Though I am guilty as charged of all these as an avid fashionista, the latter is obviously my forte. So, with that being said, here a few of my favorite summer finds so far that will be great replacements for your boring maxis, Abercrombie denim cuttoffs and flowly pleated skirts. Some have already been added to the wardrobe and some are hopefuls.... dad, I hope you're reading this. :)
1. The High-Low Skirt (instead of your maxi)
Though Forever 21 is not usually a favorite of mine, given that their merchandise is known to turn to dust the first time you touch it, they have incredibly disgusting labors laws and their CEO has almost no morals (end of rant, sorry)... Forever can often be good for those incredibly trendy finds you just cannot seem to find anywhere else. After scouring the Nordstrom webpage, I was disappointed and a little surprised that none of their buyers have caught on to this trend. The High-Low, The Mullet, The A-Symmetrical skirt, whatever you wanna call it, is already a huge trend for this Spring and Summer. Where to Wear It
It is fun and flirty in the front yet long and elegant in the back which makes it appropriate for classic Spring and Summer events such as
- Grad Parties
- Weddings
- End-Of-The-Year Banquets
- Brunch
- Family Gatherings
How to Wear It
Because it has a maxi feel in the back, heels would be your best best in order to get the hemline off the floor. And because it is a summer trend, you can never go wrong with wedges. Depending on the print and color, almost any plain top goes well with this skirt. If you are feeling bold, tighter tops look cute as a contrast to the flowing nature of the skirt, however, if your tummy is not quite bikini-flat and summer-ready yet, you can do a loose shirt like i did.
2. Colored Denim Cutoffs (instead of your Abercrombie cutoffs)
Everyone knows that since last spring, colored denim has been huge. Well, my favorite colored denim find of the Spring and Summer so far has been when I was Cabo shopping for this year's spring break. I found these fun Free People cutoffs that come in a variety of different colors. They are loose fitting which gives the image of slimmer legs and since they are fun colors, they are an easy way to add spunk to an outfit.
Where To Wear Them
They are fun an casual so they are perfect for:
- picnics
- beach days
- the pool
- daytime hanging with friends
Or you can dress them up (which I will talk about below) and wear them out at night to a party or the bars!
How To Wear Them:
For daytime, they can be worn pretty casual and with almost any shoes. I've worn mine with everything from closed-toe slip ons (like Sperrys and Toms) to flip flops. As for a tops, again if you are feeling daring enough to show off your tummy, cropped shirts are always cute to give the colored shorts a boho vibe. If you are feeling a bit more conservative, I would suggest tucking in a shirt and blousing it with a skinny belt. This is also a great way to dress up the shorts and make them look a bit classier for nighttime. Also, pairing them with embellished sandals like these Dolce Vita's will dress them up a bit for a nighttime outfit.
**Remember, when color-blocking your outfit, always use two colors that are on opposite sides of the colors wheel** For example: Green&Pruple, Teal&Orange or Blue&Yellow.
...And for the trend that I am currently obsessed with but have yet to purchase,
3. The Laced Shorts (instead of your bandage skirt or your flowy pleated skirt)
They are not really a trend that I would normally pick up on. I am not usually a fan of anything lace but for some reason, these have me captivated. I have not seen them much out and about only really on Pinterest, fashion blogs, TV and celebrities but it did not take long for me to figure out why... Nordstrom only caries one pair. It took me a while to find a pair that weren't sold in a disposable fashion retailer which probably means that they will be a quick fad. But, they have yet to hit the streets and they are simply adorable so why not spend some money on a pair you will get a lot of use out of this summer?? I'm sure there will be fun ways to recycle these shorts once September hits.
Where To Wear Them:
Since they are lace, they are a bit more formal and would be worn at the same kind-of events as the High-Low Maxi, however, since they are generally pretty short and flirty and not as formal as the high-low, they can still be worn out at night.
- Any of the events listed in the High-Low maxi category
- BBQs
- Parties
- Bars
**However, if the event you are going to is more conservative, use caution. To some (less fashion-forward people) these could be construed as a bit racy. Be aware of how tight they are, the length and what kind of top and shoes you are pairing with them.**
How To Wear Them:
For a fun, flirty look out with friends or to the bars wear them with heels, this will make your legs look stellar. Pair with a tight cami or tank tucked in or a cropped top since generally these laced shorts come up pretty high on the waist. Lastly, be sure to offset how much fabric is involved in the lace shorts with a lot of hardware. A chunky necklace or stacked bracelets should do the trick.
For a more conservative look, stick to flats. Either ballet flats or fun, embellished sandals like the ones in the cuttoffs section above would look great. Keep them formal though, no flip flops. You can still wear a tight tank like I already said, however throw something over the tank to cover up your shoulders. Try to stay away from sweaters. Since the loose lace already gives off a flowy vibe, pull things together on top with a tailored blazer like this one.
Hope you found some fun new ways to update your summer wardrobe! Check out a few of my other favorite summer finds for 2012:
1. Sperry's are not just for frat boys, check out these metallic Sperry's for a fun twist on a classic summer trend.
2. These Rainbow Sandals are my best friends in the summer. I call them "the summer version of the Ugg boot" because they perfect to slip on for quick errands and go with any cute, daytime summer outfit. The best part? If they break just send them back to Rainbow for a brand new pair.
*Splurge Alert* 3. I love scarves. They can dress up an outfit so easily. However, in the summer you have to find scarves that are lightweight in order to stay cool. This lightweight Alexander McQueen scarf is perfect for the summer because it is made out of lightweight silk and keeps you cool. Not to mention, I love the skulls.
4- Lightweight Cardigans like this one are perfect for throwing over your cute cutoff-shorts outfit when the sun goes down to keep the chills away for a bonfire or a beach walk.
Hope you found some fun new ways to update your summer wardrobe! Check out a few of my other favorite summer finds for 2012:
1. Sperry's are not just for frat boys, check out these metallic Sperry's for a fun twist on a classic summer trend.
2. These Rainbow Sandals are my best friends in the summer. I call them "the summer version of the Ugg boot" because they perfect to slip on for quick errands and go with any cute, daytime summer outfit. The best part? If they break just send them back to Rainbow for a brand new pair.
*Splurge Alert* 3. I love scarves. They can dress up an outfit so easily. However, in the summer you have to find scarves that are lightweight in order to stay cool. This lightweight Alexander McQueen scarf is perfect for the summer because it is made out of lightweight silk and keeps you cool. Not to mention, I love the skulls.
4- Lightweight Cardigans like this one are perfect for throwing over your cute cutoff-shorts outfit when the sun goes down to keep the chills away for a bonfire or a beach walk.
