Summer 2011: How to Look Good in the Summer Heat

Extreme weather can really cramp a girl’s style. Mid-winter freezes and mid-summer heat waves have a way of lulling us into comfort over style. Then one day we catch a glimpse of ourselves looking like we just finished sweeping out the basement. We’re surprised by the frumpy creature staring back at us and we wonder why someone doesn’t throw her out of Starbuck’s?  Get a grip on your summer style, here are some tips on how to look good in the summer heat.

1. Spanx back fat banishing bra.  2. Jockey Shapewear panty.  3. Hair ideas for everyone.   4. Joie A La Plage cover up.  5. Gottex Chiffon Kimono.  6. Chelsea & Violet wide leg pants.  7. LL Bean French Sailor’s T.  8. Jones New York Short.  9. Black Miraclesuits Eddie Bauer.

Wear chic shorts:

As a stylist, shorts have never been high on my list of summer options. Those poofy legged bermudas just scream comfort-sans-style. The longer slimmer leg shorts are a much more polished option.  The right length is right above the knee and the fit should be relaxed, never too tight.

Have a black one piece bathing suit that looks great on you:

Miraclesuits are just what they claim to be, miraculous. They take 10 pounds off your middle instantly. What’s not to like about that? Go the distance, and invest in a great cover up too.

Buy a striped ¾ SleeveT

…and a pair of loose fitting pants:

Kate Hepburn made them famous. Look for a lightweight fabric and a style that lightly grazes your hip and falls in a long loose line to hem. The length should break on the front of the foot, and cover at least half the heel of your shoe. They look great with flats or heels, your choice, but you need to commit to the shoes before getting your pants hemmed. You’ll need a more form fitting top with wide leg pants.

Wear invisible underwear:

No matter what you’re wearing, and especially light summery clothing, if we can see your underwear, that’s all we notice. We don’t care what you’re wearing underneath as long as we don’t have to look at it. To avoid unnecessary distractions, wear black under black or wear nude under anything. Stay away from white underwear, it shows under almost everything.

Humidity is a hard hair battle to win:

This is the time to save your hair from unnecessary blow drying. Towel dry and air dry as much as possible. Get a low maintenance hot weather cut so you keep styling time to a minimum and still look great. If your hair is long enough, pony tails and casual buns are a chic way to avoid fussing with hair dryers and excess hair goo.

Stop washing it so much:

Get your shampoo habit down to once or twice a week. Shampoo dries out the hair and makes it more susceptible to sun and chlorine damage. Unless you have very oily hair, just use conditioner and rinse in between washings.

Rotate your shoe section:

Give your flip flops a rest, the humble beach shoes have become ubiquitous. Explore other options, like strappy sandals, ballet flats, and espadrilles.

Get a regular pedicure:

If you’re going to show your toes, make sure they look their summer best.  Gnarly toenails, cracked, rough heels, and old chipped polish are an unpleasant summer scourge. Feet get dried out when you’re wearing sandals all the time, they need extra care and extra moisturizer.

1. Naturalizer red espadrille.  2. AK black wedge. 3. Kate Spade espadrille. 4. Two Lips Bonsai sandal.

Give your system a break:

Replace at least half the bread, pasta, and carbs you normally eat with equivalent servings of honeydew, papaya or asparagus.  These foods are high in potassium, which flushes the excess water out of your system.  Also try eating a big serving of watermelon 15 or 20 minutes before dinner or while you’re cooking. You’ll eat less at dinner.

What not to wear:

Crocs, Cut-offs, short shorts.

Posted by admin in Blog, Fashion & Style Tags: how to look good when it's hot outside, how to look stylish in the summer heat, summer 2011 style