Kill the Khakis! (Some Summer Style Tips)

We need some new rules for summer Fridays at the office. Dressing down from Memorial Day to Labor Day has come to mean tossing on a pair of tired frayed khakis and heading out the door. Instead of tossing them on, toss them out! The office fashionista has other options like a cute white denim pencil skirt paired with a cool slim fitting tee or button down. She could also slip into a sleek sleeveless belted sheath dress with a pair of cute flat sandals in a hot color. 

Cropped pants are always appropriate.  Today’s model features a narrower leg than that of a couple of years ago, and they lend a sophisticated, tailored tone to business casual. Wedges, pointy toe flats, espadrilles, or fabulous platform pumps all rock the crops.

Grab a fitted vest and pop it over a longer fitted t-shirt in a contrasting color.  Add a funky beaded necklace. Wear with the pencil skirt, cropped pants, or sleek dark wash jeans.

Speaking of jeans, relegate those faded, torn jeans to clean-the-garage garb. Don’t you dare wear them to work! Invest in a pair of well-fitted (but not skin tight) dark wash jeans.  Skinny or boot cut doesn’t matter, both are current. Pair them with silky, flowy tops tucked into your waistband. And, always wear a belt!  They serve two purposes, to keep your pants up and pull together your look. Just forget about that ancient rule about shoes and belts matching; work the personal style! 

Most important--wear color! We swaddle ourselves in gray and black during the colder months. Summer is the time to bust out in a rainbow of red, yellow, aqua, and green. Choose a lime green bag to wear with your coral dress. Drape an orange scarf over the royal blue tee. Choose a bold print over a dainty one. You'll look gorgeous!

‘Nuff said. There should be enough style tips here to get you through the next eight summer casual Fridays. Call me if you need me!

Dream Come True

Ever dream of being a princess—being swept off your feet by the prince of your choice—Justin Timberlake, Isaiah Mustafa (the Old Spice Guy), or Jon Hamm?  Dancing til’ dawn in Jimmy Choo glass slippers, then being whisked away in a horse-drawn carriage to a storybook castle. Or maybe your dream takes place on the red carpet when you hit your mark for the paparazzi while deftly deflecting Joan and Melissa’s sophomoric snark.

This shimmering taffeta skirt from The Wardrobe Boutique is glamorous, romantic, elegant, and for aspiring princesses everywhere.  It’s lined with a crinoline underskirt for volume. I felt like making an entrance the first time I wore it.  Luckily my carriage did not turn into a pumpkin at midnight.

Sunkist Feet

Who could resist these orange patent leather Unisa sandals?  This is one of my amazing finds at The Wardrobe Boutique. These adorable sandals were brand new and available to the foot-baring public for only $20!  The tropical popsicle-orange is intense but a surprisingly neutral color, and the style rocks cropped pants, maxis, shorts, and casual dresses.  They’re beach ready, whether you’re headed to the Italian Riviera or Wildwood.  I can practically smell the Banana Boat suntan lotion!

Resale Superstar

I love having a hidden stash of treasures that were curated by sorting through piles of donated unusables.  Sensational shoes, beautiful bags, dazzling dresses, and spectacular shirts from The Wardrobe Boutique fill my cramped closets.  I’ve gotten some incredible deals there that are almost too good to be legal.

Casual Friday posts over the next few weeks will feature an amazing item that I scored from the Boutique during the last few months. Enjoy!

Don’t Tell Me Your Secrets

Ladies, ladies, ladies!  It’s hot. The air is thick and spongey. Extra layers can be uncomfortable, but it’s kinda important to wear underwear during the summer.  Manage your assets!  Stop the spillage, slippage, and seepage!

We all love strapless—it’s sexy and cool—but make sure that the ta-tas aren’t too-too. If the top of your dress barely contains your gifts, consider buying the next size up or make an adorable fitted lace cami or funky racerback tank your first layer.

Strapless bras don’t have to be those uncomfortable bandeaus that flatten your figure into a uniboob.  Strapless bras that lift and flatter, add or subtract, can be found everywhere at every price point.

If your dress is white or sheer make sure that the color of your undies match your flesh. How many times have I seen fuchsia panties under a white dress?  Eliminate panty lines with a pair of cute boy shorts.  Trust me, they are way more comfortable than fanny floss, and also work well under a slinky knit dress.

Look sleek, not sloppy, in the sizzling heat.  Keep your cool by wearing the right pieces.