Summer Style

Summer temperatures are at an all time high. Here in Los Angeles, you can feel the heat rising by the day and peaking in the 90s. I also have been traveling to warm climates such as New Orleans and Palm Springs so I have been feeling every bit of Summer. This is the time of year where functionality of clothing becomes of key importance. I need garments that are breathable, easy to wear and most of all, comfortable! However, I don’t want to trade off functionality for style. I believe that you can get the best of both worlds.

So, this outfit is a perfect casual weekend look. Starting with this dress, which is very lightweight and an outfit in one. Although it is a simple striped dress, there are several details that I love about it. The first is that it has ruched side that is very flattering for the midsection. The criss-cross front adds an extra layer of fabric that helps to conceal, as well as add a design element to the dress. Also, classic black and white stripes go with just about everything.

Summer Fashion Tips

My philosophy for styling looks is always to start with a simple base, and then build on that. The first thing that I grabbed for was this fedora hat. I love this style because it can literally be worn all year long. In addition to it being super cute, it also provides a bit of a shield from the sun. Then, I decided to pair it with a denim jacket. I felt like the outfit needed a contrasting element but something that wasn’t going to be too heavy. By wearing the jacket off the shoulder, you can still keep the outfit cool, but be prepared if things get a bit chilly in the evening. Finishing off with a simple pair of my favorite tan sandals, I was cool, comfortable and cute (if I do say so myself!)

Outfit Details:

Jacket: Old Navy | Dress: Bar III (wearing an XL) | Hat: Amazon | Shoes: Target

Photographer: Steve Suavemente

I’m still here in New Orleans and this trip has been nothing short of amazing. This city is quickly becoming one of my favorites and being a part of Essence Festival just makes it that much more special. There’s something about coming together as a community to celebrate one another that is unexplainable. I have had so many laughs, so many “hey girl hey’s”, and of course, so much good food.

Aside from the festival, my favorite thing about this city is for sure the architecture. There’s nothing like it. So many 100+ year old buildings with original features just make walking around so dreamy. So many beautiful colors, bright shutters, and picturesque balconies.

So this outfit just blended right in with this colorful city. The humidity here is at an all time high so I wanted to keep things breathable and flowy. This kimono was perfect to add a pop of color with ease.

Check out the outfit details below and follow along the rest of my trip on Instagram!

Outfit Details:

Kimono: Boohoo (wearing a size 18) | Dress: Venus | Shoes: Target

Photographer: Steve Suavemente

Just because its Summer, doesn’t mean that you can’t wear animal print! Although leopard print is most utilized in the Fall, there are definitely other seasons where it can be worn. Since the Summertime is all about color, the way to make this print work for this time of year is to infuse it with a pop of color. It not only puts a fun twist on this classic print, but it also makes it a bit of a statement piece.

So, when I saw this skirt while at JCPenney, I gravitated to it immediately. I have posted JCPenney fashion several times on my blog before and I keep them in my fashion rotation. You absolutely cannot beat their prices (just look at the price of this skirt) and I feel as though their styles are on-trend.

Since this skirt is such a show-stopper, I decided to keep everything else very minimal. A simple white tank top adds a crisp, clean palette against this loud print. Gold accessories are my favorite so I added a gold cuff, necklace and clutch to the mix. Finally, I finished it off with simple black heeled sandals that, by the way, are super comfortable.

Outfit Details:

Top: Nordstrom | Skirt: JCPenney | Shoes: Target

Photographer: Steve Suavemente