BATHING SUIT BONANZA

Look hot this season in the latest bathing suit and beach trends.  Island Glam, Prints, and Stripes are this season's biggest trends.  Sunglass trends include beige or nude with embellishment, cat eye sunglasses, and retro shades.  The beach bag and espadrilles complete your look!

Island Glam

Look for leafy prints and flowers in this hot trend.

Beach Riot X Stone Cold Fox swimsuit, $195   Gottex Maldives Floral Bandeau Suit, $168

 
Milly Kaleidoscope Print Bikini top,$100 and bottom, $95

Prints

Make a statement in prints this season.  Bright, bold geographic prints and chevron are a hot trend.

Trina Turk Aquarius Bandeau, $138

Robin Piccone Twist Bandeau Top, $74 and bottom, $62  Mikoh St. Barths U Wire Bikini, $78 each
 

Stripes

Horizontal, diagonal, and vertical stripes are hot.  Mix the stripe pattern for a wow effect. Looks great on accessories such as sandals, flip flops, bags & towels.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Vintage Stripe Maillot Swimsuit, $164  OndadeMar Swimsuit, $198

   

Lands End top, $49 and bottom, $44 Lauren Ralph Lauren Striped Espadrilles, $69

  

Sandals

Espadrilles are a huge trend for summer.  Both flat or wedge espadrilles are a must have for the beach, boat, or a pool party.

Delman Footwear espadrilles,$275   Marc by Marc Jacobs Espadrilles, $228

  

Beach Bags & Totes

Clear totes or opaque colors and straw bags are the hot beach bag to be carrying this season.

BCBG Carly Zipper Tote, $148  Dolce & Gabbana Escape PVC Shopper, $1,895

 
 Palm Canyon Straw Totes, $39.99  Mar y  Sol Straw Shopper, $108

 

Here's to looking stylish in your beach wear!

XOXO,
Divine Style DC

SPRING'S WARM-WEATHER LEATHER

Leather is typically thought of as a fall/winter staple, but don't pack away your key pieces yet.  Leather made a big statement on the runways for Spring/Summer 2013 wear.  The key to these leather pieces is color, shape, fabric, and accentuating with it.

Color:  This season is about wearing leather in bright vibrant hues or soft pastels.   Pair these colors with neutrals, such as white, gray, navy, or bone color to pack a punch.  Tangerine, coral, pale pink and mint green, lemon chiffon, and cobalt blue are just a few shades that are on trend for the season.  Put away your black, caramel, and brown hues and add some color!

Milly Leather Dress, $450                       Amanda Uprichard Leather Peplum Top, $268

  

Nasty Gal Pleated Leather Skirt, $58

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Shape:  Look for timeless pieces that you can transition between seasons.  Sheath dresses, fit and flare dresses, and pleated leather skirts.  Cropped lightweight jackets are stylish for spring.

Alice + Olivia Box-Pleat Leather Skirt, $495    Vince Perforated Leather Shift Dress, $1150

  

Bebe White Leather Blazer, $398

Fabric:  Spring leather pieces should be a lightweight leather, soft fabric.  This feels supple and smooth but very light to the touch.

Accents:  Not ready to jump into this trend?  Accent spring fabrics such as chiffon and silk with leather trim and leather panels.

Cynthia Steffe Dylan Dress, $198

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Here's to being fabulous in leather this season!

XOXO,

Divine Style DC

BLUE & GREEN...COLORS FOR SPRING

These hot spring colors give a bold, fresh take and look great in prints, color-blocking, or in separates.  Mix and match to your hears content.  Bright bold blues to turquoise and emerald green to seafoam are the shades to strut.

Celebrities are wearing this trend, such as Jenna Ushkowitz who paired with Blaque Label dress with a yellow clutch and neutral sandals.

Look for prints, color blocked dresses, or pair sold blues with solid greens to have your outfit punch!

ModCloth Dress, $59.99

BCBG Colette Color Blocked Dress, $132.56

Calvin Klein Color Block Sheath Dress, $72.99

 

Milly Silk Sheath Dress, $395

How will you be wearing blue and green this season?

Happy Styling,

XOXO
Divine Style DC

7 MUST HAVE LOOKS FOR LADIES

Every woman has events in her life that you will have to attend.  Each requires a different look.  Try having a few dresses that go from dressy to casual that you can change out the jewelry and shoes to glam up or down your look.  Brunch, BBQ, Cocktail Party, Office, Bridal Shower, Date Night, and Wedding are events most women attend

Brunch- Sundresses and rompers are great for brunch.  Keep the jewelry and shoes simple for a more casual look or glam it up for a dressier brunch.  Prints look great for brunch.

BCBG Geo Print Dress, $128

Michael Stars Belle Strapless Faux Wrap Skirt Dress, $128

 

BBQ- Wear a romper or casual sundress.  Pair with strappy espadrilles to dress it up or flip flops for daytime.

BCBG Scarf Print Romper, $198

Cocktail Party- Every woman needs an "LBD" a.k.a. little black dress.  To capture someone's eye and look fashion forward, try a bright color or interesting detail, such as feathers, beading, one shoulder, sparkles, asymmetrical hemline or shorter in the front longer in the back hem.  Any unexpected element gets you noticed.

Alice + Olivia Nude Silver Crystal Sequin Dress, $495

Office- Try a bright colored blazer with a pencil skirt.  Fuchsia, deep purple, and bright blue are versatile colors that work with all skin tones.  A pencil skirt in a pattern or white looks crisp for summer.  Pair a printed pencil skirt with a white blouse to stay more classic or a bright colored blouse to be bold.

Ann Taylor Loft Collarless Blazer, $89.50 (not online purchase in store)

The Limited Colorblock Pencil Skirt, $14.99

The Limited Classic Pencil Skirt, $59.90

Bridal Shower- Depending on the location, dress up or down a fun sundress.

Bebe Strapless Pleated Dress, $119

 

The Limited Pleat Front Dress, $24.99

Date Night- The key is to show off your best assets.  Whether that be your shoulders, bottom, chest etc. showcase one.  I'm loving the look of embellished short shorts.  This looks very trendy and fun but shows off your body.

Express Sequin Shorts, $59.90

Express Sequin Shorts, $59.90

Wedding- If it is a daytime wedding, try something in a brighter hue or with a flouncy skirt.  If it is an evening wedding, a more fitted silhouette works well.  Embellishment is great for nighttime as well.  

Alice and Olivia Coral Dress, $440

Milly Twist Watercolor Stripe Dress, $365

SIZZLING SHORTS STYLES...FOUR FITS FOR YOU

Lots of women say I can't wear shorts...I don't like my legs.  Or they cut me off, my hips are too wide, etc.  Wearing shorts is about finding the right style and fit that works for you body.  Some women can wear all four styles dependent on which shoes and top you choose and others work best in one type.  Find the length and style that works for you and designers that carry this trend.  Fit, fabric, your height, and the cut of the leg opening are all things to consider when shopping for shorts and determine how dressy or casual the shorts are.

Short Shorts:  Yes, they have been around for years.  There are always new styles, colors, and designs that come out.

Fit Tip:  Works well for petite statue, those with a boyish frame, or shorter legs.  This look lengthens the leg.

Avoid If:  You have full thighs and hips or a curvy body (pear shape).  

Theory Airfic Woolstretch shorts, $190

Milly Print Shorts, $109

Ann Taylor Oasis Teal Petite Resort Shorts, $78

Mid-Length:  This is the most flattering length for most body types and coordinates with most style tops the best.  

Fit Tip:  Typically has a 5 to 7 inch inseam so look for your best length in these.  Stand with your arms hanging straight down by your sides and the hem should be within an inch or two of your fingertips.  This style works with short or long legs and all body types.

Ann Taylor Stretch Linen Twill Shorts with Sash, $78

Bermuda:  This style is great to dress up or down.  Perfect for women who are older and don't want to show as much leg but also looks great on younger ladies. This knee length style offers more coverage and creates a taller, slimmer figure.

Fit Tip:  If you have longer legs, are pear shaped, or curvier figure, this style is for you. 

Avoid If:  You have super short legs or are extremely petite which can end up looking like ill fitted capri pants.  This cut visually breaks up your leg.

Diane von Furstenberg New Boymuda Shorts, $285 (silver)

Caslon Stretch Twill Shorts (Fuchsia, Berry, Pink, White, Sand, etc.) 9 inch inseam, $29.90 

Catherine Malandrino Cutout Shorts, $106.90

Pleated Shorts:  Are back this season.  The look is not your straight leg short with pleats in the front, but instead a looser flowy fit similar to a skirt.

Fit Tip:  Wear with a fitted blouse or top to emphasize the waist and dress up the look.

Juicy Couture Silk Short, $138