and tiny, flouncy skirts.
Take for example, Chanel's spring 2007 ready-to-wear line, which features five different styles of swimsuit-inspired, white one-pieces. If that isn't evidence enough, click through Style.com's photos of Gucci's resort line, which reveals bathing suit-inspired, floral-printed one-pieces, or Prada's block-colored one-piece, complete with a tiny skirt covering the bottom half.
In keeping with the waist-cinching belt trend, many runways accessorized their one-pieces by cinching belts around the waists, which also make the bathing suits flattering.
For men's suits, one style that should never be worn — no matter how many times the Europeans have been offenders — is the Speedo. Instead, opt for board shorts, which hit just above the knee. They're not as baggy, heavy and long as large, cargo-pocketed bathing suits, but also aren't as tight and small as speedos.
J.Crew offers a variety of board shorts in many different styles. Try the light blue and white seersucker suit for $54.50, or the preppy patchwork board short for $59.50.
Flattering, fuss-free frocks
When its 85 degrees outside and you don't have the energy to put a top and bottom together, don't. After all, as you probably have heard by now, this is the season of the dress. Take advantage of this and stock up at Forever 21 — practically half of their inventory is purely dresses — and all around the price range of $20.
The dress rules are pretty lax — last year's cutesy dresses will work, along with this season's LWDs (little white dresses) and retro-inspired shirt dresses.
The Limited has bold-colored shirt dresses in red and purple, along with short-sleeved khaki ones, on sale for about $37.
If you get tired of wearing dresses daily, switch it up with a cute little one-piece romper dress and pair it with classic flats. Urban Outfitters carries rompers in gray and navy for $68, a green linen one for $58, and a black one with a flower in the middle of the top for $32, among other styles. Forever 21 carries a checkered, halter-style romper with red buttons down the front for $28.
The bottom half
Suck in the love handles and tie a linen belt around your waist — high-waisted shorts and pants are the trendy cut of the season. Wide-leg and high-waisted pants are especially flattering, as they make a waist and thighs look small.
To accentuate the high-waisted effect, wear with a tucked-in, flirty blouse, polo, or sleeveless top. Forever 21 carries high-waisted, sailor pants in black and taupe for about $22.80.
One trend that's maybe not so flattering is the short short. In bold colors such as green and red, and patterns such as polka dots and floral patterns, cuffed and buttoned tiny shorts are making a come back. Charlotte Russe carries green polka dotted shorts for $19.99, and J.Crew's white shorts with yellow polka dots for $68 are equally as cute — and have a slightly longer fit.
If you're daring enough to take this trend for a test drive, be cautious — find some that fit. If the trend just isn't working, skip it. Last year's Bermuda shorts are still chic, and another seasonal trend, cut-off, Bermuda-length jean shorts, will be a flattering replacement. Wear them with classic Keds and a cute T-shirt for an all-American, retro vibe.
For men's shorts, think golfer wear, such as plaid shorts and pants, which J.Crew has a plethora of for around $60. In classic 1950s style, jeans, pants and shorts are cut in leaner and shorter styles.
J.T. McPartlin, an apparel and textile design sophomore, loves the retro style.
"I really like vintage shorts, which are a little shorter than normal," he said. "I like wearing a lot of vintage things. I love the '50s, rock-a-billy, Elvis style. It's definitely coming back — it's becoming rebellious again."
Get inspired from Trovata's spring runway show, and wear cut-off khaki shorts, lean, rolled capris and slim white shorts worn with striped belts. It's clean, classic and beachy.
So here's your cornucopia of options to look effortlessly stylish this summer. But remember to inject your own personality into the mix.
Journalism sophomore Melissa Beard loves flowy dresses of the late '60s.
"My friends call me the artsy one of the group," she said. "I like bigger jewelry, and I love retro."
Whether you're a Jane Birkin like Beard, a Marilyn or a Fonzie, there's summer style for all.
