What to Wear When It's Too Hot To Wear Anything

If you consider "accidentally" walking into the sprinklers every time you pass them or  purposely spilling ice cubes from your sparkling water into your v-neck silk blouse, then it has officially gotten way too hot. Before you succumb to summer hibernation and binge watch Sex and The City for the 67th time, here are a few outfits that will allow you to leave your apartment without melting into a puddle of BB Cream, sunglasses and sunblock.

Idea #1: Brunch, Drinks or Dinner Date

By wearing an off-the-shoulder dress you are exposing your shoulders and glorious collarbones to any possible breeze that might occur per fifty minutes. The espadrilles are comfortable for walking long distances and super, super cool. The bag adds major beach vibes, even if you're stuck in the city.

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 Idea #2: Cocktails, Lunch and Shopping or Creative Job

In a creative working place, this kind of outfit is allowed. At a Real Estate office, maybe not. If inappropriate, opt for cucumber sushi rolls with an old friend, too many Sex on the Beach(es) or finally shop that sale you've been eyeing.

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Idea #3: Casual Afternoon, Sightseeing or Park Wandering 

No need for heels here. A laid-back afternoon is an event everyone looks forward to. Stay looking cool in a denim mini (not the Mean Girls inspired version) suede sandals and a shoulder-bearing top with major sleeve interest. The embroidered bag takes the lead, and bows, with butterfly-clad grace.

Say It With Stripes

Stripes make a simple but bold statement during the summer and I can't seem to get enough of it. When delivered in a silk maxi dress, its combining a few of my favorite things. 

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Top Ten Bags To Carry You Through Summer

A new bag is the equivalent of the best parts of a summer vacation: exciting, purposely refreshing and revitalizing when thinking of all the places you'll carry it. It's representative of the act of leaving the old behind and replacing it with the promise of a new story, new beginnings, and memories that include receipts, clothing tags (if you rip off the tag right after purchasing like I tend to do) and business cards you may never use. 

A bag is more than just that — a bag. Three simple letters. One manmade purpose: to hold all your luggage and junk. But that is simply not true! A bag contains the most important things to you, your identity, for one, and your favorite lip color which is basically the same thing. 

Finding a perfect bag isn't easy. Especially during the summer when the last thing you want is a heavy, leather-something tugging down your shoulder or a clutch taking away your ability to multitask (drink a Summertime Sadness at Henry's while taking an Instagram picture of your wristwear with said drink) Which is exactly why your new summer bag should be special enough and beautiful enough to take away one of your hands. 

Now I guarantee you will find a new bag-friend below, one that will carry you through the summer and emerge again the next. After all, how can you resist these? How could you say no to wicker, prints and toted embroidery?

'Virgin Suicides', Killer Summer Wardrobe

In honor of it reaching eighty-eight scorching degrees in the past week, I now deem summer's sweaty arrival as here. And with summer being here I cannot help but search for inspiration. In this search for inspiration, I tend to ritualistically return to the book and film The Virgin Suicides. 

The Sophia Coppola films dreamlike aesthetic has influenced an entire generation of wishful girls by defining female fashion choices in the 70's: coyness versus skimpiness, childhood fabrics against new coming sexuality, lace dresses, muted florals and pink bras covering crucifixes. Although sad in a sense, the movie focuses on five sisters imprisoned in their own super feminine, frilly, childlike rooms created by parents who are afraid for their daughters to grow into women. 

A quick summary (via google) : In an ordinary suburban house, on a lovely tree-lined street, in the middle of 1970s America, lived the five beautiful, dreamy Lisbon sisters, whose doomed fates indelibly marked the neighborhood boys who to this day continue to obsess over them. A story of love and repression, fantasy and terror, sex and death, memory and longing. It is at its core a mystery story: a heart-rending investigation into the impenetrable, life-altering secrets of American adolescence.

But! This is not meant to dwell on the tragedy of the Lisbon sisters. It is to once again point out the beautiful, dreamy style the film encourages. 

1. Prom night

While the girls were subject to extra fabric and length (aka white sacks) there are plenty of breezy, floral dresses, but midi and maxi, that just get the epitome of summer effortlessness. The Zimmermann silk cotton floral dress is exactly that. 

2. Twirling in lace

Cecelia Lisbon twirling in a lace, chiffon dress. While this one is notoriously TVS, there are alternatives that speak directly to summer. A broderie-anglaise cotton dress or crochet off-the-shoulder linen dress will suffice.

3. A sign of the times: striped and cropped

The pattern. Oh, the pattern. Striped tops in the 70's were a massive trend that is still circulating today. 

4. Ruffled tops at the party. 

You already know my love for ruffles. And I know your love for ruffles. On the pricey side, Elie Saab's ruffled crepe gown is my number one pick. But my pockets suggest a Topshop sleeveless shirt.

Ruffles For Spring, Groundbreaking.

Let's play a game. Imagine you are suddenly five years old again. To you, the word 'ruffles' conjures up your entire wardrobe. A wardrobe that's probably stacked to the ceilings with pink frills, lace detailing, church dresses and colored stockings. You have yet to experience a world where grown women (those tall people walking around, fussing on the phone) wear such feminine detailing. 

Now, open your eyes. The seasons ruffles are romantic, subtle and delicate. From cascading layers to sheer tiers, femininity was in fine form at Paris Fashion Week. Leather ruffles appeared at Alexander McQueen, chiffon was abundant at Giambattista Valli and Proenza Schouler exuded major spanish vibes. Although I have never been a ruffle girl myself, I couldn't escape it. Everywhere I turned, my favorite minimal pieces were punctuated by it. The more it appeared, the more I considered it as an option. The frills of late may by flouncy by essence but are neither overly girly or too princess-like in execution. That makes for a perfect embellishment. 

If afraid to dive right into this trend, opt for one piece. I went for this one shouldered, subtly striped Zara top and paired it with cropped and belted Asos trousers, Carolina Herrera sandals and white L'oeil box bag. I don't know about you, but now that i've worn it, i'll be living in this feminine trim for as long as the sun will allow. 

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Warm Weather 101: The Bathing Suit

Oh, God.

It's happening again.

Summer is coming. Summer is coming and I along with many other people have not stuck to the number one New Year's resolution: Get in shape. I can count on one hand how many times i've gone to the gym this year and I can tell you officially that salad does not taste like pizza. I still don't have a six pack and I still can't pronounce quinoa but I do have a guide for you today.

Bathing suit shopping can (and probably will always be) a dreadful event. The lights are harsh, the mirrors are too close and the body is inherently flawed. But, But! That doesn't mean shopping for a new suit has to be totally terrifying. Here are some tips and tricks for everybody and every body to remember before you stand underneath those fluorescent lights and decide on a turtleneck for vacation.

1) Disguise a tummy: Ruched fabric strategically placed as the waist can more than make up for the lack of abs existing there. The deeper the neckline the better.

2) Elongate legs: Baywatch knew what they were doing. Channel your inner 90's supermodel with high cuts. Think Cindy Crawford, think Pamela Anderson.

3) Lift boobs: This is important, very important. Suits with a wide strap, halter-neck or structured cups lift and hold what gravity won't.

4) Enhance a flat booty: Not everyone has been blessed with a Kim Kardashian (wait, was she even blessed with it?) bottom. Show a little cheek with a boy short or add in some frills with a print.

5) Small chest: PADDING. Patterned and embellished tops can also create an illusion. Like a magician.

6) Downplaying Broad Shoulders: Cut-outs and asymmetrical tops break up the neckline and draw the eye up and away instead of straight across.

7) Ample backside: Tugging for more coverage can be frustrating so opt for a bathing suit that has a side tie. You can adjust accordingly.

8) Hide muffin tops & Bulges: A high waist two piece that hits just above the navel or a one piece with slight gathering helps eliminate those stubborn womanly issues.

9) Curvy thighs: To flatter a fuller thigh, bottoms with a skirt or a boyshort can help conceal the top part of the leg that we all seem to have an issue with. Also, feel free to go shave-free. 

The Chambray Jumpsuit

Ugh-Resistant Dressing