In this month’s blog, we share 5 easy ways to freshen your summer style without breaking the bank. Enjoy!
#1 Slide into New Summer Sandals
While it’s always good to have some traditional flip-flops on hand to get you through the summer months, overwearing them outside of coffee and beach runs can get you in a summer style rut. Hit your favorite discounter (TJ Maxx, Marshalls and DSW are a few of our faves) and check out what they have in the casual shoe department beyond flip-flops. The “help yourself” simplicity of these stores makes it easy to target your size (they stack boxes of each shoe style under the display shoes.) Slides with and without ankle straps are very popular right now and work for many different sizes and shapes of feet. Both flats and those with block heels are most on trend. Your flip-flops will forgive you for cheating on them – promise!
#2 Add a New Dress that Reflects How You Live
We call dresses “onesies” for adults – there is simply no easier way for women to dress in the summer for work or play. Have a corporate job? A sheath dress in a fun summer color will brighten your mood and professional style persona. Bone and beige footwear is a good choice to gently ground colorful dresses while at work. With kids most days in warm weather? A simple sundress can be your best summer closet friend. Fabrics should be wrinkle resistant and machine washable. Could your social style use a boost? A sultry maxi (or mini!) dress that makes you feel your personal best can add boatloads to your after-5 style. Best part, you’ll be hard-pressed to pay full price on any summer dress right now.
#3 Swap Out Cardigans with Jean Jackets
Having layering pieces on hand to chase the chill of inconsistent summer temperatures (never mind air conditioning!) is always a smart summer dressing strategy. For years, we have made sure all clients had a multitude of summer cardigans in a variety of colors, cuts and fabrics on hand for this purpose. Lately, we are reaching for jean jackets to complete casual summer dress, short, pant and skirt outfits. Traditional blue denim and white denim styles are our top go-to colors. Every designer and brand makes a jean jacket these days, making them a staple for all ages.
#4 Contrasting Colors
Shopping in your closet for new summer outfits becomes less complicated when you think in terms of contrasting colors. Have a fun pair of hot pink summer shoes that you never know how to wear? Consider pairing them with royal blue, yellow or green clothing. If you have a lot of color in your wardrobe and struggle with what type of footwear to pair with it, silver, pewter and gold shoes and sandals are an easy choice. Get your color contrast fix by then adding a clutch, tote or other pocketbook with a color that is in the outfit. You’ll avoid that “matchy-match” look while adding just enough of a good thing!
#5 Key Accessories
Our friends at Stella & Dot make it easy to use accessories to enhance summer style. From sunglasses (yup, they are important to getting your summer style on!), statement earrings (and necklaces!), scarfs and bags, adding a few new accessories might be all you need to make everything you already have look brand new.
Editor’s Note: Our team is back from their summer vacations and available to help you mix and match what you already have for summer style or help you take advantage of summer clearance (and early fall) sales that are raging right now. Contact us at info@dressingwell.com to learn more about how our private client services work. We welcome the opportunity to work with you.