What to Wear Wednesday: Summer Event Staples

It’s been a while since I posted a fashion oriented post, I’ve been busy. It seems like every time I turn around there is another event to either plan or attend this summer. The kids are wrapping up school, warm weather is here and folks just wanna get together and have fun. Summer events are even more enjoyable if you look and feel great at all of those June weddings, graduations, birthdays and evenings on the town. True, there is a time and a place when it doesn’t matter if fashion is comfortable or not, but when it’s hot and sticky outside you just want to be cool, comfortable and collected. Here are a few of my favorite staples for easy summer event style.

First Up, the cotton maxi dress. You can’t get much more comfortable than something that feels like you’re in cotton PJs. These are so versatile, you can dress them up for a party with strappy heels and some bold jewelry or tone them down with flip flops and a straw hat for the beach. I am loving the olive green on the first one. Olive and white are my favorite summer clothing colors because they look phenomenal with a tan (and I happen to be one of those awful people that tans easily, even under a coat of sunscreen… don’t hate me).

cotton maxi dresses

 

  1. Lulus Lost in Paradise Cotton Maxi Dress     $54
  2. ANGL Floral Waves maxi Dress    $65
  3. Cosabella Rimini Racer Maxi Dress     $72
  4. Forever 21 Crochet Maxi Dress  $48
  5. Felicity and Coco Striped Maxi Dress        $88 

Next, the summer night out / wedding appropriate short dress.  The more casual polka dot Banana Republic number would be perfect for an evening barbeque while the black off the shoulder dress is fitting for a hot date.

summer cocktail dress

 

  1. Calvin Klein Placed Sheath Dress       $108
  2. Lulu’s Never Enough Black Off the Shoulder Dress         $49
  3. Banana Republic Swiss Dot Off-Shoulder Dress       $98
  4. J McLaughlin Nicola Sleeveless Dress in Radiowaves         $205 
  5. Forever 21 Stripe Twist-Front Dress  $35 

While socially acceptable to pair a nice dress with bare toes at the beach or even at a pool party, virtually everywhere else it’s a faux pas.  Here’s a selection of adorable heel sandals that could pair with a number of the dress selections above.

summer event sandals

 

 

  1. Louis et Cie Hilio    $129   
  2. Bandolino Armory     $53 
  3. Vince Camuto  Lorrana       $95
  4. Lucky Brand Jaleela  $89
  5. Calvin Klein Valene     $72

And while we’re at it why not add a few more necessary essentials.  Pick one or two of these to complete the perfect summer event look.

summer accessories staples

 

  1. Bowtie Choker Necklace      $8  
  2. Pink Aviators      $15
  3. Tortoise Charm Bangle       $25
  4. Beaded Ball Earrings  $65 
  5. Cha Cha Tassle Block Earrings     $48
  6. Sparkling Leaf Headband    $8 

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Summer Patio Styling

So yesterday I wandered the aisles of HomeGoods just trying to kill time until my car was finished getting tires at the nearby service station.  I know, this is a dangerous combination, free time and HomeGoods… the potential for frivolous spending was high.  I rounded the corner in the kitchen/dinnerware section (a section in which I had no business being in, since I don’t need anything for my kitchen) and there it was.  It was an oh, so, cute display devoted to a number of items covered in flamingos.  They screamed summer (my favorite season).  In particular this set of Isaac Mizrahi melamine flamingo plates really caught my eye.  But I showed restraint.  I left those plates at HomeGoods, but thought about them for the rest of the day.  They were still on my mind this morning so I thought I’d dedicate the blog to them today.  I’ve put together a summer patio styling based on these adorable plates, just in time for the unofficial start of summer this coming Memorial Day!

The Inspiration

Summertime plates

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fun Patio Styling in Time for Memorial Day

Summer patio styling

  1. Isaac Mizrahi Flamingo Melamine Plates       $4.99 ea      Available at HomeGoods
  2. West Elm Soleil Metal White 42 in. table and 4 chairs       $1295
  3. Capri Blue Scalloped 9 ft. Umbrella Canopy        $69.99
  4. Eamonn Aqua Blue/ White Indoor/Outdoor Area Rug        $74.10
  5. Bormioli Rocco Rock Bar Set of 6 Highball Glasses – Pink             $29
  6. Shore Tall Polyterrazzo Planter         $99
  7. Grand Nain ‘Naine’ Banana Tree        $24.95
  8. Kate Spade New York All In Good Taste 20-Piece Flatware Set        $59.99
  9. Fiesta Bistro Large Serving Bowl              $38
  10. Pink Melamine Pitcher, 1L         UK 12.75
  11. Flamingo Bird Napkin by Mannzie     $29.36

Maybe if these plates stay on my mind I’ll go back and pick a few up.  Is there anything out there that you totally don’t need but can’t resist because it’s just so darn cute?  Let us know, we’d love to hear about it!