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There are 22 days left until summer break, but who’s counting? I’m not even in school and I’m sick of school (no offense, teachers!). I’m over my kids’ projects, homework and spelling tests. Bring on summer! Bring on swimming! Bring on sweating! I am so ready.

We all know that as the temperatures rise, our clothing items become lighter and fewer. Obviously this makes sense. But just because it’s hot doesn’t mean we should lose our sense of decency. Earlier this week I saw a young lady in short denim shorts – and by short I mean obscene. I find this unnecessary. I firmly believe that we can be comfortable, weather-appropriate, fashionable, on-trend and attractive without compromising our dignity. I don’t want to see anyone’s private parts and, more importantly, I want you to value and protect your own private parts.

So let’s talk summer trends. There were a lot of standout looks in the summer shows (presented last fall) that we’ll be seeing a lot of this season. Let’s cover the following three areas:

Tops

The biggest trend in tops this summer are off-the-shoulder/cold shoulder looks. Off-the-shoulder blouses have a very romantic look when done right. I’m not a huge fan of the cold shoulder or exposed shoulder look, but that’s just me. Going along with these looks are tops with exaggerated sleeves. Instead of a boring old t-shirt, these tops can look bold and fresh. Also, although nothing new, striped tops were all over the spring/summer runways last fall, so if you need to brighten up your wardrobe, pick up a few striped tops.

Tip #1: With an off-the-shoulder or cold shoulder look, make sure you are wearing the proper undergarments. A bit of an exposed shoulder is one thing, but you don’t want anything else hanging out. It helps to get fitted by an expert to make sure you’re wearing the right size bra and, I promise you, it makes all the difference.

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Tip #2: With an exaggerated sleeve, keep whatever you wear on the bottom simple and slim to balance out the proportions. You don’t want to look like a carnival clown! In general, if you’re wearing one crazier item, keep the rest of your clothes uncomplicated so you’re not overpowered by too many conflicting ideas.

Shorts

Our Valley summers are so hot that pants are usually out of the question. Printed shorts are fun and eye catching. Pair these shorts with a solid colored top to prevent print overload. Some people can mix patterns and prints but it takes a certain personality to do that right and pull it off. Also popular are frayed denim shorts, which go with just about anything. To spice it up, look for denim shorts with patches (think Girl Scout badges, not a quilt).

Tip #1: Keep it classy with mid-length shorts that fall midway between your hips and knees. You don’t have to be completely covered down to your knees, but don’t go extreme on the opposite end, either. I’ve found it really hard to find shorts that aren’t too short (another reason I hate shopping), so when you find some, buy a few in different colors!

Tip #2: Shorts can be surprisingly versatile. You can keep them casual with flats or sandals, or dress them up with a cute wedge or mules with a stacked heel. Shorts tend to be casual anyway but you can find ones in dressier fabrics or with metallic buttons that can be dressed up for a summer evening. If you’re wearing a shorter short, stick with flats. Longer shorts can look really nice with heels.

Shoes

There are a couple of fun trends in footwear this summer. First up, lace-up flats. This is a fun and stylish twist on a very comfortable shoe! Also popular (and have been for a while) are gladiator sandals, often going up to the knee. Finally, slip-on mules are very cute but still easy on your feet. They might seem to have an air of British snobbery, but try some on and then decide. My first rule of thumb while shopping for anything – TRY IT ON.

Tip #1: It’s summertime, so have fun and pick a shoe in a bright color. Red lace-up flats or a teal mule will add a pop of color to any outfit. I have a pair of red wedge sandals that I wear with everything! I’ve worn them so much the buckles are about to break off. When I first bought them I thought they would only go with certain items in my closet, but I’m surprised at how many times and with how many different outfits I’ve worn them. Don’t be afraid to try something different!

Tip #2: Take care of your feet with a pedicure (home or salon) to keep your toes looking pretty all summer long. Pedicures typically last 2-3 weeks, so it’s a worthy investment!

~ Silva

If you have questions or topics you’d like to see addressed in this blog, please email me at [email protected]. You can read more from me at my other blog, onmyshoebox.

To read more Style Session, check out Style Session No. 27 – Sit Still, Look Pretty.