With summer just around the corner, everyone is stalking the Internet for this season’s breeziest trends. Look no further, because odds are you already own millions of these carefree, classic items.
For every beach affair: Meet sunglasses – the ultimate accessory to no make-up, when you are trying to soak up nice bits of rays, minus the crow’s feet. While pale may be the new pretty, because clearly no one wants melanoma, the urge to stretch out on a fluffy towel, with the smell of salt in the air, is still intoxicatingly tempting. A sick pair of shades completes any outfit (even one that resembles wardrobe on Miami Vice), and when the atmosphere is all about little makeup and wavy hair, slight coverage of the face can never hurt.
Wondering what to wear when you’re stuck in the humid dead center of an overpopulated city, for a summer internship, filled with big fashion gurus? No need to worry about shifty, uncomfortable tops and pencil skirts in the blistering heat, when you can class it up and still stay cool with a flowy sundress. Sundresses are timeless and they make great staple pieces for any summer occasion — especially date night, salsa dancing (hint, hint). Tea-length skirts are in, but if you’re feeling a little ballsy: throw caution to the wind and yank out that classic, knee-length sundress you’ve been dying to wear all year! It’s summer, so feel free to show off those bangin’, tan, freshly shaved legs of yours! Strut into the office with a casual cardi strewn over your new summer staple, and you will be sure to sweep your overly critical bosses off their feet, without fainting of heat exhaustion.
Summer classes are a great way to make new friends, and an even better way to spark up a new romance by casually making eyes at the cute boy sitting across the lecture hall. Who knows, you may see him out and about downtown later. So instead of falling into your usual grungy sweatshirts, reading glasses, and leggings motif, why not opt for something new? Maybe a snazzy, new romper? It’s comfy, cute, and surprisingly affordable. You can even wear it to lunch later, without feeling embarrassed, if he gains up enough courage to ask you to make a pit stop with him at the Union after class. Don’t forget to freshen up with some deodorant before you go, if you’re making a long trek across campus!
Have tickets to a music festival? Sleeveless anything, plus shades can only help in one-hundred, and rising, degree weather. Afraid of feeling bloated, sweaty, attacked by stray dust showers, or just worried about congested crowds? Well then, schmatta dresses will naturally be your key to surviving dead-hot weather, especially a shapeless, drop-waist dress. The flowy nature of the dress and sack-like quality allow you to a) hide any potentially embarrassing sweat stains and b) catch an unexpected, yet welcome breeze. Whether it’s SunFest or Bonnaroo, a road trip to Tennessee or a backyard venue, any twenty-something-or-another attending a festival should come in a playful drop-waist dress that effortlessly dances when she moves, and with a pair of sunglasses cemented to the brim of her nose; not only for style, but for protection. Frolic, sway, nod along, or spaz robotically to the music – you do you – as long as your festival escapades rightfully overflow with Snapchats, Instagrams, and Vines to document a #hobochic inspired summer to remember.
Which leads us to the best summer staple of all time, deodorant. Deodorant is not a suggestion when it comes to ninety-degree weather; a principle to live by in this day and age. Wear it. Take it everywhere. Keep a travel-sized deodorant in every bag. Your beach bag, going out bag, even your tiny clutch that doesn’t fit your phone, but can fit that tiny, little deodorant… take the deodorant. There’s no need to be embarrassed either. Put it on anywhere, in front of anyone, and more than likely strangers will be happier you shamelessly applied deodorant in public, than if you embarrassingly crossed your arms all day, stinking up your surrounding areas, in hopes that if you squeezed tight enough either the smell would disappear or no one would notice.
Here’s a hint: Deodorant for men is ten times more effective. Use it. Abuse it. Don’t lose it. You will scare people with your stench and beach bums are not as kind about ignoring it.
Therefore, no need to be basic when you can be classic by owning these summer staples, aka sporting a stick of Degree wherever you go. Not only will your friends rave over your new blasé, “throw-it-on-and-go” attitude towards style, but they will also love your hobo-chic take on life where your body odor doesn’t clash with your wardrobe. Remember it’s okay to look effortlessly homeless in bohemian rags, but when you start to smell homeless… all bets are off.
Hobo out.