Summer 2010: Make It Your Most Fashionable One Yet

by Pooja Kansal – Indiana University

You’re hot and the weather is hot. We all know that. Now what to wear?

The Romper

If you are…

Petite: Spring for a strapless, shorts-style romper. The strapless top works well with a smaller bust size, and shorts will make your legs appear long and lean. Throw on a long chain necklace and high-heeled sandals to complete the look.

Curvy: Opt for a romper featuring capri-length bottoms and a short-sleeve, wrap top. Bottoms that hit above the knee show the right amount of skin, and a surplice neckline is an elegant and understated way to show your curves.

Tall: Button-down shirts attached to pants are incredibly sexy without exposing a lot of skin. The menswear-inspired rompers hang well on tall, slim frames.

Flower Power

Floral prints can either be a vintage masterpiece or an outdated disaster. It’s crucial to choose the right color, fabric, and print size in order to avoid looking like you just raided your grandma’s closet.

Hues like dusty rose, cream, and asparagus green should not be the base color for your floral piece: They will make the piece look too authentic instead of giving it a modern twist on an older style.

When it comes to the size of the print, always keep it small and subtle. As for the size of the piece itself, almost anything goes. Floral prints can work on cardigans, tank dresses, skirts, and tap shorts.

Get Cultured, Go Tribal

Vanessa Hudgens and Jessica Szohr pull off this look better than anyone else in Hollywood, and South Asian women can too-tribal prints and jewelry were made for dark skin and hair.

Billowing dresses, tops, jumpers, and skirts can all be found in tribal prints, so the sky is really the limit with this look. For a daytime look, pair your outfit with moccasin shoes or boots by Minnetonka. At night, trade your Native-American-inspired shoes in for Indian and African-influenced jeweled sandals. When hunting for accessories to complete the outfit, steer clear of anything glitzy. Keep it earthy and go for turquoise and rust-colored stones set in blackened silver or copper.

As for hair, stop wasting your time in front of the mirror and let your hair run wild. Going tribal means embracing your inner cavewoman, and the more carefree your hair is, the trendier you’ll be. And don’t stress if your hair doesn’t have a silky texture: Loose, side braids and beachy waves work best in coarse hair.

Avoid at All Costs

When hot, sticky weather takes over, everyone has the urge to throw on a stretchy tube top and run out the door. But, if your cup size is larger than a B, think twice.

If your chest is on the larger side, make sure that all of your strapless tops and dresses have strips of boning in between the layers of fabric: The boning gives structure to the bodice and a significantly better shape to your chest.

No-slip lining is another vital component of a flattering strapless piece, but it’s usually not found in lower-priced pieces. The clear, gel-like lining grips onto the top of your chest, saving you the hassle of pulling your top or dress up every few seconds.

Strapless pieces can be fun and feminine but if chosen haphazardly, they can look tacky and distasteful.