10 must-haves for Spring / Summer 2008
June 24th, 2008Spring and Summer collections are drawing to a close and it’s your last chance to inject a bit of “now” into your wardrobe. We’ve spent six months sharing Spring 2008 trends and here is my must-have list that cuts across body types, age groups and budgets:
- White bottoms: Choose jeans, pants, clamdiggers, walk shorts, a skirt or dress in white. The fresh addition of a white bottom packs plenty of punch to a Summer ensemble. It’s an instant contemporary edge.
- A white accessory: Think white handbags, belts, shoes, chunky beads and watches. If optical white is not your thing, opt for off-white or cream instead.
- Colourful shoes: Get yourself out of the neutral shoe rut and incorporate a cheerful ped in yellow, green, turquoise, purple, orange, pink or blue. If the thought of a bright shoe scares you, go for red, metallic or animal print instead. It’s not quite the same, but I’ll settle for these alternatives.
- A colouful handbag: Get yourself out of the neutral handbag rut. I’ll accept red, metallic or animal print too (faux zebra, giraffe or pony get my vote).
- Clamdiggers or walk shorts: They are the answer to cropped pants.
- A day dress: Nothing keeps you as cool as an A-line, knee-length dress. If you live in hot weather, make this a staple. If frocks aren’t your fancy, try to keep at least one on the back burner to haul out on an extra girly day.
- A cardigan: The layering staple that looks good over just about anything.
- A voluminous item: A superb current trend that can be interpreted in a variety of ways. Whether it’s in the form of wide-legged pants, lantern sleeves, trapeze jackets, roomy tunics, sack sheaths, baby dolls or billowing blouses, choose one that suits your body type and go with the flow.
- A wedge: It’s the modern-day heel. Add it in a metal or shade of white and you’ve got a go-to Summer shoe.
- A global accent: Add a tribal twist to your look with an exotic bangle, animal print item or safari inspired piece. Interpret this trend your way and make a statement.
Floral prints, gladiators, shirt dresses, cropped jackets and waist-cinching belts are great trends but not for everyone. You’re fine investing in patent, skinnies and straight leg jeans. These items have become basics and we’ll see them every season.
End-of-season sales have begun. Start ticking off your Summer shopping list and look fab.
June 24th, 2008 at 7:10 am
I can not believe this, but I actually have something in each of your top ten categories above Angie, even multiple items for particular groups, such as wedges
Also some florals, shirt-dresses, one cropped jacket, and a waist-cinching belts. I guess the only thing missing from your extended list are gladiators, but I don’t like those too much anyway.
These tells me that reading your blog for more than half a year now has certainly tremendously improved my style quotient, so I deeply thank you for that! Also, my shopping ban till fall is quite justified, since I have everything I need already.
June 24th, 2008 at 7:21 am
Likewise! I guess I just need to go find a white accessory. Thank you Angie!!!
June 24th, 2008 at 7:58 am
I have everything mentioned above including the gladiators. Guess I’ll pass the sales but I do feel fabulous!
June 24th, 2008 at 8:32 am
The only things I have left in your top ten list are a dress and more colorful shoes (thanks to YLF and the forum). I actually have gold metallic wedges which have been my go-to shoes this season. I’m picky about dresses, but I think I’ve found a white one I love:
http://www.whitehouseblackmark.....&size=
June 24th, 2008 at 8:56 am
Seems I’m missing some white in my wardrobe. What I’d really like to find is a white chunky beaded necklace.
June 24th, 2008 at 9:12 am
I’m having trouble with the voluminous item as I usually feel uncomfortable with extra volume on my short frame. I just reread your hints for rectangles and wonder if a fuller top tucked in counts if allowed to blouse out a bit. I used to do this in order to compensate for a high waist. Now I’ve been wearing the tops out.
June 24th, 2008 at 9:25 am
Wohoo, I scored 9 out of 10. I’m missing the white accessory, and am not even planning on getting one, it’s just not really my thing. But I do love my white bottoms and tops. And trying new things thanks to YLF made me score much better than I would have a year ago, e.g. on the wedge and cardi items.
I also got a shirt dress, floral print skirt, and a brand new belt. It was great shopping with my mom yesterday and last Friday. We found Macy’s and ATL to be the best destinations; they had tons of nice things and super prices.
J Crew disappointed, as they had little of their earlier summer wares left in the store, though they are still plentiful online (e.g. those lovely short-sleeved cardis that Ana turned me on to.)
June 24th, 2008 at 9:44 am
I don’t have a colorful purse, but I do have a white patent one that I’ve been using all spring and plan to use all summer. I know white not “colorful”, but I think my purse pops as much as colorful one would.
I don’t have a day dress and I don’t own anything voluminous. I don’t do volume–so I’ll be happy to pass on that one item. And all you regular forum members know about my plight of dresses.
Tops on my list for the fall are a pair of straight jeans, new boots, and more patent.
June 24th, 2008 at 9:45 am
P.S. Love those zebra pumps. I’m glad they’re expensive so I won’t even get tempted!
June 24th, 2008 at 9:45 am
P.S. Ana, that dress is beautiful–you will look like a Greek goddess in it!
June 24th, 2008 at 10:52 am
Wow - thanks Angie! I feel like the “it” girl as I have all these things in my wardrobe. I’ve even got those gladiator type sandals. Mine are a bronzy brown flat with leather laces that just kinda wrap around the ankle - gosh, they look cute with a billowy skirt, white pants and even with my funky kind of jeans - very tropical vacation. Don’t forget a great pedicure!
June 24th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
Wahoo! I’ve already got my trends covered; I’m currently on the hunt for more shirt dresses and more leopard print. Optical white skinny jeans are on their way, too!
June 24th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
*Smiles* Wow, I have something in every category, too! I guess I can stop thinking that my wardrobe doesn’t have enough pieces in it… and start making sure the things I do have get a good rotation; I want to get my moneys worth out of them.
June 24th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
I have all on the list except the bright bag, shoes and metallic wedges. I don’t think bright flip flops count. Oh well. I’ve stocked up on all the rest, with no real budget at all, so I’m happy.
June 24th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
I don’t have something from every category like almost everyone else does, but I’m still fairly new here. I was pleasantly surprised to see that I have quite a few things on Angie’s list. I have a white skirt and want white clamdiggers and jeans. I have a white handbag and watch and want white chunky beads. I have my first pair of colorful shoes in red. Someday I’ll get braver and venture into other colors. No colorful handbag or walkshorts yet. I have four day dresses, a bright yellow cardigan, and a baby doll top. And I haven’t found my perfect wedge yet or anything global that tickles my fancy. YLF is definitely increasing my style quotient.
June 24th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
I’m impressed ladies!
Tanya and Julia, you are definitely set for Summer. Let’s see more fab-ly creative outfits on the forum.
Ana, that dress is gorgeous and I can’t wait to see it on with gold accessories. Delicious!
Joy, try belting a voluminous top at the waist.
Antje, your new red and white specs have quite a lot of white in them, which counts in my book!
Nicole, your new white handbag is great and you DO own something voluminous. Those caramel coloured pants with a wider leg and higher waist fit the bill. And you’ll be sporting the right day dresses in no time!
June 25th, 2008 at 8:40 am
I forgot to add that I love my white watch and cream jeans. Thanks, Angie! I feel like I’ve saved a bundle by following your suggestions and therefore making fewer fashion mistakes. This list helps me know when to stop. Any clues as to which trends will carry over to Spring/Summer 2009?
June 25th, 2008 at 8:47 am
I too have the list covered. I’m trying hard not to buy any more for the season or else I won’t get enough wear out of what I do have– I want to keep my closet from overwhelming me. Items I do have my eye on– a white patent belt and white gladiators. I will also keep an eye out for a white necklace.