Quite accidentally, I've stumbled upon some fabulous summer must haves without even meaning to. I've managed to buy several things that I plan on LIVING in this summer, and I'm quite proud to say that they're all very affordable.
You can't go damn anywhere without someone talking about gladiator sandals. So I'm glad I bought two pairs early. The first is a tan strappy number that goes halfway up my legs. The second, a lovely bronze flat sandal from Issac Mizrahi for Target. And finally, of course...the Dior knock offs inspired by the real thing Carrie rocked in Sex and the City.
Of COURSE every girl in the world wanted these shoes after they saw them. Thankfully, I got mine from Bakers for about $75 after shipping. Sure, it's a lot more than I normally pay for shoes. But it's also a far cry from the original 700+ the Diors would've cost me.
Secondly. The Maxi Dress. I'm a short girl, I'm not gonna lie, so this seemed like a trend that was completely lost on me. I always felt that the dresses made me look like I was going to a trashy prom or wedding. But I finally found a version at Target that made me fall in love. The tiered dress comes in colors and prints and in an extra small, it skims my ankles and leaves my feet barely exposed to show off those precious gladiators I've been buying. I bought it in brown, adored it, and went back and got a blue flower print very similar to the one shown there. It's absolutely perfect to just throw on with some cool gold hoops and sandals and you're ready to go. I love that! And I feel comfortable but still dressy enough to make it to dinner. Shopping, drinks, picking up the mail...I love love love this dress. So glad I have two.Third. Linen Pants. This is another investment I made twice. After seeing a spread in Lucky last month that featured the most beautiful Twelve by Twelve linen slacks, I decided I absolutely must have a pair. They're light-weight enough to don all summer, but have enough structure you can easily wear them to the office. I picked up a pair at Target that's brown pinstripe. The first day I wore it with black strappy espadrilles, a white ruffled top tucked in, with a bright blue skinny belt. The next time I rocked them with a black racer back tank, pearls, and my bronze gladiator sandals. They can be dressy and cool depending on what you wear them with. I loved them so much I ordered the exact same pair in black. They should arrive today.
As I mentioned with the pants, I'm loving tanks this year. Last year it was all about the spaghetti strap with bright patterns and funky accents. This year, I am SO into the racerback tank it's not even funny. I love pretty colors and fun details, like maybe a sequin or rouching, or some ruffles. It's decent enough to wear to work but still cool enough that you can stand to be outside. Looks great with pants, shorts, skirts...and if all else fails, you can always wear it to the gym.
Shorts. Shorts! I love short shorts and I love that this season, there are so many cute styles to wear. I'm loving the plaids and seersucker and high waists. I absolutely snapped up a few pairs at Forever 21 that in different colors and plaids, but I think my favorite is the sailor short. It's navy with the little gold buttons up the front, and absolutely precious with almost anything. In fact, I love the nautical look all together right now, I just bought a fantastic grey striped pull over that will look fantastic with a pair of little shorts and a fun belt. Shorts are cool too because you can pair them with lots of different shoes. Flip flops for a casual day at the park, gladiators for day, flats for work, heels or espadrilles for night. In the winter I love wool shorts with tights. In the summer, I like showing some skin!
5th...I have no idea what number it is actually, summer is all about the fabulous sunglasses. I finally found my perfect pair at nordstrom this past trip to PHX by Marc Jacobs. They fit my face, they block the sun, and they make me feel fabulous. I feel like sunglasses is always an area where you can spend just a liiiittle more and get a LOT more enjoyment out of them! It's definitely worth it to do the dramatic on and off motion with a fabulous pair of shades. I would wear mine inside if it didn't make me look like a complete freak.
Finally, my summer staple that's perfect with everything - the warm weather scarf. I picked up a goldish colored woven scarf with shiney gold threads in it at Forever 21 the other day, and I love that it adds a funky polish to any outfit. I wore it with a green ballerina dress, a black tank, and a plain white tee. You can wrap it around your neck, your head, tie it on your purse, maybe even wear it around your waist. There are plenty of cute warm scarves at Old Navy, Gap, XXI, even Wet Seal is jumping on that bandwagon. It's definitely the easiest way to dress or funk up an outfit that was otherwise a little boring.And then there are the summer staples that are always awesome. Yellow anything, a little black bikini, white pants, big earrings...the list goes on and on. I'm absolutely on the hunt right now for a white vest suit. White vest that goes with anything, white pants that go with anything, and then you can put them TOGETHER? I'm totally sold. And I'm really into big funky earrings and colorful envelope clutches.
So happy summer! These are the things I'm raving about. What's in your shopping bag this year?
