June is here. Here in Minnesota, high school graduations are this coming weekend and after that grad parties, barbeques and the season of cabin life begins. We really live two different lives here in Minnesota; school year and summer. The school year is when we buckle down and work ourselves ragged and live our goal driven, serious lives. But Summer is when we pull up to the computer and work three times as fast as normal to get out the door and into our shorts and tees to off head to the Lake. Are you ready for those fun in the sun Summer days?
I've shared some of my Summer Must-Haves already but, it's time to post the complete list. So, let's do a little inventory. Do you have a comparable item in your wardrobe and is it still in good shape and fitting well?
A Versatile Sundress - At the end of March I was already hopeful that Summer was on the horizon and I began to write my "Summer Must-Haves" blogs. The first one featured the Sun dress. You can read it here. We want sundresses that can be thrown over a swimsuit, or worn with a light jacket to a barbeque with airy fabrics we can pull on when it's so blasted hot we need to feel the breeze. It's that effortless piece that makes you look and feel like a million bucks on a hot humid day.
Where: LOFT
Price: $89.50
Where: ANTHROPOLOGIE
Price: $88.00
What: DRESS WITH RIBBED TRIM
Where: ZARA
Price: $29.90
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T-shirt, Tanks & Cami's - For me, purchasing tanks and cami's are boring items to shop for. They're not the personality piece; they're the foundation. But, without the foundation, you have no outfit. And...On a HOT Summer's day, we often end up in the minimal pieces which are our tanks and cami's. These are truly Must-Haves. (Read early blog on tee's here.)
What: Linen Tank
Where: BANANA REPUBLIC
Price: $40.00
Where: LOFT
Price: $29.50
Where: ANN TAYLOR
Price: $59.50
Where: L.L.BEAN
Price: $19.95
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Short Sleeve Blouse - A short sleeve Summer blouse elevates the look of a summer short and can be paired with jeans or a skirt. It's nice to have one or two in your arsenal for that breezy day at the lake or an impromptu picnic.
Where: ANN TAYLOR
Price: $74.50
Where: ANTHROPOLOGIE
Price: $69.00
Where: LOFT
Price: $59.50
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White Jeans - When the white denim gets pulled back into the wardrobe, I know Summer is truly here! Sadly, white denim doesn't stay white for much more than a season. So, it's an item we have to refresh at least every other Summer, if not every Summer. But, not all white denim is alike and many are thin and unflattering. Buyer beware; don't buy unless you love them on you. (Read blog on white denim here.)
Where: ANN TAYLOR
Price: $98.00
Where: Charter Club @ MACY'S
Price: $39.99
Where: MADEWELL
Price: $128.00
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Cropped Jeans - Personally, I like crop jeans (ankle) all year round. If not a flip flop in the Summer, it's a booty boot in the Fall and Winter. But, showing our ankles in the Summer is a smart look when wearing denim. Tip: Always notice the shoes paired with different ankle lengths and how much skin is showing so, you can pair yours on-trend.
Where: MADEWELL
Price: $128.00
Where: LOFT
Price: $79.50
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Shorts (dressy & casual) - I was so impressed with The LOFT's Summer shorts rollout at the Mall of America that I wrote a blog featuring it several weeks back. You can read that here. But, when it comes to the essential shorts for summer, everyone will want a denim short, a personality/dress short and a chino short. Personally, I love a good utility short with the side pockets on the hip but, those are not for every body type.
What: Bermuda Denim Short
Where: BANANA REPUBLIC
Price: $24.99 (on sale)
Where: WHBM
Price: $79.00
What: Foundry chino short
Where: JCrew
Price: $65.00
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Fitted Blazer - We're seeing a lot of over-sized blazers in the magazines and on the mannequins but, classic never goes out and classics are investment pieces that will serve you well for at least a decade, if not more. A fitted blazer is a great Summer piece to throw on with a t-shirt and jeans or a tank and shorts and you can walk into the club house accepted. It gives a vibe of sophistication to a casual outfit.
What: Classic Suit Blazer
Where: BANANA REPUBLIC
Price: $119.99
Where: ANN TAYLOR
Price: $169.00
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Casual Jacket - This is an item that gets used a lot, or not at all. To one person this is essential and may get worn out yearly; while to another it's used so seldom that it's barely needed. I'm in the latter group. But, I know that this is not true of all.
What: WindPac Jacket
Where: Eddie Bauer
Price: $119.00
What: Superset Jacket
Where: Athleta
Price: $129.00
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Cardigan - I'd rather grab a cardigan than a windbreaker and throw it on with a tank and jean shorts. That's me. But, to each his own.
Where: Kohl's
Price: $40.00
What: Forever Cardigan Sweater
Where: BANANA REPUBLIC
Price: $32.49 (on sale)
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Skirt - This is another piece that is really about the individual. So many just don't wear skirts anymore. I love to wear skirts and I like finding a new fresh one each Summer that is a little more trendy. (There are so many fun choices!) I also like skorts to wear instead of shorts some days.
Where: Kohl's
Price: $60.00
What: Embroidered A-Line Skirt
Where: ANN TAYLOR
Price: $109.00
What: Pull-On Mini Skirt
Where: ANTHROPOLOGIE
Price: $110.00
Where: ANTHROPOLOGIE
Price: $120.00
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Updated Sneakers - This is a bi-yearly purchase for me. I buy a pair for Spring/Summer and a pair for Fall. The last couple Summers we've seen platform tennies, sock tennies, and white tennies. They're still around but, in new combos and colors.
Where: Nordstrom
Price: $70.00
Where: Madewell
Price: $98.00
Flip Flops - My favorite flip flops are OluKai Aukai sandals. They are leather and comfortable. The leather makes them neutral to go with anything.
What: Aukai Flip Flop
Where: Nordstrom
Price: $90.00
Summer Heel - There's always those occasions that a flip flop is just too casual. choose a nude sandal with a heel and you can't go wrong.
What: Kiera Mule Sandal
Where: Madewell
Price: $138..00
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Summer Bags: Straw Bag, Tote, Fanny pack - That black leather tote you carried to work all Fall and Winter was sharp and did the job but, now that it's warm and sunny it feels out of place. Lighten it up with a fabric or straw choice; just for the Summer.
Where: Madewell
Price: $188..00
What: Canvas & Leather Tote
Where: BANANA REPUBLIC
Price: $200.00
This has been a check list for you to see if you're ready for Summer adventures. To the park, to the barbeque, to the lake home or sidewalk dining; You will be ready with this list.
Lastly, check your swim attire to make sure it's in pristine condition and fits you well. If it's showing wear and tear, check out Targets swimsuits for a quick fix. But, for a classic quality swimsuit "Everything but the Water" is the best place to go.
Wishing you a Wonderful Summer! Call me when you find yourself in need of a wardrobe clean out or to put outfits together for work or that trip.
Twin Cities Wardrobe Stylist Kathy Banta
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