Summer Investment Pieces

There are times that I wish I had a bottomless bank account to spend all the money I like on clothes, shoes, bags... you get the picture. I do think that you can find a good deal if you know where to look. I also think that most of the time you get what you pay for. Good quality items cost more.

For the everyday most of us fill our wardrobes with the basics from our favorite go to brands. But I think that it's also worthwhile to spend a little more on a few choice items for those special occasions. We all have last minute events that pop up and leave us scrambling for something to wear. It's nice to have one or two perfect pieces that we can fall back on.

So what to look for in those choice investment pieces? Detail. Find a piece with distinctive detail that makes it stand apart. Fit. This type of item should fit you like it was made especially for you. Style. Make sure that it is in line with your style goals. The item should make you feel both comfortable and bold. You should shine bright when you put it on! Demand the most and the very best from your wardrobe. You deserve it.

Right now Intermix has a fabulous assortment of investment pieces that I love. (They are also featuring 30% of Sale.) If you're looking for something special, check out their current collection. I've highlighted a few of my favorite pieces below:

Dakota Printed Flounce Dress

Dolly Smocked Tank

Stella One Shoulder Dress

Skylar Pearl Detail Denim Top

White Pearl Mini Dress

Novella Maria Mini Dress

Summer Sales: Find Your Sundress

Now that the 4th of July is behind us, you'll be seeing Sale and Clearance signs just about everywhere. It's time for your favorite retail shop to turnover their summer inventory and get ready for fall shipments. Yes, I said it, "fall". Remember when you started seeing summer items in March? You'll start seeing fall items and back to school signs all too soon.

So believe it or not, there's a trick to shopping end of summer sales. Often you can find amazing deals but you have to be open minded about what you're going to purchase. So instead of going into a store looking for a specific item, walk in looking to see what's on sale. Go straight to the sale section first. Usually sale sections are grouped by size which makes it easy for you to shop. Look for either something you might need or something unique to your wardrobe.

This is a great opportunity to add something different to your closet. Having a limited sale section to shop from eliminates a lot of the stress of shopping and makes it easier for you to see how specific items could add versatility to your wardrobe. If you've been thinking about adding a new trend to your wardrobe, this could be an opportunity to try something new without spending a lot.

One item that you'll want to pay close attention to is the coveted sundress. These summer specials are usually only available for a short period of time. This is the classic height of summer piece. While you'll be able to find t-shirts and skirts for a while to come, the sundress will only make an appearance during a short window of opportunity. The summer sale is your chance to scoop up a last minute deal on this disappearing items.

For suggestions on sundresses from J.Crew check out a few of my favorite picks below:

Ruffle Hem Spaghetti Strap Dress in Eyelet

Strapless Sheath Dress in Eyelet

One Shoulder Ruffle Dress in Seersucker

Double Strap Midi Dress in Eyelet

Printed Seaside Cami Dress

One Shoulder Eyelet Dress

Let It Flow This Season

This summer we are seeing a trend in flowing styles and fabric. We are moving away from straight lines and structured items towards styles that move with you and create a flow that flatters your natural curves. This trend seems to be most popular in the one shoulder top that is augmented with a long ruffle across the top. I commented on a previous post that this style is pretty much everywhere this season. But now, we’re seeing this feminine flow in the details of more than just the one shoulder top.

This trend is an easy one to incorporate into your wardrobe. All the different style variations mean that there’s something for everyone here. You can most likely find something that flatters your body type specifically. To make sure you find the right piece for you, keep in mind “fit”. Sometimes flowing pieces can look bigger on your body. Be mindful of adding volume and how flowing styles flatter your silhouette. Just because an item is flowy doesn't mean it can't be form fitting. If you need to adjust your sizing in an item to ensure it fits properly, make sure you take that into consideration. You want any piece to fit you properly and look like it was meant for you.

Below see a few examples of items from Nordstrom that showcase the various styles in which you'll see flow details this season. If you haven't already you'll start noticing this trend in all your favorite spots!

Devlin Vicky One Shoulder Blouse

WAYF Rory Off the Shoulder Top

Lush Cross Front Blouse

Chelsea28 Ruffle Cold Shoulder Minidress

Leith Flounce Wrap Midi Dress

Mary & Mabel Off the Shoulder Ruffle Dress