Now that the weather is warmer, the North Face-plus- leggings-and-Uggs look (guilty) has given way to summer dresses and flip-flops. Put away your dark, heavy clothing and make room for my top five must-have items that will make getting dressed for class a lot more fun.
1. Pick a Color, Any Color
This trend may seem obvious, but many people, like me, do not have every color of the rainbow present in their closets. Bright colors can be scary, especially when paired together because they can easily become a fashion disaster if not done correctly. If you are hesitant about this trend, try one bright piece such as a cardigan or cute shorts, and pair it with neutral or muted colors. You will be colorful and summery without looking like a Rubik’s cube.
2. Return of the Maxi
The maxi dress is back with full force. It is a versatile trend as it can be very feminine with super cute wedges and floral patterns, or edgy with gladiator sandals and tribal patterns. This is a great trend because there are a myriad of ways to wear it (halter, bandeau, skinny straps, etc.), which allows women of all shapes and sizes to enjoy it for various occasions.
3. Pump, Pump, Pump It Up
For the last few seasons, the tight, high-waist pencil skirt has dominated the fashion world. This spring, pump up the volume and opt for loose-fitting dresses and skirts that give your body room to breathe. Not only are they lightweight and cool, but they can be paired with different items so you can change your look without changing the dress. For class, pair a monotone cardigan with a printed dress and belt it. Finish it off with gladiator sandals. If you’re running late after your dreadful Thursday night class and you have to quickly change to go out, remove the cardigan, add some chunky jewelry and put on your nighttime makeup. Voila! You’re good to go.
4. Wedged Sandals
I am a big believer in heels, but I am also not very practical so I will wear stilettos that kill my feet afterwards. Pain is beauty, right? Well, not for everyone. If you are not a “pain is beauty believer”, or even if you are but would like to expand your shoe collection to include summer styles, wedges can be paired with anything from summer dresses to a pair of nice shorts. Cork wedges are ideal for casual occasions such as going to class or dinner with the girls, while fabric wedges are for dressier occasions.
5. Keep it Crisp and Cool
White, regardless of whether you believe it to be a color or not, is a basic summer staple. It’s crisp, it’s cool, and it goes with everything. This summer, go beyond white button down blouses and opt for jackets, dresses and pants. All white is alright this season. However, if you are uncomfortable sporting this look, neutral shades like taupe, light browns, and beige are great options as well.