By now, you’ve probably settled into your summer routine, you’ve got a nice base tan, and you’ve finally caught up on all the sleep that you missed during the school year. But there’s just one more thing that is putting a kink into your summer vibe: those new summer fashion trends that you have no idea how to wear. Sometimes these new looks aren’t as easy to pull off as the models make it seem, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still look great in these cute new styles. Summer should be all about carefree living, and your wardrobe should be the last of your worries. Take some advice from fashion consultant Colin McDonald and put your fashion concerns at ease. From mixing and matching prints to picking the perfect shoes to accompany overalls, read on to find out how to make these fashion-forward trends work for you.
Crop Tops
The trend of showing off some stomach has slowly been creeping back into our wardrobes. Unfortunately, this might be one of the most intimidating styles of shirts to wear. The key is to pick a crop top that doesn’t reveal any more skin than you are comfortable showing, and also to make sure your bottoms are appropriate for the occasion.
Try wearing bottoms with a high waist to balance out your crop top. For an ultra chic look, McDonald advises pairing a crop top with high-waisted tuxedo trousers.
Trimmed Tux Pant, Nasty Gal, $48
Hannah Orenstein, HC’s high school editor, says she likes to pair a crop top with high-waisted bottoms for the day, but for a night outfit, she’ll wear a crop top with a pencil skirt. “I don’t want to look like a ‘90s back-up dancer,” she says. “Just a sliver of stomach is so much cooler than showing off the whole thing!”
Oh My Love Midi Pencil Skirt, ASOS, $47.52
If you really want to show off that toned tummy you’ve been working on, opt for a more formfitting crop top. FIT sophomore Arielle Tillett suggests wearing a crop top that looks like a bustier, because it has a nice structured look to it. She pairs that with a skater skirt, which has a girly flair to complement the fitted top.
Kimchi Blue Eyelet Bustier Top, Urban Outfitters, $44
High-Waisted Shorts
Speaking of which bottoms are good to pair with crop tops, high-waisted shorts are always a great go-to option! These kinds of shorts can fill the gap of a barely-there shirt, helping you feel more comfortable with a sometimes-risky style choice. Standard denim high-waisted shorts with a crop top or tank top are fitting for an outdoor event.
Denim Shorts, H&M, $24.95
“You can pair high-waisted shorts with a crop top or [a] simple tee for a casual look,” McDonald says. “Or to dress it up, opt for a silk blouse.” He says that he also prefers a more fitted look for high-waisted shorts.
Kimchi Blue Printed Rosie Pinup Short, Urban Outfitters, $29
For a more formal event, combine a crocheted or macramé pair of shorts with a flowy top. And if you’re worried about making the high waist work for your tummy, a belt line that covers your belly button helps keep you looking put-together. You can also avoid showing skin by tucking in your shirt.
High Waisted Crochet Short, Charlotte Russe, $22.99
High-Waisted Macramé Shorts, Forever 21, $24.80
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Overalls
We realize that most collegiettes would rather look like chic fashionistas than hillbilly farmhands, so we’re here to help you transform a pair of overalls into a summer wardrobe staple. You don’t need to stick with the traditional jean pair of overalls; black and brown leather overalls and overalls in other bright colors and fabrics are becoming popular. McDonald encourages collegiettes to get creative with this new trend and to have fun with all the options.
If you want to stay true to the classic overall look, you can keep it simple by picking a basic shirt to wear underneath a pair of jean overalls. To shake things up, opt for a different material, like leather or eyelet.
Cross Over Distressed Overall, Free People, $118
Eyelet Overall Shorts, Tobi, $58
If you want to stay as far away from the farmer look as possible, there are plenty of options for making overalls look girly and adorable. “Overalls may be considered casual; however, [pairing them] with a structured blouse or blazer and your favorite pair of heels can make it a great option for the office or [a] chic rooftop summertime soiree,” McDonald says.
Orange Lightweight Printed Overalls with Side Pockets, UsTrendy, $45
Wait, what about accessories? Don’t worry; we won’t skip one of the most important parts of an outfit! Overalls give you lots of freedom to be active, so throw on some sneakers, like Keds, that allow you to move around. If you really want to make this look pop out, then pair the overalls with your favorite pair of metallic stilettos. There’s nothing country about that!
Mix and Match Prints
The most difficult part of this trend is keeping yourself from looking like you got dressed in the dark. It might seem like some of the outfits we see in fashion ads are just arbitrarily thrown together, but there is a method to the madness.
When working with two patterns, it doesn’t take a lot to make a big statement. “When it comes to mixing patterns, you don’t want to go overboard,” McDonald says. “If you choose a bold print for a bottom, stick with a subtle print for the top, and vice versa.” McDonald says that soft stripes work well with bold florals because they balance each other out.
Roxanna, a recent graduate of Hiram College, adds that you should also coordinate the colors of the prints to create a complementing look. Mix and match prints are a summer style favorite, but clashing colors are out.
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Metallics
Many of you probably have a few shiny jewelry items floating around your room, and now is the time to bring those back into the light. Summer 2013 is all about incorporating metallic, shiny materials into everyday wear—metallics are a new neutral, even! This look isn’t too hard to pull off during the nighttime (sparkling, hot club dress, anyone?), but this summer trend also works during the day.
“To incorporate metallic in your everyday look, choose one piece like a top, bottom, or accessory to give the look a pop,” McDonald says. “Just like with prints, do not go overboard. Metallic on metallic is a bit much for the eye.”
Essential Metallic Mini Skirt, Forever 21, $8.99
You want to wow your outfit’s audience, not blind them with too much bright, shiny material. Trying choosing different parts of your outfit on separate occasions to find which look you like the best. Want to show off your killer legs? Bring attention to them with a metallic pair of shorts or shoes. If you have a shirt with a killer plunging neckline, then a large, gleaming necklace is a perfect addition!
Faux Leather & Metal Necklace, bebe, $54
If all else fails, McDonald has some advice to pull off the metallic style in a quick and effortless way. “[Traditional] neutral tones like black, white, and beige are a great way to accessorize a metallic look,” he says. “Metallic shoes are a great way to give a pop to any dull or boring look.”
Shoe Republic LA Udell Nude and Gold Strappy Dress Sandals, LuLu*s, $38
Maxi Skirts
Maxi skirts might not seem like the trickiest trend to pull off because they look so easy and carefree, but it does require some thought to create the ideal relaxed look with a maxi. Sometimes a maxi skirt can look frumpy, and other times it can swallow up the height of the more vertically challenged collegiettes. But any fashionista can pull off this comfy and diverse style!
McDonald tells us that you can keep this look simple by paring a maxi skirt with a basic V-neck shirt, or you can push the limits with a daring bra top. Whichever look you choose, you should feel comfortable in it; that will help you look good, too! “Keep everything loose in the look to make it feel casual and carefree,” McDonald says.
Patio Skirt, Banana Republic, $98
As for patterns, McDonald says that you’re better off pairing a patterned skirt with a solid-colored shirt. Or in reverse, opt for a patterned top and a single-colored bottom. Also, keep in mind the power of stripes. Horizontal stripes can sometimes make you look wider, while vertical stripes tend to give off an elongated appearance. If you’re not totally up for the full-blown floor-length style, then a high-low skirt can be a great in-between option. High-low skirts are also an ideal option if you’re looking for something that breathes more and isn’t as hot but still covers more skin than a mini-skirt.
Skirt, H&M, $24.95
Printed Maxi Skirt, Old Navy, $29.94
Don’t let a new trend intimidate your inner fashionista—summer is an ideal time to experiment with new styles! You might be surprised that some of these looks aren’t as tricky to pull off as they first appear to be. Take an adventurous style step with the help of these tips, then just relax and enjoy the rest of your time in the sun!