It Was The Summertime

Summer is officially here, and with it comes the need to perform a major overhaul on the closet. And as the sweaters and long-sleeves go into storage, you may find that you've got slim pickings for the brutally hot days ahead.

But if you can't afford anything but the barest essentials, try picking up a few of these pieces to get you through the season:

White cotton dress: Simple, easy, and, best of all, cool. Rock a maxi with a jean jacket for ultimate urban chic, or a white-hot mini number for summer nights. JC Penney's American Living Eyelet Textured Dress in white is pretty and practical at $50, but nothing beats Target's Juniors V-Neck Tiered Dress for $21.

Jean jacket: A summer staple since, well, forever, the jean jacket is undergoing major changes these days. It now comes in a variety of colors, white being the most popular on the runway, but I favor the basic blue wash. Rip a few holes in it for edge and it's perfect with everything. The Gap's version is classic, but expensive at $70. American Eagle has a nearly identical one for $39.

Badgley Mischka turquoise and gold necklace; $750

Gold and turquoise jewelry: Gold and turquoise jewelry has a gilded ethnic feel, and can't help but bring to mind the beaches of Mexico or the Incan Empire. The warm tones of gold alongside vibrant blue also goes perfect with bronzed, tan skin. Alas, we all wish we could afford the necklace above, but if you're not a millionaire, there's other ways to achieve summer sparkle. There are some great options here, here, and here, all for about $50.

You might also want to think about adding the leaders of the new cool, jeggings and a tutu, to your warm weather essentials.


Jeggings are the sneakiest way to wear denim these days, with a stretchy elastic waistband. So while it may feel like you have on sweats, the look still screams jean queen (and you avoid a button imprints left on your sweaty stomach- or a muffin top). Just make sure you grab a solid pair with more cotton than spandex, complete with pockets and a finished hemline.

A tutu is an alternative to that prairie skirt that you've been rocking since 1995. While it may sound radical, the core concept of of the tutu is the same: lightweight material, tiers of fabric, and an a-line silhouette. They come in a wide range of colors and lengths, and no worries about see-through gauze: most tutus sold in retail stores come fully lined.