Most of us add to our wardrobe in order to stave off the inevitable “I have nothing to wear!” mornings. What girl wants to open her wardrobe only to discover same, same, same? Face it, fashionistas, we love the luxury of options! Wonderfully, the fashion of summer 2011 is all about options. Each of the plethora of emerging trends can all be traced back to one of three eras: the 20s, the 50s, or the 70s, the latter being the most prevalent this season.
The 20s inspired look.
Only hints of this look have entered the fashion world lately, but they are there none the less! The drop-waist or waistless silhouette is common in many dresses this season. Don’t be afraid to forgo the waist-defining elastic belt every once in a while; allow the fabric to flatter you! Also, try incorporating (or embellishing some pieces you already have) with sweet bows (tied to your hat, pinned to your dress etc.), as well as some long, body-elongating necklesses.
The 50s inspired look.
Like the 20s inspired trends, the 50s looks tend to appear in dressy clothing. The classic 50s look, the housewife dress (trim bodice with a full skirt), is stepping into the spotlight again. The sweet, feminine look can be achieved via dress or with a fitted top (sleeveless or sweater), wide belt, and a very full, mid-calf length skirt. Polka dot pattern is becoming a more common in tops and dresses also. So indulge your inner soda-shop frequenting girl and slip into a classic look from this era. I recommend Lauren Conrad's "Ciao Bella" Collection for 50s inspired dresses.
The 70s inspired look.
This option will give you the most wiggle room within the wardrobe you already have. Experiment with patterns; nautical stripes in vibrant colors (such as cobalt blue, electric pink, eye-grabbing orange, or lush green) and floral patterns with a punch, to name a few. Experiment with your silhouette; you can try baby doll, high waist, or waistless silhouettes. Experiment with textures; keep wearing your frilly tops of the last couple seasons, and mix lace and chiffon and cotton and jean without fear. 70s is about overdoing it a little bit!
The 70s look can go two ways—either boho or Charlie’s Angel fierce. For an example of a boho look, think a patterned chiffon and lace top in a baby doll cut paired with wide-leg jeans and some flatforms (platforms without a heel). A fierce 70s vibe can be created with, for instance, a brightly-colored striped blouse tucked into high-waisted black pants, adding some sleek platforms to finish the look. If you’re brave, you can try a black jumpsuit with a wide belt.
For those of you more practical fashionistas who would like just a few elements of summer fashion (top trends) to incorporate into your wardrobe, I’ll throw a few at you:
1. Nautical Stripes, Polka Dots, and Florals
2. Pops of Color (shoes, hair accessory, necklace, lipstick, etc.)
3. Texture (lace, crochet, chiffon, etc.)
4. Unexpected Combos (mixing patterns, colors, and textures)
5. Platforms or Flatforms
Don’t be afraid to be bold this summer. <3
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