Summer Wear

Photo of Dolores Del Rio via The Power of Glamour by Annette Tapert

One of my dear college friends, Carmen, posed a question for me on Facebook that I thought was worth posting:

Jennifer…give me your TOP 5 classic summer must haves and your TOP 5 summer 2009 must haves…

My thoughts…

Classic Summer Must Haves:
1. Camp shirt
2. White jeans
3. Metallic flats
4. Great T-shirt
5. Investment bag- classic shape and neutral color; I love the Almond (use code ARMCANDY for 25% off through April 29)

Current Summer Must Haves:
1. Pop of color (use code luckybreaks4 for 35% off through May 3. You might need to register before the promo code will work)
2. Flowy top (preferably floral)
3. Boyfriend shorts and/or BF jeans
4. Bib necklace
5. Romper/Jumpsuit

Value Shopping?

Value Shopping: wonderful! When done right. I was watching a commercial the other day and this store’s mantra was ‘value shopping’. But… uhmm… the outfits. No way! They wrapped up every trend of the season, color, embellishment and ruffle into one look and it did not play out well. That is not value shopping! That is spending money b/c said consumer thinks they are getting a bargain. But will said consumer wear that outfit next year? Probably not (they really shouldn’t be wearing it THIS year!).

So, how about this for value shopping? How about finding what you already love that is hanging in your closet and utilizing those pieces to their fullest potential? This will entail shopping, but you will be shopping for the ‘holes’ in your wardrobe. Now, THAT is bargain shopping!

Shop your closet:
Is there an unstructured jacket hanging in your closet? Work it with slouchy, straight cut (cuffed is nice) pants. Or, try pairing it with breezy, dressy shorts, and metallic flats or wedges.

Shop your closet:
Do you still have the cargo pants from a few years ago? Even better, do they have sort of a sheen? Roll them up (messy is fine) and try pairing them with a simple tank, oversized clutch, chunky bracelet, and heels for a night out. For another visual, jump over here.

photos from Stella McCartney, Dries Van Noten, Tory Burch and Richard Chai via Style.com

Blog Happy

Were you looking for this? It’s still around; it won’t be going anywhere. I have, however, started this new blog, which is specific to ‘wardrobing’. Please come back and visit often! And, don’t forget to visit Cakewalk while you’re at it! You can always find the link on the sidebar of this new blog.