TulsaPeople / June 2010 / Summer chic

 Email  Print

Summer chic

Tulsa’s fashion experts weigh in on the must-haves for summer style.

TERRI'S RECOMMENDS ...

Skinny jeans in dark denim or black. The skinny jean is great with gladiator sandals and a tank top for the summer, and with boots and oversized sweaters for the fall. It makes a great transitional piece.

Vests. Consider this the new finishing piece.

Statement accessories. Whether a striking piece of jewelry or an eye-catching belt, statement pieces instantly update a look or take it in a different direction.

Mix feminine and masculine pieces. Menswear and boyfriend styles paired with feminine blouses create a nice juxtaposition.

Embrace pattern. Now is the time to make plaid, animal prints, snakeskin and even embroidery part of your wardrobe.

This season’s splurge: Sunglasses are an accessory that you will wear every day and will not only look fashionable but will also protect your eyes from harmful rays.

What to save and refresh: Your little black dress — everyone should own one of these, and it can be easily updated with new jewelry, a scarf or a belt.

Favorite designers: We have several lines we love, but Vince is a favorite because of its fabulous fabrics and Joie is great for its fit and styling.

MISS JACKSON'S RECOMMENDS ...

A jersey dress with one or two interesting details. Nothing’s more wearable when it’s hot, but look for a style with a unique design element to set it apart from basic tank dresses. Go for a beautiful print, a one-shoulder style or ruched or gathered fabric. Just make sure the shape is versatile enough for belting, layering or dressing up with jewelry; give yourself plenty of options.

A not-too-high slip-on wedge. It’s just as easy and comfortable as a flip-flop but far more interesting with skinny jeans and a T-shirt. Choose a wedge in a material that has a textural element, such as cork, wood or espadrille-style rope. Look for comfy but not-so-basic straps, too; there are plenty out there with woven, braided or metallic leathers.

A cotton cardigan in a bright color. You need to have something to throw on over simple tank tops and summer dresses to add some interest, but you don’t want anything too bulky in the heat of summer. Do a three-quarter-length or cap sleeve, and pick a color that brightens your face and eyes.

Breton stripes. Navy, white, black, creams, reds and grays have a clean and classic nautical feel, but you can work them into all kinds of looks, from tough and modern to super-feminine. And because a neutral stripe is practically seasonless, you’ll be wearing them well into the fall.

An embellished top with a little bit of volume. The beading makes it special; a simple, loose-fitting silhouette makes it wearable and summer-weather-friendly.

This season’s splurge: Buy a gorgeous handbag, and don’t shy away from it just because it’s not neutral. This season’s offerings are much more vivid than fall’s and winter’s, so now is the time to grab a jewel-toned bag or one in a muted shade such as slate blue or mauve. As long as you steer clear of anything too citrusy or pastel, you’ll wear it all year long.

What to save and refresh: Go through your jewelry box and pull out pieces you haven’t worn in a while. Try wearing a bold and unexpected combination of necklaces with a basic white T-shirt or tank. Don’t worry about matching; complementary colors are always more eye-catching. Wear an old green cocktail ring with a new melon-hued dress — both pieces will stand out all the more.

Favorite designers: We love Alice + Olivia this summer for dresses, cuffed shorts and soft layering pieces; designer Stacy Bendett always seems to find the perfect mix of edgy and girly.

LITTLE BLACK DRESS RECOMMENDS ...

Gray jeans. A nice departure from traditional denim, gray jeans look great with a colorful top for summer and will transition perfectly into fall and winter.

Something pastel. Pink, blue, purple and green were all shown for spring. Pair them with a neutral as we go into fall and you’ll still have a great pop of color.

Sheer knit top. This can be layered with a colorful camisole during summer and worn under a sweater as the weather gets cooler.

Shirt-dress. Wear it now as a dress or swimsuit cover-up and later as a tunic with skinny jeans, leggings or tights.

Something denim, besides jeans. We have several denim and chambray dresses in the store for spring, but they will be great for summer as well. Because of the neutral color, these will also be perfect transitioning items for fall.

This season’s splurge: Something with a lot of color, such as a dress or tunic. We tend to gravitate toward neutrals because they are “safe,” but if you splurge, get something with color that will make you feel good.

This season’s save: A colorful camisole, scarf or piece of jewelry is the best way to infuse color into a basic wardrobe. Put any of these items with a basic-color T-shirt and some great-fitting jeans and you’ve instantly achieved a fresh summer look.

Favorite designers: One of our new favorites is Parameter. It’s a colorful knit and silk line we just started carrying. It’s easily wearable by many age groups, is moderately priced and the details are amazing.

SIDEWAYS RECOMMENDS ...

Parisian influences. Body-conscious shapes, stripes and bright prints — no matter how you mix and match the style, Parisian influences are a must-have addition to your wardrobe this season. Find the perfect touch of French influence to feel like an American in Paris.

Sweet florals. Dainty floral prints in bold or soft colors are everywhere this season. Update your look by layering these all-over prints with a solid, light-weight cardigan; add a belt for definition.

Art-inspired prints. Whether watercolor, digital or abstract, art-inspired prints are all the rage for summer. Freshen up your look with one of these masterpieces either in a dress, sweater or blouse. These pieces will easily transition into fall by just switching out the accessories. Swap the turquoise sandal with opaque tights, boots and a chunky sweater for the perfect fall look.

Ruffles. Either at the shoulder, hem or all over, ruffles add a feminine whimsy to your summer look. These soft pieces can be dressed up with a high-waisted skirt and heels or dressed down with jeans and a gladiator sandal.

Embellished accessories. Jeweled, appliquéd or studded embellished footwear and bags will add the perfect update to your summer look. Platform heels with floral appliqués add the right amount of girlish charm to a summer outfit, while a zipper-embellished purse brings a rock ’n’ roll edge to any look.

This season’s splurge: A bold-colored handbag. Update your look with a bright tote in plum snakeskin from Dolly & Angel, leaf-green woven satchel from Melie Bianco or an orange studded hobo from Deux Lux.

What to save and refresh: We strive for a year-round closet of neutral basics that you can change with new accessories or key trends for the season. For example, last fall’s gray light-weight cardigan can work with this summer’s floral dress to make it more casual for work, and last fall’s must-have black skinny jean when paired with Parisian blouses and ruffled tops looks lighthearted and summer appropriate. You can get year-round wear out of quality items that you love by simply changing the accessories on the outfit to update the look.

Favorite designers: Our favorite Sideways designer for summer is Hazel. The garments have a bohemian spirit that never goes out of style. Whimsical prints, classic fits and artistic detailing make these items perfect for Tulsa’s summer weather and lifestyle. Hazel dresses, tops and skirts are easy summer pieces that you can throw on and look completely pulled together without even trying.